Burdette Brothers Closes In On A Century

Check out MLE client, Burdette Brothers' feature article in the Frederick News-Post! It's a remarkable feat to have a small family business that is going strong a whole CENTURY later! Read more HERE.

Susan Graham White Clinic at ABBF Re-Cap

It was a perfect day to host the always amazing Susan Graham White for her first clinic at A Bit Better Farm of the new year. All participants were excited to get their dressage dust knocked off and get prepared for their first events of 2015! We're currently working on nailing down an April date with Susan so be sure to check our Facebook page regularly so you can reserve your spot! 

MLE Client, Kelley Williams riding Bomber 

MLE Client, Glenda Player riding Tammy

MLE Account Manager, Carly Easton riding Cal

Working Student Opportunities With MLE Clients

A few of MLE's clients are looking for quality working students. If you're interested in learning about the ins-and-outs of how a professional equestrian business is run and receiving quality instruction from some of Area II's top riders, this could be an amazing opportunity for you! 

Courtney Cooper - C Square Farm has a long term working student position available starting at the end of March in Nottingham, Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, our awesome Aiken working student will be pursing other life adventures after selling her horse and will not be joining us back home. This position will teach you the ins-and-outs of running a successful horse business as well as lessons from Advanced-level event rider Courtney Cooper. Room and housing is provided and could include board for one horse. You do not need your own horse though, opportunities to ride other horses based on your ability may be available.  A positive attitude and a great character are required. Please contact Courtney and her team at Csquarefarm@gmail.com for more information.

Glenda Player - Playland Equestrian Center, LLC is now accepting applications for working students for this spring & summer in Union Bridge, Maryland. Come join a fun and active eventing stable to further your education and gain experience in the eventing and dressage worlds! Working students are required to be 18-years-old. Long term working students stay for a minimum of six months, and receive free housing at the farm and board for one horse. Short term working students generally come for the summer or spring break, and receive board at a reduced rate. All students are encouraged to bring their own horse if they have one. Depending on the students' skill level, students may receive the opportunity to work several horses a day, whether it is in-hand or under saddle, including their own horse in addition to other farm and operational tasks. Limited housing available. Please read more about our program on our lessons and training page of our website: www.playlandequestriancenter.com. If you're interested, please e-mail a resume and riding video to glendaplayer@gmail.com.

Sean McQuillan -  McQuillan Equestrian is looking for a special candidate to fill their open working student position starting in March. Located at Kilfinnan Stables in Warrenton, VA, McQuillan Equestrian is dedicated to the sport of eventing and providing top-level training to both horses and riders. Our ideal candidate has a good work ethic, strong time-management skills and a keen interest in learning, as well as their own method of transportation. You must be able to work well with others, take direction and have a great attitude. Practical experience with horses is a must, and experience with young horses and a familiarity with eventing would be helpful. We maintain a 6-day workweek with consistent barn hours. Most days will consist of riding for the first part of the day with routine horse management and the availability of a lesson in the afternoon. Traveling to shows and events should be expected. In addition to riding, you will have a behind-the-scenes look at the horse management and veterinary side of our business, and gain experience in helping to manage a successful training operation. Housing will be provided and board for one horse is a possibility. Must be at least 18 years old. If you are interested in our working student position, please send a resume and a riding video to Kendra McQuillan: kilfinnanstables@gmail.com. For more information about McQuillan Equestrian, our facilities and our horses, please visit our website: www.kilfinnanstables.com. 

Stephen Bradley - Working student opportunities are available with Stephen S. Bradley Eventing on a case by case basis. Located in White Post, Virginia, Stephen S. Bradley Eventing is looking for the right person to fill their open working student position. 6 months to a 1-year commitment would be preferred, but a summer position could be available for the right candidate. Working students are immersed in the sport of eventing and can expect to travel to shows, assist in riding at the farm, and will be expected to help complete the day-to-day duties of an active training facility. Knowledge of eventing would be helpful, but is not required. Housing, lessons and board for 1 horse are included. Working students committing to less than 6 months will receive reduced board for 1 horse. To learn more about Stephen and his program, visit his web site at www.stephensbradley.com. If you are interested, please send a riding video and resume to ssbradleyeventing@gmail.com. 

