MLE Welcomes New Client: Electronic Billing & Customer Support

Mythic Landing Enterprises is excited to welcome new client, Electronic Billing & Customer Support! Since 1986 EBCS has been helping companies manage their billing, collecting, cash flow, and customer satisfaction. Their commitment to excellence in customer care, efficiency, technology and professionalism serve as guiding principles to their success over the years. Although they serve a variety of industries, they have recently expanded into the veterinarian & equine business world.

Here are just a few of the services they offer:

• Start a payment plan system to collect your money

• Start your own Pet Savings Account (PSA).

• Develop a Wellness Plan

• Collect on your past due accounts

This is a well established company that we feel can truly help to make a difference for many equine businesses! Take some time to look at their website here: https://www.ebcs-solutions.com/

Exciting New Column for Southeast Equine Magazine!

I'm excited to announce that MLE is going to be the new eventing columnist for Southeast Equine Magazine!  The plan is to have our MLE professional riders tackle reader questions about the sport of eventing.  Even more exciting (at least for me!) is that the writing is going to be split up between Sue, Tara and myself (thanks ladies!).  We each have a different writing style, so combining that with our wide variety of clients should make for a fresh article each month.  Thanks to Southeast Equine's Rose Cushing asking us to be involved.  Our first article should be in the November 2013 issue!

Stephen Bradley returns October 9th ... Space Still Available!

Join us for another day of lessons on Wednesday, October 9th with Stephen Bradley at the awesome A Bit Better Farm in Brookeville, Maryland.   

Stephen enjoys teaching all levels of riders from beginners to the advanced competitor. His enthusiasm, talent for communication, and ability to inspire confidence in the horse and rider make him a hit with riders of all levels. When training with Stephen, you can be confident that you will receive expert instruction for your level of riding. You can learn more about Stephen at www.stephensbradley.com.

Jump lessons will be 75 minutes each, with 3 riders per group

Dressage lessons will be 45 minutes each, private (limited availability)

Costs: $115 for Jump lessons; $155 for Dressage lessons (cash, check and credit cards accepted)

Please contact Margaret Rizzo at margaret@mythiclanding.com or (301) 502-8929 to sign up for any (or all!) of the clinics.  Cash, checks and credit cards accepted.

A full list of activities for the year can be found on our WEB SITE or FACEBOOK PAGE. Be sure to check back often for updates.  Or just tell Margaret to add you to our e-mail list.

Support Your Local HTs ... Go to Iron Bridge!

Iron Bridge has always been one of my favorite schooling horse trials.  I remember going there often when I was younger, and then when I was older I would take my greener horses.  And just this past spring, I took Lissell there to dust off the cob webs after some time off.  I got the below e-mail this morning and wanted to pass the info along ... 

IBHPC's Fall Horse Trials will be held Saturday, October 5th, just two weeks from now!
    -- We currently have openings in all divisions, and just a few days left to enter (by September 25th!)
    -- All the information you need is available on the IBHPC Website
    -- Please find Entry forms here
    -- And starting Monday, September 30th, find Entry status here
    -- -- use your browser 'refresh' button to get the latest information!

As most of you know, IBHPC's Horse Trials are open to the public, for riders of all ages, and mounts from ponies to horses, with the occasional mule.  Our Horse Trials offers a great opportunity to compete at a well run event with professional dressage judges and inviting Stadium and Cross Country courses.  We offer four divisions, starting our day with Novice at 2'11", and completing with Walk-Trot at 18".

I am writing to everyone who has entered IBHPC's horse trials in the past.  For those of you who have already entered - Thank You!  And for everyone else, we would love to have you and your friends join us.

We look forward to seeing you in October!
Wendy Fleit
Secretary, IBHPC Horse Trials
IBHPCHorsetrials@yahoo.com
240-353-9966 (feel free to call, and email works really well!) 

Susan Graham White Back on October 23rd!

Susan will be returning on Wednesday, October 23rd.  Lessons will be at the lovely A Bit Better Farm (Brookeville, MD).

Lessons are $130/each for a 45-minute private lesson.  If you sign up for multiple lessons, you'll receive $10 off each additional lesson.  Cash, check and credit cards are accepted.

