Articles – Page 13 – EquestriSol

Working With Your School

By Kathy Keeley

One of the challenges for many horse show moms is working with your rider’s school. As riders get more involved in this sport, it often means more and more missed days of school in order to practice, travel and compete in horse shows. It is up to the parents and the rider to manage school attendance, grades and workload in order to make it all work successfully.

mkeeley_tucson — Meg Keeley manages to balance school
and showing. Pictured here competing
on Black Tie Affair at HITS Arizona.

Horse show families have a number of options that range from home schooling to private schools to finding public schools that will be supportive. With the exception of home schooling which gives you complete control over school and horse showing, parents find themselves having to work through the school issues every semester. Parents take on the role of informing, managing and sometimes begging for school administration and teachers to understand what this sport requires. Some schools have competitive horse show leagues which makes the job so much easier but these are few and far between. More likely you are left on a teacher by teacher basis to explain and negotiate for the time off to compete in horse shows.

For many riders, horse showing adds an element of stress to their academic lives and creates time management skills that would wow most corporate managers. It also impacts their social lives with missed dances, events and school parties on those weekends when they are away showing. We fit in the prom two years in a row dressing at the horse show with a crew of people helping with hair and makeup at the motel, a long drive to the dance and an early night to be ready for 8 am classes the next morning!

Home Schooling

Show parents have several options. Some people decide that the level of talent, commitment and goals are such that home schooling is the only option. Home schooling provides flexibility for the rider and a way to compete while mandating course curriculum without physical class attendance. It takes good cooperation between parent and child and a certain type of student to benefit.

Private School

Others search for the private school that will work with you to manage the missed classes or allow you to skip gym classes for an early dismissal each day to ride and to qualify your horse showing as your sport. We got my daughter’s school to count her riding as a sport and she received gym credit for high school. I wrote a long memo to the headmaster providing information on the sport, practice requirements, national championship goals, riding apparel as the uniform and the various rules within horse showing. The credit gave her either a study hall or the last class period of the day to leave for a lesson.

Public School

A third option is to work with your current school to manage days off for your show schedule in order to minimize total missed days. Some administrators can refuse to recognize horse shows for excused absences so the rider has to calculate each missed day very carefully to avoid penalties. It takes planning your show schedule and working with the trainer and rider to manage expectations related to showing.

ShowMom Tips:

Communicate

Communication with the administration and the individual teachers is very important. You have to do both every year and cannot expect administration to speak for the teachers. Build your case by putting together your information on the overall sport, time commitments, show goals, the full schedule, the benefits of showing and other information that might help non-horse show people understand the sport.

Communicate periodically with teachers on two levels. Provide both background information on horse shows and specific information on your child’s schedule and time commitments. As background information, write about results, opportunities, qualifying events and other pointers on horse shows in general. Provide information on your travel time, the hours spent in lessons, packing and general preparation.

Inform

I created an email list of teachers each semester and sent out two or three news-related emails on my daughter’s show experience with some personal stories. I provided background information on a show – how many exhibitors, how many classes my daughter showed in, ribbons and points if we were chasing points for Indoors and other tidbits like the long days, the number of practice sessions and whatever else gave them a flavor for the experience. The newsletters were three or four paragraphs – short but informative. I also sent quick thank-you notes describing a great show or a very challenging weekend.

Set a Precedent with Teacher-Student

Find allies in administration, school counselors, or other teachers to help balance those teachers who will not be supportive. There were always times my daughter would come home in tears because of a teacher’s remarks or denial of a delayed or early test request. She had to learn to communicate the importance of her riding goals and learn to manage difficult teachers and situations. School took precedence and she maintained a near 4.0 average all through high school as her part of the bargain. Her work ethic and grades helped sway many teachers.

Set realistic goals for the semester that will depend on the school schedule, the academic course work, and the number of missed days safely allowed. Being realistic and managing the schedule takes coordination with the trainer and some logistical management on your part. It takes a plan that the rider can understand and support with a smile rather than resentment. Loading up on shows during school breaks and during the summer helps manage the schedule. It is important to pick shows that avoid the times around finals and midterms.

Our role as parents is to keep a perspective on horse showing to balance out the time commitments. We don’t want to increase the stress during high school and should try to maintain a schedule that supports whatever family values and expectations they have concerning education and academic performance.

