June Newsletter

June Newsletter
 

Meet Lucky! He came to visit us while we were on a fishing trip in Pensacola, FL with Reel Way Fishing Charters.  He's missing his right eye and 1/2 his tail.  He hung around with the boat for about 20 minutes.  The charter captains in the area have named him Lucky and know him well.  And we had a fabulous fishing trip!  Highly recommend Captain Kenny Way!!!

Leslie and Luna Before
 
Luna is a rescue of sorts.  Super cool little mare(13.2hh) that Leslie and her mom purchased from a rough home.  Leslie has decided to pursue Western Dressage with Luna.  This picture was taken at a show a couple of days prior to our lesson. Notice how far back in the saddle Leslie is landing. Notice how far forward her leg is. There is not a perpendicular line ear- shoulder-hip-heel.  This lack of alignment creates lack of balance.  Leslie, like the majority of riders, is inadvertently using the reins for balance.  Luna is not happy about it.  Hollow back, resistant in the jaw and poll, plus she tends to be speedy.  An out of balance rider can create an out of balance horse and an out of balance horse can affect the rider's balance.  That can work the other way too.  A balanced rider can help a horse be better balanced.  This pair is almost working against each other instead of with each other.  One of the things that I love about Western Dressage is the stress on HARMONY.  It's a separate score on the Collective Remarks.  Too many horses in Classical Dressage are ridden with super tight nosebands and much negative tension.  We don't always see harmony in WD, as in above pic, but definitely more often than we see it in Classical dressage.

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Leslie and Luna After
 
This is during our lesson together. Leslie has managed to get more caught up to the middle of the saddle and is keeping her leg more under her body. This has freed her hands and Luna is a much happier pony!  We even had her reaching for the bit a couple of times!  She is an uneducated horse as far as dressage but has years of wisdom for street smarts.  She knows a good deal when she sees it! Her tempo was much steadier and Leslie was then able to stay caught up more of the time.  Funny how that goes!  Mary Wanless has an expression: "The better you ride, the better the horse goes. The better the horse goes, the better you ride."
Leslie and Luna are a prime example of how that works.  I look forward to more lessons with the two of them.  This change was within just ONE lesson. There's no way to fix everything in one lesson, it's too much information.  But you can see how much better the pair are together!  Harmony is beginning to appear.
 

Western Dressage of America

Upcoming Schedule
 
Slacking for the summer!  Well, not really but a lighter schedule so I can spend time with Emmett and enjoy the beach.  August picks up again, still working on my fall calendar, waiting on some hosts to respond.  Almost all places I teach allow outside riders to come in. I work with riders of all levels, horses of any breed, and all disciplines.
If you are interested in riding with me somewhere, please contact me. Be sure to check the calendar on my website for updates. 
 
Hope all of you have a fabulous summer filled with love, friends, family, and horses!
 
Calendar at a glance
June 22-24     Clinic Fayetteville, GA
July 13-15  Lesson Days Havana, FL
July 27-29   Lesson Days Auburn, AL
August 2-4 Lesson Days, Lafayette, GA
August 5                   Hiram, GA
August 10-12    Clinic Huntersville, NC
August 17-19          Clinic Wausua, WI
September 7-9  Lesson Days Auburn, AL
Sept 29-Oct 1 Lesson Days Fairhope, AL

Calendar

Reminder that
I'm available for video analysis/phone consult.  Only $35
 
 Send me a short clip or combo of clips to view.  Doesn't have to be perfect, just so I can see both directions walk and trot, canter if you wish. Or can show me a specific issue you are having. We'll set a convenient time to talk by phone while we watch video together. Keeps you on track until I see you in person again! 
WOW!!!  Special deal offered: write me a testimonial to use in my advertising and website on how I've helped you and your horse and get a video/phone consult for just $25. 

Book a Video/Phone consult

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