M
L
MAKE THE HARD
KEEPER
LOOK EASY Give your horse the very best with Southern States®
feed products created specifically for the Hard Keeper. Each feed contains the highest quality ingredients and superior nutrition formulated to help your Hard Keeper safely gain and maintain the ideal weight. If you have
questions or comments, please contact Feed Division Customer Service at sscfeedquestions@sscoop.com.
® HORSE FEED
S O UTH E R N STATE S .C O M
®
Southern States® and Legends ® are registered trademarks of Southern States Cooperative, Incorporated. Triple Crown ® is a registered trademark of Triple Crown Nutrition, Incorporated.
BUY 2 GET 1
FREE
OF SPECIFIC BAGS OF SOUTHERN STATES, LEGENDS® AND TRIPLE CROWN® HORSE FEEDS
OFF PER BAG OF SPECIFIC LEGENDS AND TRIPLE CROWN HORSE FEEDS AND SUPPLEMENTS
COUPON VALID 11/1/14 - 2/28/15 AT PARTICIPATING SOUTHERN STATES RETAIL, AGWAY AND AUTHORIZED DEALER LOCATIONS ONLY
Buy 2 bags to get 1 free in any combination of Southern States Triple 10 (554-27051), Southern States Hay Stretcher (553-39011), Legends Performance Pelleted (551-10011), Legends Performance Textured (551-23551), Legends Senior (553-84011), Triple Crown Complete (553-21051) and Triple Crown Senior (553-08051). Limit 1 coupon per customer during promotion period. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Coupon has no cash value. Cannot be applied to a previous purchase. Original coupon only – coupon may not be mechanically reproduced or altered. Coupon is subject to state and local taxes. Void where prohibited by law. Independent Dealers: send redeemed coupon and copy of sales receipt to: Corporate Marketing – SM, P.O. Box 26234, Richmond, VA 23260. 17500908. EW.
COUPON VALID 11/1/14 - 2/28/15 AT PARTICIPATING SOUTHERN STATES RETAIL, AGWAY AND AUTHORIZED DEALER LOCATIONS ONLY
Limit of 5 bags in any combination of Legends Pelleted Rice Bran (553-88016), Legends Omega Plus (553-83066), Triple Crown Chopped Alfalfa Forage (553-91006) and Triple Crown Chopped Grass Forage (553-90006). Limit 1 coupon per customer per visit during promotion period. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Coupon has no cash value. Cannot be applied to a previous purchase. Original coupon only – coupon may not be mechanically reproduced or altered. Coupon is subject to state and local taxes. Void where prohibited by law. Independent Dealers: send redeemed coupon and copy of sales receipt to: Corporate Marketing – SM, P.O. Box 26234, Richmond, VA 23260. 17500922. EV.
4 editor’s note
dressage+hunters+jumpers+eventing+combined driving+sporthorse breeding
Sporthorse Florida
Come along for the ride!
www.floridasporthorsemagazine.com
Editor and Publisher Christie R. Gold
Advertising Manager Sara Scozzafava (352) 585-6143 floridasporthorseads@gmail.com Jeff Adams/Digital Pixel
As the song says, breaking up is hard to do Christie Gold
In any realm, great partnerships inspire us. From business to personal relationships to our connection with equines, when two or more parties connect with a similar vision and a commitment to excellence, success seems imminent. When those relationships dissolve, we collectively shake our heads and mutter, “What a shame.” On some level, we’ve all felt the tremors of these break-ups: a heartbreaking divorce, a business that cannot withstand economic hardship, a friendship whose seams tatter and fray. For most of us, the relationships with our horses provide stability in the face of life’s inevitable storms. We seek solace in the stable and retreat there to find perspective. But what if that partnership ends? Not due to injury, but because of the bottom line. From the sidelines, the artful mastery blinds us to harsh reality—talented horses are a high risk investment with a limited opportunity for a profitable return. Recent news that contract negotiations between Helen Langehanenberg and the owners of Damon Hill had failed left the dressage world questioning Germany’s Olympic future. Fans expressed their anger and disappointment and questioned why, with Rio less than two years away, would the owners make such a decision. Subsequent reports stated that it was Langehanenberg’s team that ended talks. Regardless, the duo, ranked number two in the FEI World Dressage Rankings, has dissolved. We still feel the wake of the sale of Totilas, the freakish phenom whose partnership with Edward Gal seemed to transcend sport as the pair shattered record after record and raised the bar for international dressage competition. Surely no horse and rider combination has been more heavily scrutinized than Germany’s Mathias Rath’s when
he took over the reins with the black stallion. The Totilas drama is told in Dutch producer Annette van Trigt’s, Totilas: Horse & Phenomenon, a onehour documentary that aired in Holland earlier this year and briefly made the rounds on social media before its removal for copyright reasons. The film is intriguing, not only because it centers on a talented horse and rider combination, but for the numerous themes developed in its real life plot. From the denial of a commission for original rider Jiska van den Akker (who rode the horse in the 2005 World Breeding Championships for Young Horses at Verden) when Totilas was sold to Edward Gal’s sponsors to the seemingly traitorous move by Dutch Coach Sjef Janssen to help Germany’s Rath train the stallion, the story is a tale of greed and nationalism. The film addresses other issues as well, namely the LDR (low, deep, round) training better known as Rollkur, as well as the question of how much breeding a stallion can withstand in a season and still remain competitive in the show ring. In one of the more profound moments in the film, however, Janssen is asked how Dutch Champion Anky von Grunsven was able to maintain her partnerships with Olympic and World Champion mounts Bonfire and Salinero. His answer is simple: “Because she owned them.” That’s an increasingly rare scenario for top international riders. When the horse and rider relationship involves a third party, two possibilities emerge. Either the partnership gains a supportive patron or the business equivalent of a love triangle develops, but in the world of equestrian sports, matching talented horses and riders in order to fulfill Olympic and World Championship dreams, often requires taking that type of risk.
Editorial Office 8205 Quail Run Dr. Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 (813) 973-3770
email: floridasporthorse@gmail.com
website: floridasporthorsemagazine.com Florida Sporthorse Magazine is committed to providing a quarterly publication that presents content encompassing a broad range of topics of interest to Florida’s dressage, eventing, combined driving, hunter/ jumper and sport horse breeding communities. “Come along for the ride!”