Remember that Susan is a licensed judge, so if you want, you can bring your dressage tests and have a fix-a-test type lesson.  If you want to learn more about Susan, click here: http://sgwdressage.com/node/1.

Let me know if you'd like a slot (or two!) and if you have any time constraints!  My e-mail is margaret@mythiclanding.com.

Grid Pro Quo Gems

I'm in the middle of a writing frenzy currently, trying to get a bunch of Grid Pro Quo articles written before things get too crazy this fall.  While I was writing Sally Cousins' piece last night, I kept going back to this one paragraph we wrote about how she likes to warm her horses up.  That got me to thinking.  Would everyone find this piece of advice as useful as I do?  Or would others latch onto different tips? Of course this is assuming that anyone actually reads these articles!  In any case, I thought it would be fun to share some of the gems of information that riders have shared with me over the past 2 years of writing.

Sharon White's Article

"When teaching, I always tell my students to not bring the problems from their dressage work to the jump ring.  If I have a horse that have trouble doing a reinback, or has trouble staying connected through a right lead canter depart, I might just let that go for the day. I don't want to start my jump school with a negative attitude, so I will instead concentrate on the flatwork exercises that my horse does really well, and build from there." ~ Sally Cousins, Sally Cousins Eventing [stay tuned!] ~

 "The successful training of a horse comes from building on something that they understand. So taking a little time in the beginning will reward you in spades at the end." ~ Sharon White, Last Frontier Farm [Issue 7, 2013] ~

Robert Costello's Exercise

"We need to condition ourselves that riding into a combination really just requires us riding in good rhythm and balance on a straight line to a single jump. If we can achieve that we’ve done our job. The rest is up to the horse. Of course this easier said than done, so like anything thing else it demands practice (practice, practice)." ~ Robert Costello, ROC Equestrian [Issue #7, 2012] ~

"The big key is create a good canter and keep that canter through the turns.  The fences should really just come up as you canter your [exercise]." ~ Courtney Cooper, C Square Farm [Issue 6, 2012] ~

"When horses jump with the most confidence, they trust in their ability to let go in their bodies, which means they soften their jump. If a horse is tense, nervous, spooky, or not sure of something, they tend to be very tight in their bodies, not just their brains, which can manifest in a variety of ways." ~ Jenn Simmons, Jenn Simmons Eventing [stay tuned!]~

"Having your horse really straight is one of the hardest things to do because every horse (just like every person) has its own quirks or areas of soreness and will inevitably travel a little crooked to compensate.  But some horses also use crookedness as an evasion or disobedience.  And, depending on your horse, it depends on how adamant they will be about staying crooked, and for what reason--disobedience versus soreness.  But as you go through the lines, be aware of your straightness and you'll be surprised by how much it affects your horse's rhythm and regulation." ~ Jon Holling, Holling Eventing [Issue #3, 2013] ~

"So, you're probably wondering what you, the rider, are supposed to be doing through this exercise.  The answer is pretty simple … as little as possible.  This is the classic case of letting the exercise do all the work and staying out of your horse's way so they can do their job." ~ Katie Wherley, Rock Solid Training [Issue #3, 2012] ~

Laine Ashker's Article

"You’ll notice that some of the best riders in the country could be considered the least interesting to watch because they are doing the least. These are the riders that are interfering the least with their horses, and therefore their horses are able to keep a good rhythm throughout the course." ~ Laine Ashker, Laine Ashker Eventing [Issue #6, 2013] ~ 

"One of the best things you can do as a rider is watch as much as you can.  Think about it … watching riders warm up at shows is free! And most clinics have a nominal auditing fee. So the next time you have a spare weekend, find a local show or clinic and spend a day watching.  I bet you'll come away inspired to go home and practice what you saw." ~ Stephen Bradley, Stephen Bradley Eventing [Issue 1, 2012] ~ 

Skyeler Icke-Voss's Exercise

"[When warming up] The focus is on bending the horse through the ribcage and not just the neck. This helps make sure that your whole horse is between your aids." ~ Skyeler Icke Voss, Morningside Eventing [Issue 8, 2013] ~

