Show Time!

Wow! What a busy month it has been! Horses are doing great, students are having fun, and the weather is wonderful!

Dressage training has been under way full force, and the students and trainers have been working their tails off endlessly..but it pays off! After days training, exhaustion, being sick, organization (and some confusion), the goal was finally reached! Blue Moon Equestrian Center took four horses to the Fairfield Dressage Show in Denton, Texas - and cleaned up! Kira Weeks and "Mr. Peepers" took second and third, Laurel Burns and "Gamble on Grace" took second and fourth, and Caitlin Kobiske and "Nocturne's Last Lady" won both blue ribbons! What a day - it is so fulfilling to see my students doing so well - in and out of the show ring. They were so professional and dedicated..true champions in my book :)

                                  Laurel, Caitlin, and Kira showing off their ribbons with Royal Joker:

Team work and support is what it's all about!

    

     Success would not have been possible without my awesome intern, Jordan. She is always by my side, ready to help with anything. She is dedicated, professional, knowledgable, and a great teacher to the students. I am so thankful she is a part of the Blue Moon family!

    Kelly and Lauren were also extremely helpful. They helped groom, tack up horses, and got the students ready and where they needed to be. Thank you!!

     I would like to welcome Lauren Bessert and her 6 year old Shire gelding, Tonka, to Blue Moon. Lauren is a freshman at Tarleton and we are excited to have her at the barn!

    Congratulations to Kira Weeks on her lease with "Mr. Peepers"! We hope you have fun and learn a lot!

I am excited about the upcoming days here at the farm. October is going to be very busy! For our boarders: Dr. Imel will be here on October 6th at 10:30AM for fall shots and teeth - call me for more information. Farrier Curtis Hammond will be here on October 12th at 8:30AM.

On Saturday, October 15th, Teskey's Saddle Shop will be hosting their annual Equine Expo. Royal Joker and I will be there representing the Gypsy Horse breed. We can't wait! Come visit and show your support - we would love to see you!

Sunday, October 23rd - we will be attending another Fairfield Dressage Show. If you missed the last one, be sure you make it to this one!

Friday, October 28th - Halloween Party! This is my favorite event of the year. Costume classes, bobbing for apples, barbeque, and hay rides. Everyone is invited - cost is just $5 per person. Hope you can make it!

Saturday, October 29th - Brazos Valley Hunter/Jumper show. Blue Moon will be bringing horses and riders to compete in this event at Greenwood Farms in Weatherford, Texas. It is a close, local show and we always appreciate your support!

Keeping Busy!

"Deepest, flat knee, low heel, and a seat that never left the saddle. Always elastically flexed abdominal and back muscles, and gently swinging hips with upright head carriage. Elastically absorbing shoulders, elbows, and wrists achieved a steady, closed contact between horse and rider." -Felix Burkner

     As a continuation from the last blog, this quote from Felix Burkner basically sums up the overall idea of correct riding. From the moment a rider sits on the back of a horse, much of the fine balance in movement is lost. To regain it, horse and rider must follow an understood program of training and development - often over years - in order to establish a new balance. Once established, a new grace will be found.

    It has been a very busy couple of weeks here at Blue Moon! On July 16th we took a few students and horses to Keller to participate in the KHOA jumping clinic with trainer Ellery Dewesse. Our riders were fabulous and a huge thank you goes out to Carrie Ferrer for organizing such a fun and educational event!

Here's a look at Laurel Burns and her mare, Gamble on Grace, at the KHOA jumping clinic.

On July 24, we took 6 horses and riders to the Fairfield Dressage Show at the Diamond T Arena in Denton, Texas. I am so proud to say that I have the BEST group of students anyone could ask for. They all rode beautifully and handled themselves like little professionals - makes my work worthwhile!

   
     Meanwhile, back at the farm - I am excited to welcome trainer Lindsay Slough (http://www.kismetsporthorses.com/) and her mare, Paisley, to the Blue Moon family. Lindsay is currently working on her Bronze Medal. Be sure to welcome her when you see her around the barn!

Traditional Dressage

     I'd like to begin this blog by stating who I am and what I stand for as a trainer, instructor, and a student. I love my job, and I feel very blessed by all the people who have helped me along the way. My goal is to educate, encourage, and bring others together as they help me on my journey. I have much more to learn, and I look forward to sharing it along the way.
    One issue that is currently being brought to my attention is the "difference" between competitive and classical dressage. I have spent much time contemplating and seeking knowledge on this subject. I hate witnessing the division and disconnection between those who practice "classical" dressage, and those who practice "competitive" dressage. My personal opinion stems from the foundation that I instill in my students from day one - It is my objective to develop correct, tactful, and effective riders. Olympic Gold Medalist, Klaus Balkenhol could not have said it better - "There is no 'classical' dressage or 'competitive' dressage. There is only correct riding."

     I have also found that some dressage trainers claim to be "classical" in order to justify and try to place themselves above criticism. It is interesting to note that there is no certification or lisence to call oneself a classical trainer - and it's even more fascinating to know that the old masters didn't even refer to it as "classical" - just "dressage." With this being said, I would like to re-affirm what sets me apart as a teacher of "correct" riding. I use my passion to allow my students to think, feel, and understand - not just robotically perform what they are told - to be treated as anything less than intelligent is unworthy of any human being. Or horse, for that matter.
     I will admit that I am much younger and less experienced than many of the great trainers behind the expertise of dressage, and that I have nothing new or revolutionary to add to the sport. It's the same traditional dressage that has been around for hundreds of years. I only try to explain it in a way to help others understand.

     Aside from my rant, I am thrilled about how great things are at Blue Moon! I am so fortunate to have the most wonderful and supportive clients anyone could ask for. All of my students are coming along nicely - even the horses are pleasantly happy with their jobs.

     Here are two of our newest additions: Alisha and Gypsy gelding, Artero. Alisha recently started working at Blue Moon, and is so much fun to be around. Here she is working on earning Artero's trust and respect. As one of my mentor's taught me, "the basis of all training comes from teaching a horse to drop its head."

     I am also excited about all of the events coming up! This Sunday, June 26th, is our first "Ladies Horsin' Around Spa Day." We are looking forward to making some great memories! - Pilates, catered lunch, riding, chair massages, and meeting new people!
     July 10th is our next Dressage Clinic with USDF German Bronze Medalist and FN Bronze medalist, Carrie Ferrer. This is a great oppurtunity to learn from an experienced and encouraging instructor - and to spend time with some great people.

Blue Moon Happenings

This has been a VERY warm week on the moon.  We and the horses are hoping for some cooler weather soon. Bree, our trainer had a very successful clinic last week.  We had 5 students go through out intermediate and advanced dressage clinic.  Everyone reported that is was "really cool"  they all learned a lot and were very tired! Next week starts our horsemanship basics class on tuesday the 21st.  Call Bree or the barn for more info or to sign up.  Also on the 26th of June, a sunday we are having our first Ladies horsin' around spa day.  Lots of fun stuff is planned.  Pilates for core strength for horsebackriding,  riding lesson and stretching with your horse and on horseback, horse products that are great beauty secrets, massages, food, adult beverages and much more.  We have room for 10 ladies and are filling up fast so call and reserve your spot.  $125.00 for everything!  We are also revamping our ladies riding day that falls every other sunday afternoon so look for further details.  Hope to see you all at the moon, soon!