about the cover
Sporthorse FLORIDA
FALL 2014
NAVIGATING THE SPORT:
Driving offers diverse opportunities
Professional driver Fred Merriam of Ocala takes his horses through an obstacle during the endurance phase of a Combined Driving Event. Photo by Pics of You
the faces of Florida Sporthorse Carol Bulmer Since graduating Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Animal Science Carol has pursued a career in the dressage world. First with a 5 year apprenticeship with Dorita Konyot learning to ride and train dressage then with her own training stable. Along the way Carol has earned her United States Dressage Federation Silver Medal by competing successfully through the Intermediare I, achieved her United States Equestrian Federation “R� Technical Delegate license, has been granted a Federation Equestrian International Level 1 Stewards license and is a U.S.D.F. Certified Instructor (Training through Second level) as well a graduate with Distinction from the U.S.E.F. Learner Judges program. Amber Kimball Amber is an FEI dressage trainer based in Ocala. In 1997 she began her dressage career as a working student in the stable of Olympic Bronze medalist Gina Smith. In 2001 she travelled to Belgium to hold a working student position in the stable of Grand Prix trainers, Penny and Johan Rockx. In 2002, she returned to the US to ride for Belinda NairnWertman until the spring of 2010. Amber has successfully trained and shown horses from Training level through Intermediare II and has earned her USDF Silver medal. She now operates Southern Lights Dressage in Ocala, FL. Karen Abbattista Karen is a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist, a recipient of the Silver Musical Freestyle Bars, and an USEF Learner Judges Program Graduate with Distinction. Restructured in 2012 from a successful corporate career, Karen decided to follow her heart, choosing a new life helping horses and humans believe in themselves and each other. Karen teaches both Classical and Western Dressage throughout Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte Counties. She continues to compete both at national and FEI level dressage. Her website is www.karenabbattistadressage.com. Janeane Reagan, PhD Janeane acquired her love of horses and equestrian sport while watching her father show American Saddlebreds, Hackneys and jumpers. As an adult, she focused on the Morgan breed and competed with her horses in saddle seat, western pleasure, hunter pleasure, dressage, carriage driving and competitive trail riding. After completing her doctorate in clinical psychology, Janeane developed an interest in sport psychology. In addition to her work with individual riders and drivers, she has presented workshops on stress management during competition and on the mental aspects of equestrian sport to state and local clubs and at national and international equestrian conferences.
5
Sporthorse FLORIDA
FALL 2014
7 10 L. Lucas
Inside Florida Sporthorse 4 The preservation of partnerships Whose to blame when professionals lose their rides? 7 Variations on a Theme As driving gains popularity, competitive options increase 10 Vive la France Three Central Florida horsewomen travel to WEG
18 12
14 Happy Campers STRIDE hosts 7th Adult Camp 16 Ready, Set, Show Practical tips to raise your dressage score 18 Revel in the Ride Our journey with horses doesn’t always take an easy route 20 Tradition vs. Technology The pros and cons of wool and synthetic saddle flocking 22 A Florida Guide to Blanketing A humorous guide to horse clothing
22
Florida Sporthorse Magazine 7
Variations on a theme
As driving gains popularity, options for competition increase
Pics of You
Above: Scott Adcox of Sarasota competes at a Florida Horse Park driving event. Below: Jennifer Keeler navigates the cones in a singles driving event.
Janeane Reagan
S
ince Combined Driving Events (CDE) got their start in Europe several decades ago, carriage driving has become a competitive equestrian sport on a par with its riding “cousin” Combined Training Events. Structured across three days, CDE starts with dressage, moves on to a cross country marathon and finishes with a cones obstacle course. Committing one’s time, money, and energy to this sport is a major undertaking. I remember the first time I took my Morgan mare to a Combined Drive to compete, having navigated a few times in the past for friends. When I returned home exhausted, I said to my husband who was helping me unpack the truck and trailer, “I now know why people compete in this sport. It makes the rest of their lives look simple. I can’t wait to go back to work and rest up.” My inaugural event was a single horse at training level. I could only imagine the added demands of multiple hitches at higher levels. Even with that said, however, I could hardly wait for the next event, having been pulled back to it by the excitement,
Above: Misdee Wrigley Miller, one of the country’s top drivers during the cone phase of a combined driving event. challenge, and camaraderie that this sport offers. In more recent years, there have been some spinoff competitions that offer alternatives to the full 3-day event.
Indoor Driving Trials and Arena Driving Much like CDEs, Indoor driving trials have their origin in the UK. The competition is held in one day and consists of three phases. The first, Paces and Precision, is similar to a dressage test but has 2 judges. One scores only the pace of the performance and the second assigns values to the precision of each element in the test. The second phase is cones and is limited to 10 rather than 20 gates. One rail obstacle can be included. The scoring of knock downs and time faults remains the same as traditional CDEs. The third phase mimics the marathon phase of CDE by presenting 2 post and rail obstacles for each driver to navigate. Once all entries have completed the first two, a second pair is constructed and entries negotiate them. Like the marathon, scoring is based on time in the obstacle. For the past few years, a version of the UK competition has seen some growth in the US. Here it is called Arena Driving Trials. These events can be held in an outdoor or indoor arena and can be held in the winter in the northern states. We in Florida do not have to worry about that
ice and snow but it is nice to have the shade of a covered arena in the Florida sun or during tropical down pours. While the dressage phase and the cones phase are similar to the CDE format, the obstacle phase is slightly different. In arena driving an obstacle is placed at each end of the arena. The driver completes each obstacle twice and takes his best time on each one to add to his over-all score.
‘‘
DRIVERS ATTENDING HORSE DRIVING TRIALS (HDT) MAY BE NEW TO THE SPORT AND WISHING TO “GET THEIR FEET WET” IN THIS LESS DEMANDING VERSION OF A CDE. OTHERS MAY BE USING THE HDT FORMAT TO START NEW OR YOUNG HORSES, WHILE SOME DRIVERS MAY FIND THE ONE DAY EVENT JUST FITS BETTER WITH THEIR LIFESTYLE AND RESOURCES.
Pics of You
Competitors report that arena driving is lots of fun. It offers the advantage of taking place all in one day (less cost, less time commitment). It tends to be a little more casual and laid back. Horses do not have to be as fit so more drivers can safely enter their horses and ponies. The terrain and walking demands are much less than a regular CDE as well. In Europe in 2001 a series of arena driving competitions were held during the winter months, October to March. Taking its place alongside World Cup Dressage and World Cup Eventing, FEI World Cup Driving consists of only the obstacle and cones phases. It is limited to the top ten four-in-hand drivers from the previous summer outdoor season throughout Europe, plus the nation hosting the individual event in the series gets “3 wild card drivers.” In the 2001-2002 season Florida’s own Chester Weber competed in the qualifying competitions and went on the win the silver in the World Cup Driving series finals. Horse Driving Trials Of the CDE spin offs, Horse Driving Trials (HDTs) have gained the greatest popularity here in Florida. HDTs consist of the three phases of competition common to CDEs, dressage, section E which is the
Muffy Seaton of Aiken, SC, steers through the water hazard. obstacles (previously called “hazards) section of the marathon, and cones. The dressage phase remains basically the same. The part E of the marathon involves only the solid obstacles, eliminating the cross country drive and walk section which could be as long as 11miles in a full CDE depending on the competitors level. The cones phase consists of up to 20 gates made up of pairs of cones with knock down balls and a post and rail obstacle. The streamlining of HDTs allows the competition to be conducted in one day. While all the rules governing CDEs still apply, all three phases of HDTs can be driven with the same vehicle. The vehicle and harness must be in good condition. Horses and ponies must be at least 4 years of age and navigators must be 10 years of age. Again it does not demand the same level of endurance from the horses or the same time commitment from drivers and their crews. The course walking can be shorter. Drivers attending HDTs may be new to the sport and wishing to “get their feet wet” in this less demanding version of a CDE. Others may be using the HDT format to start new or young horses, while some drivers may find the one day event just fits better with their lifestyle and resources. To get a quick look at how HDTs are conducted
Pics of You
check out Carriage Driving .net. For the complete rules and requirements refer to the American Driving Society ( ADS) rule book. If you are looking to compete in an HDT or just get a good look at one, check out the schedules at Nature Coast and Black Prong for events later this season.
