Jill's Blog
10/22/13 - USDF Region 3 Championships
We took four horses to the USDF Regional Championships and came home with 4 Championship ribbons. Not only that, I had a great time reconnecting with people I only get to see once or twice a year!The new kid on the block, Erivo (Spielberg/Contango), was super at this, his second show. He warmed up like a star, but we got a little tense in the test. Over all the judges comments were very encouraging and an 8th place in a class of almost 50 is fine by me! Score:72%. Can't wait to see how he does at the nationals which he qualified for by virtue of his score.
Next to go was Adonis, the German riding pony owned by Dee Seketa. What a star! At five years old he was 7th in second level with a 67% and just out of the ribbons in the HUGE third level class with another 67%. We are proud of his absolutely perfect behavior and I am really getting excited about his future now that his basic training is solid. It was so fun to have Dee with us for the show all the way from Indiana. Hope we get to see her more often this season!
Finally, Feinhardt! Folks, I honestly wasn't sure we could pin in this huge I-1 class with full of so many riders I admire. I really had her best ride on Sat, UNFORTUNATELY the test was on SUNDAY! LOL! Anyway, we had what I felt was a solid test with some improvement in areas that we had formerly been weaker in and came away with a 67% (I know, must be my number for the weekend!) and FOURTH PLACE, WOW! We were so proud of our chestnut beauty! Kim Rhind, Feinhardt's owner was there with her family to enjoy the moment and that made it complete!
Then, a first for Tristan Oaks, we had an entry in the 4th level Amateur Freestyle. It was great to see Marianne dance in on Locero to music from The Lion King. She pinned 5th! So everyone had managed to place!
With 456 horses I think it was the biggest Championship to date. Huge classes, wonderful horses and riding. I cant wait for nationals!
3/24/2013 - Century Award - meditations on friendship, dedication and durability
The Dressage Foundation sponsors a wonderful program called the "Century Club". To become a member the combined ages of the horse and rider must be 100 years or more. The pair must ride a USDF test in a dressage show. Now here is where my life intersects with the award which has caused me to do some "deep" thinking. I have a horse that has alternately plagued me and brought me joy for almost 20 years. His name is Adrian (Siglavy Adria) I am sure that due to his name you have figured out that he is a Lipizzaner. He is a "vintage" specimen now at the age of 32 and stands 14.3 hands (he hasn't shrunk, he was always that annoying size, I think on purpose) He is my special pet. . . but please don't make me ride him, PLEASE!!!!!! During our years of competitive life together he managed to humiliate in a wide variety of venues by highlighting each and every one of my abundant weaknesses as a rider. I imagine countless spectators at clinics, workshops and shows now know what NOT to do because of our sterling examples of a classic neck-in, rushing and desperate extensions and the ever popular "behind the leg" comments that we were justly given. (The list is actually significantly longer, but I won't bore you here.). This said, Adrian was a huge part of my education and he helped me develop my fledgling business. Now in light of the whole Century Award thing you are probably trying to figure out how old I am and although years of inattention to my skin and working in Florida have prematurely wrinkled me, I probably won't pass for 67, yet. BUT, Adrian does have a partner who makes the age grade with ease, and is a dedicated rider with her Bronze medal in her pocket. She also happens to be a student of one of my very favorite people, Lisa Giltner. Joan Sussman is the perfect partner for Adrian. Not only is she is quite accomplished, she is also nobody's fool and possesses a righteous sense of humor. I revere her pluck. The two of them will perform the test in a few weeks and Joan's desire to become a member of the Century Club has already had positive repercussions. As I have watched my old friend, Adrian, and my new friend, Joan, become a team I have been struck by what the pursuit of this award represents. Adrian has been decommissioned as a retiree and is in a riding program once again to get him fit (we refuse to call it training, we gave up on that years go!) It is a pleasure to see a horse at his age still healthy and useful. A long time student of mine, while watching my wonderful working student, Andrea, ride Adrian said, "Who'da thought we'd be sitting here in our 40's watching Adrian torture yet another budding professional. " His durability is legendary: a month ago I showed a client's BEAUTIFUL mare in her first I-1 getting a 70% and a 72%. While I was basking in my cloud of success and accepting congratulations from friends and students a lady approached us and said, "You know, I remember you when you showed that awful Lipizzaner. You've come a long way." And, in fact, I have. I was determined to learn to ride Adrian. For several reasons, not the least of which was because I had spent my "bottom dollar" buying him. And since my determination had already led me to make huge sacrifices in order to purchase him, I wasn't going to fall short when it came to learning to ride him. And it was harder than I thought it would be, and it took longer than I thought it should. I think that my determination probably blinded me to some realities, but sometimes realities can be suspended successfully for a time while you work on your dreams. In the end I did not quite reach my dream of a Grand Prix but the knowledge I gained struggling to PSG on him was a stepping stone to my eventual Grand Prix experience. Reality is not to be underrated, but remember, it will always be with us. Give it its due, but don't be it's slave! I don't know all the details of Joan's journey, she has certainly proven her durability riding well past the age many people must abandon the sport and I can see the determination oozing from her pours as she rides Adrian and her other horses. She represents the resolve and the firmness of purpose that everyone who wants something that doesn't come easy must experience. In the end it's not convenient to be determined, it doesn't even make sense most of the time, but it is necessary if you want to experience the feeling that comes with a real accomplishment. One you feared might be beyond your scope, but you now know was possible even though you weren't sure. Take care of yourself and your horse, promote durability, mental and physical, so you can withstand whatever your determination to accomplish your goals requires of you.
