Posted on April 25, 2007
Patience is critical when working with horses. There is no place for temper. Horses are incredibly generous animals who usually want to please. They are herd animals, seeking the alpha leader. I am reminded of this each day as I work with this special stallion, RJ, the star of the Hollywood film Hidalgo (2004). He teaches me important lessons as we learn from each other. Moving from the desert of Southern California to Dutchess County New York has been an adjustment. He is not familiar with crossing muddy streams on trails or galloping through the countryside where we often meet hawks and deer. Although he is curious, these critters are not as strange as the camels he worked with on the set of the film in Morroco. I teach him some basic dressage movements and he is reminding me of sliding stops. Communication is easy if we remain clear in our request and patient in understanding what is desired.
Posted on April 11, 2007
Invitation Only Trunk Show
Cari Swanson invites you to
an exclusive opportunity to shop
Arista Equestrian
2007 Spring Collection
(Cool Plus, Show Shirts, Vests, Breeches, etc.)
Saturday, May 5th 1-4pm
Windrock Farm
724 Bangall Amenia Road
Amenia, NY 12501
Please RSVP promptly.
Limited to the first 15 replies.
845-868-1931
cari@cariswanson.com
Posted on April 11, 2007
Come meet the Hollywood Star of Hidalgo on May 5 at Windrock Farm in Millbrook New York. Limited tickets available so if you are interested in seeing RJ perform some of his tricks contact cari@cariswanson.com.
All proceeds will benefit the Horse Rescue, Rehab and Retirement Foundation.
Posted on April 10, 2007
RJ, the main star of Hidalgo, has arrived at Windrock Farm. He is an amazing horse in that he is highly trick trained and super intelligent. Working with him every day is a challenge and an honor as he teaches me many things each session. This horse never takes his eye off you and loves to work.
There will be several opportunities to meet him at the farm, check out the web site for dates and time www.cariswanson.com
Posted on March 17, 2007
Learning to ride is a lifelong endeavor. Riding is a constant challenge for me as I seek to feel the invisible connection of harmony with my horses.
It was tremendous fortune when a mutual friend insisted I meet Tony Mason. We share the same phylosophy of working with horses. That is tuning into each individual horse’s character and talent to find a common ground for communication. I have always been a firm believer in cross training all of my horses (eventing, jumpers,dressage), instinctively knowing they were happier and healthier horses.
Each lesson with Tony is a journey where we discover new secrets of communication while attempting to achieve our goal. He begins each day with a plan, however, remaining flexible when something else evolves. The combination of his psychic abilities, solid classical training methods, and sheer joy of life produces magical dances each day. By training the muscles from the inside out over time, my horses are strong and supple achieving peak performance.
During our training sessions together I realized it was important to share this amazing experience and thus our company, The Horse’s Eye was born. Tony was reticent because of the danger of our words being misinterpreted in translation, however he finally agreed if our sessions are presented as works in progress. These tapes will allow you to experience the harmony of three spheres, the teacher, the rider and the horse. Our idea is to include you in the journey of discovery and show you the remarkable results in spite of inevitable errors and mistakes that are crucial to learning. Enjoy these sessions which I hope you can learn from and allow you to dance with your horse.
If you are interested in ordering these lessons contact cari@cariswanson.com
Posted on March 16, 2007
Plan to qualify for the Ninth Annual Dressage 4 Kids Youth Festival at Hits on the Hudson, Saugerties, New York. This is a wonderful opportunity for young riders to become true horsemen by teaching the correct position, competitive skills and knowledge of all aspects of riding and horse care. Dressage4Kids offers scholarships to enable competitors to further their education while having fun and developing good sportsmanship.
Check out the web site for qualifying details www.dressage4kids.com
Posted on March 16, 2007
Friday April 6th Jumper Schooling Day
Sat and Sun April 14-15 Dressage Show
Friday May 18 Jumper Show
Sunday June 3 Dressage Show
Thursday June 28 Jumper Show
Friday July 20th Jumper Show
Sat and Sun August 18-19 Jumper weekend
for details and entry forms contact www.cooleparkfarm.com or call 845.373.8591
Posted on March 15, 2007
Posted on March 12, 2007
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
Posted on March 10, 2007
Apollo climbing the avacado tree in the backyard. 