Saturday, March 31, 2007

The East Takes the Early Lead

East Coast Rider Courtney King has taken the early lead in the CDI classes at the US League Qualifier.

Results can be seen here:
http://www.foxvillage.com/fvdsqlnetdisplay/(ciuggn45tu0ttd55oj12wgro)/ClassList.aspx?sh=209&st=1%20

Friday, March 30, 2007

CDI Alert!!


This weekend the US League Dressage Finals will be held in Burbank, California


This CDI competition will determine the Dressage Riders representing the United States at the World Cup in Las Vegas. The top two riders are guaranteed spots and the US was awarded one of the FEI's Wildcard spots, allowing the 3rd place rider at our Finals to go to the World Cup as well.


This years ground jury at the League Finals is made up of Gary Rockwell (O) , Cara Whitham(O), Jane Weatherwax (S)and Evi Eisenhardt (O) and Gustav Svalling(I).


This will also be the first time that many of the FEI horses from the East Coast meet the FEI horses from the West Coast. Stay tuned to the Barn Blog this weekend for updates and scores!

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Adult Clinic Photos


Karen Rudolf on her paint Artie, were the first combo to ride on Saturday



Laureen VanNorman and Tia had beautiful rides both days!


But, beauty comes with a price. Note how happy Laureen is that Tia is staying clean, and how annoyed Tia is that she can't rub out her braids!


Jami Kment inspired us all with her long time partner, Contingent Fee. Nice to know even Grand Prix competitors attend clinics too!



Jane was kind enough to sign books on Saturday afternoon. Part of the profits from the books sold that weekend went to the Region 4 Junior team!


Sunday started with a lecture on the Emotional Freedom Technique


Jane encouraged Auditor participation all weekend. The EFT lecture was no exception!



I really enjoyed Marie Malonie's ride on Sunday. She was an excellent student and really brought out the best in Jane the clinician.



It seemed everyone was pleased with the Adult Clinic this year, including these two jokers I pinned down over by the shopping. Natch!

Friday, March 23, 2007

Spring Horse Health Reminder

We are now two days into Spring 2007, and I wanted to take a minute to remind everyone of some important Horse Management practices.

It is very important in March or April to deworm your horses. The best practice is to deworm your horses after the spring thaw but before the bugs appear. It is advisable to use a dewormer that has moxidectin or ivermectin as the active ingredient this time of the year. Moxidectin is found in the Quest product. Ivermectin is found in Zimectrin and Equimax gel. Equimax has the added bonus of bot and tapeworm control, which are also great steps to be taking this early in the year.

Along with spring deworming comes spring vaccinations. All adult performance horses should receive spring boosters for:
  • West Nile Virus
  • Tetanus Toxoid
  • Encephalomyelitis (EEE, WEE, VEE)
  • Influenza
  • Rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1 and EHV-4)
  • Rabies

Strangles is not required for older horses, but is certainly important if you are traveling to high-risk areas or you have young horses. Performance horses that are traveling to shows should really be vaccinated with a Flu/Rhino combination every 3-4 mo.

You can view the AAEP Guidelines for Vaccinations at:

http://www.fortdodgelivestock.com/pdfs/pdfs%20for%20equine/FDP_E0172B.pdf

It is perfectly acceptable to have your veterinarian inoculate your horses, but if you give the vaccinations yourself, here are a few helpful hints:

  1. Buy single dose syringes with a combination of the vaccines. (Often called 5- or 7-way)
  2. Swab the area with an alcohol swab
  3. Place West NiLe on the horse's left side and the combo containing Rhino (and/or Rabies) on the right side of the horse. (on the off chance that your horse has a reaction, you will have a better idea which vaccine he to which he is reacting)
  4. It is ok, in fact better, if you LIGHTLY work your horse after vaccinating. It helps prevent knots from the injection site. The caveat being: LIGHT work, no galloping around the corn field.

Along with our Spring health care, take this moment to do a little Spring cleaning...be sure to check the levels on your fire extinguishers in the barn.

Happy riding and welcome to Spring!!

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Rollkur Controversey Continued

Here are more sections from the Dr. Ulrike Theil video series on Rollkur. I realize she is biased against the hyperflexion method, but her usage of diagrams is excellent. For the sole purpose of illustrating the Rollkur method, which has been so frequently debated in words on the pages of dressage magazines, her videos are great.



Part 2a:



Part 2b



Part 3a:



Part 3b:

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

From the Arena to The Gym

More than simply aesthetics, physical fitness of the dressage rider is a key component in the effectiveness of the aides. That's my opinion anyway. I would know because I have ridden at different weights, and levels of fitness (I have photographic evidence if you don’t believe me!). Recently, I’ve been given a program by a trainer at my gym. The work out is designed to build muscle endurance. The goal of this work out plan is to condition me for a weeklong hiking/fishing trip I have planned through the Black Hills this coming July.

A blissful side-effect of this training regiment is that my riding has improved. Markedly. I feel the most difference in my collections, as well as the effectiveness of my half-halts. Now that I’m in better condition I feel my whole position, especially through my core, is more solid. Dobby can rely on my ability to better hold my position. I can't imagine what my rides will be as I continue to work my program!

I don’t believe a muscle endurance program like mine is necessarily the only answer. Many riders including, Lisa Wilcox, advocate Pilates and yoga as not only exercise, but also for the development of posture. I will touch on Yoga and Pilates another time.

What I am absolutely NOT saying here, is that dressage riders have to be skinny, ballet dancer-types. Dressage is a sport designed for all horses and for all riders. But it seems at times we riders are guilty of forgetting that dressage is in fact a sport. Amateur and professional athletes in all other sports condition themselves for competition. I believe dressage riders, frankly, all equestrian folk, should do the same. If we are willing to put the time and energy into conditioning our animals, we should be willing do the same for ourselves.

Get Your Vote On!

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Dressage Controversy: Rollkur

There is a debate raging in the dressage world surrounding the training method known as "Rollkur."(also sometimes called hyperflexion) This training method's biggest proponent is Anky Van Grunsven Despite her tremendous successes in the international show ring, her training methods continue to draw criticism. The controversy went so far as to be debated before the International Dressage Riders Club (IDRC) at their annual meeting in 2006.

I've found a series of short videos regarding Rollkur or Hyperflexion. The videos are produced by a Dr. Ulrike Thiel from the Netherlands. Her point of view is heavy handed, but is none the less, part of the debate that we all, as dressage riders, should be aware of.

Introduction:



Part 1a:




Part 1b:

It's Funny Because It's True!



Because I'm in the midst of grooming out 18 hands of winter hair, this comic is especially funny. I am picky about how my horse looks when I ride. 9 times out of 10 this means that Dobby looks fantastic, and I look like a coal miner.

Monday, March 19, 2007

A Link of Interest-Jane Savoie

Jane Savoie is coming to Pine Ridge Stables in Ashland, NE for the USDF Region IV Adult Clinic this Saturday and Sunday. Auditors are welcome. Riders from all levels from across Region IV sent in videos of themselves riding, and were selected to participate in this special clinic.

Whether or not you intend to audit the clinic, or are riding in the clinic Savoie's website is well worth a visit. She is a pillar of the dressage community. Savoie is well known for her books about sports psychology, including her classic "That Winning Feeling."

Visit Jane Savoie Dressage for more information about the latest clinician to roll through our state. More information about auditing this weekend's clinic can be found on the NDA website.

Friday, March 16, 2007

Weekend Wind-Up

In looking at my calendar, I've noticed a distinct horse activity shaped hole in my roster of events. Whatever shall I do?!?

Luckily, I am prepared for just such a weekend! This week has been a week of transition work for Dobby and I, so I believe this will continue into the weekend. We've had excellent transitions from working to extended trot all week long. I'm going to try to achieve the same level of quality in our canter extensions and collections as well.

And like many of you out there, I own a seriously hairy scruffy spring time horse. Work shall continue on trying to remove as much of his mammoth winter coat as possible. Sunday (Dobby's traditional "beauty day") this process will include a mane pull. I'm hoping sometime in the near future a beautiful gelding will emerge from the piles of hair!

Correction

It has been brought to my attention, that it was in fact Ruth Quick who set the Quadrille to music for the Expo. This error was made in my "Horse Expo-Friday" coverage.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Final Thoughts on The Expo

In what I promise will be my last words about the Nebraska Horse Expo, I have to say that I had a wonderful time all weekend long at the Events Center. I never did attend any lectures on hoof care, mostly because I was so occupied talking to horse friends, helping Jamee and watching demo rides.

Let’s start with Matt McLaughlin. I have to confess, (since I’ve eaten my dinner of roasted crow with a side of steamed veggies, and rice pilaf) that I was skeptical of Mr. McLaughlin. Initially I thought that Mr. McLaughlin was merely a trick rider, a showman, a circus act. When I sat down in the bleachers on Saturday for his 3rd level Steps and movements demo, I was armed and ready with snarky commentary.

I had to bite my tongue. Not only did he have a beautiful position, but the philosophy he espoused fit very closely to my own. "Damn! I like this guy." Generally speaking, I look for two things in a clinician/trainer/professional: 1) MUST have a beautiful, correct position 2) MUST give clear explainations/direction. I have attended hundreds of clinics, and seen Piaffe trained a number of times. I've even been the rider on the horse learning piaffe. In all that time, no clinician/trainer ever explained the process so fully as McLaughlin on Sunday. Clearly, he's a master of piaffe.

I appreciated the kindness and humor he used in his approach to Pecos. Obviously, he’s deadly serious about achieving correctness, but he never let that compromise his respect for his mount. McLaughlin also showed grace and diplomacy as he answered questions from the audience, many of which were not relevant to dressage.

I hope that all those present on Saturday and/or Sunday realize that Mr. McLaughlin is a professional. He’s ridden many many horses, and been professionally trained to ride with the full bridle. It (the full bridle) is an amazing training tool.Piaffe is an excellent means by which to strengthen your mount, but neither are for novices(I include myself here). This is my criticism. I fear that some of his advice may be taken too literally, and might be applied under the wrong circumstances. Matt inspired me to push myself harder, but I will not be pushing my horse into piaffe or the full bridle without some assistance.

Matt McLaughlin included, 2007 was a great year for Dressage at the Expo. Notably, a great year for American horses in Dressage. We should all thank the Quadrille riders and Jamee for demonstrating to the Nebraska horse community that dressage is a sport for all horses, not just warmbloods.

2007 Horse Expo Photos


A motley crew indeed! Margo, Mrs.B, Durango, Jamee



Would your mom have let you do this? Fearless vaulting girls packed the house on Saturday afternoon.


No Stage fright here. Durango and Jamee get centered before Saturday's show.


A closer look at Jamee and Sherman's bi-lateral meeting!


CHEEEEEESE!!!!!

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Monday, March 12, 2007

Matt McLaughlin Video

This video is from the 2007 Pennsylvania Horse Expo. This demonstration of training piaffe and passage is slighly different from the training session he gave yesterday in that he trains piaffe and passage from the ground with a mounted rider.

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Nebraska Horse Expo-Friday

Well sports fans, the Nebraska Horse Expo EXTREME is off and running. Our own Jameelyn is participating as a demonstration rider along with Sherman Tegtmeier in an adorable performance of reining versus dressage. I'm sure we'll hear more about working with a professional from another discipline from Jamee

The premiere performance was a delight! I watched Sherman doing his stuff aboard his mount "Honeymoon" and realized how little I actually knew about reining. I'll have to track his wife down today and pepper her with questions as to how they accomplish their movements and what the "ideal" is for a reining horse.

The Nebraska Dressage Association was represented by a Quadrille team made up of riders from the Platte Valley Chapter. The quadrille, choreographed by Felice Rose and set to music by Kimmie Peterson was a nice display of talented dressage amateurs.

Today, minus a dog, and with more time for wandering, I plan on attending a couple of the lectures. Dr. Black's (of Grenta) is the leader of a discussion about hoof issues. I hope he can provide me with some insight on how to deal with Dobby's plaguing feet problems.

Also today Matt McLaughlin, the featured dressage professional will be giving a demonstration ride/lecture in addition to his big performace. According to the program, McLaughlin will cover Steps and Movements from 3rd level and beyond.

If you haven't already done so, I do recommend spending a day at the horse expo. There are enough equine vendors, lectures and demo rides to justify the $9.00 gate fee.

Friday, March 09, 2007

We're BACK!!!

Barn Bloggers have returned for 2007! Assignment 1: Nebraska Horse Expo. We will be bringing you blow by blow coverage of all the action from the 2007 Nebraska Horse Expo EXTREME.


Stay tuned for:

Personal stories from the life and trials of dressage training
Photos
Dressage Links
Commentary on Clincs
Show results

And more!!