Hi.  I am happy to announce The Summertime Blues dressage show in Williamston was quite a success eventhough all of us were in survival mode for the weekend.  There was oppressive, extreme heat. 

Here are results of the Karver stable group:

Both of my PSG scores on Welle were 64.7 with a second place and first (only one in class).  We missed the FEI high score by less then a percent.  Welle felt a little stuck in the mud at the show, however, her work since the show has been back up to a higher standard.  The Sandbox Club came in second in the pro-am challenge.  Also a very near miss on first place.  However, all my students' combined scores for the weekend won the overall  Trainer's Award for me.  Thank you ladies!  That's impressive!  Susan on Ebella (Bella) got a 76% in intro A and 73% in training-1 from judge Janine Malone.  It was the first time Susan ever showed Bella.  It was the first time ever Susan broke the 70% mark.  Susan won the AA high score award and the "Bred in NC" high score award.  Susan's other mare, Sanibelle, was scratched from her Sunday 2pm ride due to concerns about the heat.  Sanibelle was excellent Fri and Sat in hand and under saddle. We look forward to putting her in the show ring some other time. Susan left early Sunday morning to get both young horses safely home before the temps rocketed over 100. Susan's scores were especially enjoyable because she had an unusually tough year.  It was fun to see her enjoy success and cool extrinsic rewards.  On Sat, Dana rode her first attempt at first- 4.  She was eliminated for "off course" because she had the old 2003 version of the test.  She remained graceful and redeemed herself with big scores of 70% and 66% later.  Linda on Legacy also had an "off course" day on Sat.  (Are we all delerious from the heat?)  but improved her score by 6% on her next test!  Linda also scratched Sunday's rides so that she could tackle the long drive home in early hours.  Legacy handled the new show grounds like a real trooper.  She accepts her blindness boldly and trusts Linda and daughter, Wendy, to guide her safely around. 

Next NCDCTA educational dressage symposium:
Felicitas von Neuman-Cosel will be the instructor for the NCDCTA full day symposium on September 11, 2010.  The symposium will be at North Star Training Center in Chapel Hill.  Welle and I will be a demo pair.  When I audited FvNC last month, I came away with some great gems of wisdom.  Come to the symposium.  Say hi to me and Welle afterward if we don't know you yet.

Hi.  Today was a fine day in the sandbox.  All the horses behaved super well and the blistering sun waited till almost noon to defeat the clouds in the battle for skyspace.  But...the path to today started last thursday.  It was young-horse interesting.  Sanibelle was going through the four year old phase of, "I don't really have to!  Make me!"  So we had rides filled with minor resistances.  Whenever the dogs played in the tree-line Sandi had to watch.  Not too easy when she is supposed to be on the bit.  When her face got itchy she wanted to stop and scratch.  Not too easy when you are trotting.  10 meter turns onto the centerline:  too hard.  Stretchy circles:  opportunities to socialize.  Then, on Thursday, Sandi decided to make a committment to her pay-no-attention philosophy of life and popped a rear.  She stood all the way up.  To get that high a horse has to fling its head up and back.  Her neck hit me in the nose... bloody nose.  I clung like a cougar, we landed, and blood dripped onto my gloves.  Over the next 15 minutes I stuck to the topic at hand (bending left).  She wanted to look off to the right, down by the pasture was something interesting and she was insisting on stopping and looking.  But I prevailed.  I was very quick to praise in the moments she relented, with body and voice.  With every pat, her ears flopped softly to the side.  Her bouncy, elevated trot added swing and elasticity.  Then, she tried again to stop and look.  Without pause I closed my aids and stayed to the topic, and added a growl with my voice.  She submitted again.  When I prevailed long enough,  I  dismounted.  Specks of blood covered my saddle pommel, gloves and shirt.  I thought maybe she was sorry.  Her eyes suggested such.  The next day, my schedule didn't permit time to ride her, but I put her on the lunge for a bit.  She was perfect.  Saturday storms prevented further conversation with Sandi and she rested. On Sunday, I got on again.  She was wonderful.  She was sorry!  Typical mare.  I think the bleeding thing got to her.  Monday, she was great.  We rode through a test.  And today, she was splendid and graceful and four year old perfect.  She is travelling to Williamston this weekend for the Summertime Blues show.  Our intent is not to compete, but to enjoy a "riding vacation" together on the new grounds, to see a covered arena, and to remain calmly submissive during work sessions even while social distractions take place.  Wish me luck.   .... In addition to that saga... on Sunday, I was leading 4 y.o. Wonder in from the pasture.  While I am usually attentive to a young horses' position "shoulder to shoulder" she slipped behind me as she cowered from a new fallen tree that my husband and sons' were cleaning up.  Suddenly she bolted forward and I fell on my *&*!  I now have a "tatoo" of the galaxy on my rear because I landed square on a rock.  It is about 5 inches around and every shade of violet imaginable.  No, I am not going to post a picture.  Although there may be money in it because it is pretty graphic...  Anyway, today was fabulous.  Everyone was so gentle, attentive and dressagey.  Perhaps I am overdone on the young horses?  Goodness, how I appreciate my o' Welle!

