Archive for the "Shows" Category
Larkin Hill has a Stadium Series in Chatham New York April 6th, May 4th, and June 1 for practice and fun. This is a wonderful opportunity to test your training and skills over courses comprised of cross rails up to 3 feet 3 inches. Please pre-enter so schedules are more accurate.
There is also an Eric Horgan clinic scheduled for April 13-15. This is an excellent opportunity to hone your jumping skills through learning proper training on the flat followed by gymnastic and jumping excercises. You can learn more about Eric at his web site, erichorgan.com
Here are some of the most common faults seen from the judges box. They are simple to fix and ride correctly. Every horse at training level should be able to get at least a 7 on each movement if ridden correctly, regardless of the gaits. However, the rider should always be striving for higher marks.
Enter trotting on center line
Riders often overshoot the center line, drifting back to the correct line, sometimes losing balance and straightness. It is very easy to practice riding down center line. Remember that when you start to turn in the corner, continue to bend and turn with your eye on the judge, this will put you straight on center line. Also ask for a bit more trot so that you are entering with a sense of purpose and commitment. Finally remember to smile, the judges enjoy seeing riders having fun. More importantly when you smile, you relax your body which effects your horse. Remember do not override, less is more. The goal is to ride in harmony with your horse. Show the judge a dance rather than a drill.
Ride a Circle
Do not ride an ameba, a box or an egg. Learn to ride a proper circle. Have a friend video tape your schooling to see if you actually are riding a circle.
Do not rush your Halt
Establish your halt. Count to 5, exhale and relax. Very often the rider will halt beautifully and then rush off to the next movement. Slow everything down. Breathe.
Ride the Correct Diagonal
Again, keep your eye on the destination and ride with purpose and conviction to that letter, the diagonal line should be straight, balanced and the same rhythm. The new tests at training level allow posting trot, so do not disrupt the rhythm of your trot by switching the posting diagonal at X, wait until the corner at the end of the arena. Commit to the line, soften, breathe. Your scores will improve.
Posted February 27th, 2007 — Filed under
Shows,
Training
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Spring is just around the corner. It is time to start planning the summer events. Sunday, April 22 is the first warm-up cross country day at Stonegate Farm in Pleasant Valley. There is also a Jumping Derby to look forward to on Sunday, May 20. Check the website www.stonegatexc.com for details.
Check into qualifying for dressage4kids in August, go to the web site www.dressage4kids.com
Some of you may know that there are new regs in place as of Jan 1 2007 that require all vehicles that have a combined GVW of 10,000+ pounds have a DOT number on them. The registration is free but you have to pay to get the numbers made (which can be a magnetic sign – unless you have an Aluminum trailer) and it also requires that you carry a safety kit of 3 road triangles and a 10BC fire extinguisher mounted in the tow vehicle. There are likely many other requirements too and I have only scratched the surface. One thing to consider is that the regs apply to the published GVW of your truck and trailer not the actual weight. So if you think you can slide by because the trailer is empty or only has one horse in it think again. The GVW’s are printed on a tag mounted in or on your truck and trailer.
The form you need to register can be found here http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/forms/print/r-l-forms.htm you need both MCS-150 and MCS150A. More info can be found here www.fmcsa.dot.gov and also the NYS dot website. Don’t bother to call DMV they don’t know anything about DOT regs.
Do not risk being pulled over and fined for this new rule. Look up the rules and register.
Posted August 15th, 2006 — Filed under
Shows
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Congratualtions to Kayla with Beau and Joa with Kestrel for winning the schooling class, equitation and training level test 2 in each of their respective divisions. Both riders had a stellar weekend placing at the top of the leader board in every class entered, with the overall team score coming in second.
The weekend was filled with educational opportunities for the riders to learn from the best riders and trainers. This is an event not to be missed if you are a young rider ages 9-21. The competition was tough, but everyone performed beautifully.
With excellent weather conditions, the weekend was a great success and filled with fun events like the Trail Class and Prix Caprilli. Generous sponsors offered prizes and gifts for every place won.