GET PUBLISHED! Writer/Reporter needed to cover hunter/jumper and combined training. For more information: floridasporthorse@gmail.com
10 Florida Sporthorse Magazine
Vive la France
Three Florida equestrians reflect on the World Equestrian Games in Normandy
Dressage judges Judy Downer and Charlotte Trentelman along with Adult Amateur Loretta Lucas traveled to this past summer’s World Equestrian Games. Here they share their experiences and offer advice for anyone wanting to attend an international competition. Was this your first World Championships or Olympics games? JD: This was my first WEG, however, I did work at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta as a fence judge for eventing. I stayed and watched the dressage. I have attended Aachen, in Germany, which I highly recommend to everyone as a great show and great shopping. Very intimate, compared to WEG. LL: No, I attended WEG 2010 in Kentucky, and the Olympics in Atlanta. CT: First Major Competition attended: 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. I went with a tour organized by USDF. We were “housed” in a hotel in San Bernadino, which was a good hour and more away from Santa Anita on the rented school buses they used. They said that they picked the hotel because it was “central.” We all agreed, the only thing it might have been central to from LA was Nebraska. But we got there everyday, loved it, and I got to see in person the 75 one tempi victory lap that Reiner Klimke did on Ahlerich. First Dressage Championships: 1986 at Cedar Valley in Canada, with a USET package. They started the week with Prix St. George and worked up. They also started the week with partially built grandstands and finished them before the Finals. Two people that I saw there that were to become friends in the future: Marilyn Heath, competing; and Brian MacMahon, also on our tour. At the end of the week, they announced that in 1990, all the Championships would be held in one big show (the WEG) at Stockholm. I turned to my husband Chris and said, “I’m going. Wanna come with me?” I also attended the Atlanta Olympics and all the WEG’s except 1994. I consider them a wonderful learning tool for what riders and judges should aspire to. Who was your favorite horse/rider/driver? Why? JD: Damon Hill, ridden by Helen Langhangenberg from Germany (dressage). He has come up through the Young Horse program and shows the value of the program. Elegant, elastic, powerful and obedient. CT: Verdades, Valegro, and the German horses Damon Hill and Desperados. We saw those Germans in their final Olympic selection trials at Aachen two years ago. Super! LL: Oh gosh this is a hard one! SO many teams showed such strong partnerships between horse and rider. Of course, Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro were wonderful to watch. Laura Graves and Verdades, of course…. And I enjoyed seeing Steffen Peters and Legolas. And then
Above: Geneva Florida’s Laura Graves and Verdades. Right: Judy Downer picnics at Versailles.
L. Lucas
there was Edward Gal and Glock’s Voice…… but since I ride an Andalusian, the Spanish pairs were also close to my heart! Name one thing the Bromont organizers need to improve upon from France? One thing they need to retain from France? CT: In Bromont, I hope that the organizers keep the venues a little closer, but, it’s not always possible. I would like, for the bigger events, a reserved numbered seat. The ONLY unfriendly French person we met in 24 days was a lady in the stadium who insisted that she should have access to the block that the organizers had given to our group. I could relate to her frustration. The French didn’t account for the numbers of people that were attending and needed to have more entry gates and shuttles from parking, and more souvenirs–they ran out by the end of the first week. Something the French did do well–It was pretty easy to get good food and drinks. LL: Improve: Better/more vendors! Keep: One ticket for all events in a discipline.
‘
Florida Sporthorse Magazine 11
did move in port¬a¬potties. I did not go to the cross country venue,but, heard horror stories about the lack of facilities. The other venues: driving, para, reining, vaulting and the vendor village, had “normal” facilities. Note: if you are traveling in France, you may encounter “unisex” bathrooms. Do you plan to go to Bromont or Rio? JD: I don’t plan to attend either at this point, but do hope to return to Aachen in another year or two. WEG just had too many people for me. CT: I intend to go to Bromont. We’ve already told our tour director that, if he runs one, we’ll be on it. I’ve never wanted to go to the Olympics that were out of the US. The crowds and security issues concern me, and I’d rather go to a big equestrian show, like Aachen. Did the US riders meet your expectations; exceed your expectations; miss your expectations?
Top American rider Steffan Peters and Legolas. JD: Transportation needs to be improved. More shuttles, with better explanations about transportation. Retain emphasis on regional equine industry with demonstrations, and educational opportunities. What was your favorite opening ceremonies part? CT: Well, I should say, seeing the competitors march in; or, seeing Lorenzo in person. The French did a wonderful presentation of their culture with beautiful graphics. But, to be honest, it was before the evening started, when I arrived at a seat with my friends. We’d had to walk up a distance from the parking because the shuttles were swamped. Thousands of people are filling in this huge stadium. It wasn’t quite time to start. I got this chill up my spine and thought, “I’m really here! Pinch me!” JD: Well, Lorenzo was outstanding. But more important was the technical display; the white footing or hand-held white boards were used as a canvas to display images, from Lorenzo’s ocean waves to the Bayeux Tapestry to Impressionist art. LL: The 3-D winged Pegasus at the end….. wonderful projection technology! As to opening acts, of course Lorenzo and his white liberty horses riding over the ocean waves! Was rolkur present? Talk about it.
‘‘
WHAT WAS NICER WAS THE OBVIOUS EMPHASIS ON ELASTICITY AND HARMONY. THE WINNERS WERE NOT SIMPLY BEING HARMONIOUS BECAUSE THEY WEREN’T ASKED FOR GREAT POWER AND RANGE OF MOTION. INSTEAD THEY DISPLAYED FABULOUS POWER AND RANGE WITH ELASTICITY AND HARMONY.
