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!

Happy 10 Years Lissell!

<3

While talking with a friend this morning, I remembered that this summer is my and Lissell's 10-year anniversary.  Yup, 10 years ago my Pretty Princess Lissell got on a trailer in California and arrived in Maryland a week later.  It's really crazy to think about how it all happened and how it's all worked out.  I had only ridden her once, and while I remember liking her, I thought she was a bit of a nut job on the ground (ie she broke the cross ties that day ... something she still does today *sigh*).  But she was "free" (I just had to pay for shipping), sound and had a decent show record.

So I took a chance and Lissell became my first horse.  On her trip across the country she became a favorite of the shippers and they asked about buying her from me, but of course I said no (I think that this was actually the first and last time someone tried to buy her from me ... I guess the market for big, bay mares with attitude is limited!). Our first couple of years together were a bit rocky and not always pretty. Ten years ago I was a young professional with dreams of Rolex, and Lissell was not like my other horses.  She had a clear opinion and there was no telling her what to do.  There is much truth to the saying, "Tell a gelding, ask a mare," and I admittedly learned this lesson the hard, and slow, way.  Looking back, I'm not sure why Lissell never bucked me off and told me to get a life.  But it wasn't all bad, and I gradually got my act together and we competed a bunch, moving from Beginner Novice to Novice with our eye on Training.  Unfortunately, things were not to be and Lissell tweaked her back requiring a lot of time off.

The early years ... 

And so we entered the next phase of our relationship: The Leasing Years.  For whatever reason, I just couldn't bring myself to give her away.  She was such a quirky creature that I just knew that she would eventually fall into the wrong hands.  So I figured I would lease her out as a broodmare and that would be that.  I had a lot of interest in her due to her Buckpasser lines and performance record, and eventually decided on a small private farm in Pennsylvania.  She got to live out 24/7 with her buds, and got a lot of one-on-one attention.  Unfortunately, the lessee's situation changed and she had to come back to me.  I kept her for a summer and spent most of it trail riding, but I had another horse by that point and he was showing some promise, so I decided to find a new lessee for her.  Of course this was the farm in Virginia, and we all know how that turned out.

Another shot from the early years ... 

I've had Lissell back for almost 4 years now and I'm not sure that I've fully forgiven myself for putting her into a situation where she was eventually starved and neglected.  I remember crying every day for a week when I got her home. I would just sit and watch her eat, checking on her multiple times a day. I would go over every inch of her body, applying various ointments and medications, apologizing to her for every cut, scrape and sore.  And so the next 6 months were spent putting my horse back together.  I remember the look on her face every time she saw me, it was this, "Oh thank goodness, you're back."  I know she's a horse, but I truly believe she had abandonment issues for a year or so. Thankfully this has subsided in the past few years.

And now, 10 years later, you could say that Lissell has become the horse that I always wanted.  We've competed a lot over the past few years, and I've schooled jumps so big that my eyes have bugged out of my head. We can successfully school on the flat without wanting to kill each other, and dressage has become *gasp* enjoyable.  Ten years is a long time to learn how to ride a horse, but in this case, it's the reality.  And while I would like to think that I've become a technically more proficient rider in the last 10 years, I know that our recent success has nothing to do with technical skills.  Simply put, I have learned to appreciate Lissell for who she is and what she has to offer.  She is a horse that will try her heart out for you, but you have to be willing to hear what she has to say about it. But when you have her on your side, the possibilities are endless and she has gone from strength to strength over the past year or so.

At our first Training-level event together ... she was 20.

She is one of the special horses in this world that views it as their sole job to take care of their person. I have fallen off Lissell twice in our 10 years together.  Yes, only twice.  The first time she was stung by a some evil bug that resulted in me landing in the middle of a sod field and Lissell looking at me with this "Ooops!" expression on her face.  The second time was when she stumbled in the water while schooling and I just couldn't save it and tumbled off over her shoulder somehow landing underneath her. I remember seeing a hoof above my head and thinking "Oh shit!" and then next thing I know my horse is picking herself up out of the water while I'm sitting there wondering what the hell just happened.  Kelley said she turned herself inside out not to step on me, resulting in her falling herself.  I probably should have fallen off her countless times over the years, but she somehow knows how to shift her weight in just the right way to keep me on board.

So while my lovely Lissell may not set the world on fire at shows, she is part of an elite group of horses. My special mare has served as inspiration for so much of my life and for that I will forever be thankful.  I've learned to be more patient, that good things truly to come to those that wait. I've learned to keep on keeping on, that there's no use in second guessing the past, and to just keep on movin'. I've learned to laugh in the bad times, and to be incredibly grateful for the good times.  Happy Anniversary Momma Mare!  Thankyouthankyouthankyou!

Stephen Bradley Returns on September 4th!

 Join us for another day of lessons on September 4th 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 (http://mythiclanding.com/activities.htm) or facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mythic-Landing-Enterprises-LLC/231445710243540).  Be sure to check back often for updates.  Or just tell Margaret to add you to our e-mail list.

Sisterly blogging ...

My sister came over for this past Wednesday's clinic with Stephen Bradley.  She entrusted me with her camera to get some shots of her on her new horse Sprocket, but while I had the camera in hand, I snapped a few shots of MLE's clinic staffer, Lucas.  :-)

So here are the shots of Sprocket: http://korizzoinc.wordpress.com/2013/08/08/sprockets-dressage-lesson-with-stephen/

And here are the shots of Lucas: http://korizzoinc.wordpress.com/2013/08/09/just-for-margaret/