While the snow comes down and we had to cancel clinics and schooling show today there are a few things I would like to share. First of all people often ask me if I miss riding. One of the things I miss is riding in the snow -- especially when it has been cold so that the show is light and fluffy. I think the horses love it; I got my first sense of suspension and even passage with my little western horse bouncing along at the trot.

But back to my world now. As one who would watch the super bowl for the ads I hope everyone has seen this year's Budweiser ad -- One of the things I have always said about my retirement (yeah, right) is that I want to look out on a pasture with Clydesdales in it. If you haven't seen it, here is the link: http://sports.aol.com/nfl/superbowlads?videoId=2065836

I also want to share a comment from one my vets, Matt Eliott who is also an event rider. He wrote me a note from Florida where he is for the winter. I help him with his Dressage occasionally. He is such a terrific student and inspiring:

The dressage is essential to the rest of it and I spend hours at it !!! It is always challenging, requiring focus and yet, relaxation. There are so many components along the way to making it all happen..... discipline, determination, letting go and yet holding on....a collage of sorts...much like life!!

I remember almost every time I swing my leg over my dressage saddle, many of your "pearls of wisdom" ....."Offer, don't give!"......"The take means nothing without the release!"

Every morning one of the first things I do when I sit down at my computer is check the website www.dressagedaily.com. Mary Phelps does a remarkable job giving everyone up to date news on this free site. I just read with special interest about the recent Graduate Young Rider Program. Liza Sydnor passed on a lot of excellent info that she received at the program. I wanted to share a poem that speaker Carol Lavel had written and shared with everyone:

Give credit where credit is due,
Don't take credit when it's not about you.
Remember the dressage world is very small,
Fame comes to those who stand very tall.
Honor those who give you their time,
Boosting you so your star can shine.
When and if you climb to glory,
It's now time to write a new story
About sharing , giving, helping, support,
It's now your time to give back to your sport.

At the Youth Dressage Festival every year the judges speak to the riders at the evening dinner. Carol gave one of the best talks we have ever had. In a nut shell she told us all to stop complaining about riding in the extreme heat -- if you go to the Olympics you and your horse will have to deal with it. She was much more entertaining than I have been!

Anne Gribbons and Contact

I am always a bit behind in my reading, but tonight I did get through the December 21 Chronicle of the Horse. Anne Gribbons has a wonderful article on contact at: http://www.chronofhorse.com/index.php?cat=23007043193535&ShowArticle_ID=1212012070529024

You have to be a subscriber to the Chronicle to read this -- borrow one if you don't have it. I spend my life trying to help riders with the feel of a correct, elastic connection with the horse's mouth -- to be "there" without pulling, to have total elasticity without losing the contact, to be serious about riding half halts. Anne does a lovely job explaining this.

An Inspirational Photo

I hope each of you is aware that there are different ways for people to learn -- I am totally a visual learner. Some people need to feel to learn, some to have the technique explained....

For me pictures mean a great deal and for that reason I am an annoyance to publications that use photos of incorrect riding.

Anyway there is a photo of Spanish rider Victor Alvarez on the home page of www.dressagedaily.com this morning that shows such wonderful riding. I suggest when you go to ride next you have that picture in your mind. (not of the horse tilting his head :-)

Weekend Educational Program

What a great weekend we just had. I have to tell everyone that our new location was a huge success. Our speakers were so generous with their time and knowledge. How lucky we are to have such people be willing to help us out.
But I was most pleased by the comment from the school janitor just as I was leaving at the end of today. He said they had never had a group take such good care of the facility and be so pleasant to work with. YEAH us! And thanks to everyone who helped out. I especially want to thank Kathy Kiesel, Kim Best, Susan Sieber, and Connie Cartesio who spent so much time yet were not able to listen to any of the speakers because they ran the registration, handled the activities for the children, and sold the merchandise.
I'm also really excited because I two people offer to help with our other activities -- yeah, new volunteers for D4K!
I am super tired and have to finish unpacking all the"stuff". Check out the website for Jeff Kurtz' photos.