Good luck and remember to be a savvy show mom!

Find more tips and articles at ShowMom.com.

Conversations With Equestrians: Shelby Wakeman

By Laura Ware

The USHJA International Hunter Derby made its debut at the third week of HITS Thermal, and has proven to be a success every time it was held. This unique class attempts to create spectator interest in Hunters, with difficult courses consisting of bending lines, natural jumps, and four-foot fence options, all set in the main Hunter or Grand Prix arena. Other special features of this class are that it rewards bonus points for brilliant riding, and has a minimum amount of $10,000 prize money.

The most recent Hunter Derby was at the Oaks Spring Tournament in the small, intimate indoor ring, which has never before been used for a hunter class. Shelby Wakeman, a talented and successful rider in the hunter, jumper, and equitation rings, placed second in this past Hunter Derby, making her the highest placing junior rider. She was gracious enough to answer a few questions for me.

Laura: What were the classic and handy courses like?
Shelby: The classic course was more like a hunter course with a forward ride and couple of bending lines. There were natural options, including a skinny plank, multiple brush jumps, and a log under a jump, which made it different from any other hunter course. The handy course was hard, with a lot of tight inside turns that I could not get on Truly because they were more like jumper turns. It was difficult, but fun.

Laura: What was it like showing hunters in such a small arena?
Shelby: I was a little skeptical about showing a hunter in an indoor ring, but the course designer did a good job, and I really enjoyed riding it.

Laura: Tell me about the horse you rode.
Shelby: I rode Truly, who is owned by Ashley Pryde. He was a bit spooky in the Derby at Thermal, so I didn’t know how he’d be, but he ended up being really good and relaxed.

Laura: What makes this class special?
Shelby: The fact that it was in the indoor ring was fun and special, because the hunters never show in there and it is a completely different environment. It was at night and under the lights, so a lot of people came to watch it, adding to the uniqueness of this class.

Laura: Did you get any bonus points for taking risks in the handy round?
Shelby: You can get up to 8 bonus points from each judge team in the handy round, so a maximum of 16 points. This can really add to your score. I watched Jenny Karazissis (who had won the class at Thermal) go before me, and she took all the inside turns and got 7 bonus points. I didn’t know what it would take to earn 8 bonus points, so I planned on taking all the inside turns.

Once I got into the ring, however, I realized that the turns were tighter then I had thought. I ended up missing a couple, but I still ended up with 5 bonus points from one judge and 2 from the other.

Laura: How did it feel to be second in a class with famous professionals?
Shelby: It felt really good. I was honored to do well in such a prestigious class.

Laura: What are your riding goals for 2008?
Shelby: I want to do well at Devon. I’ve never been there and it’s my last junior year, so it would be really special if I did well. I’d also like to compete effectively at Indoors, and end my junior career on a good note.

We congratulate you Shelby, and wish you all the best in your last junior year.

Results of the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby:
1st   On Top    Keri Kampsen
2nd   Truly    Shelby Wakeman
3rd   Cinico    Katie Taylor
4th    Palmar     Jenny Karazissis
5th    Aragon    Jenny Karazissis
6th    Rumba    Erin Duffy
7th    Wesley    Shelby Wakeman
8th    Fiona    Elizabeth Blaisdell
9th    Norah Jones    Ali Leopold
10th    Rascal    Archibald Cox
11th    Mata Hari    Hilary Neff
12th    Chaucer    Peter Lombardo

Laura Listens is brought to you by Laura Ware. Winner of the 2007 LAHSA Junior Medal Finals and a recipient of the 2008 WCAR Jumper Rider Grant, Laura rides with First Field Farm and often trains with Archie Cox. She is very successful in the all three disciplines on her own mounts as well as catch riding other horses.

Young Jumper Classes

By Tammy Chipko

The Young Jumper Championships are designed to identify the horses that are the most promising young show jumping prospects competing in the United States. One of the goals is to offer opportunities for up and coming Grand Prix jumpers to compete against their peers over suitable courses.

Horses must be nominated for the Young Jumper Championships annually in order to qualify for the League Finals held in August.

Qualifying classes are hosted throughout the year at recognized USEF competitions. These classes for 5, 6, and 7/8 year olds are designed to provide exposure and invaluable experience.

