Carousel Coaching, Nancy Lavoie: May 2010

Dressage

Dressage (a French term meaning "training") is a path and destination of competitive horse training, with competitions held at all levels from amateur to the Olympics. Its fundamental purpose is to develop, through standardized progressive training methods, a horse's natural athletic ability and willingness to perform, thereby maximizing its potential as a riding horse. At the peak of a dressage horse's gymnastic development, it can smoothly respond to a skilled rider's minimal aids by performing the requested movement while remaining relaxed and appearing effortless. Dressage is occasionally referred to as "Horse Ballet." Although the discipline has its roots in classical Greek horsemanship, mainly through the influence of Xenophon, dressage was first recognized as an important equestrian pursuit during the Renaissance in Western Europe. The great European riding masters of that period developed a sequential training system that has changed little since then and classical dressage is still considered the basis of trained modern dressage.

Early European aristocrats displayed their horses' training in equestrian pageants, but in modern dressage competition, successful training at the various levels is demonstrated through the performance of "tests," or prescribed series of movements within a standard arena. Judges evaluate each movement on the basis of an objective standard appropriate to the level of the test and assign each movement a score from zero to ten - zero being "not executed" and ten being "excellent." A score of nine (or "very good") is considered a particularly high mark, while a competitor achieving all sixes (or 60% overall) should be considering moving on to the next level.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Congratulations

Best of Luck to Julie and Robin! Thank you so much to Caroline Pepin and Gail Gibbs for making this wonderful partnership possible.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

New addition!

Here he is! Our new addition! Born May 27 a bay colt out of our wonderful mare Honolulu by Pik L.

More pictures to follow!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Journey to MA

The move to Massachusetts has begun! Matt and I have taken the camper up to the farm in Pepperell and now we are back in Florida to pack up the horses and move them up to our summer digs. New England is so beautiful this time of year, it was fun to everything in bloom. Our first horse show in the North, Mystic Valley, is right around the corner! We are looking forward to seeing everyone there!

New Addition!

Honolulu has had her baby! A bay colt born today May 27. Honolulu my lovely mare by Hailo was bred to Pik L and we are so excited to have a foal. Thank you to Nancy Sharpless in Climax, North Carolina for her great care. Pictures will follow!

Monday, May 17, 2010

PW

Here she is, PW going to school! She is doing great! lunging lessons are going well and yesterday she wore her surcingle for the first time. She wanted to know what that is all about, but took it in stride. She is always looking for affection and that is not hard when she is so cute!

Phil Silva has agreed to take her to her Hanoverian inspection in July, so that will be great!

Getting ready for our journey home. We will leave with the horses June 1. Lots of packing to do...........................

Monday, May 10, 2010

PW

Pikksie Wish is continuing her lessons and really starting to enjoy them! She is very clever and likes to please. As long as we do not cause sensory overload she is 100% willing and trying to get an A+ on every lesson. She is wearing her cute little bridle, not completely sure what to do with the bit, but she is accepting the idea! Her work in hand lessons are going very well and her trot is looking quite fancy. Raymundo is very patient with her and she is giving him all of her attention during the lessons. We are hoping to do some breed shows in the summer, I think she will do quite well! Also will take her to her Hanoverian Inspection in July.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Congratulations!

Good job! Ariel and Evita recieved 72% for their Young Rider Freestyle last sunday at the Wellington Classic Dressage Challenge. The music is absolutly wonderful and Ariel and Evita are really beginning to find their confidence in the arena. That is our last show here in Florida. Time to start thinking about organising the big move to Massachusetts at the end of May. During June we will be at Mystic Valley Dressage and Westbrook Hunt Club for Centerlines Events summer dressage show.

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