L. Lucas
JD: I did not see an abundance of overflexed necks, with the exception of Parzival. His conformation (poll is more like a right angle, rather than like the desirable fan or rounded shape, plus his neck is somewhat swan shaped) lends itself to being overflexed at the poll. What was nicer was the obvious emphasis on elasticity and harmony. The winners were not simply being harmonious because they weren’t asked for great power and range of motion. Instead they displayed fabulous power and range WITH elasticity and harmony. A better picture. CT: I understand there was a lot of blogging about rolkur. I saw very few of the best horses in the world being pulled in behind the vertical and forced into lowering their polls. If it happened, it was in the warm up, but, stewards keep an eye on that–not spectators. There were some horses whose breed made it appear that they were tight in the neck and one would have wanted to see them stretch more forward into the connection. There were a few unfortunate spooks that had to be returned to control with a tighter rein–a photo of that could give one a wrong impression. I noticed that some of the lower scoring horses were behind the vertical at times. They scored lower. They were not rewarded. LL: From an Adult Amateur’s viewpoint, I did not see rolkur. I did see some horses tight in the neck, which disappointed me. In general, though, I thought the riding was much softer and more harmonious than in the past. We heard a lot about the French bathrooms. What was your experience? JD: I have traveled to Africa, so the French bathroom was not a shock to me. But many people were surprised by the lack of separation of male/female body elimination facilities! One restaurant we frequented had a same sex bathroom that contained two stalls (luckily with sit down toilets), a wall mounted urinal and double sinks. CT: The concessions would have sold a lot more coffee if they had put something beside a hole in the floor of the bathroom stalls at the stadium. By the second week, they
CT: I love our US riders! The dressage competitors have tough competition. It would be great to see someone on the stand for a medal, but, I’m proud of them no matter what. Chester Webber, Allison Stroud, and Misdee Wrigley, did a great job in Driving. Chester is a true showman and he will be world champion soon. If you go to the WEG and are lucky enough to get Reining tickets, you won’t be disappointed in our Team. They rock! It’s also easy to follow along with the judge’s scoring and get a good understanding of the system. JD: In dressage, I was thrilled with the outcome. We have very exciting new riders and horses, and were supported by experienced teams. I am especially excited for Laura Graves – a poised and elegant rider with a young horse who is just tapping into his potential. Wrap that one in bubble wrap please! I also had reining tickets and that was a hoot! Strong US team there and huge crowd appeal. I watched eventing from the television and felt frustrated by the challenging course that overtaxed horses. LL: I knew Laura Graves was a young up and coming rider – and she exceeded expectations. Steffen and Legolas, well, he is still young and cannot compare yet to Ravel. I look forward to seeing both pairs develop between now and Rio and Bromont! I was happy to hear that Tina decided to retire Calecto IV after the games. What was your favorite non-horse experience in France? JD: Loretta and I toured Versailles by bicycle and ate lunch on the far end of the Grand Canal. Very special. It was also very moving to visit the D-Day beaches and the American Cemetery. The people of Normandy show obvious appreciation for the American, Canadian, British and Australian soldiers who liberated them during World War II. No language issues in this part of France for a non-French speaking American. LL: We took a bicycle tour of the Versailles grounds outside Paris, including a stop at the market to buy a picnic lunch. It was a perfect day! (And I remembered that riding a bicycle is nothing like posting a trot!) CT: There were so many! In Paris, Musee d’Orsay, with the Impressionist paintings. After you’ve seen 100
12 Florida Sporthorse Magazine
Taking your equine athlete to the next level! From left: Loretta Lucas, Judy Downer and Charlotte Trentelman enjoy a toast. Renoirs, you realize, “Not every one is a Masterpiece.” A thought we can use in many situations, right? In Bayeux, the Military Museum. It really brings home the fact that D¬Day was not one day. It was the beginning of months of hardship and valor that brought the end of World War II in Europe. What advice do you have for readers who want to attend Bromont or Rio? JD: Plan your trip well in advance. Use a tour group if
you do not know the area. Utilize public transportation when possible. LL: Be prepared to walk. Be prepared for weather. Bring toilet paper. Get your hotel room or sign up for a tour early. Forget about dieting for a few days! Most importantly, do not let small inconveniences disrupt your fun! CT: Go. Go to learn–not to be critical. They already have enough good judges.
Janeane Reagan, PhD Sports Psychologist ~ Author ~ Speaker Let Janeane help you maximize the use of your mind when you ride or drive and have fun doing it! Available for club presentations, workshops and individual sports performance consultation. 352-643-0126 janeanereagan@netscape.net www.yourmindmatters.net
Rein in Your Brain
Janeane Reagan, PhD A practical guide to harnessing the power of the mind in order to make every aspect of equestrian life more enjoyable and more successful. Available from... www.friesenpress.com/bookstore and Amazon.com
Body balancing Pressure point therapy Massage Kinesiology Muscle Release with a Gentle Natural Body Alignment
Kit: 602-361-9740 Kel: 602-618-9562 www.animalkrackersequine.com
14 Florida Sporthorse Magazine
Happy campers
STRIDE hosts adult dressage camp Carol Bulmer THE ADULT CAMP CONCEPT The idea of Adult Camp is that a group of adults take precious time from their busy schedule and immerse themselves in the world of dressage for a weekend of learning and riding that includes fun and a special camaraderie. This was the 7th Adult Camp that S.T.R.I.D.E., a United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Group Member Organization (GMO) offered. According to STRIDE president Loretta Lucas, the event suits their mission. “One of Strides main focuses is education. Many of our members don’t take regular instruction. By providing an intensive learning experience such as camp we provide new insight into the art of dressage to our members. Stride works hard to keep the price reasonable by applying for a grant from the Dressage Foundation and subsidizing the fees for the event for our club members.” This year’s camp was held at Rebel Ridge Farm. Rebel Ridge (located in Anthony, Florida just north of Ocala) is the home farm of well-known and respected Senior Dressage Judge (and driving whip and budding Western Dressage Judge) Charlotte Trentelman. Rebel Ridge facilities offers a covered 20 x 40m arena with mirrors, an outdoor 20 x 60 m arena, a lunge arena as well as enough stalls and pasture space for 17 campers and their horses. Instead of a bunkhouse, campers commuted if they lived close by, several went to a hotel overnight and more than a couple stayed in their trailer living quarters. Not only fun and educational but the whole weekend was accredited by the USDF University. A MASTERFUL FEAT OF ORGANIZING The organizers crafted a demanding schedule for the weekend. Each day each camper was scheduled for a private, a semi-private and a long line lesson. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were provided at the house. At each meal there was a speaker on a different designated topic. Campers “moved in” Friday afternoon in time for the Friday Night Bar B Que dinner. Some campers were there with friends while other campers quickly made new friends during dinner. “The Fundamentals of Dressage” was the topic of the after dinner lecture. Carol Bulmer of Clermont, used a power point presentation to illustrate some basics. The campers were attentive, had insightful questions and relevant observations in response to the presentation. Soon after the lecture campers settled their horses and retired for the night in preparation for an action-packed Saturday. The Campers rose early on Saturday morning to take care of their horses, then gathered at the house for a breakfast of bagels and smear, trail mix bars and coffee. In addition, Cavalor sponsored a table with Greek yogurt and fresh fruit.
