Show season is here! And we’re ready, with our first round of results and with some awesome educational opportunities including saddle fit, bit fit and Michael Barisone. Read all about it in our April e-newsletter, and be sure to sign up to receive our monthly report in your inbox!
UPDATE 4/23 – Below is the schedule for our April 25-26 clinic with Michael Barisone. Sign up for auditing at EventClinics.com!
WEDNESDAY
11:30 Rhonda Van Lowe & Escritor HGF, 5 yr PRE Gelding, Training Level
12:15 Lee Phaup & Rainy, 15 yr Hanoverian Gelding by Rosenthal, Prix St. Georges
1:00 Hannah McSween & Avatar, 12 yr Oldenburg Gelding by Art Deco, Third Level
1:45 Judy Sprieser & Stratocaster, 12 yr Oldenburg Gelding by Sir Donnerhall, Fourth Level
2:30 Jodie Harney & Mia MC, 9 yr PRE Mare by Venidero MC, Second Level
3:15 Lauren Sprieser & Gretzky RV, 7 yr KWPN Gelding by Johnson, Second Level
4:00 Beverley Thomas & Fiero, 11 yr Oldenburg Gelding by Fidertanz, Third Level
4:45 Lauren Fisher & Eureka BBR, 9 yr KWPN Mare by Sir Sinclair, Third Level
5:30 Liza Broadbent & Victorious, 16 yr KWPN Gelding by Patijn, Grand Prix
THURSDAY
7:30 Liza Broadbent & Victorious, 16 yr KWPN Gelding by Patijn, Grand Prix
8:15 Lee Phaup & Rainy, 15 yr Hanoverian Gelding by Rosenthal, Prix St. Georges
9:00 Lauren Sprieser & Gretzky RV, 7 yr KWPN Gelding by Johnson, Second Level
9:45 Judy Sprieser & Helio HI, 7 yr Lusitano Gelding by Dom HI, First Level
10:30 Beverley Thomas & Fiero, 11 yr Oldenburg Gelding by Fidertanz, Third Level
11:15 Lauren Sprieser & Ellington, 4 yr Westfalen Gelding by Everdale, Training Level
12:00 Lunch
12:30 Jodie Harney & Mia MC, 9 yr PRE Mare by Venidero MC, Second Level
1:15 Stacy Gallagher & Eva, 9 yr Fjord Mare, Second Level
Unless you’ve done the winter circuits in Florida or California, you’re probably thinking about your first show of the season. And for many of you amateur riders, this might be your first show season ever. As I watch my own students make their plans for the year, I wanted to share some musings on showing from the trainer’s perspective—mistakes I see riders make, both in and out of the ring, that make their lives so much harder and shows so much less fun.
1. Remember this is supposed to be a pleasurable experience. Amateur or professional, this is supposed to be fun. No one gets into horse training for the money; we do it for fun. And I’ve never met an amateur who feels obligated to ride; they choose to do it, again, because it’s fun. So lighten up. Take a breath. Enjoy the journey.
When it all goes to hell in a handcart (which it definitely will, at some point), you’re allowed between 10 minutes and 12 hours of pouting, doled out on a sliding scale of the severity of the disaster. (One bad ride at local show on green or new-to-you horse: 10 minutes. Calamitous performance at the National Championships: 12 hours. Fill in the middle as you see fit.) Pouting shall, under no circumstances, involve crying in public, shouting at anyone, taking any of your feelings out on your horse, or generally making a scene. I recommend, once you’ve gotten your horse and your equipment put safely away, getting in the car and driving to Dairy Queen. Just as a trailer ride to the vet cures many colics, the car trip to Dairy Queen bolsters the spirits of most failed competitive endeavors.
Read the rest at The Chronicle of the Horse!
Where is Lauren Sprieser off to? All over! Here’s the list of clinics Lauren will be teaching in Spring & Summer of 2018.
April 21-22 – Huntleigh Equestrian Center, Ottawa CAN
May 12-13 – Maven Sport Horses, Powder Springs GA
June 2-3 – Kaleidoscope Farm, Springfield VT
June 30-July 1 – Carbery Fields Farm, Lebanon CT
Lauren has weekends available in July and August, as well as in October, November and December. Email her to learn more.
US Olympian and trainer of Olympians Michael Barisone will be joining us monthly for a weekday clinic. Ride spots are available only to current students, but auditing is $35/day if pre-registered on EventClinics.com, or $40/day at the door, and lunch is included. An RSVP is appreciated either way so we know how much food to make!
Michael will be joining us April 25-26, May 23-24, June 20-21 and July 18-19.