For more information visit dressage4kids web site at www.dressage4kids.com
The 8th annual Dressage 4 Kids competition is August 11-13 at Hits in Saugerties, NY. This exciting weekend is for riders under 21 to compete in various age groups for wonderful prizes. The competition was conceived of by Lendon Gray to encourage young riders under 21 to become true horseman. The goal of the program is to create riders who understand the correct position, to develop competive skills, to have knowledge of all aspects of horse care and riding, to offer scholarships to enable competitors to continue their education, and most importantly to have fun and develop good sportsmanship.
Competitors must meet the requirement of qualifying with two scores and come from 10 countries and 25 states. They hail from the worlds of eventing, jumping, hunters, pony club and trail riding. Many of them form teams with fun names like the Beau Jesters to compete against each other.
This is a fun learning experience and a great place to meet other young riders. For more information check out the web site www.dressage4kids.com.
The Hudson Valley hosts many top equestrian events throughout the year and this weekend is one of the hottest events to attend. Fitches Corner, located in Millbrook on Mabbettsville Road and the Shunpike (route 57), begins tomorrow with dressage and ends Sunday with a day of Cross Country and Stadium Jumping.
The host, Fernanda Gilligan, takes care to make it fun and easy for competitors to attend. Saturday evening is the Blue Jean Ball, a party for everyone involved as well as the community to eat, drink and dance into the early hours or the next day.
There are over 30 vendors in the Marketplace for shoppers and for those who may have forgotten something. This year also marks the first time Bit of Britain is represented on the show grounds. Many call this event a Mini Rolex due to the extraordinary attention to detail to every aspect of the weekend.
The cross country course is beautiful and challenging at 3 levels, Novice, Training and Preliminary. You will watch local riders as well as some of the best riders in the country riding their young horses over this challenging course. The water jump is a great place to watch the action, and then walk around the course to watch all the obstacles being ridden by a very talented group of athletes.
Enjoy the day and cheer on your favorite rider!
Two of my accomplished students–Kayla and Joa–have recently qualified to enter Lendon Gray’s Dressage 4 Kids Show in Saugerties at HITS in August. This is a great accomplishment for both students who have recently taken to riding dressage. They have worked hard to master the basics of dressage training and their dilligent focused work has paid off. Now they have to study the written materials and continue training so that they can achieve personal best scores at the event. Good Luck to both of you!
For more information on qualifying scores visit www.dressage4kids.com
Every week you can listen to the Horse Report on virtualhudsonvalley.com. In this weekly report, I discuss many aspects of the horse world and how it relates to the equestrian activities in the Hudson Valley. If you know of any upcoming events or clinics and would like to share this information, please contact me so that I can report on them.
You will also hear from Leslie Land, the garden expert, Alex Tuller, the cooking expert, Ilana with The List, and Dean Temple, our host who will have you laughing every week.
Check out virtualhudsonvalley.com and send us your feedback on the entire program. We are always looking for ways to improve the content for our listeners, so we need to hear from you!
Posted June 30th, 2006 — Filed under
Shows
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When competing at a dressage show, it is important to observe certain rules of behaviour. Most of these points are common sense and should be considered when attending a competition.
When entering the warm-up arena, take care not to cut off another rider. Slower gaits should take the inside track.
Pass left shoulder to left shoulder and look where you are going at all times to avoid a collision. When overtaking traffic in the same direction, pass to the inside with care and plenty of clearance. Better yet, make a circle or cut across the arena to avoid passing.
Keep at least one horses length from any other horse.
Plan halts in the center of the ring.
When turning, check your “rear view” first.
Be careful how you use your whip.. Other horses may react more enthusiastically than yours.
Fractious horses should be removed from the area immediately.
Make way for ring maintenance crews in the warm-up arena. Some competitions post a ring maintenance schedule so take care to observe them.
School your horse in a positive manner, do not school after a test if you are angry. There is no place for anger around a horse. Perform your warm-up routine with a purpose. Stick to your plan.
Always be polite. Foul language is never tolerated.
Horses not entered in the competition do not belong in the warm-up area.
Young riders have a wonderful opportunity to learn and test their skills at Lendon Gray’s Youth Dressage Festival, visit www.dressage4kids for details.