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Home of:
Dressage, Naturally
with Karen Rohlf
Creating healthy biomechanics and stronger partnerships through combining natural horsemanship principles with the art of dressage... photo: Terri Miller
never underestimate the potential for harmony & lightness to improve in ways you cannot yet imagine
Welcome back to the Temenos...
“Just know that for everything we say about our horse, our horse could be saying it about us.”
Temenos is an ancient Greek word. It refers to a sacred space that has no limits, where special rules apply and extraordinary events are free to occur.
~Karen Rohlf, (From The Dressage Naturally Book)
This Month:
April 23-25 Finding the Sweet Spot
May 10-12 Upward Spiral of Success
Oxford, NC
Lindstrom, Minnesota
• Student Mail
Contact: Lauren Kahn
Contact: Sally Taylor
• Another 6 day clinic at Temenos Fields, completed.
April 26-28 Upward Spiral of Success
May 15-17 Finding the Sweet Spot
Oxford, NC
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Contact: Lauren Kahn
Contact: Fawn Anderson
May 8-9 Finding the Sweet Spot
May 18-19 Upward Spiral,
Lindstrom, Minnesota
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Contact: Sally Taylor
Contact: Fawn Anderson
• Ancora Imparo
Upcoming Clinics:
Clinic schedule: CLICK HERE
Auditors welcome at all events!
Photo Above: Dana Rasmussen
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about the next time you could see her and share your work and hopefully move I recently purchased the book Life has been a whirlwind upon forward. "Tug of War" by Gerd Heuschmann as it my return home from my outstanding ex- was listed as a resource on your website. perience at Temenos Fields; making the It was also the fellow participants and I found the book equally interesting and time there even more special. Breanne . To say there was a positive disturbing. I just wanted to thank you for camaraderie is simply the understatement listing it on your website, as I may have It seems a shame to not (at least) attempt of a lifetime. The connectiveness and missed it. I enjoyed the book and feel a to convey what a wonderful time I had in unity felt in their experiences and the great sense of relief that I am on the right more ways then one; and yet how can support give to each other was simply a track and now I am armed with concrete you put it into words? feeling I have not felt at another clinic. knowledge of why the fast and flashy That is not to be disrespectful of all of the methods of training are so detrimental I can say in reference to one of Karen's great four legged energy as well, equus, (my horse would NEVER put up with it excerpts from her book that I have clearly canine and feline! anyway;)). Unfortunately, I believe peo"found my diamond in the dark". I have ple in the horse industry are coming to searched for years to find an instructor The english language and my lack of fluthink that this way of training is the new that can convey with clarity the concepts idity with it will never honor the fulfillment normal. Obviously many trainers and of dressage yet acknowledge the feeling I felt in my experience at Temenos judges *know* that it is incorrect and and individualism that comes with a part- Fields. I will work my tail off for another harmful--no vet. degree needed. Then nership and it's journey. Karen has done opportunity to return. To make a poor there are the masses that will blindly folthat for me and it was even more special and politically incorrect assimilation that low what they are told/shown because to see it in the other participants. was shared with me once from a Portuthey get into sport horses for the sport guese gentleman regarding the lusitano and not the horse. I see greed and There are so many aspects that made the horse festival in Golega Portugal (while I recognition/ego at the top of the list that visit a complete package, of course was stammering to explain what it was drives these practices. Enough said. above all, Karen and her instruction and like) Temenos Fields is like a drug to me, ability to address the variety of challenges once you have had it you wonder . . I continue to follow NH with the parallel of that come with welcoming 8 "strangers" where can I get more of that drug? When your program. Never has riding and train- and horses to one's home. Her ability to can I get more of that drug? Why is it ing been so rewarding to me. You are an address the person's personality needs such a great drug? I will do anything to inspiration to me. I really enjoy your writ- and the horse's horsenality needs in each get that drug! It is intoxicating. ing in your monthly e-newsletter. I love to session and to adapt and change as the see pictures/video of you and your horse and rider did was undeniably the Thanks for making it happen . .. horses. So naturally and at ease...I only best I have ever seen. get jealous when I get impatient :) Any Sincerely way, my whole point here is just to give And yet, it was so much more. There Shelby Hume you a big heartfelt thank you from me and was something special about the 6 day my horse. length of the clinic. It allowed me to spend the first few days breaking out of Take care, some of my old habits, trying to see Nora A. Karen's vision for where she wanted to take me and of course Karen's place is so peaceful I felt that I adapting to being had gone to a meditation spa instead of a away from home. The training clinic. In fact, when I got home, I next couple of days felt very centered and happy...not at all were addictive and tired....More rejuvenated. I got everything almost made you feel I hoped for from the clinic and so much as if you could never more. All the people and all the horses leave (and believe me involved were the best. I can't wait to that feeling is still come back in the fall. Temenos is indeed there too!) but then a magical place where harmony and the last couple of lightness did improve in ways I could not days you almost felt have imagined. like you could go home and replicate Thanks for everything, some of what she Geri hoped for you to do. You could feel yourself getting excited
Dear Karen R.,
Dear Karen:
Photo: Dana Rasmussen 2
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I feel that you may be able to help as you have obviously experienced both side of the coin. May I thank you for taking the time to read this email and any thoughts help or advice would be gratefully received. Kind Regards, Mark. United Kingdom
mark@progressequestrian.co.uk Dear Karen,
I am sure you have been asked this question a hundred times but I am at a stage in my training and career where I would like to understand natural horsemanship to a greater level and how it could influence the way I manage/work with my horses. I also am very confused as to a definition of what actually Natural horsemanship encompasses. With many methods available Parelli, Monty Roberts etc I am not sure where to start looking then I found your site.
