Clinic with Kathy Adams

FEI Dressage trainer Kathy Adams (Stockton, NJ) will be coming to Pittsburgh to teach a clinic on June 2-3. I've been riding with Kathy for about 15 years now. She has been a loyal friend and mentor to me through the ups and the downs. I always look forward to having her in town. Not only are her lessons educational but they're also a lot of fun.

The clinic will be split between Saxonburg, PA and Sewickley, PA and there is no fee to audit.

Saturday, June 2^nd

Braeface Farm Saxonburg, PA

8:45-9:30             Angie Tobben

9:30-10:15           Sandi Myers

10:15-11:00         Mary Schroeder

11:00-11:15         break

11:15-12:00         Jane Miller

12:00-12:45         Lauren Burke

Lisa Nelson’s Valencia, PA

1:45-2:30             Lisa Nelson

Barberry Farm Sewickley, PA

3:30-4:15             Letty Savage

Emily Craig’s Sewickley, PA

4:30-5:15            Gina Miller

5:15-6:00            Emily Craig

Sunday, June 3^rd

Braeface Farm Saxonburg, PA

8:30-9:15             Angie Tobben

9:15-10:00           Lauren Burke

10:00-10:45         Mary Schroeder

10:45-11:00         break

11:00-11:45         Amanda Reynolds

11:45-12:30         Jane Miller

12:30-1:15           lunch

1:15-2:00             Amanda Reynolds

Lisa Nelson’s Valencia, PA

2:15-3:00             Lisa Nelson

Barberry Farm Sewickley, PA

4:00-4:45             Letty Savage

Emily Craig’s Sewickley, PA

5:00-5:45            Gina Miller

5:45-6:30            Emily Craig

Morven in May

I kicked off the 2012 competition season last weekend with Audi at the 47th Annual PVDA Spring Show at Morven Park in Leesburg, VA. We won both of our classes on Saturday scoring 69.8% at First Level Test #3 and 71.7% at First Level Test #2. The first test he was a little tight and behind me but he felt totally 'on' for the second test. It was the first time that I felt like I could really go for it with Audi in the show ring. It was awesome! The only blooper in the First Level Test #2 occurred after we picked up left lead canter and were about to start our 15m circle. Another rider who was circling the ring adjacent to ours got a little too close to my ring. Audi's reaction was to leap straight up and drop sideways. I think he thought the horse was going to take him head on. He's had a history of being a little squirrely about other horses so it was a shame that this happened. Honestly I don't blame him but it's something we need to work through to make sure this doesn't become even more of an issue. Unfortunately that shyness did translate to the warm up on Sunday. On top of it all Audi was full of beans too, despite the heat and long weekend which surprised me. Such a little whippersnapper! I took him into the grass to finish my warmup and after one massive (I mean it, massive!) leap, he felt amazing. Unfortunately I managed to lose that amazing feeling as I circled the show ring. He got distracted by something on the hillside and got tight and behind me. I had to ride my pants off but for Audi's first test ever at Second Level (Test #1) it was decent. I know that there's a lot we could have done better but I was super happy to get that test under our belt. We placed 2nd with a 65.2%. I was thrilled with how well the weekend went and am excited for the next competition with Audi. 

Below are my favorite images from the competition by photographers at picsofyou.com

A hat trick and high point

I took my student Riley and her adorable pony Sport Model to their first competition of the year on Saturday. In addition to winning all three of their classes, they also took home a high point ribbon. It was very exciting! Ribbons aside though, what I'm most proud about was how well Riley rode. Riley rode with total focus and conviction to get him in front of her leg and on the aids. It was spectacular to see her in the show ring, making the appropriate corrections as the test went along. Riley's third class was a combined training division with a dressage test and round of stadium. Her stadium course was beautifully ridden with great composure and judgement. She had a proud mom and coach standing on the rail cheering for her. We all went home tired and a little sunburned but with big smiles on our faces. It was a great day.

Like I always say, winning is fun!

Riley and "Sporty"