Camper Anke Matthiesen receives instruction from Loxahatchee-based instructor Lisa Lewis-Greene. After breakfast Sharon Cooper of New Smyrna Beach lectured on saddle fit to an interested audience. Beach graciously made herself available for individual help and advice following the lecture. There was a scheduled tack up time and then the round robin of private lessons, semi private lessons and long lining sessions began. The participants who were not riding sat ringside watching their fellow campers in their lessons! After a hearty lunch of soup and sandwiches, Dr. Judy Downer demonstrated long lining and explained techniques and pitfalls. Dr. Downer was also giving private instruction to all the campers with their own horse each day as part of the camp scheduling. The insight provided by Dr. Downer to the campers about Long Lining is not an education easily found. The one-on-one instruction with the camper’s own horse was received with great enthusiasm. (when required, a horse that was more reliable to practice on was supplied by Dr. Downer in lieu of the camper’s own horse). The Art of Long Lining is highly specialized knowledge with few instructors available for learning this skill. The Adult Camp gave the campers a truly unique education by providing the campers with this experience. Round robin lessons continued during the afternoon. Access to private instruction from Lisa Lewis-Greene of Loxahatchee and semi private instruction provided by Bulmer gave campers twice
the insight and double the personal attention to the art of dressage riding and training. After a satisfying Saturday dinner, Dr. Marsha Pidherney, a practicing veterinarian and faculty member at Central Florida College presented a fascinating talk on Equine Behavior. Dr. Pidherney brought up examples and explanations that were current and applicable to the campers’ own experiences. Despite some very tired campers, there were quite a few questions and fun observations after the talk. Sunday morning turned chilly. The campers welcomed some hot coffee and doughnuts where Cavalor sponsor representative Micheline Jordan answered questions about the uniqueness and quality of Cavalor feed. Happily the campers (and organizers!) retreated inside, where an hour-long Pilates class tested the campers’ core muscle development (and resolve). Meg Ruotolo, a certified Power Pilates instructor for more than 14 years, inspired and challenged this game group of riders. Round robin lessons continued. Even with the brisk Florida fall weather the riders and horses were engaged and enthusiastic to continue to improve their rider position and effective use of the aids. Riders focused on strengthening their relationship with their horses as well as practicing good schooling figure geometry and response to their aids.
Florida Sporthorse Magazine 15
Sunday Lunch was a time for filling out evaluation forms, awarding door prizes and wrapping up the plans for the last afternoon at camp. Dr. Downer answering questions about nutrition and how to balance a sport horse feed ration. Cheerful comments and animated conversations showed camaraderie had developed between the participants. Throughout the weekend, the campers who were not riding themselves, were often seen ringside, taking photos or videos of each other or simply being supportive of their fellow campers. Campers, organizers and instructors at the STRIDE Adult Camp at Rebel Ridge Farm in Anthony.
Quality You Can Count On! • Super Premium Equine Feeds • Low-Starch • For All Life Stages
$5
OFF Limit 2 Bags
FLSH0315
“World’s Best Equine Feed”
Limit 1 coupon per customer. Limit 2 bags per coupon. Coupon Expires: March 31, 2015
CUSTOMER: Redeem coupon at your nearest Authorized Seminole Feed® Dealer. Receive $5 off any two bags of Seminole Wellness®. Limit one coupon per customer per visit. Coupon not valid with any other offer. Reproduction of this coupon is prohibited and constitutes fraud. RETAILER: Please ensure this coupon is authentic and has not been duplicated or reproduced. Credit will not be given for reproduced coupons submitted for reimbursement. Seminole Feed® will reimburse Authorized Seminole Feed® Dealers for the amount of the coupon. For reimbursement, mail to Seminole Feed®, P.O. Box 940, Ocala, FL 34478. Reproduction of this coupon is prohibited and constitutes fraud.
THE ECONOMICS The event was underwritten by STRIDE for its members. The whole weekend cost STRIDE member $260, non-members paid $400 and auditing was $10. A grant from The Dressage Foundation provided significant financial support. VOLUNTEER ORGANIZER AND WORKERS All committee members were volunteer STRIDE members who spent the most of the year planning, budgeting, proposing and writing a successful grant proposal. During the weekend, organizer Carolyn Hall answered questions, cooridinated all scheduling and solved inevitable issues. Hall made the campers feel welcome with her low key and warm presence. As anyone who does these types of events knows that simple details like getting the food to the farm for the hungry campers while still warm is a logistical feat in itself let alone managing the matching up of partners for semi private lessons and making sure everyone had the private, semi private and long line lesson scheduled for every day.
USDF UNIVERSITY COURSES The USDF University program provides recognition for USDF members who strive to continue their education through their participation in accredited educational opportunities. Accredited courses 1. Events organized by GMOs like STRIDE and other groups that submit their planned educational events for accreditation to the University.
2. Online Courses. The USDF offers accredited online courses through their e-Trak program that offers a great variety of learning modules at differing time and complexity levels covering subjects that vary from judging, training, horse care and veterinary topics. 3. Additional accredited online education opportunities are offered by visiting the following: • DressageTrainingOnline • My Horse University • Equine Nutritional Solutions • Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute • DressageClinic.com • The Masterson Method
4. Accredited lectures are offered at the annual convention featuring the latest information from experts in training, judging and veterinary care.
If you have any further questions, contact the University Liaison at (859) 971-2277 or university@ usdf.org.
Ready, set, show!
Make every point count by sharpening basic skills Karen Abbattista
O
ften times at Schooling Shows, I’m reminded of the story of the Tortoise and the Hare. The Hare, or in this case a rather nervous rider wearing an expression usually reserved for the dentist, barrels through the dressage test prompting the comment, “Remember to breathe!” Her horse, on auto-pilot, navigates the arena with little help from above. Depending on the horse’s temperament, level of expertise, and a degree of luck, scores can range from 4 to maybe even a 7. Contrast this to the Tortoise. The Tortoise carefully rides each movement, leaving little to chance. Everything is carefully planned, prepared for, and executed. She is accurate, consistent, and steady, never throwing away any points. Her horse may not be the most brilliant, but more often than not, she is in the ribbons, often winning the class. A dressage score, after all, is the sum of its parts, and it pays to ride every stride with deliberation. Ask anyone who has ever scribed, and they will tell you. Different shows, different judges, but the same comments are written over and over again on test sheets. Common themes prevent riders from earning higher scores. Whether you ride your dressage in a traditional or a western saddle, the following pointers can help you make the most of your next trip down center line. A, down centerline, X, halt salute: All dressage tests, even the Western ones, start the same. The gaits may be different, walk, trot/jog, canter/lope, but the set up is identical. Ride a straight and steady entry into an immobile, square halt, and you have a chance to score a perfect ten. Instead, we see horses that weave and wander right or left of center line, and halts that are anything but straight. Try this: If you have access to a ring with mirrors, good for you. Use them. Practice riding a straight line toward the mirror over and over again until you confirm the feeling of straight. Horses naturally carry their haunches to one side or the other depending on which is their stiff and hollow side. Straight, until you are used to it, often feels “crooked”. If you don’t have a ring with mirrors, invest in a set of inexpensive orange soccer cones from Sports Authority. Place cones on either side of the centerline, at D, L, and X. Practice riding a straight line through the cones. Prepare your turn onto center line at least 10 ft before A . Turn your head, look at C and ride right to C. This will help you ride a smooth and balanced turn. At Training Level, you are allowed to walk into the halt; at First Level and above halts must be direct with no intermediate steps. The halt should be performed with the horse’s shoulder is at the letter. Cornered: Corners can be your best friend. Good riders use their corners to engage and collect their horses. They think carefully about the bend and balance, and ride as deep into the corner as their horse’s level of training will allow.
