Youth Camp

           It has been a couple of years since the last Carousel Dressage Youth Camp. I was able to host a small program in Florida this past winter and for sure this ignited the fire inside me to get my youth programs back on track and make them a reality.
           This past week was definitely an adventure. I had many doubts and worries as we moved forward toward our start date, the least of which was not stalls for the horses and sleeping arrangements for the girls. Every time I started to get overwhelmed with how was it all going to go I just kept my eye on the ball, doing a Youth Camp is really important and we will get it done. And I am so incredibly happy about the results!!! The week was amazing, and I am inspired for the next one!
           The power of persuasion! Many of you saw my posts on Face Book asking for recommendations for stalls. The people that offer stalls in this area are few and far between, some businesses already closed shop and the others already booked. I am super grateful to  Bob at National Show who was able to dig up some stalls for me, send his driver from New Jersey and direct me where to find a tent, what kind and how, because he was out of tents. It sometimes takes people to step out and lend a hand to get things done and THANK YOU Bob for helping us get this camp off the ground!!
             Where to put the tent! Already not an easy task, was made even more complicated by the weather!!! Not typical June weather, the rain made it a bit more difficult, so I need to thank Christian Party Rental and their creative staff for being so generous with their time and energy to put the tent in a bit of a complicated spot and they did so with expertise and enthusiasm. I am so lucky!
               Our girls!
                     It was as we started to get closer to camp that I realized we needed more help!I reached out to Remy Sprague who has joined in all of my camps in the past. She was just back from college and had not started work yet. Remy was a life saver and not only a super help with the organizational side but a wonderful mentor for the girls and a fabulous example of how this positive mindset coaching can change lives. We also had help from another student Annie Wohlgemuth which was amazing because Lexie and Huber and I needed to not only be hosting camp but taking care of and riding the horses we are training! We never could have done it with out Remy and Annie. Thank you!
                     Leah Drew, Samantha Mahar, Hazel Greene, Clara and Addie Locke and Natalia Haycock Tafur all arrived Wednesday morning and the riding started Wednesday after our first lunch lecture. I prepared work books that were a combination of mindset and dressage and each meal was spent with some discussion about our work books. Although we had an outline, much of the discussion was directed by the girls and their questions and curiosity to dive in to some of the subjects deeper. I always feel like I learn so much during camp!! Some of the talks I did remember to record, so some of this will be coming on the website.
                     The girls all made amazing progress in their riding. We were able to do lunge lessons where we did a lot of seat work and well as practical riding. We also hosted two guests Saturday Nick and Sophie who ride with me once a week. With two more campers we all did work with the horses twice having fabulous Tristan Tucker ground work lessons as well as riding. The ground work lessons were super fun and everyone learned even more about their horses, and this followed thru to make an even bigger impact on their riding. Thank you Tristan for your inspiration!

                     Throughout the week we also did special grooming, braiding, bandaging and other care and management lessons. Lexie and Remy guided the girls to be more conscientious about the routine care they give their horses.

                     The week flew by and all I can do to keep my spirits up after everyone left is to start planning the next one!!

                              Thank you to everyone that helped bring this special week together! Especially Heidi and Dick Venuti who were so generous to let us overtake their beautiful Kilgore Farm, Remy, Lexie, Huber and Annie for all of your hard work and energy, Casey and Scott Satriano for helping to sponsor the tent!! And very importantly to these girls and their parents for their time, enthusiasm and all of the effort it took to get here. Thank you for joining us for this special week and I look forward to the next one!!


                 

