DVD Work Study - American System of Forward Riding, 1/1/2009
I was asked by my students what I wanted for Christmas and when I was down at Sweet Briar College they had a two volume DVD set called the "American System of Forward Riding" and that is what they got me for Christmas. After watching it I decided that these DVD's give the rider a really good visual image of the performance they are to acieve in riding Hunters. The DVD's are full of important information and exercises for Hunters. I feel these DVD's are so good that I want all my students to watch them. Matter of fact they are so good I'm going to make it a mandatory work study.
I have set up two dates January.
January 10th and January 17th. Start time 5:00 pm at my house and we can watch it on our 52" Wide screen and order Pizza in (bring $5.00). Both DVD's together run about 4 hours.
I have placed a sign up sheet on the board and I will take 9 students at a time. Please get signed up. Be the first to sign up. First come, first serve.
This DVD is highly supported by Joe Fargis, Pam Baker, and Lendon Gray.
BOOKS and DVD's OF INTEREST, 12/31/2008
Build Confidence Over Fences
Anne Kursinskie's Riding and Jumping Clinic
Winning - A training and Showing Guide for Hunter Seat Riders
American System of Forward Riding - Vol 1 & II
LMHJA 2008 YEAR-END AWARD WINNERS, 11/8/2008
USHJA Trainer Symposium - Sweet Briar College in Virginia, 10/2008
I attended the fall USHJA Trainers Symposium in Virginia on October 24th though October 26th, 2008. It was very educational and a great way for me to network with other trainers thoughout the US. It was great to further my education and teaching skills.
On Friday I had the pleasure to learn from Harold Chopping as he conducted work exercises for Jumpers. He knows his jumpers. On Saturday I was totally impressed with Scott Hofstetter has he demonstrated Equitation exercises. Lots and Lots of information was expressed by Scott. I would love to have this large R judge do a clinic here. On Sunday I watched Danny Robertshaw demostrate Hunter excercises. His main focus was to point out the importance that Hunters need to show expression over the fences and that all riders need to be able to 2 point for long periods of time (30 mins or longer).
I loved the clinic and turly enjoyed myself and look forward to doing another USHJA Trainer Symposium next year.
Working Students, 12/17/2008
I will be looking for two students each weekend that will help me with my training horses. This person would be grooming, tacking up and tacking down, cool out and turn out my training horses on Saturday and Sunday.
I will be putting a sign up sheet on the board. Please get with me if you have an interest in doing this.
Green Horse Class, 12/17/2008
We will continue the green horse training thoughout the winter on Saturday's. Start time is 10:00 am.
List of horses to be ridden in program:
Brianna - Betsy
Bailey - Trisha
Radar - Kaylee
Dreamer - Mikayla
Start time: 10:00 am - 12:00 am
See ya on Saturday's!!!
What's New For LMHJA for 2008, 1/14/2008
This year LMHJA is 22 years old and there are new Changes for the LMHJA Show Season.
#1 - Instead of running with two judges this year we have made a change to run two rings with one judge and cut the class load by 1/3. Instead of being 90 classes within two days we have went to 72 classes. All hunter classes will have 3 jumping and one flat for a total of 4 per division.
#2 - The AHJF/Dover Saddlery Jr. Hunter Changlenge will become a class at all LMHJA Shows. Fence heights 2'3" -2'6".
#3 - Warm Up class - This class will be an open card all day long and offered in both rings with a payback (50% to winner, 25% farm and 25% LMHJA) and can be ridden as many times as you would like. It is very important that you let the gate keeper know in advance that you are riding a warm-up. One winner per day.
#4 - Jumper Classes - Child/Adult Amatuer Jumper and Schooling jumper to be ridden Table II and second round will be Optimum time. Low and Modified will stay at Table II but each farm will have the choice option to either do Sec. 2a,2b or 2c.
#5 - The 3" rule has been changed to 6" rule with the exception of the Medal Divisions - You may only ride in two Divisions.
#6 - This year all hosting show farms will change to SHOWPRO for managing thier shows. We hope this will make everyone's job earlier and reduce paperwork.