A great way to bring young horses up the ranks throughout the year, each division begins with inviting courses and then advances throughout the year offering bigger and more difficult courses. Since all the horses competing are the same age, the classes help riders gauge their own horse’s talent and progress. Ideally the system is designed to help young horses along at a good pace.

I asked some of our top professionals about the YJC.

Joie Gatlin: This organization is important because we need to develop our own horses here in the United States. With the Euro being so much stronger than the dollar now, it is not cost-effective for most people to go to Europe and show horses there like we used to. It also encourages people here to develop their own breeding programs. This is vital to the growth of our sport and in doing this we can encourage owners to purchase horses here in the States.
Joie Gatlin and her husband Morley Abey run a successful program that includes trips to Europe and Canada. www.joiegatlin.com

Mandy Porter: I hope that everyone continues to support the Young Jumpers so we can continue to grow and improve the organization. I would love to see this develop like it has in Europe. This is possible if we keep our standards high and provide good challenges for our horses throughout the year.
Mandy Porter spent many years developing jumpers and showing in Nations Cups in Europe.www.mandy-porter.com

Duncan McFarlane: The Young Jumper classes are a great idea! They inspire owners to become more involved because they can show their horses all year in hopes of qualifying for the finals. I think the final could be run in a different format that would make it more exciting for the owners and spectators but hopefully, as the organization progresses, this will happen.
Duncan McFarlane and his wife Gry own Windfall Farms. Through the years, they have trained multiple young horses to the Grand Prix level. www.windfallfarminc.com

Tasha Visokay: The class allows me to show my horse in a division of horses of the same age and ability and I like that. I think the intent of the Young Jumpers is good and we need to continue to come together to help it grow as it has on the East Coast.
Tasha Visokay assists Mark Bone at Huntover Farm in Thousand Oaks, California.

Patricia Griffith: We have several horses that we enter in the different age groups – it really is a great outlet for the young horses. It provides us a chance to compete in classes with horses of the same age instead of competing in open classes that have sometimes over 100 horses, many of which are older and have much more experience than our young horses. The format promotes clean rounds which is so important for young horses. These classes also provide a very nice way to showcase young horses that are for sale. We are lucky here that we have the sponsors to support this. The eastern finals are located at the Hampton Classic and it is a beautiful venue and very exciting for all.
Patricia Griffith works for Heritage Farm located in Katonah, NY. (914) 232-2122

Ronnie Mutch Equitation Classic

By Laura Ware

The newly added championship week at this year’s HITS Desert Circuit brought many exciting new classes. One of them was the prestigious Ronnie Mutch Equitation Classic, which has previously been held at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida. To qualify for the classic, riders must have won a USET, USEF, ASPCA Maclay, or WIHS medal class at any of this year’s winter circuits.

This class is unique in that it does not allow the riders to communicate with their trainers during the time that the class is being held. The riders are also judged in the schooling ring. This year’s winner, Carly Anthony, was gracious enough to answer a few questions for us regarding this special class.

Laura: What was the format of the class?

Carly: There were two rounds. The first one was a jumper course that had a very demanding first line which challenged everyone. The judges definitely rewarded the people who took risks. Even if the round wasn’t perfect, they liked the fact that a rider was willing to put it on the line. The second round had tests which were also very difficult. There was no work off, but I believe there would have been if the judges had had more time, because the scores were very close. Laura: What was it like not being able to communicate with your trainers?

Carly: I LOVED IT! It was a great chance to use all that I have learned from my trainers and prove to them that what they teach me doesn’t go in one in ear and out the other; it actually stays in there.

Laura: What was it like to be judged in the schooling ring? I understand that the overall score from your round was adjusted based on the schooling arena judge.

Carly: It was so much fun to be judged in the schooling ring because that’s where it all happens. You get to show the judges what makes you even more unique from the other riders as you school your horse over warm-up fences. They announced the scores when the other scores from your round were announced, and a rider could receive a +4, +2, 0, -2, or -4. I would have to say that was one of the most interesting parts of the class.

Laura: Did you enjoy this type of class?

Carly: This was the most fun class that I have ever competed in. It was a true test of my knowledge, and it was such an amazing experience to prove not only to my trainers, but to myself that I can do this on my own. I really enjoyed riding on my own, and it gave me a little taste of what it will be like when I become a professional. It was an honor to be able to compete in such a wonderful class.

