Category Archives: Training/Clinics

Dressage, Training/Clinics

Motivation from Moshi, by Jane Savoie

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Jane says I’m too serious, and need to play more. She told me I should relax and enjoy life. I used to think she was crazy. I have lots of work to do, and I didn’t think I should waste time playing around. Dressage is serious business ya’ know, and I have to be PERFECT. But Jane taught me that dressage should be FUN first, and serious second.

I’ve heard Jane tell visitors that I’m very wise, like a Socrates with four legs. There is an old record that says Socrates learned to dance when he was seventy because he felt that an essential part of himself had been neglected. So, I thought, perhaps I should learn to dance, too! Jane loved that idea. She cranked up the music and off we went!

To really dance well, you have to let go of the habit of looking at yourself through other people’s eyes. You have to stop that feedback loop. You have to risk looking silly. To dance you have to take a bit of the athlete in you and mix it with the artist in you. Unrestricted movement, without too much thinking, is the key. Shake, rattle, and roll, and you have a dance!

Do you like to dance? When was the last time you really let go and let your body move to the rhythm of the music? I suggest you try that today. Find a quiet room, close the door if you’re shy, and turn up the tunes. Release your mind as you release your body to move with the beat. Let go. Feel the freedom of movement. Close your eyes and really feel it.

There is nothing better for relieving stress than a good, powerful, free flowing dance. Give it a try! You can do it! Even if you’ve convinced yourself that you’re not a good dancer, you can still dance! Everyone can. You just have to be willing. You might surprise yourself how good you really are!

Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in high heels.

Love, Moshi

Jane Savoie
1174 Hill St ext.
Berlin, VT 05602
Jane’s Website
DressageMentor.com

Show Jumping, Training/Clinics

Olympic Gold Medalist Peter Wylde to Host Masterclass Clinic at Rutledge Farm

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Middleburg, Va. – May 13, 2019 – The team at Rutledge Farm is less than one month away from welcoming Olympic show jumping gold medalist Peter Wylde to host an exclusive masterclass clinic as a part of the 2019 Rutledge Farm Sessions clinic series. Applications for the four rider spots will close May 16, and auditor tickets are available in the remaining weeks leading up to the clinic. Wylde joins Rutledge Farm’s group of elite 2019 clinicians, including Karen Healey, Boyd Martin, Will Simpson, Ali Brock, Debbie McDonald, Phillip Dutton, and Stacia Madden.

Working his way up through the ranks, Wylde quickly made a name for himself as a junior athlete by winning top equitation championships, including the ASPCA Maclay Finals as well as the IHSA Cacchione Cup. In 2004, Wylde earned his first Olympic gold medal for the United States in Show Jumping in Athens, Greece. Wylde also earned an individual bronze medal at the Jerez de la Frontera, Spain World Equestrian Games (WEG) in 2002, as well as one team and one individual silver medal at the Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada in 1999.

Wylde said, “Aleco [Bravo-Greenberg] gave me a tour of [Rutledge Farm,] and it is so beautiful. I had pretty much decided that I wasn’t going to do clinics anymore, and this is actually the only clinic that I will do besides the Emerging Athletes Program (EAP) with the USHJA. I’m excited to come back to Middleburg in June.”

In 2009, Wylde was asked to be the USHJA’s first EAP National Training Session clinician for its inaugural program, and he currently serves as the lead clinician each year. Wylde also serves as Vice Chair of the Emerging Athletes Task Force. Throughout the year, Wylde currently competes and trains at some of the country’s top show jumping events, including the Devon Horse Show, Kentucky Horse Shows spring and summer series, and the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).

On his training technique, Wylde said, “I like to be able to assess what I see with the given horse and give riders insight into what I think is the best way forward, and what small little changes can try to help them. I try to tailor clinics to give the rider the best information without being too confusing, it should be very simple and very straightforward.”

With over 40 years of experience in the sport, attendees can look forward to learning about “honing the art of fine riding.” Wylde’s boutique-style clinic will kick off at 4:00 p.m. with rider spots being limited to just four horse and rider pairs. Auditors are welcomed and encouraged to join as Wylde imparts his knowledge and advice about the sport. Throughout the clinic, Wylde will open the floor for auditor questions, and the evening will conclude with 30-minute question and answer session.

Wylde said, “One of my favorite things about hosting clinics is answering questions. We can use the riders in the clinic as examples, and then talk bigger picture to the audience. I welcome auditors and I think it’s a fantastic way to learn. I really love being able to host clinics and share my knowledge.”

Applications to ride in Wylde’s clinic are now open, with limited ride spots available. There are only a few days left to submit applications, and acceptance notices will be sent out to riders on Thursday, May 16. Auditor tickets will be available in the remaining weeks leading up the clinic.

For more information about Peter Wylde’s Rutledge Farm Session, or to find out how to ride in another one of this year’s sessions, visit rutledgefarm.com/clinics.

Training/Clinics

Motivation from Moshi, by Jane Savoie

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I see blue sky, green grass, and yellow flowers. I can’t see red apples as my eyes perceive the color red as deep gray. I’ve been told that it’s because horses have a different eye structure from humans and can only see things in blues, yellows, and greens. My eyes don’t have the cones to produce the colors red, purple, or orange.

When you look at yourself in the mirror, what do you see? I guarantee that you don’t see the same thing I do. You also don’t see the same thing your mother, your partner/spouse, or your dog sees.

Perception is a tricky thing. We can only relate to our own perception, so we naturally assume everyone sees things the way we do. But as we mature and become wiser, we recognize that this is so far from the truth! Everyone’s perceptions are colored by their previous experiences, their culture, their brain function, and their unique senses. We all see things differently.

The next time you’re in a conflict with a person, or even your horse, remember… how they view the situation is very different from how you see it. Just recognizing that will help you take a step back from the emotions at hand and give you a chance to respond in a different way.

Someone once said: we don’t see things as they are; we see them as WE are.

How could seeing something through someone else’s eyes help your situation? Give it a try! You might be surprised at how powerful recognizing this fact can be.

Then stop what you’re doing and take a carrot to your horse. He’s hoping you will! He may see it as yellowish gray, but it still tastes yummy.

Love, Moshi

Jane Savoie
1174 Hill St ext.
Berlin, VT 05602
Jane’s Website
DressageMentor.com

Training/Clinics

Motivation from Moshi, by Jane Savoie

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Black and white. Yes and no. Up and down. Sickness and health. Positive and negative….

We live in a world of contrast. It’s the duality of Nature that makes up our physical world. Without that contrast, we wouldn’t be able to perceive. It’s in knowing dark that we can recognize light. It’s in being able to experience silence that we can hear noise. The comparisons go on and on.

As infants, people are trained to show a preference for one thing over another. Most well-adjusted (note that you have to be “adjusted”) children develop a preference for positive feedback over negative. For “yes” over “no”. For health over sickness. For “happy” over “sad.” Humans are trained from birth to compare and prefer.

What if nothing you experienced was actually “wrong” or “right,” but just an experience? How different would your world be if you didn’t judge what happened in your life, but rather just observed your physical and emotional perceptions of whatever showed up?

In many Spiritual philosophies, it’s the pain from living with the judgement of what occurs that is recognized as the most difficult part of being human. Release that judgement, and enlightenment is possible.

As a horse, I’m already enlightened. I don’t carry judgement about what happens. Oh, I may have an unhappy memory of the fellow who poked me in the hip to get me on that airplane in Amsterdam, but I don’t JUDGE it. It is what it is. It was what it was. That was then, this is now.

How would your life be different if you accepted “what is…”? Could you try that on, just for a day? Give it a try! Or not. The choice is yours. And that is the one constant… your choice of what you think about is always YOURS.

Your horse is hoping you choose to bring him a carrot when you go to the barn today. He says that is the “right” choice!

Love, Moshi

Jane Savoie
1174 Hill St ext.
Berlin, VT 05602
Jane’s Website
DressageMentor.com

Training/Clinics

Motivation from Moshi, by Jane Savoie

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Words have power. They have energy. They create a state of being in our minds. Horses don’t use words, but we understand the energy behind what you say.

You’ve probably heard the saying: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” I say, the wounds from a stick or stone will probably heal, but the damage caused by the negative words we hear may sting for life.

Never underestimate how your words affect those around you, as well as how they reflect back and affect YOU. If your self-talk is negative, your experience is going to be negative. If you speak positively, your experience will reflect the same. If you bark and growl at your horse without careful thought to the attitude you’re projecting, your horse is going to feel insecure and you’re going to maintain a negative vibration. If you’re snapping at the people around you, the energy you’re projecting can be just as damaging as a pointed stick jabbing into someone’s heart.

Have you ever asked yourself, is it better to be right, or is it better to be kind? It’s a very pertinent question. Sometimes you have to stand your ground and be firm in what you consider “right.” Sometimes being right is just not that important. Choosing which applies in each situation is one of the things you have to decide on your own. Observing the results of your choices, right or wrong, is where wisdom is born.

Your horse’s interaction with you is a terrific reflection of your choices. Horses are congruent, honest, and in the moment. They’re a terrific mirror of your state of being. If you take the time to observe, and you’re open to the message, you can learn a lot from your equine friend.

Love, Moshi

Jane Savoie
1174 Hill St ext.
Berlin, VT 05602
Jane’s Website
DressageMentor.com

Training/Clinics

Centenary University to Hold CPI Spotlight for Prospective Equestrian Students

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Photo courtesy of Centenary University.

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – March 26, 2019 – College-bound equestrians exploring equine science and career-focused liberal arts colleges and universities will have an opportunity to experience Centenary University firsthand. Known for their world-class equestrian program, Centenary University will partner with College Preparatory Invitational (CPI) to host a CPI Spotlight event May 10-12 at its campus in Hackettstown, New Jersey.

“We are looking forward to working with the CPI to create a weekend for students to learn what Centenary University has to offer from an academic standpoint and what it is like to be part of a riding team at college,” said Kelly Martin Munz, Centenary University Department Chair, Professor of Equine Studies. “Our Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) coaches, Michael Dowling and Heather Clark, along with our hunter/jumper team coach, Tara Clausen, and our Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) coach, Sarah Simms, will be discussing how the experience differs from Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) and US Equestrian horse shows.”

At the barn, attendees will learn additional horsemanship skills with Centenary students and faculty. Topics will include basic care such as grooming, wrapping, points of the horse, and parts of the saddle and bridle and more.

“This is the first time Centenary University is participating in the CPI Spotlight and we are really looking forward to a great weekend with the prospective students,” Munz said.

In addition to a student-led campus tour, students will experience the Centenary University riding program and the opportunity to ride three times. A riding lesson Saturday kicks off the weekend. A short clinic is scheduled for Sunday morning and a mock-collegiate-format horse show will be held Sunday afternoon. The event will provide students with a taste of what it is like to catch-ride. Participants will ride Centenary University horses – all donations from the AA show circuit– and they will work with the coaches.

APPLY NOW

To learn more about the CPI, visit collegeprepinvitational.com.

Media Contact:
EQ Media, Carrie Wirth, carrie@EQmedia.agency, (612) 209-0310

Dressage, Training/Clinics

Motivation from Moshi, by Jane Savoie

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Winning. What does that feel like to you? For me, I’ve “won” when I feel that flow through my body and everything comes together. I find it easy to feel flow when I’m cantering. I have a “winning” canter. It’s my favorite gait. When Jane was first teaching me tempi changes, I lost that sense of flow until I had the muscle memory of changing leads whenever she asked. Once I got that muscle memory, the changes became easy and flow returned. I felt like I’d “won.”

Winning doesn’t have to be about blue ribbons. If you’ve been away from riding for a while, you may feel like you’ve won if you simply get out to the barn and get on your horse for ten minutes. Walking around may be as far as you want to go today. If you’re a serious competitor, you may have that sense of a win by perfecting that challenging movement. If you’re a teacher, you may feel like you’ve “won” when your student ends the lesson with a smile.

There are many ways to find that sense of a Win. The key is simply to look for it. And when you do, remind yourself to pay attention to how it feels. Then you can consciously create it again and again. It’s being in that positive space that creates even more success.

What could you do today that would make you feel like a success? I’m going to perform perfect pirouettes today, both directions. That gives me a terrific successful feeling!

Love, Moshi

Jane Savoie
1174 Hill St ext.
Berlin, VT 05602
Jane’s Website
DressageMentor.com

Training/Clinics

Motivation from Moshi, by Jane Savoie

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I was watching my favorite barn cat try to catch a miller moth today. She was so determined to catch that flitty creature! I couldn’t help but chuckle inside when she’d leap from a hay bale and try to grab the thing midair. She never did catch it.

Watching her try so hard made me think about all the things we want to do with our lives that we never actually achieve. I always wanted to swim in the ocean, but I don’t think that’s going to happen. Some of my barn-friends’ people have or had a dream of riding in the Olympics. Some wanted to become famous writers. Some wish they’d struck it rich so they could have a whole herd of beautiful horses.

Sometimes our dreams don’t come true. It’s a fact. But if there is something you want to do that is really important to you, there is a good chance you can and will do it. It has to be important enough for you to let other things go. Life is just too short to do it all. And yes, sometimes life gets in the way and we don’t reach our goals. There is a point when we have to be satisfied with what we can do and not be upset by what could have been.

If there is something you wish you’d done with your life but the opportunities have passed you by, perhaps you can help someone else achieve a goal. Sponsor an Olympic hopeful. Be a mentor to a budding writer. Teach someone how you made it rich. By sharing the successful parts of yourself with others, you get to be part of something much bigger than yourself. It’s a type of immortality. You can have a positive effect on the world while you live a piece of your dream by helping others reach theirs.

I’m teaching the young colt at our barn how to piaffe. He’s already quite good at it! He has a real shot at being a dressage champion someday… maybe even going to the Olympics! It would make my heart so proud to see him wearing a medal.

What could you do today to help someone else achieve his or her dream?

Love, Moshi

Jane Savoie
1174 Hill St ext.
Berlin, VT 05602
Jane’s Website
DressageMentor.com

Training/Clinics

Motivation from Moshi, by Jane Savoie

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Setting boundaries is a hot topic among horse people. I’ve heard the trainers at the barn tell their students that they need to establish firm, fair, consistent boundaries with their horses. It’s absolutely necessary when you’re dealing with an animal who’s five to ten times your size.

We horses like having boundaries. It’s true. One of the first things we herd animals learn from our mothers and herd mates is where we stand in the group. We feel safest knowing where we fit in.

People aren’t so lucky. I’ve noticed that people push on other people a great deal. While watching people at horse shows, I’ve seen husbands berate their wives for spending too much time/money/attention on their horses. I’ve seen trainers growl and snap at their students. I’ve seen parents berate their kids for doing normal kid kinds of things. It makes me sad.

Is there someone in your life who pushes your boundaries? Does it make you sad or mad? Are unreasonable demands being put on you by a spouse/parent/boss? Is someone trying to control you through fear, shame, guilt, or intimidation?

It’s easy for me to tell you to establish boundaries and don’t let anyone cross them. I’m a horse and my fellow horses accept and respect this concept, so it IS easy for us. But the reality is, it’s not so easy for humans to do this with each other. Humans are much more devious in the ways they establish control. Humans are terribly manipulative, often without even realizing it.

I’ve observed that the people who are most effective in maintaining boundaries are the ones who DON’T have the need to be right, or make others agree. The people who don’t try to change what others think, but rather stand firm in their own truth, are the ones who are most effective in all their human relationships. They teach others how to treat them by how they treat themselves. They don’t try to control the people around them, they simply control their own minds. If someone pushes on them, they politely either state their truth or intention with gentle firmness, or they disengage all together.

Arguing doesn’t work very well with people. Your minds are rarely changed by an attack. You can’t kick each other into submission like a horse can, so the most effective humans are the ones who can listen well, consider what they hear with a clear mind, respond if necessary from a place of strength, and still calmly remain in their own truth.

Do you have the ability to agree to disagree with someone close to you? How do you maintain your inner balance when being challenged? If you’re not sure, I suggest that you pay attention to how you establish your boundaries with your horse. Are you able to apply that ability to people too?

When you go to the barn today, notice how you’ve established your place in the “herd.” Your horse may hold the secret to helping you with this issue.

Love, Moshi

Jane Savoie
1174 Hill St ext.
Berlin, VT 05602
Jane’s Website
DressageMentor.com

Dressage, Training/Clinics

Isabell Werth Master Class & Clinic to Take Place at AGDF on Thursday, February 7

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Wellington, FL – January 18, 2019 – The Adequan® Global Dressage Festival is excited to announce the first-ever Master Class and Clinic with dressage sensation Isabell Werth (GER), one of the most decorated equestrians in history and current leader of the FEI Dressage World Ranking List. The clinic will take place on Thursday, February 7, during week five of AGDF at Equestrian Village at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), located at 13500 South Shore Boulevard Wellington, FL 33414.

Gates will open to the public at 5:00 p.m. and the first clinic session will begin at 5:30 p.m. An autograph signing with Werth will take place prior to the start of the clinic with posters provided. Three clinic sessions are set to be featured, showcasing up to six horse and rider combinations, ranging from Young Horse through Prix St. Georges and Grand Prix levels.

Tickets are required for the event. To purchase tickets, click here or visit www.globaldressagefestival.com. General Admission tickets for the event are priced at $50/ticket, while Covered Seating ticket holders will have upgraded seating and access to a cash bar for $75/ticket. Premier VIP seating, including a buffet dinner and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, are available for $175/ticket. Tickets will be scanned prior to entry into the venue. Ample food and beverage options will be available throughout the grounds for General Admission tickets, as well as for those purchasing Covered Seating tickets. Parking for the event will be free of charge.

Werth remains one of the most decorated equestrians of all time, amassing a tremendous ten medals in her five Olympic Games appearances (1992, 1996, 2000, 2008, 2016), including six Gold. Currently the number one-ranked Dressage rider in the world, Werth has competed at the top levels of the sport for over four decades and has an extensive list of accomplishments, both Team and Individual, for her home nation of Germany in international competition. Most recently Werth took Team Gold at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 and was the highest placed individual rider throughout the competition, earning two Gold medals.

“We are honored to host Isabell in what is sure to be a spectacular evening for our dressage community here in Wellington,” said Thomas Baur, Director of Sport for AGDF. “Isabell’s talent and ability to educate are incredibly valuable and we couldn’t be more thrilled to host a clinic opportunity like this at AGDF during our CDI 5* week.”

For riders interested in submitting interest to participate in the clinic, please send your competition history, horse details, and brief description to clinics@equestriansport.com by Wednesday, January 23. A selection committee will review applications and directly contact riders chosen to participate.

There will be a strict no videoing or streaming policy enforced for the entirety of the clinic.

For more information, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.