Dressage from here to there

           It is with great enthusiasm that I return from Mystic Valley Dressage Show and sit down to write this Blog. Always fun to catch up with friends and to realize that so many of my colleagues are still as passionate about this sport as when we all started just a few years ago. Glorious and Enzo were very good. We put down four tests that were relaxed and confident with many good points and positive comments. Enzo did his first Inter 1 which is super fun to get him going at this level and Glorious did his first freestyle!! Both boys topped their classes with very good scores and I am grateful to have them in my life.
           I was very grateful to have time to do a short talk during the competitor party with my friend Kyrena Parkinson. Kyrena and I talked a bit about competition mindset and creating healthy eating habits for optimum energy. These subjects are part of my youth webinars and it is fun to be able to give a talk like this live.
           Something that I am also very excited about is developing good riding skills from an early age. I find that many of the trainers end up having to undo some bad habits and misconceptions as the kids move along, and part of this is because we do not utilize the system as well as we could. As Americans we tend to be in a hurry. We can occasionally skip steps, or feel as though certain pieces of the puzzle are not necessary. We all know that building a lasting foundation takes time, and there is no more important a foundation than our seat and the application of the aids. I know for myself I could have learned these basics in a more systematic way, and I have worked hard to create a confident seat that can serve me in all situations. I am eager to help all riders find their best seat and I know from experience that the earlier we start working on it the easier it is!
             It is with this in mind that I encourage trainers and children and parents to look at the system in place with the FEI and now the addition of our Dressage Seat Medal classes added by the USDF.
              Children's classes are offered now at most Dressage Shows and are for riders 12 years to 14 years. Children's is close to first level. So of course prior to Children's training and first level would be a good option if your child wants to start before 12 years old. However, there are differences in the way the children's tests are written and judged that create the foundation necessary to move up the levels. The tests ask questions, and the scores do not reflect the special gaits of a particular horse, but instead reflect the ability of the rider to sit, create balance and understanding in the horse/pony and build an honest rider that can go to the next step with confidence.
               Pony classes are for riders ages 12 to 16 years. Pony classes are equivalent to second and third level without a flying change. There is controversy over the flying change, however, I am 100% in agreement that there should not be a flying change. One of the hardest things to master is the posture change from sitting in position right to position left and vs a vs. Getting this to work in a body that is right (or left) handed takes time and practice. Taking it to the show ring and being able to do it under pressure another challenge. Creating correct aids for lateral work, collecting after extended gaits and so on, this is not easy and should not be looked at as such. It is challenging and should be treated with respect and diligence. Kids that are successful in ponies absolutely will develop good seat skills and the application of the aids to move up to Juniors and Young Riders. Skipping this step can be detrimental to a child's education and in addition can prevent the ability to experience the joy and confidence of learning what is necessary to create a solid partnership. If you can connect and partner with a pony, You can do just about anything!! Let our future dressage riders have this experience, the kids deserve it! Another important note here is that these classes are offered at CDI's. This means that one can get the experience of this high level competition at a young age. A CDI is much more comprehensive than a normal dressage show. There are medication restrictions, stabling rules, schooling time and award protocols. Having this opportunity will better prepare our youth riders for the challenges they will encounter when moving toward team competitions.
                Junior classes are for riders 14 to 18. The junior classes are equivalent to 3 rd level, but, are they really? Junior tests ask many questions. Have you learned how to half halt? Can you ride your horse in position right or position left? Can you give the reins away and keep your horse on your seat. And, most importantly do you and your horse understand a double bridle. Many of these important subjects are dumbed down, or overlooked. They are so important and they take time. We are not born knowing how to sit. Seat development takes time. Learning how to sit and learning how to sit while riding a test, another challenge. Learning how to sit and learning how to sit at a show, another challenge. As trainers we need to support our riders through this process. As riders we need to learn it is a process and it does not happen all at once, but over time. Take time to ride the Junior tests and have a Junior horse! It is well worth the time spent and the connection created.
               Young Riders are for riders 16 years to 21 years. These tests are equivalent to the Prix St. Georges. However, as you see from the text above they are asking even more questions. The sequence changes, canter and trot zig zag and introduction to pirouettes all challenge the riders ability to balance their horse and ride with flexion and collection. When introduced to these tests without a basic foundation they become complicated and discouraging. When you move into these tests with good basics they are still challenging, but the basic principals make sense and the tests will flow with grace and confidence. Through the use of the systematic approach up the levels one has learned about the use of corners, half halts and proper forward and collecting aids. The proper use of the seat will make the questions in the test welcome and fun.
                Under 25 classes are the developing Grand Prix level and are a fantastic way to step into the Grand Prix ring and gain experience. They are open to riders 16 years to 25 years. Getting to Grand Prix as fast as you can should not be the purpose. The fact that you can start at 16 years old does not mean you should. There are many scenarios that might make this work, but I am a strong advocate for learning the basic foundation before jumping into the Grand Prix. There is so much that goes into the Grand Prix, being relaxed and present for your horse can only be possible when you can control your seat, legs and hands. This is built over time and takes practice. Enjoy the process. The partnership and the connection are so important. Believe it or not this is what makes successful riders.
              USDF is really working hard to get the Dressage Seat Medal Classes going. These classes are open to anyone under 18. There are two divisions 14-18 years and under 13. This program is great! and more can be found out about it on USDF.org. There is a championship that you need to qualify for. These classes will help get the focus on the proper seat and application of the aids. Being part of this program allows kids to be rewarded for working on these very important fundamentals. Please consider making these classes part of your training program and show schedule.

                       Please feel free to contact me with any questions or for more information. If I do not know the answers I am happy to find someone that does. nancylaterdressagehorses@gmail.com

                     Be Youthful in Your Approach
                     Connection is the Key
                     Remember, Anything is Possible

                                  Nancy