Laura: Thank you so much for your time, Carly, and congratulations on winning the inaugural Ronnie Mutch Equitation Classic on the West Coast. Hopefully we’ll see more of these classes in the future.

Ronnie Mutch was a life-long horseman. An early student of Gordon Wright and Al Homewood, Mutch won the AHSA Medal finals in 1950 at the age of 15. At 18 he was the youngest rider at the time to ride for the USET. By 1970, Mutch had established with his wife, Sue Bauer, one of the most successful show jumping stables in the country, Nimrod Farm. Twenty-eight years after Mutch had won the AHSA Medal Finals, Mutch’s son, Bert, won the Medal Finals. Ronnie and Bert Mutch are the only father and son combination to have won the Medal Finals.

The R.W. Mutch Educational Foundation is a tax exempt 501 (c) (3) educational foundation that sponsors both a scholarship and the annual R.W. (Ronnie) Mutch Equitation Classic. This special invitational class is open only to those young riders who qualify by winning one of the major equitation classes during any of the Winter Circuits, including HITS-Thermal, HITS-AZ, HITS-Ocala, CN-WEF & the Gulf Coast Winter Series. It is a highly sought after honor to be invited to participate.

Past Winners of the Equitation Classic:
2008 – Carly Anthony
2007 – Maria Schaub
2006 – Maria Schaub
2005 – Sloanes Coles
2004 – Brianne Goutal
2003 – Whitney Roper
2002 – Kate Landau
2001 – Brian Walker
2000 – Vanessa Haas
1999 – Sarah Willeman

The Handy Hunter

By Tammy Chipko

With so much excitement in the air over the USHJA Hunter Challenge these days, I thought it might be valuable to understand what a Handy Hunter is all about.

I spoke with a few of our top professionals on the growing popularity of the Handy Hunter.

Tammy Chipko: Can you explain the Handy Hunter Class for people who don’t understand it?

Jenny Karazissis: Ultimately a handy hunter is to be ridden like one was riding in the country. This means bold gallops, tight turns, option jumps if possible, long approaches, and different tests such as a trot jump.

Diane Carney: Handy adds a dimension of difficulty to the standard hunter courses. The Handy Hunter Class presents a true riding contest instead of just requiring a steady pace around the outside and across the diagonal.

Peter Pletcher: The handy hunter evolved years ago to reward the horses and riders who would take a risk. A horse that maybe did not jump as quietly as others could win the handy class because of versatility.

TC: What do you like to see in the Handy Hunter Class?

Archibald Cox: I will take a quote from Frank Chapot. “The handy course should be ridden in a ground-saving manner.”

Jenny K: I look for the shortest track without losing the horse’s form. I think the course should start off with a gallop directly to the first fence. I believe in making all possible inside turns, as well as eliminating the ending circle if the course allows for that.

Peter P: I like to take big risks! Sharp turns, strong gallops, jumping style and smoothness is what I aim for.

Diane C: Good riding on hunters should be rewarded!

TC: With the USHJA Hunter Derby classes offered this year we are guaranteed to see many examples of handy hunter courses. What are you hoping that these classes bring to the hunter discipline?

George Morris: The reason I love this class is that the biggest enemy to riding is artificiality. Artificial riding [as opposed to true riding] is no great friend to the sport. This class brings strong principles and values back to riding.

Jenny K: The idea of these classes taking off and gaining the support of the exhibitors is very exciting. Spectators like to watch the jump off in the Grand Prix. This is happening with the hunters now. The handy round brings an element of surprise. It is exciting and challenging for both the riders and spectators. This is very important for the hunters and I think it will only continue to grow.

Diane C: We are on to something very valuable in the Hunter Industry. I love the creativity that the course designers are bringing to this class. The bonus points awarded in the Handy Class are exciting for everyone. If you do something thrilling you will be rewarded. Both spectators and riders love this!

Karen Healey: This class is going to reward the athletic good jumping horse. There is nothing more beautiful to watch.

TC: How do you feel about the equitation horses and jumpers joining in?

Diane C: I think to say that a horse is only capable of doing “one job” is actually quiet contrary to the truth. Back in the 70’s and 80’s good horses did several different divisions and did them each well. I don’t see any reason that a horse cannot be a jack-of-all-trades and be very successful. A beautiful jumping horse is a beautiful jumping horse.

A perfect example to anyone who remembers him was Starman. Here you had an Olympic Grand Prix jumper that was also a top Working Hunter. We need to appreciate good horses and reward good riders.

Highlights From 2008 HITS Golf Tournament

Monday, March 3rd

PremierTruckVID — Team Premier Truck & Trailer
and Video in Demand
Photo © Kathy Hobstetter

Premier Truck & Trailer / Video in Demand capture 2008 HITS Golf Tournament

Once the scorecards were added up from the annual HITS Desert Circuit Exhibitor Golf Tournament, it was Team Premier Truck & Trailer/Video in Demand that captured the bragging rights.

Team members Grahem Dreiling, Darryl Dickinson, Vid Laurusaitis and Ben Woods finished 10 under par at Indians Palms Country Club to upset two-time defending champion Monarch International/Sovereign Place. The Monarch team featured Joe Thorpe and former major-league hurler Mark Langston and finished 9 under to grab a share of second place with Team HITS, captained by starter Ben Watson.

“We all bailed each other out,” said Laurusaitis, who owns and operates Video in Demand. “Darryl hit the pin three times so I would say he was our MVP. It was my first year playing in the tournament and I will not miss it again. It was so much fun!”

The most popular hole on the course was the Margaritaville hole, sponsored by Amanda Tallman and Hidden Creek Farm. Devoucoux and Bill McConnell hosted an open bar at the conclusion of the round where all 15 teams added their totals and shared stories of how many houses they plunked that align the course. “Five houses and three pools,” joked course decorator Evie Frisque.

Other sponsors of the tournament included Diamond Mountain Stables, Designs by Arlene, Huntover, Little Valley Farm, Joie Gatlin – Morley Abey Show Jumping, Game Ready Equine, Willowbrook, Everwood, Equifit, Karen Healey Stables, Apollo Farms, Monarch International, Sovereign Place, Threadneedle, D’Ambrosio & D’Ambrosio, Hagyard, and ShowHorse Productions.

“Thanks to the generosity of today’s sponsors we were able to make it a fabulous event,” said Chris Mayone, who organized the tournament. “We had some great prizes and almost $2,000 in prize money!”

2008 Exhibitor Golf Tournament Team Results:

1. Premier Truck & Trailer/Video In Demand: -10
2. Monarch Int’l/Sovereign Pl. (w/ J. Thorpe): -9
2. HITS: -9
4. FarmVet/Bill McConnell: -7
5. Monarch Int’l/Sovereign Pl. (w/ L. Thorpe): -5
5. Maple Leaf Farm/Guy Thomas: -5
5. Leone Equestrian: -5
6. Peter Breakwell: -3
6. Quail Hollow: -3
6. Karen Healey Stables/Sam Perlow: -3
6. Juniper Farms: -3
12. Far West Farm; -2
13. Eddie Macken: -2
14. CWD/Rubicon Farms/Threadneedle: -1
15. Game Ready Equine/Roy/Frisque: +4

As another circuit comes to a close, EquestriSol would like to make note of some memorable experiences – the excitement of watching World Cup Qualifiers and a Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum clinic in the intimacy of the EquiBase Systems Arena, daily delectables and friendly service in the Oasis Club, watching hunters be handy under the lights of the Grand Prix field and a variety of entertaining events from singing contests to fashion shows.

Congratulations to all the successes from simply staying aboard to winning a big class.

We hope that everyone has enjoyed reading these weekly newsletters – look for us at other 2008 circuits. Contact Tammy at 818.472.5930 to participate.

Conversations With Equestrians: Kevin Winkel

By Zazou Hoffman

Up and coming Grand Prix rider and trainer Kevin Winkel spent two years apprenticing with legendary Olympian Joe Fargis before embarking on his professional career. Kevin trains out of family-owned Maplewood Stables, located ten miles south of Reno, Nevada and got his start through his mother Julie Winkel.

I met Julie when I admired her unique and talented jumper stallion, Osilvis, at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. Julie is a respected Horse Show Judge and serves on several Hunter Seat Equitation committees. Among the prestigious shows to which she has applied her judging skills is the Devon Horse Show (three times), the Hampton Classic (twice), the Capital Challenge (three times), Upperville (three times), Harrisburg, Palm Beach, and the Maclay Finals in New York.

I was curious about the impact that Joe Fargis had on Kevin’s career and training methods.

Zazou Hoffman: Kevin, please tell us how you came to work with Joe Fargis and a few of the more memorable things that you learned from him.
Kevin Winkel: I met Joe Fargis about ten years ago, when he began giving annual clinics at my mom’s stable. That was about three years before I started riding. In 2003, while my mom was back east at the Upperville Horse Show, Joe asked if I would be interested in working for him.

I’ve picked up a great many pointers from working for Joe that have helped me both on and off a horse. There was a lot to learn just by observing his attention to detail, whether it was applied to teaching, riding, or day-to-day life. Joe has accomplished so much, yet his philosophy is simple. Solid basics, common sense and good horsemanship prevail. There are no shortcuts, just doing a quality job day in and day out.

ZH: What advice do you have for an aspiring junior rider who wants to compete in the jumpers?
KW: My advice for an ambitious junior rider is:

Ride and jump a variety of different types of horses.

Think about the horse, and learn how to achieve what you want while working with instead of against your horse.

Have long and short-term goals, make the most out of each ride, and work hard at home. Watch the great riders in the ring, and in the schooling area.

ZH: Do you have any exercises that you use to improve a horse’s adjustability
KW: One exercise I like to do to improve adjustability and form is a simple trot in-canter out three-stride line continuing to a combination.

First, trot in over three raised cavalletti poles, spaced 4’ apart. Next, trot a crossrail set approx. 8’ from the cavalletti poles. After trotting the crossrail, canter straight away in 3 strides (approx. 42’), to a one stride (approx. 22’). It is simple to adjust this exercise for many different types of horses and their needs.

The cavalletti poles should get your horse’s hind end up underneath himself, the crossrail encourages straightness, and trotting magnifies your horse’s jump as well as the rider’s balance. After landing off of the crossrail, your horse needs to respond to your leg by going up into your hand. Having the distance already set up to the combination makes it easier.

With the combination, depending on your horse and its needs, you may set a vertical to vertical to back your horse up and keep its front end light, or an oxer to oxer to make your horse keep its hind end engaged. You can also change the distance of the three-stride to work on adjusting, whether you set it shorter to encourage your horse to collect, or move it out to get your horse to come off of your leg and go forward.

ZH: Is one of your goals to compete internationally and if so, what is your strategy to accomplish this from the West Coast?
KW: This year my main focus is to have a successful Spruce Meadows, as well as continuing to gain experience in the bigger Grand Prix. I want to spend the early part of the year gradually building my horses’ fitness. Our horses have had about two months off and there is no rush, I’d like my horses to peak at Spruce Meadows.
ZH: Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions. Best of luck to you and your mother this year.

Zazou Hoffman is a 16-year-old from Santa Monica, CA. As a 13-year-old, having only shown locally, she decided to apply for the Ronnie Mutch Working Student Scholarship. She won, which led to working with respected East Coast trainers Missy Clark and John Brennan. Through hard work and commitment, by Jan. ’07 Zazou was one of seven elite riders chosen to work with Olympic Chef d’Equipe George Morris in Wellington, FL. She has competed in the Medal Finals for the past three years. She counts her win at the Maclay Regional, her 4th in “the Medal” at Harrisburg, her 5th in the USET Talent Search East at Gladstone, and her 3rd in the WCE amongst her notable accomplishments.

Clinics That Click

By Zazou Hoffman

One of the benefits of participating in a clinic is that you learn new exercises that help you and your horse. You also realize that there is no “one“ correct way. Horses and riders will respond differently to different training methods.

An Opportunity
In 2005, shortly after I started in the Children’s Jumpers, I learned of the organization West Coast Active Riders. At the time, Grand Prix rider Gabriella Salick was the president. She arranged for many outreach programs. Among them was an essay contest for a free space in the Leslie Burr Howard clinic. Leslie Burr Howard is a two-time Olympian, has competed in numerous World Cups and also won the Maclay medal. An amazing teacher, Leslie tailors her training methods to the individual horse and rider. I was fortunate enough to win the contest because Leslie liked why I wanted to participate – “What sparked my interest in Zazou is her attention not only to riding and competing, but her interest in preparation and strategy.”

The Clinic Format
The first day of the clinic was flat work. We worked on shortening the horse’s stride over cavelletti. Leslie got on all 18 horses so that she could individualize her comments. The second day we continued to work on adjustability over low jumps, bending and slicing. The third day we worked over a course of twelve fences. The clinic concluded in a competition over a jump-off course. The main theme of the clinic was the need to be able to lengthen and shorten the frame of your horse. Leslie emphasized that whether you are a soft rider or a strong rider, you need to be able to do the opposite while riding a course. She quoted U.S. Olympic Team Chef d’Equipe George Morris “Your strength is your weakness”. Mr. Morris reiterated this in the Horsemastership Sessions. What he means by this is that you must practice what is least comfortable to you.

The Stride Game
In my mind it all hinges on adjustability of horse and rider. When I am at home with my friends and in lessons with my trainer, Meredith Bullock, we play “The Stride Game”. You begin by setting a pole in an open area and establishing the number of canter strides you want to put in before you go over the pole. Each rider calls and counts the number of strides as they canter to the pole. Every time you miscalculate you have to drop out. We practice off of both leads. We learn about lengthening or shortening accurately, preparing ourselves for those tough jumper or equitation courses, especially for lines that are set short or long or on the half-stride.

It’s interesting to note that each horse is an individual and what works for one may not work for another. There are lots of clinics being offered and they can be expensive. Do your homework – make sure that you choose the one that will most benefit you and your horse. If you can’t attend as a rider, ask if you can audit as a non-rider, or as a volunteer to help set jumps. It’s a great way to learn. Some of my favorite clinicians are: Joe Fargis, Kathy Kusner, Richard Spooner, Archie Cox and George Morris (pass on this if you are a super sensitive person, can’t tolerate criticism, or tend to cry easily).

Inaugural HITS Thermal Fashion Show

Inaugural HITS Thermal Fashion Show kicks off exciting special events calendar for second half of the circuit

On Saturday, February 23, the first ever HITS Thermal Fashion Show, presented by Horse Connection took center stage in the VIP Oasis Club at HITS Thermal.

Highlighting the fashion show was apparel from several merchants of El Paseo. Located in Palm Desert, the famous El Paseo Shopping District features over 300 world-class shops, clothing boutiques, art galleries, jewelers, restaurants and more all lined along a beautifully maintained picture-postcard floral and statue-filled mile. Known as the Rodeo Drive of the Desert, El Paseo boasts a wide spectrum of stores from Saks Fifth Avenue to individually owned boutiques.

Several vendors from HITS Thermal had their merchandise on display. Participating vendors included Ariat, Stirrup Cup, Ayora Saddlery, Shorty’s Loft, Exceptional Equestrian and The Herd Collection. The models included accomplished equestrians such as Kate Considine, Hannah Selleck, Jeff and Shelly Kampf, Kate Bardis, Ashlee Bond and Bliss Heers.

Central Equine Party and Relay

Don’t miss the inaugural Central Equine Party and Relay tomorrow!

WHEN: Saturday, March 1, 2008. The party starts at 6:00pm and features a Southwest Fiesta with cuisine by Chef Ric Orlando & the Oasis Club Kitchen Team. The relay begins at 6:30pm.

WHAT: This is a Nations Cup-style class. Teams of three horse and rider pairs will compete, with each rider only riding one horse. The class will take place in the covered ring under the lights.

Under the Nations Cup format, each team will have its first rider complete the course and the time plus faults converted to seconds recorded. Similarly, the second rider for each team will complete the course followed by the third rider for each team. At the conclusion of the class, the aggregate times for each team will be announced and the team with the lowest aggregate total time shall be declared the winner. If any member of a team fails to complete the course or is otherwise eliminated, the entire team is eliminated from the competition.

Ribbons and fun prizes for 1st through 8th Place will be given to each of the top eight teams.

WHERE: HITS Thermal covered arena

WHO: Open to any jumper horse entered in HITS Thermal V. (Sorry, no ponies in this class). Horses will jump a course of approximately 8-10 jumps with heights not to exceed 3’6”.

HOW MUCH: No entry fee. The Relay class is limited to the first 12 teams that sign up and submit their entries in the HITS Show Office.

Can You Ride In The Rain?

By Zazou Hoffman

Bad weather is not fun… or is it? Can we make it fun? Playing in the mud was fun when we were kids, splish-splosh, splish-splosh. So if we can learn to ride in all kinds of weather we can not only potentially have fun but can also have the upper hand in a competitive situation.

During Week I of HITS Thermal, we were deluged with rain on Sunday. Many exhibitors scratched, but after watching a couple of hunter rounds I thought that the footing was still good and that as long as the trainer and the owner of the horse I was riding gave the okay, it was a go. Here in California there are so few opportunities to show in the rain and wind, it’s important to get the experience whenever you can.

George Morris told us in the Horsemastership Sessions to “practice what’s not comfortable in order to get better at it.” On the East Coast riders often have to ride under sloppy, cold conditions. I have benefited from showing on the East Coast where “the show goes on” unless there is a dangerous electrical storm (see final paragraph for more about lightning). Every rider’s tack trunk is stocked with raingear and the barn manager and staff all assume that getting drenched and covered with mud is a job requirement. They think it’s fun. My barnmates at Missy Clark’s North Run actually giggled when I told them I had never heard of Helly pants, (in case you don’t know either, they are water proof pants with zippers on the sides) which they put over their show breeches. Just zip them off before you go in the ring.

So, it is to a certain degree a mindset. You CAN ride in the rain – the horse does not mind. So why do I, the rider, want to get all wet and dirty? Because after working all year to qualify for a Medal Final which takes place on the East Coast in the Fall where you can be 99% sure that it WILL rain you do not want to let bad weather psyche you out of putting in a great round. But, you might ask, “Since they are called Indoor Medal Finals, why would I get wet?” Yes, they are Indoors but the layover farms and warm-up rings where you prepare are outdoors. You never know what weather you might encounter on the East Coast in the fall.

Try this mantra: “I love the rain, I can ride in the wind, and getting muddy is fun. Most importantly my horse doesn’t mind.”

This is the best reason to practice whenever there is rain and wind at home. I try to expose my young mare to puddles on the ground and muddy footing so that she will become desensitized to these things. Nothing is worse than getting to a show and having your horse turn into a clean-freak white-gloved party princess. Try to visualize your worst nightmare, the Junior Hunter Under Saddle Hack with twenty run-away horses in a windstorm or in pouring rain and sloppy footing. If you know your horse can behave under these circumstances, you will remain confident and your horse will feel it, too.

This confidence comes from all the training at home. Earplugs can definitely help your horse to focus at a show, but you should practice riding without them at home. Save them for situations where you really need them.

Okay, mantra said, you had your fun in the mud. Now you are back at the hotel after showing in the rain. Your boots and breeches are sopping wet and covered in mud. Your hunt coat smells like a wet sheep dog and you have to show tomorrow.

A few things you can do:

• Hang up the wet huntcoat, spot clean it and place it in a warm but not too hot area. You don’t want it to shrink.

• After getting the mud off of your boots, rub some lotion on the inside of your boots to prevent them from drying into stiff cardboard.

• Next, crinkle some tissue paper and shove it into the foot. The boots can regain their shape, yet breathe and dry. Put boot trees or rolled magazines into the leg area.

• If you have mud-stained white breeches you can rub toothpaste on the dirty spots and take them into the shower with you. I found that if you throw them in a laundry basket with globs of mud, the mud stains the fabric and the breeches are ruined.

A bit on lightning – remember that lightning is electricity. If you are on your horse get back to the barn as quickly as possible. If you have returned the horse to a stall that has pull-down or shutter windows, do not close them. This is because those shutters are often made of metal and even touching them in an electrical storm could get you electrocuted, particularly if the roof of the barn is metal. Just leave them open and get yourself to the center aisle. Regardless of how it strikes, once in a structure, the lightning can travel through the electrical and plumbing fixtures. Lightning can also travel through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring.

Final note: Lightning storm – head inside. Rain falls – as long as the footing is safe, have fun in the mud! Wind blows – if the jumps are blowing down, call it a day. If you can see, go with the flow. Remember your mantra and those words from George…