June in Ashby is absolutly beautiful! Last week John was haying. The hill was in different degrees of preparedness, Some grass still standing.... some cut, some in rows, some being baled. John is an artist when it comes to the hay. The hillside is cut into sections so he is able to manage each section cut, dry, baled and into the barn in the most efficient way possible. I am not sure that he realizes what an artist he is!
Although we had some hot weather, for hte most part the air has been fresh and the horses happy with this. Such a welcome change from Florida.
My kids are doing great. Glorious has started to feel confident in his big boy movement. We are working everyday only to keep him supple and happy and his stride is growing as well as his muscles! PW is also becoming more confident. Rikke did a fantastic job over the winter just helping her to understand the balance and her job. Thank you! Now she is such a pleasure to work with and her work is maturing. My two five year olds are the high light of my day.
Ariel and Sax are making good progress. The show at Westbrook was a big improvement in the Young Rider GP :) After their wonderful demo on saturday in the Dancing Our Way to the Podium demonstration, Sax still had some energy left for his test! We still have some work to do on putting the whole test together, but it is so great for Ariel to have such a wonderful horse to learn on.
Taylor and Cookie made some major progress in the ridability of the Young Rider tests over the weekend. Cookie is looking relaxed and attentive and Taylor is articulating the test with alot more precision then a short time ago. It is a fun journey to be part of and Taylor is fine tuning her skills everyday and shows alot of promise as a competitor and a trainer.
Ann Friedlander's Royal also joined us at westbrook for his first outing since we purchased him a little more then a year ago. He has a wonderful demeaner and was well received by the judge receiving 71% ! Several 8's and a 9 helped him to win his class!
So many other things going on....... I have been asked to help sunday in the Emerging Athletes program at Bear Spot Farm, then off the Germany to watch in Aachen :) YEA! Thanks Maggie!, back in time for Lendon's D4K show in Saugherties, off to Kentucky with Taylor for Young Riders and then back for the CADI at Bear Spot in the beginning of August. There are so many great things going on for the kids in New England, IT IS JUST FANTASTIC!
Looking forward to a summer filled with great riding and good horses! I wish this for you as well :)
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
Horses we need them as much as they need us.......
Last week while I was riding my horses I was mulling over in my head the next blog installment. My two 5 year old are really going fantastic. My girls are starting to learn to half halt............blah blah blah. I sat down to start writing this ingenious entry last thursday when I was delivered some very sad and disturbing news. One of our family, Taylor's boyfriend Seth was shot and killed by a policeman on his own property in Florida, last wednesday night. A terrible shock. And what do we do now? The thing is, that when you have horses they need you. And that is a wonderful thing when all you want to do is nothing............... The passion and peacefullness, our love for horses keeps us on track when the world goes crazy. Seth was very supportive of Taylor's riding. He was an animal lover and appreciated Taylor's dedication to her riding dream. Knowing that Seth would not want Taylor to quit gave us all the strength to keep going, even thru Taylor's horse show in Connecticut over the weekend. Where she was able to complete her qualifications for the YR Championships in Kentucky with her new freestyle! Ariel was able to be a great support to Taylor while trying to keep her focus and show Sax in their first YR Grand Prix :)
There will be a Memorial Service for Seth in Florida Sunday May 27.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Back in Ashby
We travelled back to Ashby a week ago last sunday. 14 horses, 3 trucks and alot of equipment. The trip went smoothly. Ralph from Meadowbrook Transport helped us to bring the horses up North. He is a great asset to the team when we have to make such a move. As usual we stopped in Parkton, NC just outside of Fayetteville at NSE Stables. This is the best layover EVER. The stalls are big, always clean and they take such great care of us.
Monday we unpacked the stable and walked all of the tired horses. They all made the trip in great shape, no temperatures, everyone eating and drinking could not ask for more! Tuesday Matt and I started moving the house ..... and the upcoming clinic needed some attention. Wednesday the riding began and thursday we already had people arriving for our clinic. The barn looked great when we arrived thanks to John, Elyse, Jeanne and Charlie.