We took four horses to the USDF Regional Championships and came home with 4 Championship ribbons. Not only that, I had a great time reconnecting with people I only get to see once or twice a year!The new kid on the block, Erivo (Spielberg/Contango), was super at this, his second show. He warmed up like a star, but we got a little tense in the test. Over all the judges comments were very encouraging and an 8th place in a class of almost 50 is fine by me! Score:72%. Can't wait to see how he does at the nationals which he qualified for by virtue of his score.
Next to go was Adonis, the German riding pony owned by Dee Seketa. What a star! At five years old he was 7th in second level with a 67% and just out of the ribbons in the HUGE third level class with another 67%. We are proud of his absolutely perfect behavior and I am really getting excited about his future now that his basic training is solid. It was so fun to have Dee with us for the show all the way from Indiana. Hope we get to see her more often this season!
Finally, Feinhardt! Folks, I honestly wasn't sure we could pin in this huge I-1 class with full of so many riders I admire. I really had her best ride on Sat, UNFORTUNATELY the test was on SUNDAY! LOL! Anyway, we had what I felt was a solid test with some improvement in areas that we had formerly been weaker in and came away with a 67% (I know, must be my number for the weekend!) and FOURTH PLACE, WOW! We were so proud of our chestnut beauty! Kim Rhind, Feinhardt's owner was there with her family to enjoy the moment and that made it complete!
Then, a first for Tristan Oaks, we had an entry in the 4th level Amateur Freestyle. It was great to see Marianne dance in on Locero to music from The Lion King. She pinned 5th! So everyone had managed to place!
With 456 horses I think it was the biggest Championship to date. Huge classes, wonderful horses and riding. I cant wait for nationals!
3/24/2013 - Century Award - meditations on friendship, dedication and durability
The Dressage Foundation sponsors a wonderful program called the "Century Club". To become a member the combined ages of the horse and rider must be 100 years or more. The pair must ride a USDF test in a dressage show. Now here is where my life intersects with the award which has caused me to do some "deep" thinking. I have a horse that has alternately plagued me and brought me joy for almost 20 years. His name is Adrian (Siglavy Adria) I am sure that due to his name you have figured out that he is a Lipizzaner. He is a "vintage" specimen now at the age of 32 and stands 14.3 hands (he hasn't shrunk, he was always that annoying size, I think on purpose) He is my special pet. . . but please don't make me ride him, PLEASE!!!!!! During our years of competitive life together he managed to humiliate in a wide variety of venues by highlighting each and every one of my abundant weaknesses as a rider. I imagine countless spectators at clinics, workshops and shows now know what NOT to do because of our sterling examples of a classic neck-in, rushing and desperate extensions and the ever popular "behind the leg" comments that we were justly given. (The list is actually significantly longer, but I won't bore you here.). This said, Adrian was a huge part of my education and he helped me develop my fledgling business. Now in light of the whole Century Award thing you are probably trying to figure out how old I am and although years of inattention to my skin and working in Florida have prematurely wrinkled me, I probably won't pass for 67, yet. BUT, Adrian does have a partner who makes the age grade with ease, and is a dedicated rider with her Bronze medal in her pocket. She also happens to be a student of one of my very favorite people, Lisa Giltner. Joan Sussman is the perfect partner for Adrian. Not only is she is quite accomplished, she is also nobody's fool and possesses a righteous sense of humor. I revere her pluck. The two of them will perform the test in a few weeks and Joan's desire to become a member of the Century Club has already had positive repercussions. As I have watched my old friend, Adrian, and my new friend, Joan, become a team I have been struck by what the pursuit of this award represents. Adrian has been decommissioned as a retiree and is in a riding program once again to get him fit (we refuse to call it training, we gave up on that years go!) It is a pleasure to see a horse at his age still healthy and useful. A long time student of mine, while watching my wonderful working student, Andrea, ride Adrian said, "Who'da thought we'd be sitting here in our 40's watching Adrian torture yet another budding professional. " His durability is legendary: a month ago I showed a client's BEAUTIFUL mare in her first I-1 getting a 70% and a 72%. While I was basking in my cloud of success and accepting congratulations from friends and students a lady approached us and said, "You know, I remember you when you showed that awful Lipizzaner. You've come a long way." And, in fact, I have. I was determined to learn to ride Adrian. For several reasons, not the least of which was because I had spent my "bottom dollar" buying him. And since my determination had already led me to make huge sacrifices in order to purchase him, I wasn't going to fall short when it came to learning to ride him. And it was harder than I thought it would be, and it took longer than I thought it should. I think that my determination probably blinded me to some realities, but sometimes realities can be suspended successfully for a time while you work on your dreams. In the end I did not quite reach my dream of a Grand Prix but the knowledge I gained struggling to PSG on him was a stepping stone to my eventual Grand Prix experience. Reality is not to be underrated, but remember, it will always be with us. Give it its due, but don't be it's slave! I don't know all the details of Joan's journey, she has certainly proven her durability riding well past the age many people must abandon the sport and I can see the determination oozing from her pours as she rides Adrian and her other horses. She represents the resolve and the firmness of purpose that everyone who wants something that doesn't come easy must experience. In the end it's not convenient to be determined, it doesn't even make sense most of the time, but it is necessary if you want to experience the feeling that comes with a real accomplishment. One you feared might be beyond your scope, but you now know was possible even though you weren't sure. Take care of yourself and your horse, promote durability, mental and physical, so you can withstand whatever your determination to accomplish your goals requires of you.
