Guenter Seidel & DressageClinic.com

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 02:16:29 +0000

I recently joined www.dressageclinic.com as a member to view their many videos online. I was a temporary member a year ago when I was in Florida, needing some inspiration for my riding. Now, being in Maine I feel the need for more inspiration! I have been watching all of Guenter Seidel’s videos…he is one of my favorite riders. Such a strong, elegant position and he really brings out the best in his horses. What I love the most about watching him in his daily training is how well he understands each and every horse he rides. Each one has a completely different personality and physical weaknesses and strengths. He is very quiet in his voice as well, praising the horse but keeping everything contained and calm. He uses transitions constantly, in and out of each gait and also within each gait. He knows where to place the horse’s neck to help with specific engagement or back issues and he gives a lot of walk breaks on a long rein to let the horse rest and relax mentally. His horse’s health and well being is #1 and then the progress in training comes #2. It was so unfortunate that he was sidelined with a pelvic fracture but luckily he is back in top form, ready for the London Olympics. Here is a fun video of him and Elizabeth Ball doing a pas de deux to Phantom of the Opera. This music holds a special place in my heart from the many years I performed as the Phantom in the Isaac Royal Equestrian Theater. Guenter needed my cape and hat to complete his outfit!! This video was taken years ago but coincidentally the borrowed horse he is riding is now his Olympic hopeful! Funny how life works out isn’t it! Enjoy!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UcMiJBdmas

Second “Friesians in Pink” Practice

admin — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 01:36:24 +0000

We had our second quadrille practice for Friesians in Pink at Volo Farm in Westford, MA. We had 9 horse and rider combinations. I wasn’t able to bring Douwe to the practice but Scott Thomas was generous to let me ride his World Champion gelding Klaas. It was raining and cold so the horses were a little excited but we walked through the choreography many times so they were able to warm up. This was my second time riding Klaas, he is a lot of fun but a little tense in the beginning. He has a lovely trot and is easy to sit, even when he is really forward. I did a lot of leading in the quadrille with Danielle Barrasso on her stallion Stephen. In this photo I am the 4th rider from the left on Klaas. We added some new moves to the choreography and had a very successful ride! Keep updated on the group and upcoming performances on our Facebook Page. Enter “Friesians in Pink” to find us.

Bitless Dressage with Douwe

admin — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:52:42 +0000

I started riding my Friesian gelding Douwe in a cross-under bitless bridle and he is going really well in it! I am using Dr. Cook’s Bitless Bridle which can be found at: www.bitlessbridle.com. My mother-in-law Bethanne bought his bridle at the Equine Affaire 4 years ago and it has been in the bag ever since! I wanted to try it on her horse Rovandio because he has an old injury to his face and I thought that he might be more comfortable in the bitless. He did well in the bridle but I actually noticed a much bigger difference in Douwe. At first he was a little confused by the different pressure of the reins, they cross under the chin so the action of the left rein gives soft pressure on the right side of the horse’s face. This actually helps to bend the horse and supple them at the poll because you are not pulling directly on their mouth but using more of a guiding action. The bitless bridle immediately helped with his bend and balance, especially on his more difficult left rein. We were cantering circles to the left with more ease and Douwe seemed a lot more comfortable in his body. He is using his neck really well and he feels more connected through his topline. I was hoping to show him in the bitless bridle but it is currently not allowed in USEF competitions. I will definitely school him in the bitless and use it for performing until the rules are changed. I will keep my fingers crossed that it will be allowed in the near future.

Practicing Spanish Walk

Everything Equine ~ April 28 & 29

admin — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:45:22 +0000

I will have a vendor booth at the Everything Equine trade show and expo in Essex Junction, VT on April 28th and 29th. This event is held at the Champlain Valley Exposition. Click here to visit their website: http://cvexpo.org/equine.aspx They will have a lot of vendors for some fun shopping and a lot of activities throughout the weekend. There will be top riders to give clinics, do demos, and give lectures. The primary focus of the weekend’s educational opportunities will be the “World of Eventing” with featured clinician Sue Berrill. They will also have Denny Emerson as their special guest presenter. On Sunday at 10:30 they will be having the Everything Equine Extreme Trail Challenge with 25 horse and rider teams showing off their horsemanship and skills in this judged and timed event. There is over $2,700 in prize money with $1,500 going to the winner. On Saturday evening they have an equine variety show that I would love to perform at with Douwe next year. I will have all of my products at the show along with additional products by Woofhoof including Batik satin halters, dog collars and leashes, cell phone holders for riders, and a wide variety of treat pouches.