Evening folks!  Its 7:30pm and 90 degrees.  I resign for the day, as I have sold my soul to the air conditioner.  But, I would love to respond to an excellent question from the last post: Could I recommend books?  You bet.  First I will say that USDF has a recommended reading list for their instructor/trainer certification program.  The list should be available on www.usdf.org/education/instructor-certification/recommended-reading.asp   The USDF also has a reading list for the "L" program www.usdf.org/education/judge-training/lprogram/recommended-reading.asp
Great lists.  Both of these list contain good books regarding training theory and principles.  Some things are a little controversial and/or historical.  Since classical riding is about benefitting from the learning of others passed down through history, it is appropriate to read those texts even if they aren't current or popular right now.  You will find them insightful. 
In addition, I strongly recommend reading the glossary of terms and definitions by USDF.  Using words correctly helps your brain organize and define its world.  Using "definitions" incorrectly is counter productive.  Words such as forward, impulsion, engagement, flexion, bend, and tempo are very frequently misused... by professionals too!  I have to thank Sarah Geikie for making me study the definitions years ago.  Thanx!  It has helped me communicate clearer with my horse! 

Now I would like to add a few books:

The Outliers by Malcom Gladwell. 
Conditioning the Sporthorse by Hilary Clayton 
That Winning Feeling by Jane Savoie
Dressage Questions Answered by Charles DeKunffy
Principle Centered Leadership by Steven Covey
and
The Man who Listens to Horses by Monty Roberts

Not all of these are dressage books obviously.  But reading about "success" in the Outliers helps you handle competiton... Principle centered leadership is exactly how you develop leadership with your horse... and Monty Roberts is entertaining and inspires people to have a conversation with their horses before they climb on their backs.
So, I will get to my conditioning/ training program and philosophy, later.  This book question was too good to delay.  In this nuclear winter (stinkin' hot summer) we can easily enjoy a book while recovering our depleted electrolytes inside!

Hi folks!  In this radical heat is it especially challenging to create equine atheletes.  I have heard that many would like to hear about my training program and overall principles.  Also, supplements (horses and self) will be included.  I don't have time yet, but I will put thought and time into that soon.  Stay safe, these heat index levels are very dangerous.

In relation to a recent, previous blog entry this month, here is a fabulous quote from Dr. Hilary Clayton's fabulous book, Conditioning Sport Horses:  "Multiple repetitions improve neuromuscular coordination and strengthen the muscles in an appropriate manner, provided the movement is performed correctly.  If the technique is incorrect, then the results are deleterious to performance."     ... yup.  Correctly fabulous.

Everyday, I think of a few blog topics that I MUST chat about.  Then, by eventide, I have forgotten them.  Although I rack my tired brain for  those inspiring, troubling, and engrossing subjects, they have disappeared.  Write them down you say?  I am usually on a horse when they come, and with concentration and focus on the "being I am with", they go.  Gone till next week, or tomorrow.