sarahbatesphotography.com
Karen Abbattista and Divi leave the ring after a prepared and confident test. Try this: Set a cone up in about 5 meters from each corner. Practice riding a smooth corner around the cone with the bend and balance of a quality 10 meter quarter circle (for Training-First Level). Practice riding your short sides as a corner (quarter 10 m circle) to a straight line to another corner (quarter 10 m circle). If your horse falls out on the corner, check that you are not trying to pull him around the corner with too much inside rein. Your turn should be made with both reins, your inside rein and leg shaping the horse, your outside rein and leg supporting. For Second through Fourth Levels, corners should be ridden as one quarter of an 8 m volte. Above Fourth Levels, corners should be ridden as one quarter of a 6 m volte. Round and Round We Go: Circles should be round, not oval or egg shaped. Circles do not have corners, nor do they have flat sides. Know your geometry! Memorize the placement of your circles in the arena. Try this: Assuming your horse is quiet and safe enough, have a friend stand in the center of your circle holding one end of a lunge line set to half the diameter of your circle (10 m for a 20 m circle, for
example). Place the other end of the lunge line between the ball of your foot and the stirrup. Ride your circle, first at a walk, keeping equal tension on the lunge line at all times. You will soon discover where your horse likes to drift out on the circle as your leg stretches away from the saddle. You will also discover where your horse likes to fall in, as the lunge line drags on the ground. Your job as a rider is to keep the circle precise and accurate. You will learn to balance your horse between your inside bending aids and your outside supporting aids, maintaining a steady tempo throughout. When this becomes easy at the walk, try it at the trot and the canter. You can also practice your geometry using cones to map out the circle line. Another variation is to mark a circle in your arena using landscape spray paint. What Goes Up, Must Come Down: “The changes of gait and pace must be clearly shown at the prescribed marker; they should be quickly made yet must be smooth and not abrupt. The cadence of gait or pace should be maintained up to the moment when they gait or pace is changed or the horse halts. The horse should remain light in hand, calm
and maintain a correct position.” (from the USEF rulebook) That’s the ideal. Instead, we see transitions that are not prompt, lose connection, lack balance and/or straightness. Try this: Transitions must be planned for, prepared for, and practiced, repeatedly. Be precise. The sequence of aids must always be seat and leg before hands to ensure your horse remains connected from back to front. Don’t let your reins become too long, and make sure you stay in balance with your horse at all times, not falling ahead of or behind the movement. Pick a number between 3 and 10 (the lower the number, the more difficult the exercise). Let’s say you chose 6. Start with walk/trot/walk transitions. Aim for 6 strides walk, 6 strides trot, 6 strides walk. A stride is a complete cycle of movement (the four beat rhythm of the walk, the two beat rhythm of trot, the three beat rhythm of the canter) as opposed to a step, which is the movement of a single limb. You may find you need to prepare your horse for the transition on the fourth stride in order to smoothly flow into the up or down transition on the sixth stride. Try transitions between trot and canter, and walk and canter. To keep your horse honest, vary the number and mix up the transitions, sometimes asking for counter canter, for example.
Within the Gaits: Transitions are performed between the gaits, and also within the gaits. At First Level, we ask for a lengthening of frame and stride at the trot and the canter. At Second Level, we expect added impulsion and engagement, and the pace changes to a medium trot or canter. The medium pace is rounder than the extended pace, where the horse covers as much ground as possible. In all of the above, the tempo must remain absolutely consistent throughout. Very often, we see horses that quicken rather than lengthen and fall out of balance. There should be a clear difference shown between working and the lengthened gait. Try this: A prerequisite for ground cover and increased length of stride is air time. To help your horse learn to articulate his joints and increase suspension, work over caveletti is invaluable. Begin with working your horse at the walk, trot and canter over a single caveletti. Progress to working your horse over four poles arranged at each quarter of a 20 m circle. Poles can also be arranged on a straight line. Start with a single caveletti, and in additional poles at a distance set to your horse’s stride. A typical distance for the trot is 3 – 5 ft. Gradually increase the height of the caveletti to encourage
Karen Abbattista Dressage
Offering lessons for all levels of riders in traditional and western dressage School horses available
~USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist ~ ~Awarded the Bronze and Silver Musical Freestyle Bars~ ~ “L” Graduate with Distinction ~ USEF Western Dressage Judge Candidate~ www.karenabbattistadressage.com email karenabbattista@gmail.com
phone 941-376-1736
Florida Sporthorse Magazine 17
lift. The distance between the caveletti can be incrementally increased to encourage greater length of stride. As always, maintain a steady tempo throughout. Have a Purpose: On every test sheet there is written the purpose of the level. The levels have been carefully designed to progressively develop and gymnasticize the horse. Each level builds on the requirements of the one that came before. Training Level Purpose: To confirm that the horse is supple and moves freely forward in a clear and steady rhythm, accepting contact with the bit. First Level Purpose: To confirm that the horse, in addition to the requirements of Training Level, has developed the thrust to achieve improved balance and thoroughness and to maintain a consistent contact with the bit. Second Level Purpose: To confirm that the horse, having achieved the thrust required in First Level, now accepts more weight on the hindquarters (collection); moves with an uphill tendency, especially in the medium gaits; and is reliably on the bit. A greater degree of straightness, bending, suppleness, thoroughness, balance and self-carriage is required than at First Level. It’s important to note, that how your horse performs a movement is just as important as if he performs a movement. Just because your horse can do a clean flying change does not automatically make him Third Level. He must have uphill balance and engagement, be reliably on the bit, and demonstrate increased suppleness, bending, thoroughness, and selfcarriage. If he is on the forehand and/or inconsistent in the contact, he is not fulfilling the purpose of the level. Your score will reflect that. Try this: How do you know when you are ready to move up a level? You should be consistently scoring in the upper 60’s at your current level. The movements of the next level should be fairly easy and not rely on prayer to perform successfully. Do Your Homework: It is, after all, called a dressage test. Study the USEF Rulebook chapter for your division. All of the answers to the test can be found within. The criteria for each movement, figure, and exercise is explained. For example, DR111.3 describes the shoulder in. “This exercise is performed in collected trot. The horse is ridden with a slight but uniform bend around the inside leg of the rider maintaining cadence at a constant angle of approx. 30 degrees. The horse’s inside foreleg passes and crosses in front of the outside foreleg: the inside hind leg steps forward under the horse’s body weight following the same track of the outside foreleg, with the lowering of the inside hip. The horse is bent away from the direction in which it is moving. If the shoulder-in is performed on the long side or on the on the center line, the horse should be straightened after the shoulder-in, before going into the corner. If the movement that follows the shoulder-in is a circle at any point, or a turn left or right at any point other than the four corners, the horse should not be straightened.” That’s a pretty explicit explanation of the movement and the expectations for what judges want to see. Try this: The complete USEF Rulebook can be downloaded at https://www.usef.org/documents/ru leBook/2014/2014CompleteRulebook.pdf
18 Florida Sporthorse Magazine
Revel in the ride
Our journey with horses does not always take a predictable route
Amber Kimball and Zamboni, the Dutch Warmblood she purchased as a foal.
Amber Kimball
S
ome years ago, I was fortunate to ride a lovely young gelding who followed all of the rules. He was very smart and rather talented. Anywhere he lacked in movement or talent, he more than made up for the deficiency in heart and effort. We competed successfully in the Prix St. Georges in the fall of his six year old year. In June of his seventh year, we cantered down the centerline to compete successfully in our first Intermediate 1 test. Everything just fell into place and soon after that, piaffe, passage and one tempi changes were part of our daily practice. That horse became my gold standard for the training timelines of all the horses I rode after him. While I was still riding and showing the easy gelding, I bought a Dutch Warmblood foal, Zamboni. I had been riding other people’s horses for a long time, but Zamboni was the first horse I ever owned. I purchased him when he was a month old and envisioned a training schedule similar to the one that my favorite gelding had maintained. In my mind, there was no reason to think otherwise. Zamboni had good, uphill conformation, good bloodlines and a really good canter. All of the
necessary ingredients for a successful dressage horse were there, or so I thought. Fairly early in Zamboni’s life, it became evident that he marched to the beat of his own drummer. As a foal, he dragged me into the pine trees regularly, made the farrier bleed more than once and always leaped away from the vet. Every event was a new adventure, even when it was something that had previously been a good experience. A small amount of doubt began to creep into my mind. I would still
‘‘
THERE WILL ALWAYS BE HORSES THAT SEEM, LIKE SOME PEOPLE, TO BE BORN TO SUCCEED IN THEIR VOCATION. OTHERS WILL HAVE TO WORK A LITTLE LONGER.
believe though, that his antics would fade as his age increased and we would be on our way to the FEI arena in the blink of an eye. At four years of age he was goofy and distracted under saddle but had amazing talent for flying changes. His response to a loss of balance was to do a clean change. I added an aid when he changed on
his own and soon my four year old was a baby genius who did clean flying changes on cue. I thought my training plan was ahead of schedule. I was sure the spooky, distracted goofball would turn into a workaholic when he turned five years old and we would be on the way to Prix St Georges at six. His five year old year came and went, then his sixth year passed. He was schooling tempi changes and pirouettes on good days. On other days, we could barely make a 20m circle without spooking, leaping or sliding into a sudden halt. We weren’t on the training timeline anymore. The more I compared him to other horses his age and my gold standard gelding, the less I enjoyed riding him. Early in his seventh year he sustained an injury and it was six months before Zamboni was in full work again. We had lost half a year of training. My goal of following the training timeline went out the window. I felt like a failure. I watched other trainers succeed with their young horses and follow the path set by the USEF, similar to the schedule set by the gelding I rode years earlier. There are tests for four year old, five year and six year old horses, as well as a division for seven to nine year olds competing at Prix St Georges and eight to ten year olds at Grand Prix. The standards in these
tests are high, but achievable, for talented horses and trainers. My seven year old horse was able to do everything in the Prix St. Georges but never all on the same day. His mind just couldn’t stay focused long enough to get through a test and any attempts to show him at lower levels were lackluster due to his inability to focus on me. His eighth year held another injury and an illness that sidelined him. I was feeling dismal and began to believe the people around me who doubted Zamboni’s worth. I never stopped loving my horse or ever considered for a minute that I should sell him, but I didn’t enjoy the rides anymore. To me, Zamboni represented my failure as a trainer, regardless of the success I was having with my client’s horses. From the outside of a situation, it’s easy to give advice to others. I regularly consult with clients who find themselves stuck in a training rut. Many times over I have told people that when the riding becomes drudgery, when they no longer look forward to riding their horse, it’s time to make a change. They should either change the training, change the goals, or sometimes, if it’s really not going to work, change the horse they are riding. I knew what I would tell someone else if they owned Zamboni. I’d tell them that he’s different than the other horses, that he would need patience and time. A lot of time. And, just maybe, I would tell someone else that he might not be the right horse for the goal of becoming an FEI competition horse. Each horse is an individual. Some seem to take forever to mature while others speed through the levels like a rocket ship. It’s easy to look at the horses competing in the young horse classes and feel like your horse must be inferior because he isn’t as developed as the ones at the championships. What we don’t see in the magazines and on websites though, is that every trainer showcasing a young, talented horse also has a couple at home that just aren’t quite ready yet or that don’t quite fit into the standard training mold. There will always be horses that seem, like some people, to be born to succeed in their vocation. Others will have to work a little longer. I’ve known horses that really struggled through the lower levels but then once the basics were finally confirmed, were back training at the level of their peers in the upper levels in no time. On the other hand, some horses never really learn to handle the competition environment comfortably. The age of social media has given us a window into the worlds of equestrians everywhere. We watch horse show classes on Youtube and get daily updates of blue ribbons and training achievements from our friends and celebrity trainers. What is presented on social media are always the highlights, the good stuff, results that are impressive. No one ever updates their status with a blurb about how after six months of training, their mare still can’t do a clean flying change or that their eight year old gelding still spooks at the same flower box he’s been stopping to admire since he was three years old. These things happen to everyone but not many people are going to advertise it. At some point I think it’s important to remember why we started riding horses in the first place. Of course, our goals are always changing, but there was something that drew us here in the first place. For me it was the horses themselves. I loved the
Florida Sporthorse Magazine 19
Zamboni’s movement and conformation were ideal for an upper-level dressage prospect. smell of them, their power, their beauty and their character. The best part was how they were generous enough to let me sit upon their backs and share all of those things with me through the saddle. In the beginning, I never even thought about a competition, other than maybe it would be a fun thing to do one day, if I were ever lucky enough to own a horse. I remember in my fist riding lesson, sitting atop a big gelding and burying my fingers in his thick palomino winter coat, thinking there was no better place I could ever be seated than on top of a horse. Zamboni is nearing his eleventh year. In the past few months, I have begun to enjoy my horse again. I think of a thirteen year old version of myself and wonder what she would have thought about the prospect of owning a 17.1 hand, dapple gray, Dutch Warmblood gelding. That girl would have been awestruck by Zamboni with his big arched neck and deep brown eyes. She wouldn’t care about training timelines or his show record. She would, however, be thrilled that Zamboni loves flying changes and can do a few steps of piaffe and passage. My thirteen year old self never could have possibly dreamed of owning such a magnificent creature. Zamboni is still a goofball and I’m not sure we will ever show in the FEI arena together and I’m okay with that now. I have other talented horses to ride and they have taken that pressure off Zamboni. My heart swells with joy though, when Zamboni morphs into a schoolmaster and he and my husband, Brian, can ride a good shoulder-in together on a sunny Saturday afternoon. They are just out there having fun, enjoying the ride. Somewhere along my journey with Zamboni, I had forgotten to enjoy the ride. After all, isn’t that what it’s all about?
Zamboni at 10, a talented, lovable goofball.
Tradition vs. technology 20 Florida Sporthorse Magazine
Both wool and synthetic materials used in modern saddles David Young Independent British Master Saddler David Young has worked on virtually every make and model of saddle on the planet. Here are his thoughts on what works best for the horse. Which padding works best in saddle panels… Wool or foam?
T
echnology has created more options, but does high tech amount to better construction or performance, or just cheaper production
costs? Let’s take a critical look.