"For the rider, I like to focus on keeping their leg on through the line to produce a straighter horse and a quality jump." ~ Kelley Williams, A Bit Better Farm [Issue 2, 2012] ~

"As riders make their way through the exercise, I am looking for straightness above all things. It takes a certain level of concentration to keep looking ahead to the next jump." ~ Kerry Blackmer, Miles Ahead Farm [Issue 5, 2012] ~

"The rails are not there to try to trip them in up in effort to sharpen them. Rather, the rails are there to spell things out a bit and give them confidence." ~ Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch, SRB Equestrian [Issue 4, 2013] ~

Steuart Pittman's Article

"Learning to ride the canter well, be it sitting, two-point, or a half-seat, is a skill that we can all stand to practice." ~ Steuart Pittman, Dodon Farm Training Center [Issue #10, 2012] ~

"The reality of our lives as eventers is that we are jumping solid obstacles 50 percent of our competitive careers. So it is imperative that when things get tricky, your horse has the ability to think for itself and get you both to the other side safely, and you have the ability to stay balanced and out of his way. Good horses become great horses when they are able to take care of their riders while doing their job flawlessly at the same time. Good riders become great riders when they are able to allow their horses to do their job." ~ Will Faudree, Galivan Farm [Issue #2, 2013] ~

"When you are looking down this long line of fences, it can look imposing, but after you break the exercise down and take it one jump at a time, it is quite doable. Then, when you have successfully completed the exercise, you look back and feel good about what you have accomplished." ~Danny Warrington, Danny Warrington Equestrian [Issue 1, 2013] ~

Katie Ruppel's Exercise

"It is easy to stay straight over the skinny rail when it is the first part of the exercise, but it is easy to drift to one side when you have to jump first. This is when, as a rider, you have to hold your position and stay committed to the line." ~Katie Ruppel, Yellow Rose Eventing [Issue #9, 2012] ~

"As any trainer will tell you, adjustability is one of the best tools you can teach your horse when it comes to competing.  You'll find that just as you're teaching your horse adjustability, you as a rider will also learn to adjust more quickly and effectively to get through the exercise well." ~ Valerie Vizcarrando, Blue Clover Eventing [Issue #8, 2012]

  

Val Vizcarrando's Article

"[T]he regularity of this canter grid will help you develop your eye a bit.  This way when you're at a competition you can take a deep breathe and not worry about finding the perfect spot because you will have spent time schooling the right canter." ~ Molly Bull, Plain Dealing Farm [stay tuned!] ~

"The goal is for the rider to complete the exercise without a loss of rhythm or position.  I am also looking for the riders to "ride less," meaning that I don't want them working too hard." ~ Imtiaz Anees, Springtown Stables [stay tuned!] ~ 

Welcome Hunt Club Farms to the MLE Family!

As we start a new month we would like to welcome Hunt Club Farms, the newest member of the MLE family! 

Hunt Club Farms is owned by Tracy Zack and located in Berryville, VA. Boasting an ever-growing cross-country course designed by Tremaine Cooper, an extra-large outdoor with premier F.I.C.S. LIGHTFOOT footing, and a Florida-style indoor with the same excellent footing, Hunt Club Farms is dedicated to providing riders and horses with only the best. Tracy's passion for people and horses is present in everything she does at the farm, be it the friendly, comfortable environment enjoyed around the barn by her boarders or the details she puts into every event she host. There are still a couple of events scheduled for this year (make sure you check out her calendar HERE), and Tracy plans to continue to grow the cross-country course over the off-season.

Keep an eye on the area calendars for combined tests, unrecognized events, and great clinics coming up in 2014. So, welcome Tracy and Hunt Club Farms! MLE is excited to add you to the family!

Tracy Zack with Phillip Dutton and his daughter during a recent clinic at Hunt Club Farms.

MLE's Margaret and Sue will be making plans to jump the Viking Ship.

Check out Tara's Photo!

Check out Tara's photo on Eventing Nation today!  And don't forget to check out her photography web site for Tara Katherine Photography!