New Class Changes - Hunter, Equitation and Medal Classes
Basic Warm Up - Open Card
Cross Rails
1'6" - 1'9" - Maiden Working Hunter, Maiden Equitation & Maiden Medal
2'0" - 2'3" Novice Working Hunter, Basic Working Hunter, Basic Equitation and Basic Medal
Regular Warm Up - Open Card
2'3" - 2'6" - Special Working Hunter, Hunt Seat Equitation, Mini Medal, Green Working Hunter and AJHF/Dove Challenge
2'6" - 2'9" - Green Working Hunter, Hunt Seat Equitation, Childrens/Adult Amatuer Working Hunter, Open Working Hunter and Low Medal
2'9" - 3'0" - Green Working Hunter, Low Working Hunter, Hunt Seat Equitation and Intermediate Medal
3'0" - 3'3" - Regular Working Hunter, Hunt Seat Equitation and Open Medal
Jumper Classes:
Child/Adult Amatuer Jumper 2'6" - 2'9"
Schooling Jumper - 2'9" - 3'0"
Low Jumper - 3'3" - 3'6"
Modified Jumper 3'6" - 3'9"
The Night Before Christmas at Alpine Ridge Farms, 12/21/2007
Twas the morning of Christmas, At Alpine Ridge Farm, Not a creature was stirring within the great barn. Some stockings were hung, By the stall doors with care, In hopes that some goodies would find their way there. The horses stood still, Turned away from the doors, Some even curled up and asleep on the floor. Izzy and Dusty curled up in a knot, All snug in their basket, And dreamin' alot. When out in the yard, There arose such a clatter, The horses woke up, To see what was the matter. The sleek heads popped out, Big brown eyes opened wide, To see who it was, That was comin' inside. The sun on the breast of the new fallen snow, Made a blinding bright light, But they started to know, As all the dogs filed in, And the door slid wide open, Its all the barn workers with breakfast we're hopin'!
"Step lively" Said Becky, "And lets finish soon, so we can all be with our families by noon!" The dogs fly around, Yippin' and Yappin', Except Silver Fox, Whos tied up outside nappin'. The kittys will tell you, Their dying of hunger, "Please feed us, meooowwww!! The days not getting younger." There's nickers and whinnies, And stomping of feet, As grain buckets fill, And all start to eat. The stall doors come open, The boys wonder out, To head for the sunshine, To frollick about. The mares file out, With a swish and sway, And a toss of their head, As they glance Aspens way! Lets muck out these stalls, And spread the sawdust out, And sweep them and dont forget the hay, Thats a must. The barn gets cleaned up, The horses are set, And everyone's ready to go home I'll bet! "We're all done," Hollers Dave, Answers Becky "Your right!" And they wave to the workers, As they drive out of sight. Then Becky and Dave, Walk off arm and arm. Another year past, At Alpine Ridge Farm.
Written by Betsy Smith
Horse Show Items, 2008
If you have a child that is going to be showing next year, here is a list of items that they will need for showing
Tall Boots (or Jodhpurs/Straps)
Show Breeches (Beige-Khaki-Tan)
Show Jacket (Blue)
Show Helmet (ASTM Certified black velvet)
Show shirt w/collar - 2 (White or Pin Strip only)
Collar Pin
Schooling Breeches
Gloves - black only
Belt (black or brown)
Tack Box
Show Fleece Saddle Pad (White)
Braiding supplies, (hair clip, mane puller, seam ripper,scissors and yarn - color to match horses mane
Polo Wraps or Woof boots
Saddle Soap & Leather Conditioner
Grooming tote box and supplies, hoof pick, currycomb, brushes (soft, short and long) grooming and boot rags, sweat scraper, flay spray and shampoo.
Most of these items can be purchased at The Fox Den in Comstock Park, Jackson's Western Store in Wayland, and Moores Store in Cedar Springs or on line at www.doversaddlery.com, www.stateline.com, horseloverz.com or www.bigdweb.com
If you have any questions as to what everything is just let me know. I'll be glad to help you out.
LMHJA 2007 YEAR-END AWARDS, 11/3/2007
Congratulations to: Kaylee Knapp and Sweet Louis (Louie) for winning Grand Champion Maiden Equitation and Crossrails divisions. 2nd in Maiden Medal and 3rd in Maiden Working Hunter.
Mikayla Jennings and Be Mine (Valentine) for winning Reserve Champion in Open Equitation, 3rd in Special Working Hunter and Low Working Hunter Divisions and 4th in Open Medal Division.
Sarah Maine and One More Night (April) for winning 4th in Limit Equitation 14 & under and Pre-Green Working Hunter Divisions, 5th in Limit Ridden Working Hunter 14 & under and Children's Working Hunter Divisions.
GREAT JOB LADIES!!!
See thier pictures in the Show Team page.
|