Foam/Memory Foam, Wool and Air
Foam and Wool are found in some of the best known saddles in the world, with air rarely used. Let’s go through the pros and cons of each to see which performs best for you and your horse.
Air Panels Air is very thermally reactive, expanding and contracting in response to temperature, literally changing the panel shape. There have been many problems with leaking valves, sometimes leaving riders with a “flat” before a big competition. Unlike wool, you can’t compensate by adding a little more padding in a pinch. As the rider’s weight goes forward the air tends to be forced in the opposite direction leaving the back unprotected. If there is too little air pressure, the horse’s back may be exposed to the tree. Too much pressure, and the saddle often rocks on the horse’s back. A Swiss study indicated that some riders reported a lack of communication and effectiveness via their riding aids when riding on air panels. For these reasons air is the least often used in saddle panels.
Foam Panels
Foam panels are often pitched as the panel that doesn’t have to be adjusted. The fact is they can’t be adjusted. Foam panels are virtually all the same shape because they are pre-formed. The problem is every horse’s back is different. Foam does not naturally conform to the polymorphous shape of a horse’s back. It can’t be adjusted to compensate for asymmetry stemming from a variety of causes such as conformation, condition, change in work or season, or injury. It is important to check for bridging in the middle, even when the saddle appears balanced. Like all panels, foam panels compress over time and may create uncomfortable pressure on the horse’s back and withers, causing soreness. When this happens, the panels should be completely
Florida Sporthorse Magazine 21
replaced. Foam panels can have hard edges that fail to distribute the rider’s weight evenly over a broad surface area. Many foam panels are attached at the front with a covered nail which can sometimes dig into the horse’s back. Using stacks of pads does not compensate for a saddle that doesn’t fit regardless of what the panels are made of. Bottom line is there is no such thing as one size fits all!
Wool Flocked Panels
Wool has always been, and continues to be, the saddler’s choice for flocking panels. Wool is extremely comfortable on the horse’s back and facilitates even weight distribution. Wool consists of long short and individual
‘‘
WOOL HAS ALWAYS BEEN, AND CONTINUES TO BE, THE SADDLER’S CHOICE FOR FLOCKING PANELS. WOOL IS EXTREMELY COMFORTABLE ON THE HORSE’S BACK AND FACILITATES EVEN WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION.
strands that easily conform to the shapes of the horse’s back and can be easily adjusted to compensate for asymmetry in the horse’s back. Wool can be completely replaced in older saddles for relatively little cost without having to replace the panel itself. It provides stable support for the rider’s weight. Wool panels may need to be periodically topped off or adjusted to compensate for compression or changes in the horse’s condition; typically once or
C O U NTY Saddles that fit...best for backs Full-time Florida Agent ’ Waters Renee MSA Certified Fitter 386-846-5911
This article originally appeared in Saddle Review.
All Holistic Veterinary Care, PA
Lynn S. Peck, DVM, MS
“Performance Improvement”
Subtle Lameness/Chronic Pain
Neuromuscular Weakness
Back Pain/Movement Problems Metabolic Issues
www.saddles.com Renee.Waters@countysaddlery.com
twice a year. A small price to pay for soundness and optimal performance. It is important to note that none of the panel materials discussed above can compensate for a poorly designed saddle. But at the end of the day don’t just take my word for it, forget about all the hype and listen to your horse.
Holistic Therapies for Sport Horses Animal Bowen Therapy Certified in Applied Kinesiology Gainesville-Ocala; Trips to Tallahassee, JAX, Wellington
352-‐222-‐2190 www.allholisticvet.com www.animalbowen.com
A Beginner’s Guide to Florida Blanketing Sheet, stable blanket, fly sheet? In the winter, your horse will wear them all Carol Bulmer
JANUARY
Half of the Days in the Month: 1. Take one of two Blankets off horse at 9am 2. Take Blanket off and put sheet on at Noon 3. Take Sheet off and put Blanket on at 4:30pm 4. Put on second Blanket at 9pm
JULY
Blanketing Days are random five days every two weeks (see above).
See June 1. On Random Mornings conduct the Great Fly Mask Hunt while Locating the Fly Sheet in a Horse Sand Wallow at the farthest point in the Field (How did Trigger get out of the Fly Sheet without undoing the straps???) 2. More Hosing, Hanging, Rescuing Wet Fly Sheet and Mask from Fence
1. 2. 3. 4.
See June Decide to buy Replacement for the Shredded Fly Sheet and Holey Fly Mask. Could not find a version made out of Kevlar. Sigh.
The Other Half of the Days in the Month: Blanket? What Blanket? Turn on the Fan please!
FEBRUARY
MARCH
Blanket three days during the first two weeks Wash and put away Blankets the third week Pull out Blankets for two days the last week Rewash and put Blankets away
APRIL
Refuse to Blanket those two days when a rogue cold front zooms through.
MAY
Pull out the Fly Sheet and Masks from storage 1. 8 a.m.: Put Fly Sheet and Mask on, turn out 2. 5 p.m.: Bring Horse in for Dinner, Remove Fly Sheet, Conduct The Great Fly Mask hunt in horse field 3. Repeat Daily 4. Patiently explain to random passing strangers that “No, the horse is not blindfolded”.
JUNE
Decide on Night Turnout 1. 5 p.m.: Put on Fly Sheet and Mask, Turnout Horse 2. 7 a.m.: Bring Horse in from Field for Breakfast, Remove Fly Sheet, Conduct the Great Fly Mask Hunt in horse’s field 3. Hose off Grossly Dirty Fly Sheet and Mask, Hang to Dry on Fence in Sun (hoping that the fur on the fly mask actually dries) 4. Run out in Rainstorm to take down Fly Sheet and Mask from Fence before they get soaking wet. 5. They are soaking wet
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
See June Decide to buy Two Fly Sheets and Two Fly Masks so you can use a Dry Pair at Night. Bank account very unhappy, Dover sales department very happy.
OCTOBER
See June When the %$#@! Do the Flies EVER DIE!!!!
NOVEMBER 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Pull Winter Blankets out of Storage, Hang on Doors Blankets get dusty from hanging on door and need to be hosed off Continue the Fly Sheet and Mask Ritual Around Thanksgiving Horse finally does not need a Fly Sheet and Mask! Alleluia Change to Daytime Turn Out
Three Days later begin Winter Blanket Ritual (sporadically)
DECEMBER
Alternate the Winter Blanket Ritual with the Fly Sheet Ritual at inconsistent intervals
Training
Instruction
Competition
Sales
Training and Instruction
Beginner to Grand Prix Dressage
Eventing
Western Dressage
M A T T
Basic Horsemanship
Trainers and students earning local, regional and national awards
FEI School Horses available | Haul-ins Welcome or host a Clinic
M C
L A U G H L I N
D
Andalusian and Lipizzaner Stallions at Stud
R E S S A G E
Contact us in Saint Cloud, Florida at info@Matt-McLaughlin.com or 407-957-4587
www.facebook.com/MattMcLaughlinDressage
www.Matt-McLaughlin.com