RJ and Mr. T will be giving a demo at 2pm at the Meadow Horse Park in Doswell, VA as part of the 40th year Birthday Bash for the amazing Big Red, Secretariat. Come visit the park and meet us in the stables, or at the arena. Check for upcoming demos and clinics on our web site Swanson Peterson Producions
After schooling all the horses through the obstacle course, we went on a hack to cool the horses down. Many of the horses did not like the tarp initially, but everyone was successful at working through all he obstacles….including walking under a tarp, over a tarp, over logs, through hanging plastic bottles, backing around a tree, and various cross country jumps. These are excellent exercises to improve your communication with your horse. Jumpers, Dressage and Event horses improve each day.
You have heard it from many trainers-ride every stride. This will eventually become automatic when you train yourself to count your strides. One of my greatest teachers, Tony Mason, taught me to count the length and width of the arena. He was adament about knowing the size of your arena and how to carve out space to work in when it was crowded with many horses. I imagine he learned this years ago when he was trained by his Master in Europe, when riders had to navigate among dozens of horses in small arenas. There was etiquette about how to pass one another and when to change direction.
If you learn to count the strides in your circles, you will eventually learn how to ride a perfect circle. This is not as easy as you might expect. I start all my students whether children or adults learning to count and it pays off quickly as they progress up the levels.
This image is of Ashley Cox riding Classy, winning the dressage test at Kent Horse Trials. If you are interested in lessons or have any questions, contact cari@cariswanson.com.
Westfield Whips have been designed with impeccable craftsmanship for over a century. With perfect balance, action and flexibility, these whips never feel heavy in your hand. All Westfield, whips are built on cores made to precise specifications to guarantee that they replicate the feel and performance standards of the original whalebone and rawhide whips which have never been surpassed in quality and feel.
“For me, the Westfield whips are the finest available in the world today.”-Bruce Davidson
Bruce is one of the finest and most accomplished equestrians of our time. He is a two time Three-Day Event World Champion and a five-time Olympic veteran, holding two team gold and two team silver medals. He is a two time World Champion, has won the Rolex Kentucky Three Day a record six times and is one of only two Americans to have won the Badminton Horse Trials. He has been the US Combined Training Assoc. “Rider of the Year” a record fourteen times.
“In my industry where every detail matters, I count on the handling precision of a Westfield whip to deliver a perfect performance.”-Rex Peterson
Rex has trained horses for film for over four decades, creating some of the most complex and exciting horse action sequences every filmed. His credits include dozens of films including Black Beauty, Dreamer, Hidalgo, Runaway Bride, The Horse Whisperer and The Patriot. His concern for the well being of horses has earned him the praise of humane organizations and animal advocates.
Westfield whips are well balanced, light in weight and of the highest quality. I love these whips and so do my customers.” –Olaf Nyby
Olaf Nyby of Norway is one of Europe’s top driving instructor and horse trainers. His expertise includes pleasure and commercial driving and international competition in pairs; four-in-hand combined training and driving dressage disciplines.
The Westfield whip-dressage, straight lash (6 foot), Lunge line, and jumper bat are available at swansonpetersonproductions.com
Here Ryan uses his Tufflex Stock Whip (6 foot), and Diamond Weave Pro Lunge Whip from Westfield to cue Doc to perform many tricks and movements.The whips are an extention of his hands to guide his horse, who must never be afraid of the whips.