First “Friesians in Pink” Practice

admin — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 00:11:54 +0000

Douwe and I have joined a new quadrille performance troupe called Friesians in Pink. This group was brought together by the Friesian Events Association, run by Scott and Deb Thomas of Fabled Friesians, Terri Ray, and Cindi Spear of Black Thunder Friesians. This was our first time going through the new choreography and letting all the different horses get to know one another. Thank you to Jody Cabot for trailering Douwe and I to Massachusetts where we all met at Volo Farm. Douwe was a little nervous on the trailer ride down, spooking at the big trucks going by and not eating much of his hay. Normally Douwe is a wonderful traveller but it was a cool, crisp morning and we left very early for the 4 hour trailer ride. At the practice we had 9 horse and rider combinations! Everyone did a fabulous job riding the routine. We walked it on foot first and then walked it on horseback. Everything went so smoothly that we rode through the routine in the trot and worked on some of the harder elements at the end. Douwe had a lot of energy and was having a good time but he ended up getting hiccups at the end because he was dehydrated. The hiccups went away immediately once he had some water and he was more relaxed after the exercise. I am looking forward to performing with this group, everyone is very positive and friendly. The purpose of the quadrille is to raise money for causes such as breast cancer. The Friesian Events Association has already donated money to people in need amongst the Friesian community and they would like to help many others.

Me and Douwe on the left, Cindi Spear on the right.

Practicing our centerlines.

Brechtje P ~ Friesian Mare for Sale

admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:35:48 +0000

Brechtje P is a coming 4yr mare standing at 16h and was imported from Holland as a weanling. She is sired by Tietse 428 who is a grand prix approved stallion and has produced many champion foals, taking with them his unbelievable trot and stunning looks. Her Dam is Haemke who is out of Feitse 293 also known for producing offspring with an amazing trot. She is full papered making her Ideal for a breeding program.Brechtje P has a wonderful disposition and absolutely loves her work. She is easily trained and clips, loads and is good for the vet and farrier. She has great stamina and carries herself with pride but is very feminine all at the same time. Bretchje has a very loving personality and is eager to please. She is currently riding and driving and showing great potential in both.

Brechtje P was the 2011 Reserve Champion Mare
at the Kuering. She was 2nd Premie and was awarded her Ster.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsvOszhA5Zo

Four Seasons Farm
Robert and Barbara McDonald
1-802-233-6806
rmcdonald@ipcg.com

Marsha & Cobra Video Update

admin — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:25:06 +0000

I am currently in Tallahassee, FL teaching at Southern Oaks Equestrian Center, owned by Marsha Hartford-Sapp. I love coming to Marsha’s facility because the atmosphere is friendly and all her clients are willing to learn and fun to teach. Marsha has me work with her mustang gelding Cobra when I am in Florida, advancing his dressage training. Right now we are working on increased collection in the canter, tempi changes and starting to school the canter pirouettes. He has a nice canter halfpass and has developed really good balance. His trotwork is improving and we are working to develop more suspension. We have been working on half-steps under saddle, piaffe in-hand and developing a little passage to help him gain more lift in his stride. Marsha has also been riding Cobra bridleless and doing an awesome job. Watch this video to see some of Cobra’s tempi changes, spanish walk, and flying changes without the bridle.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e-ds0twvcw

Douwe Wins Class at HorseShow.com

admin — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 18:05:13 +0000

I am a new member of the virtual horse show website called www.horseshow.com. They offer different online shows that you can upload and submit videos to enter. Recently I entered their Dressage Encore Performance class. It was judged by Natalie Lamping, an FEI level dressage judge. This class was unique in that it allowed members to enter videos from previous shows. I submitted a video of Douwe from our show season last year in Florida. The top three riders were awarded $500 each in prize money. Douwe and I were one of the three winners! I recommend this website to anyone who would like to gain some valuable feedback from qualified judges. Natalie Lamping gave each rider detailed feedback on their performance. She was spot on with her commentary and I am looking forward to entering more virtual shows.

Guy McLean ~ Theatre Equus

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 01:35:21 +0000

Here is my favorite cowboy doing his thing! Guy is from Australia and does such a fabulous job with his four horses. I love to watch him work because his horses appear relaxed and happy when they are performing. Guy appears to have a lot of fun entertaining the crowd and does something a little different in each performance. I always look forward to watching him…enjoy the video!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_gN0ummlLQ

Behind the Mask ~ Theatre Equus

admin — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 23:50:52 +0000

I just got home today after a long week at the Horse World Expo in Harrisburg, PA. I had a booth for my SandraB. Designs products. My friend Diane (owner of Woofhoof) came with me to Pennsylvania and we worked together in the booth. This was my first time being a vendor at the Horse World Expo and I lucked out with a good spot and great vendor neighbors. I was able to venture to all the other booths during the day, watch a few demos and talk to the other exhibitors. This was a lovely improvement from the Equine Affaire where I was tied to my booth the entire time and missed the opportunity to wander around. I was particularly excited to watch the Theatre Equus on Friday night. It is similar to Fantasia at the Equine Affaire but not quite as high-profile. I was able to take some video clips of routines that I liked including the “Behind the Mask” Friesian quadrille. I know some of the riders in this group and watched them perform at the Equine Affaire. Here is the video of their performance: