We were teaching in Aiken, SC where the event world trains in the winter. The horse community is rich in cross country courses to train over. The soft red clay footing is easy on the joints and the horses love the weather which ranges from 40-70 in the winter. Check out our new listings of [...]
Look for a new book, Whoa means Whoa!due out April 1. Although I find horses far easier to teach than people, I realized that I had a talent for teaching anyone how to ride. There are many books written by far greater horseman. However I was encouraged by my students to create this guide which [...]
In 1985, Disney produced a film called Sylvester about a grey horse who becomes an eventing super horse ridden by a young girl portrayed by Melissa Gilbert. Several horses were used to play Sylvester. Supertramp was cast because of his tremendous scope and ability. He is seen here jumping this enormous red pick up for [...]
check out the new dressage tests online and prepare to ride the best scores of your life. Practice makes perfect, so get out there and learn the tests by riding them, one section at a time. It is very helpful to ride several horses in the pattern to commit it to your memory. This is [...]
Many breeds compete successfully at eventing such as the Andalusian stallion, Duende xxxiii Bella, the Dutch warmblood, Bond, the Danish Warmblood and Fella an American Quarter Horse. All are athletes which excel in all three disciplines. When looking for your next event prospect consider their mind and athletic ability together. I always take a confident [...]
Victory on the day of competition is hard to come by without hours of preparation and training. Practice makes perfect…so work on the basics every day. Avoid pitfalls the day of competition by making your daily work build on the basics necessary to succeed. Ride every jump to the center so that if become automatic. [...]
Talented Selle Francais with miles of experience is now available for sale or lease to the right situation. Indy is a bold, confident jumper who will never stop. He always finishes on his dressage score and is happy to gallop cross country any day. He is a classic schoolmaster for the up and coming rider [...]
Kestrel jumps through the water easily this year, after schooling the water complex many times and Joa learning to ride to it correctly, Kestrel has no problem with the water. This element of the course often causes problems for riders because they do not take the time to school it properly or learn to approach [...]
Start getting your horses fit with long trot sets. Use the snow to help with your horses fitness. You always need to work on good footing so take care to avoid the icy hard ground. Also use the hills to build your horses heart rate up slowly. Start with 5 minute intervals trotting and build [...]
All of the great riding masters emphasize the classic riding position. Eyes up, heels down, hands in front of the withers…this is the most effective way to ride and beautiful to watch a talented rider allow his horse to perform with invisible aids. As in any great design, form follows function. Having your heel down, [...]