Scott Hassler with Kalie Beckers and Bienvenu ZSH. (Photo provided by USEF Archives)
Lexington, KY – Continuing the Markel/USEF Young Horse training and observation session program, Twinwood Equestrian Center in Simonton, TX hosted the fourth session of 2012, April 14-15. Led by USEF Young Horse Coach Scott Hassler, this was the first time a session has been hosted in Texas, an area that has proven to produce a wealth of successful young horses.
“Texas and the surrounding area have consistently had high participation in the Markel/USEF Young Horse Program and the Markel/USEF Young Horse National Championships,” said Hassler. “The Young Horse program here continually proves its quality as the group of horses here is of diverse breed and largely dominated by U.S. bred horses. From this training session, I was very impressed with the quality of horses and riders and quite certain that we’ll see some of them at the Championships in August.”
The other day I was sleeping in the sun when Jane showed up to ride. I didn’t feel like working, so I closed my eyes and pretended I was asleep. I was a bit grumpy when she started brushing me while I was lying there trying to ignore her. But before long I was awake and found myself enjoying the terrific rubdown with her rubber curry brush.
Jane tacked me up and off we went. I wasn’t in the mood to work, and I let Jane know it. We started slowly, but before long I was feeling really energetic and wanted to go faster. We practiced perfecting our canter departs and passage, which made me feel really good about myself.
Sometimes all you need to get motivated is to GET MOVING. Starting is usually the hardest part. It takes a little determination, but you’ve got plenty of that. So get up out of that chair, and make the decision to move your body in an energetic way! Go to the barn and get on your horse, or turn on some dance music and boogie around your house!
From left to right, Krystalann Shingler, Michele Hundt, and Shannon Dueck at the April 10 ShowChic Shop Talk. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)
Wellington, FL (April 12, 2012) – ShowChic, a premier dressage fashion boutique, recently hosted international dressage rider Shannon Dueck during the April 10th ShopTalk, where the top rider discussed everything from her beginnings in Pony Club to her time spent in training with Carl Hester. ShowChic holds the monthly Shop Talks to gather together the dressage community during informative social events. Guests also left with great prizes like gift certificates to ShowChic and products from Vita Flex’s line of equestrian supplements.
Dueck, who trains out of her own Dueck Dressage in Loxahatchee, Florida, told the gathered crowd about her days spent in England training her Grand Prix mare, Ayscha, with Hester. She detailed a day at the prestigious rider’s farm, as well as her experience viewing the grounds and arenas for the upcoming 2012 Olympics in London, where she and Ayscha hope to compete for Canada. “Carl’s training system is strongly based on doing what is right by the horse,” said Dueck. “Each ride starts out with fifteen to twenty minutes of stretching and loosening the horse’s back. Then Carl gets on and trains each horse for about twenty-five minutes. After that all of the horses, the babies and the stallions included, go out for a hack in the fields or on the roads. Carl really enjoys training and gives the horses tons of praise and breaks. It really makes a difference in the way they react to him.” Dueck herself focuses on preserving the horse’s natural joy in her training. “Only when a horse is happy in his work and willing to learn can you be truly successful in your riding.”
Martin Sosnoff rides with Dr. Cesar Parra and Sosnoff is still showing younger riders exactly how it’s done. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Cesar Parra)
Wellington, FL (April 11, 2012) – When New York dressage rider Martin Sosnoff met international dressage rider and trainer Dr. Cesar Parra he said he was immediately impressed with Parra’s passion for the sport as well as his incredible level of sportsmanship. Parra, who recently represented the United States at the Pan Am Games in Guadalajara, discovered that he had much to learn from his experienced student. Sosnoff, who is an octogenarian, is still showing younger riders exactly how it’s done.
“Cesar is a world class rider with many young students competing and winning, but when he met Martin he was very interested in helping him achieve his goals. He liked that he was an older man who wanted to ride, learn and compete,” said Toni Sosnoff, Martin’s wife. “Cesar is not only an incredible rider and trainer but he is an incredible resource in the world of dressage.”
At my barn the white dressage arena fence is about twelve inches high. Around that is a taller fence, about five feet high. Around the perimeter of the property is a dog proof mesh fence that’s six feet high! Wow… that’s a lot of boundaries!
There’s a saying that strong fences make good neighbors. This is true figuratively as well as literally. A strong fence can keep danger out, and/or keep someone safely in. A clear fence line makes a strong statement about where my space starts and yours ends.
Personal boundaries are like the low dressage arena fence. They may not keep things in or out, but they clearly mark a line that says, “do not cross.” You just have to be aware of that line and be willing to respect it. That’s not so easy, because personal boundaries are so, well, personal!
Some people want physical space, privacy, and to take care of themselves. Others are touchy/feely folks who want to hug and snuggle, love to nurture and care for others, like lots of feedback, and get lonely when left alone.
Scott Hassler evaluates a young athlete/horse combination in San Juan Capistrano (Sigrid Wolff/Cavallis)
Lexington, KY – The Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program wrapped up March with the second of two Observation Sessions held in 2012. Taking place March 3-4 in Loxahatchee, FL, the first session ran prior to the Palm Beach Dressage Derby. The second session was held March 28-29 in San Juan Capistrano, CA, prior to the Festival of the Horse. These two-day Observation Sessions allow USEF Young Horse Dressage Coach Scott Hassler the opportunity to evaluate athlete/horse combinations as they work. He then discusses the horse’s status, training and goals for participation within the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program with the rider and/or owner.
At the first session, Hassler saw a group of 10 talented young horses including three four-year-olds, four five-year-olds and three six-year-olds. In the second Session, Hassler evaluated eight riders who presented 10 horses including four five-year-olds and six six-year-olds. The majority of these horses are currently qualifying to earn a spot in the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Championships, August 24-26, 2012 in Wayne, IL.
Sometimes our biggest challenges become our greatest successes. As a Friesian, I’m not built for a good canter. My breed was bred for a fancy trot to elegantly and smartly pull buggies and carts. But with determination and proper training, I was able to develop an amazing canter! My ability to do superb one tempis is one of my proudest accomplishments.
Here in Wellington, the Para-Equestrian’s Olympic Trials are being held. Wow! What an amazing bunch of people! These are folks who have physical challenges much harder to deal with than I’ve ever had. They are a brave, talented, and determined bunch, who don’t let their disabilities slow them down. They’ve proven they can do anything they put their minds to!
If you haven’t been tracking the progress of the second annual So8ths/Nikon Three-Day Event in the “Heart of the Carolinas,” May 3-6, 2012, then it’s time you take notice. Why? Because some of the most talented Eventing riders and trainers are doing just that. They think so highly of this event that is focused on amateur riders and training-level horses that they are donating their time. They will serve as clinicians to the first event that will showcase all three of the lower levels (Beginner Novice, Novice and Training) as recognized three-day events. In the past Training has been recognized at the three-day level but it was only this past February that BN and N were added into the fold by the U.S. Eventing Association.
What makes Southern 8ths Farm, Chesterfield, SC, so special is that this 300-acre paradise is like a mini-Rolex in that it has some of the best facilities in the nation, which are often only reserved for the upper lever riders. Here you have 45 permanent stalls, regulation size arenas, over three miles of manicured Roads & Tracks, a huge airy indoor arena and so much more.
George Williams, Anne Gribbons, Steffen Peters and Betsy Juliano (Photos by Brigitte Voelk)
Lexington, KY – Preparations continue for the 2012 Olympic Games for the United States’ top dressage riders with USET/USEF pre-Olympic Games Training Sessions conducted by USEF Technical Advisor Anne Gribbons and Olympian Steffen Peters. The training session schedule in Florida, which kicked off January 6-8, also included sessions February 10-12 at Walter and Mary Anne McPhail’s High Meadow Farm in Loxahatchee, FL and concluded last weekend at Betsy Juliano’s Havensafe South Farm in Royal Palm Beach, FL.
The USET/USEF pre-Olympic Games Training Sessions have given Gribbons and Peters the ability to work with the majority of the country’s top contenders; the two have a dynamic partnership that lends itself greatly to guiding both horse and rider and elevating the level of performance from both. In preparation for the inclusion of the Olympic Grand Prix Special in the team competition at the 2012 Olympic Games, the training sessions allow riders to perform the test for Gribbons, who is also an FEI 5* judge, and then review film of the tests as a group.
Del Mar, CA – March 13, 2012 – As the Del Mar Horse Park began to clear of flower boxes and white arena borders, Para-Equestrian Dressage riders prepared for a hands-on clinic with Mette Rosencrantz. Each rider was given 45 minutes with Mette allowing a large amount of time to work on short-term and long-term goals. During each session riders demonstrated specific parts of their tests that they performed during the 2012 Rancho Valencia Dressage Affaire CPEDI3*. With only three months until the 2012 London Paralympic Selection Trials Mette gave insight on what types of goals an athlete should start to focus on.
Clinic duos included: Holly Bergay and Rubino Bellissimo (owned by Violet Jen); Mary Jordan and the Knabbstrupper Stallion VPRH Pegasus vom Niehaus-Hof (owners Patrick and Diane Truxillo); Sydney Collier and VPRH Pegasus vom Niehaus-Hof; Laura Goldman and VPRH Pegasus vom Niehaus-Hof; Barbara Adside and 1999 Pan Am Gold Medal Winner, Jazzman (owned by Donna Richardson); Allyson Gagnon with her Fresian Stallion Kobi; and Iana Gonzalez and Kobi.
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