A lot has happened since I last wrote!
After spending the winter in Wellington, I stopped in Aiken on my way home. I’ve so enjoyed being there over the years and at some point would like to have a barn there in the winter again. I was lucky enough to have my horses at Kevin Keane’s barn and he’s always gracious. I stayed with Jane and Carl Hampf, which was so convenient. It was great to be right next to Holland Eventing; they’ve done such a nice job with that property in the year they’ve owned it, adding cross-country, a dressage ring with good footing and mirrors, and show jumping. You can come and school in any of them at any point. It was super fun to be able to school cross-country with Phillip there—I forget sometimes how much I enjoy cross-country. I was so proud of Kortina because although she was a little green into the water, she was actually quite brave and jumped super. I was just just excited for the season!
I also had flat lesson with Phillip and that was very helpful. He reminded me about getting Kortina really through to the bridle and continuing to keep that thoroughness whether changing pace within the gait or going from gait to gait. Also, it’s always so helpful to have mirrors when you ride because you can see what you’re feeling and I think it’s the best way to train yourself.
I was also fortunate enough to teach some of my students and do a mini clinic for Jessica Halliday and her students while I was in Aiken (you can read about it here: https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/create-a-more-rideable-horse-with-jan-byyny). And, I found some time to go over and watch Ian stark at Stable View’s new cross-county schooling field, where he was helping all the listed riders. It was fun because I’ve never seen him teach cross-country before and found he has a lot of the same philosophies as myself. One of the biggest things was that he had people slow it down and trot some of the skinnies, especially green horses or if the horse was a bit strong. The other notable thing he stressed was making sure you keep your hands at the same level as the horse’s head to keep your horse in control and allow their shoulder to come up. This is George Morris 101: If the horse’s head comes up, you pick up your hands to keep from pulling down at the bars of the mouth. Another notable thing Ian worked on is allowing the horses to do a little of the work themselves, especially the greener horses. Allow them to be in a rhythm and balanced, and let the horse use the fence to figure out where their body is and how to jump. Every horse got better. There were two greener horses, new to the 2-star level, and they started to make a better shape when the riders weren’t trying to place them perfectly. Both horses became more relaxed in their canter, and started to pick up on the jumps themselves.
After Aiken, I went home to Virginia but pretty quickly headed back down to watch Carolina as a selector. Carolina International was great to attend. One thing I would say is that the team behind that event is amazing and try every year to make it better. I think Ian Stark got the courses right, with great flow and great questions. While some thought the courses were softened from the last couple of years, I though they had better flow and felt Ian did a great job on all levels. It seemed to me that a lot of the listed riders were certainly getting their A game on. I also thought the concept of the mixed level team competition between Erik and Leslie was such a great experience for the younger riders, and a great asset for developing teams down the road.
My own competition plan was to run my and Anita Antenucci’s mare Kortina in the Training at Morven and then step up to Preliminary at CDCTA. She was great in the Training, super fun to do, and she won. I want to give a huge shout-out to Emma Wick and In Flight and Out of Sight for winning their first event of the year, too. Go Team Surefire!
After spending the winter in Wellington, I stopped in Aiken on my way home. I’ve so enjoyed being there over the years and at some point would like to have a barn there in the winter again. I was lucky enough to have my horses at Kevin Keane’s barn and he’s always gracious. I stayed with Jane and Carl Hampf, which was so convenient. It was great to be right next to Holland Eventing; they’ve done such a nice job with that property in the year they’ve owned it, adding cross-country, a dressage ring with good footing and mirrors, and show jumping. You can come and school in any of them at any point. It was super fun to be able to school cross-country with Phillip there—I forget sometimes how much I enjoy cross-country. I was so proud of Kortina because although she was a little green into the water, she was actually quite brave and jumped super. I was just just excited for the season!
I also had flat lesson with Phillip and that was very helpful. He reminded me about getting Kortina really through to the bridle and continuing to keep that thoroughness whether changing pace within the gait or going from gait to gait. Also, it’s always so helpful to have mirrors when you ride because you can see what you’re feeling and I think it’s the best way to train yourself.
I was also fortunate enough to teach some of my students and do a mini clinic for Jessica Halliday and her students while I was in Aiken (you can read about it here: https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/create-a-more-rideable-horse-with-jan-byyny). And, I found some time to go over and watch Ian stark at Stable View’s new cross-county schooling field, where he was helping all the listed riders. It was fun because I’ve never seen him teach cross-country before and found he has a lot of the same philosophies as myself. One of the biggest things was that he had people slow it down and trot some of the skinnies, especially green horses or if the horse was a bit strong. The other notable thing he stressed was making sure you keep your hands at the same level as the horse’s head to keep your horse in control and allow their shoulder to come up. This is George Morris 101: If the horse’s head comes up, you pick up your hands to keep from pulling down at the bars of the mouth. Another notable thing Ian worked on is allowing the horses to do a little of the work themselves, especially the greener horses. Allow them to be in a rhythm and balanced, and let the horse use the fence to figure out where their body is and how to jump. Every horse got better. There were two greener horses, new to the 2-star level, and they started to make a better shape when the riders weren’t trying to place them perfectly. Both horses became more relaxed in their canter, and started to pick up on the jumps themselves.
After Aiken, I went home to Virginia but pretty quickly headed back down to watch Carolina as a selector. Carolina International was great to attend. One thing I would say is that the team behind that event is amazing and try every year to make it better. I think Ian Stark got the courses right, with great flow and great questions. While some thought the courses were softened from the last couple of years, I though they had better flow and felt Ian did a great job on all levels. It seemed to me that a lot of the listed riders were certainly getting their A game on. I also thought the concept of the mixed level team competition between Erik and Leslie was such a great experience for the younger riders, and a great asset for developing teams down the road.
My own competition plan was to run my and Anita Antenucci’s mare Kortina in the Training at Morven and then step up to Preliminary at CDCTA. She was great in the Training, super fun to do, and she won. I want to give a huge shout-out to Emma Wick and In Flight and Out of Sight for winning their first event of the year, too. Go Team Surefire!
The next weekend I ran Preliminary with Kortina, who was good in the dressage and show jumping. I didn’t run for time cross-country because it was quite slick, and although she jumped great, she slipped and took a bad step at the end of course and has to have a month-and-half off.
I also had the the pleasure of riding Kaylin Dine’s horses Why Not and Unbridled Numbers in the Training at CDCTA and they both won their divisions. Those two horses are so nice and such a pleasure to ride. She got both from me and now they’re broke to death—both are good jumpers, good dressage horses, and easy—no fuss no muss.
I also had the the pleasure of riding Kaylin Dine’s horses Why Not and Unbridled Numbers in the Training at CDCTA and they both won their divisions. Those two horses are so nice and such a pleasure to ride. She got both from me and now they’re broke to death—both are good jumpers, good dressage horses, and easy—no fuss no muss.
Trav Schick has been here at Surefire all week setting the courses for our Surefire Horse Trials in June, and we mowed the lawn for first time, so spring is here and I love it!
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