The clinic with Mr Schumacher went great. Mr Schumacher as always took time to explain the important basics and timing of good training. Everyone worked hard and the horses and riders looked great! Friday was for the adults. The theme was timing. Timing for the aids of the flying changes, timing for the right time to ask and the right time to give, and time to feel. My lesson was great. I rode Noah. The andalusian gelding I have in training owned by Gail Gibbs. When Mr Schumacher was helping us in Florida we were working with Noah on the engagement of the inside hind leg in the pirouettes and his lateral suppleness for half passes. The pirouettes were soooooo much better this time around I was really happy. Noah stayed so much more infront of me and the control in the turn is really starting to be available. We did some new exercises for the lateral suppleness in the half pass and this became so much better, and Noah was accepting of the legs in a much more grown up fashion. It was sooooo fun!
The weekend was for the kids, and this was great for me to watch. Mr Schumacher was a bit more strict with the young girls then he was with the older students of the day before. But, it was great to see them all step up to the plate and really get what he was looking for. The use of the aids was a common theme. Body control, knowing when you are using your aids and when your horse has given, and waiting if he has not. Over and over again he stressed that we must not creat unhealthy pressure in the horses. When the neck is blocked and the horse does not move thru the back it is impossible for the horses to be in front of us. I always learn so much about teaching when I watch him deal with each individual situation. The progress was fantastic and I am so excited for these up and coming riders. They have great horses and ponies and a super support group to help them excel in this sport.
Monday we unpacked the stable and walked all of the tired horses. They all made the trip in great shape, no temperatures, everyone eating and drinking could not ask for more! Tuesday Matt and I started moving the house ..... and the upcoming clinic needed some attention. Wednesday the riding began and thursday we already had people arriving for our clinic. The barn looked great when we arrived thanks to John, Elyse, Jeanne and Charlie.
The clinic with Mr Schumacher went great. Mr Schumacher as always took time to explain the important basics and timing of good training. Everyone worked hard and the horses and riders looked great! Friday was for the adults. The theme was timing. Timing for the aids of the flying changes, timing for the right time to ask and the right time to give, and time to feel. My lesson was great. I rode Noah. The andalusian gelding I have in training owned by Gail Gibbs. When Mr Schumacher was helping us in Florida we were working with Noah on the engagement of the inside hind leg in the pirouettes and his lateral suppleness for half passes. The pirouettes were soooooo much better this time around I was really happy. Noah stayed so much more infront of me and the control in the turn is really starting to be available. We did some new exercises for the lateral suppleness in the half pass and this became so much better, and Noah was accepting of the legs in a much more grown up fashion. It was sooooo fun!
The weekend was for the kids, and this was great for me to watch. Mr Schumacher was a bit more strict with the young girls then he was with the older students of the day before. But, it was great to see them all step up to the plate and really get what he was looking for. The use of the aids was a common theme. Body control, knowing when you are using your aids and when your horse has given, and waiting if he has not. Over and over again he stressed that we must not creat unhealthy pressure in the horses. When the neck is blocked and the horse does not move thru the back it is impossible for the horses to be in front of us. I always learn so much about teaching when I watch him deal with each individual situation. The progress was fantastic and I am so excited for these up and coming riders. They have great horses and ponies and a super support group to help them excel in this sport.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Fabulous Florida!
Last night we watched the Nations Cup Freestyles at Global, such a beautiful night. Fun horses great atmosphere. We are definitly spoiled here in Wellington! I cannot wait to get back in the ring and ride at this level. It was the first time in a long time I really wanted to be riding. So I guess that is a good thing!
Horses at home are doing great. Ann was first in her first first level test with 74% at Jim Brandon's Gold Coast Finale. AWESOME! Sammy is a master in the show ring and all of Ann's hard work paid off and came together for a beautiful ride. We are so proud of her.