L
(I really hate those different tags, but it makes communicating easier) : My horse comes to me, I do some liberty, get on bridle-less.... or maybe I do a funny thing with the horses; putting their feet on something.... in both cases I am assessing the whole horse all the time, and everything is important. For whatever is happening with the horse I try to diagnose the different issues: partnership respect fear communication/understanding motivation health gymnastic
Then I try to guess the root issue and use the best strategy (often problems that show up in a dressage movement have little to do with a dressage problem) I guess my idea is to be very ‘wholistic’, looking at the whole life of the horse and wondering what he would say about it. My history equine history is very traditional I grew up doing Pony Club in EngAnd realizing that what is happening with land and went on to event to affiliated how I trailer-load a horse is the same that Intermediate level in the UK. I also trained is happening when I do a half pass (and through my BHS exams at The Talland vice versa)... everything is connected. School of Equitation with Pammy Hutton and I have more places to solve the iswhere I gained all my exams. I then went sues.... not just in the arena... but at libon to specialize more in dressage and erty, on line, with no reins, in the groomhave trained with Carl Hester for the last ing stall, in the trailer, on the trail, on the Hi Mark, 4 years and have also trained in Gerway from the pasture to the barn.... I Thanks for your thoughtful many. I have competed at National level at Medium and trained several horses email... I certainly can relate to your ques- don't let a non-dressage issue cause me successfully to PSG. tions and I love how you are thinking. Not to have a bad dressage day. many people with horses who are "alI try to satisfy my horses needs to the I have written a book that teaches the ready happy in their work" take the time best of my ability and education and try to to look any further! basics of dressage to people with a 'natulook after their physical and emotional ral' back ground, and am now starting to needs whilst trying to produce a horse to write a book that seeks to answer prePerhaps you are already 'natural' in how compete. you are with your horses. Yes, it can be a cisely the questions you ask.... how to learn to incorporate natural horsemanship There my confusion starts as to where to very philosophical question and it comes draw the line? The horses all seem happy down to definitions of 'what is natural' and principles into dressage training.... I am happy to know someone out there is in'what is dressage'. When you look with their work which I keep varied hack, terested! ;-) jump, turn out 24 hours where needed or closely at the objectives of each, they possible and have great results in the really do start to overlap. competition arena. I hope this helps. I am planning a trip to the UK late July, also feel free to sign in My best answer for you today, is that by But whilst my horses have a job to do I immersing in both worlds, I now just have on my website to get my monthly newsletwant them to be happy. I feel that there is different priorities than I used to, and for ter. no straight forward answer to this and without being too evangelical and expect- sure more strategies. My Best ing a definitive answer or believing we It is more a way of Being. There are days Karen should never domesticate any animal where should I start to look at the natural where I can look very 'normal': go get the horse, groom, tack up, ride dressage.... and traditional combination and is it possible? And days where I can look very 'natural' Copyright 2009 Temenos Fields, Inc March
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Some Images from the most recent 6-days at Temenos Fields, Dressage Naturally Clinic I am so proud of their progress... Not only during the clinic, but since I had seen them last. Participants in top group photos from left to right: K2, Cori Hickling, Sandy Usher, Claudia Milton, Martie Burkett, Dawn Roth, Gina Torrell, Bonnie Neff All Photos Copyright: Dana Rasmussen 4
Nullam arcu leo, facilisis ut
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I often talk about helping horses find their “RAAaaaaa!” Bonnie Neff’s Arabian mare certainly showed us some of her natural power while playing with Bonnie in the round-pen at Temenos Fields.