Katie Wherley - Located in Middletown, Maryland, Katie offers a variety of services to her clients that include: training, instruction and helping client's horses gain valuable competition experience. Katie's patient personality and years of experience make her a favorite with the training of green or difficult horses. A graduate "A" pony clubber, Katie has experience not only in eventing, but the hunter/jumper and dressage worlds as well. Working students should be prepared to complete day-to-day barn duties and traveling to shows. Riding opportunities will be available depending upon ability. Katie takes working students on by a case by case basis. No housing is providing so the opportunity for being a part-time working student is a possibility. To learn more about Katie and her program, visit her web site at www.rocksolid-training.com. If you are interested, please send a riding video and resume to wherleyk@gmail.com.

Upcoming Clinics With MLE!

Ready for some warmer weather? We sure are! Luckily, we have a busy month ahead of us to get our minds off the arctic air with the opportunity to ride with some of the top upper-level riders in the sport! This is the perfect time to get you and your horse geared up for the upcoming season!


March 11th - Susan Graham White at A Bit Better Farm
Tune-up your dressage skills with one of the top dressage trainers in the area. Susan is a licensed FEI "I" Eventing judge and a USEF "R" Dressage judge. Lessons are $130 for a 45-minute private lessons. There are only 2 spots left so be sure to e-mail Margaret
at margaret@mythiclanding.com to reserve your spot today! 

March 14th - Sean McQuillan at Miles Ahead Farm 
Sean McQuillan offers instruction to riders of all ages and abilities, focusing on good horsemanship, solid basics, proper balance, and the relationship and communication between horse and rider. Lessons are $75 per horse and rider combo for small group jump lessons. Contact Margaret at margaret@mythiclanding.com to reserve your spot today!

March 15th - Kelley Williams at A Bit Better Farm 
Kelley Williams is an Advanced-level eventer that is dedicated to her students that focuses on getting the most out of their relationships with their equine partners. Lessons are $50 per horse and rider combo for small group jump lessons. Contact Kelley Williams at kwmwilliams@aol.com to sign-up today!

March 15th - Glenda Player's CORE Clinic at Playland Equestrian Center
CORE Riding is about learning stability and balance through alignment. CORE Rider is an acronym for Centered, Organized, Responsive, Effective riding. Through this method one learns how to use aids in a clearer, more organized, and effective manner, thus developing a responsive balanced horse. All mounted slots are full but there are still spaces left in the unmounted sessions. Unmounted sessions are $35. E-mail Erinn Murphy to reserve you spot at emurhpy@arbee.net today!

March 18th - Stephen Bradley at A Bit Better Farm
Stephen Bradley enjoys teaching all levels of riders from the beginners to the advanced competitor. His enthusiasm, talent for communication and the ability to inspire to confidence in the horse and rider makes him a favorite to ride with in Area 2! When training with Stephen you can be confident that you will receive expert instruction for your level of riding. Lessons are $115 per horse and rider combo for small group jump lessons. Contact Margaret at margaret@mythiclanding.com to sign-up today!

                             As always, auditing is FREE for all clinics!
          

Lissell

4.25.1992 - 2.10.2015

And so, here we are. I'm not really sure where to start. For the past twelve years, Lissell has been home for me … it has always come back to her. She is my soul sister, caretaker and dream maker, all rolled into one. Saying goodbye to her this past Tuesday was probably the hardest decision that I've ever had to make. But as a very kind friend told me, the greatest gift we can give them is a soft landing when it comes their time. I can feel her in my heart, and just pray that she stays there as I navigate life without her.

Best way to start the day.

Lissell's greatest role in my life was as my teacher. And it was a job that she took very seriously. 

She taught me how to ride. For those that have followed Lissell's story over the years, you know that we didn't exactly set the competition world on fire. But the experiences I gained with Lissell were completely invaluable. If there is one skill that she taught me, it was to just sit there. She taught me how to find the middle of my horse and stay there. Stay out of her way and let her do her job.   

And while she had this annoying habit of just stopping if I got even the tiniest bit out of balance, she saved my butt countless times over the years. In all these years, I only fell off Lissell twice. Yes, only twice.  And that wasn't from lack of trying on my part! The first time she was stung by some evil bug that resulted in me landing in the middle of a sod field. She stood a few feet from me with this "oops!" 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 the 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. My trainer said she turned herself inside out not to step on me, resulting in her falling herself.  