Last week we were back at White Fences. Ariel won the Inter 1 with Sax 68%. A great outing especially since they had not been in the ring since August! Sax is not getting older he is just getting better! And stayed tuned for our "Sax goes" series coming soon!
Noah did his first PSG and we had sooooo much fun! We had a couple of boo boo's and he felt a bit surprised to be doing all of the hardest things he knows one after the other in the show ring, but he got 64% and we are very proud!
Debby also showed for the first time this winter and did great! Two blue ribbons with Lucky Charm, 62% and 67%. She was so good, and looks like a definite FEI horse in the making!
So that is the last weekend of showing in Florida. Now we are under the gun to get packed up and home, unpacked and organised for our clinic with Mr Schumacher May 4-6 in Ashby. I am very excited to be hosting Mr Schumacher at the beginning of the show season in New England. So far we have alot of interest and really looking forward to having a great group of riders and auditors and soaking up Mr Schumacher's fantastic sysytem.
I am so lucky ! :)
Horses at home are doing great. Ann was first in her first first level test with 74% at Jim Brandon's Gold Coast Finale. AWESOME! Sammy is a master in the show ring and all of Ann's hard work paid off and came together for a beautiful ride. We are so proud of her.
Last week we were back at White Fences. Ariel won the Inter 1 with Sax 68%. A great outing especially since they had not been in the ring since August! Sax is not getting older he is just getting better! And stayed tuned for our "Sax goes" series coming soon!
Noah did his first PSG and we had sooooo much fun! We had a couple of boo boo's and he felt a bit surprised to be doing all of the hardest things he knows one after the other in the show ring, but he got 64% and we are very proud!
Debby also showed for the first time this winter and did great! Two blue ribbons with Lucky Charm, 62% and 67%. She was so good, and looks like a definite FEI horse in the making!
So that is the last weekend of showing in Florida. Now we are under the gun to get packed up and home, unpacked and organised for our clinic with Mr Schumacher May 4-6 in Ashby. I am very excited to be hosting Mr Schumacher at the beginning of the show season in New England. So far we have alot of interest and really looking forward to having a great group of riders and auditors and soaking up Mr Schumacher's fantastic sysytem.
I am so lucky ! :)
Monday, April 2, 2012
April Begins
Not sure how we came to the end of March so quickly. Good thing I am getting older and taking things step by step. I can look back on the whirlwind of the winter and see that all of our horses and riders have made so much progress.
The horse shows have been very succesful for those who have participated. Taylor has taken Cookie from an event horse to a jr horse and now into young riders ranks all in one amazing year. Not an easy job :) Well done. Roxanne has become relaxed (for the most part!) and fluent in her 3 rd level tests. Such a fun horse to compete and thank you Casey and Scott for that opportunity.
Noah my man has been a bit up and down about his desire to show himself off. Never a dull moment but always a test filled with character :) Time to move on to Prix St George he tells me, 4 th level is for babies.
But, some hard working horses and ladies have made progress out of the show ring and that is also very rewarding to watch.
Ariel and Sax are moving fluently thru the grand prix work and preparing for the young rider Grand Prix and how awesome is that! Evita is learning patience and Ariel learning to be a trainer not just a passenger. Very fun to sit on the side lines and witness the subtle changes and growth.
Judith has stepped up to the plate in our new competitive atmosphere and Omar has been working his shiny hiney off, not sure if that always makes him happy, but it makes me happy to see them coming together as a team!
Ann has finally come to grips with 1 st level test one and will tackle it for real at the show grounds in two weeks! Looking forward to them getting into the ring after all of the hard work and preparation over the past months. Royal is also really coming along and starting to understand a bit about connection and hind legs. Could we find a more willing horse, I do not think there are many like him made and we are so lucky to have him!
Nancy and Windy joined us late in the season, but are in a hurry to catch up! Windy is changing shape before our eyes and Nancy, an excellent student does not let one lesson go by without holding onto some important information.
Our Peruvian connection is also a work in progress, but daily progress is fantastic to see. Fox and Maggie have made the adjustment to Florida life and Fox is prospering! They are working in a new balance that is so nice to see and Fox working harder then Maggie is an excellent change!
Today we say good bye to Gille and Donna, but see you soon when you come to visit us in Ashby!! Donna is doing a great job with Gille, also getting her to work in a peaceful way. Her balance improved since last year sooooo much and the lesson program starting to be Donna's choice, that is nice!
Zee had her one year anniversary with us last week and Barbara has done so well with her thru the year. What a perfect pair. They are elegant together. Zee is moving into collection and Barbara is learning to be patient training a young horse and not have one ready made! Such a fun process.
Rikke has been fantastic with PW and she even had her first outing in March at Jim Brandon schooling show. PW feeling a bit intimidated in the big indoor but with Rikke support did not put one foot wrong, so nice to see. And Rikke newest project Elena has come along so far from nervous nelly to 3 rd level star in such a short time!
There is no place like Florida in the winter, the shows are great, the clinic opportunities so fantastic and the people who all share our passion!
The horse shows have been very succesful for those who have participated. Taylor has taken Cookie from an event horse to a jr horse and now into young riders ranks all in one amazing year. Not an easy job :) Well done. Roxanne has become relaxed (for the most part!) and fluent in her 3 rd level tests. Such a fun horse to compete and thank you Casey and Scott for that opportunity.
Noah my man has been a bit up and down about his desire to show himself off. Never a dull moment but always a test filled with character :) Time to move on to Prix St George he tells me, 4 th level is for babies.
But, some hard working horses and ladies have made progress out of the show ring and that is also very rewarding to watch.
Ariel and Sax are moving fluently thru the grand prix work and preparing for the young rider Grand Prix and how awesome is that! Evita is learning patience and Ariel learning to be a trainer not just a passenger. Very fun to sit on the side lines and witness the subtle changes and growth.
Judith has stepped up to the plate in our new competitive atmosphere and Omar has been working his shiny hiney off, not sure if that always makes him happy, but it makes me happy to see them coming together as a team!
Ann has finally come to grips with 1 st level test one and will tackle it for real at the show grounds in two weeks! Looking forward to them getting into the ring after all of the hard work and preparation over the past months. Royal is also really coming along and starting to understand a bit about connection and hind legs. Could we find a more willing horse, I do not think there are many like him made and we are so lucky to have him!
Nancy and Windy joined us late in the season, but are in a hurry to catch up! Windy is changing shape before our eyes and Nancy, an excellent student does not let one lesson go by without holding onto some important information.
Our Peruvian connection is also a work in progress, but daily progress is fantastic to see. Fox and Maggie have made the adjustment to Florida life and Fox is prospering! They are working in a new balance that is so nice to see and Fox working harder then Maggie is an excellent change!
Today we say good bye to Gille and Donna, but see you soon when you come to visit us in Ashby!! Donna is doing a great job with Gille, also getting her to work in a peaceful way. Her balance improved since last year sooooo much and the lesson program starting to be Donna's choice, that is nice!
Zee had her one year anniversary with us last week and Barbara has done so well with her thru the year. What a perfect pair. They are elegant together. Zee is moving into collection and Barbara is learning to be patient training a young horse and not have one ready made! Such a fun process.
Rikke has been fantastic with PW and she even had her first outing in March at Jim Brandon schooling show. PW feeling a bit intimidated in the big indoor but with Rikke support did not put one foot wrong, so nice to see. And Rikke newest project Elena has come along so far from nervous nelly to 3 rd level star in such a short time!
There is no place like Florida in the winter, the shows are great, the clinic opportunities so fantastic and the people who all share our passion!
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