And we were lucky enough to have Photographer Dana Rasmussen on hand to capture the moment. To book your own private sessions with Dana, see contact info below:
dana@photonstudio.com www.danarasmussen.com 352 .262 .3879
copyright 2009 Temenos Fields, Inc March
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Ancora Imparo...
“All you need in life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure.”
~ Mark Twain, (Letter to Mrs. Forte) “Ancora Imparo” is what Michelangelo is quoted to have said upon finishing the Sistine Chapel. It translates: “I am still learning” This photo (top) of Karen ‘K2’ Jones (my clinic organizer) was taken at my 6-day clinic last week. And it made me really chuckle. I am not sure K2 really understood what she was getting herself into when she started taking lessons with me! I wonder: If she had known that we were going to take her nice smooth quarter horse and make her as powerful and bouncy as possible... Would she have still signed up? :-) When I first met K2 and Sage several years ago neither of them did a lot of breathing. Their tension was palpable. You could feel it in the air near them, and could feel it when you touched either of them. But on both their parts, it was tension that came from a general heart-felt concern to do the right thing, not make mistakes, to be careful and aware of what they did not know and a desire to find comfort .... Of course we all know how easily those concerns can sometimes end up tying us in knots! But Karen knows how to get help, how to trust in the process, and in her own instincts. She has done a lot to get Sage and her relationship stronger...getting help from Aimee Brimhall, Parelli, David Lichman. With me we have focused on her 6
Photos: Dana Rasmussen biomechanics and opening her body... Releasing her tension, finding alignment and balance and then developing her potential power... But in a way that also strengthens their partnership. Opening the mind can open the body and opening the body can open the mind.
riding english or western? ~Karen (K1)
I know in many of our lessons Karen has to just trust me; often before things improve, they feel worse, or at least unfamiliar. The photo above shows Sage at a trot that is at the edge of her comfort zone, but within her capabilities. It is not easy to have confidence when you don’t always understand. This is not something I take lightly, nor should any teacher. When students genuinely don’t know where they are going, or what is possible, it is a big responsibility for the teacher to take them there with respect and care. So I thank Karen for her confidence. As for the ‘ignorance’ part of the quote above... Well, in a way, the more we all know that we don’t know much, the better students we are. When I have a student come to me who doesn’t know anything about dressage, I smile a bit on the inside... Because I know they will eventually be amazed at what is possible. ‘Ignorance’ can be good if you don’t know what you can’t do! (By the way... Is she
Top: K2 & Sage 1 year ago Bottom: K2 & Sage 1 week ago (doing her impersonation of a warm blood!)
copyright 2009 temenos fields, inc march
Visit the Web shop Instructional Book / DVDs
www.dressagenaturally.net
Reins
T-Shirts & Riding Pants
BOOK:
Dressage Naturally... Results in Harmony: A Guide to the Basics of Dressage from a Natural Horsemanship Perspective. A result of Karen Rohlf's combined experience as a dressage professional and her immersion in natural horsemanship, this book/DVD bridges the gap between these two worlds. The material will take every horseman on a practical and philosophical journey to create healthy biomechanics and stronger partnerships through combining principles of natural horsemanship with the art of dressage.
DN Reins: The best of both worlds! These reins have the elegant look and quiet connection to the bit of a leather dressage rein, but the 'live feel' of a rope. They are hand made from quality yachting line and leather. Available in
10 and 12 foot lengths
Organic Cotton T Shirts Available in Women’s style in Chocolate and Black Unisex style in Black
Sonnenreiter Riding Pants ON SALE! A limit number are left... Buy now before we stop carrying them!
Spiral Bound / Hard cover 184 pages 59 Exercises Forewords by Anne Gribbons and Linda Parelli 53 Illustrations by the author Almost 3 hours of DVD
DVDs:
Results in Harmony Series 2 DVDs so far, 2 more coming out soon.
FINAL NOTE: That’s it for this month... Please send me questions or comments as well as photos for my student gallery slideshow I would like to put together! Until next month... I wish you harmony and light! ~Karen ‘K1’ Rohlf
copyright 2009 temenos fields, inc march
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