Tacked up and ready to go.

Moment of take off at Middleburg.

Lissell also taught me patience. And she taught me the value of having a plan and just sticking with it. It sounds silly, but she taught me to just put one foot in front of the other and keep on keeping on. She and I came up against a lot of obstacles over the years, and yet we still did so much. Lissell did her first Training-level horse trials when she was 20 years old. TWENTY! Mid way through the season she was so fit that halfway through the cross country course at Middleburg Horse Trials she took off with me up a big hill, and I had little control for the second half of the course. But how did I make it through? By sitting in the middle and staying out of her way and just letting her do her thing. She then proceeded to jig her way back to the trailer. Needless to say, we cut back on her fitness days for the remainder of the season. Silly mare. 

Silly mare.

Always with an opinion.

Lissell also had an incredible knack for making you laugh. And she had a wicked sense of humor. She could be just so very bad, and all I could do most of the time was giggle. There was the time that she pushed past me at the gate and went cantering across the outdoor arena just to settle down outside the barn to munch on some grass. Or when I was lunging her and she decided to roll in the sand, shake off her grooming halter and refuse to be caught for 15 minutes. Mind you, she never left the arena (which isn't enclosed). She just stayed just out of reach until she was done amusing herself and the audience that gathered to watch her. Or the countless times that she managed to break out of whatever stall or paddock we had her in while recovering from various injuries over the years. I mean, just the most ridiculous things.

Talent.

Typical.

And then there was the cross tie breaking. She broke the cross ties the first day I met her in California, and this was a habit that continued throughout her life. She trained me fairly well over the years that I was able to keep it from happening most of the time. I think it was her way of teaching me to pay attention to details on the ground. Just like she demanded you be in perfect balance while riding her, she wanted your complete attention while you were working with her. 

Of course, I would be remiss to not mention Lissell's "personality" while grooming and tacking up. The faces she would make would make even the most experienced horseman take notice. She really didn't like to be touched, and it took many years for me to learn how to get her show clean without losing a finger. But again, she never actually did anything bad. And for all her ridiculousness with me and other more experienced riders, she was quite possibly one of the most kid- and husband-proof horses you could find. A friend's kid dragged a giant white bucket behind her, brushing her hind legs, while she was in the cross ties, and she didn't move an inch. If I had done that she probably wouldn't have stopped running until she was in the next county. Well really, she would have broken the cross ties, and then stood there staring at me with this, "You stupid human, that was totally your fault!" expression. I think this same kid tried playing jump rope with her lead rope, while it was attached to her, and again, she didn't move an inch. Scott could brush her head to toe without even an ear getting pinned back. She was just so trustworthy in these situations. 

A total pro.

Showing Lissell was just the icing on the cake. She was such an experienced show horse that you could concentrate on yourself and she would take care of the rest. She would stand on the trailer all day, or next to it. When I was younger and my dad would take me to horse shows, he would take her on walks around the show grounds so she could graze and I never worried about either of them. And in the last years of showing, she and Scott had the post cross-country cool down process down to a science. Scott would hold her as I would sponge and ice. Then they would go off for a walk, come back for more sponging and icing, etc. etc. There were times when I'm fairly sure that Lissell was leading Scott. But again, I never worried about either of them.    

<3

And so this is what I am going to miss the most. Lissell was one of the special horses in this world that viewed it as her sole purpose to take care of her people. And I just got to be the lucky one that the universe chose to be her person.  

Over the past few days I've been trying to think of how I can honor her, her life and all she taught me. And all I've been able to come up with is to just be present. Pay attention to detail. Always try to be better. Keep learning. And really put the time in to know my horse. Another kind friend told me that Lissell wasn't going to leave me until she had a worthy successor. So I will just try to do my best by Stilts, and see what the future brings. 

Some of my happiest memories with Lissell were just being with her. And while I will always remember how she felt pinging over that big table on the back of the Loch Moy course, giving me wings. I will miss just sitting with her in the barn. Watching her graze out in the field. Meandering around the woods in a halter and lead rope. Just being a girl with her horse. 

Until we meet again my Pretty Princess Lissell ...  

**********************************************

Dressage-ing.

There have been so many people that have played such a big part in Lissell's life with me, that I wanted to take a moment to thank them.

Dr. Roger Scullin for putting her back together time and time again over the years. For always finding an answer, for thinking outside of the box, and for keeping her sound and healthy for so long. Also for being a quiet, encouraging support system throughout the years. There is no one else that I trusted with her care, and I'm so thankful for everything you have done for us over the years.

 Bounce-ing.

Dr. Jim Lewis for continually coming out to do her teeth every six months, even though she was quite possibly the worst dental patient in history. Your patience and kindness with her was so very appreciated.

Dr. Pete Radue for your incredible kindness in these final weeks. For stepping in while Dr. Scullin was out of town and helping Lissell cross over in peace and comfort.

Mike Poe for being the bestest farrier a girl and her old horse could ask for. For being part of the dream team that kept Lissell sound, happy and healthy, whether we were galloping around big courses or going on bareback trail rides. 

Big bad event horse.

Kelley Williams for always seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. For taking an old out-of-shape ex-broodmare and her "kid" and guiding us through the levels. Your patience and sense of humor through all the tantrums (both Lissell's and my own!) and health set backs are so very appreciated, and also inspiring.

Kim Keating for all the fitness plans, management tips, and just general horse advice over the years. For helping make a very high maintenance Lissell manageable. 

Susan Graham White and Jane Seigler for helping "tame the beast" in the little white box. And for making miracles happen … aka a sub-40 dressage score.

Total badass at age 20.

Stephen Bradley for being the "check-in" trainer. For kindly laughing at me when my eyes bugged out of my head over the size of the jumps, and then telling me to go do it anyway.  

The entire A Bit Better Farm family for simply being there for the journey. For knowing when to hand me a tissue and when to hand me a drink. And for laughing at Lissell's antics, instead of getting annoyed.

Sue, Jenn, Suzannah and Scott for being both a sounding board and also part of Lissell's fan club. For finding the humor in all she did, and understanding why I had her. 

And to Nicki, Katherine and Pat for being there in her final moments when I couldn't. For helping her cross over surrounded by love and respect for a life well lived. 

My loves.

Exciting Announcements from Stephen Bradley Eventing!

We are so excited to announce that we have officially launched Stephen Bradley's BRAND NEW web site!! Be sure to check out all of the quality horses for sale that he has in the barn for sale as well as updates to the calendar to find a clinic with Stephen near you. CLICK HERE to take a look today!

Additionally, Stephen, along with his sister, Stephanie have created an on-line silent auction to benefit two animal rescues, FurEverHome Rescue and Cat's Cradle. Stephen and Stephanie have a special place in their heart for rescues and they hope you do too! There are many holiday gift ideas to bid on including lessons with Stephen, Mara Depuy and Jenn Simmons to name a few! CLICK HERE to get that last minute gift for the horse-lover in your life while donating to a great cause!

Stephen with his rescue dog, Juliet

MLE Clients & Friends Earn Top Finishes on 2014 USEA Year-end Leaderboards!

Will Faudree with Jennifer Mosing's Caeleste

Just wanted to send out a big shout out to all of the riders that ended the year with top placings on the 2014 USEA Year-End Leaderboards!

Gretchen Creesy (owner of C Square Farm graduate): #10t Novice Master Rider; #9t Novice Master Amateur Rider

Will Faudree: #20 World Equestrian Brands Rider of the Year Top 50 Riders

Ella Groner (student of Kelley Williams): #9 Training Junior Rider

Sofia Guarachi (owner of C Square Farm graduate): #10t Training Junior Rider

Ryan Keefe (student of Kelley Williams): #5 Novice Junior Rider

Ali Scannell (owner of C Square Farm graduate): #2t Training Junior Rider; Epona is #2t Training Horse

Southwind Farm's Sheri Thornley with her own Toga

Molly Sherman (student of Stephen Bradley): #5 Training Junior Rider

Sheri Thornley (owner of Southwind Farm): #3 Training Master Rider

Brittany Vinson (owner of C Square Farm graduate): #2t Training Young Adult Rider; Falcon Dusky Tiger is #10t Training Horse