Suzanne's Blog
Conrad Schumacher Clinic held November 8 & 9, 2009
ormation
to riders so they learn to pro-actively ride and train their
horses. They leave their lessons content, and with exercises
introduced to them that they can apply to every day training
sessions on their own. To learn more about Mr. Schumacher and
his system, take a look at the following link:
Wow! This last quarter of 2009 is filled with some exciting news! Since we are catching up this month, there's a lot to share...
March: After several "heart to
heart" talks and interviews with Jessica Jo
Tate, aka as JJ, I sent her my nine-year-old
Rhinelander gelding, Rower BE to ride and
show. I had trained him to do most of the
FEI movements, and he was coming along
beautifully in the piaffe/passage. JJ is a
young, up-and-coming talent. I decided to
sponsor her at least this show season with
"R BE," and they did really great! I made
the decision to do this in light of my new
marriage and busy schedule teaching and
training here at home in Atlanta.
April: I went to the Netherlands
and purchased a five-year old gelding by
current dressage world champion, Ravel. His
name is Zephyr, and people who know Ravel
say that "Zee Zee" inherited the same
wonderful temperament and movement as his
sire. Yippee!
August: JJ and Rower BE competed in
the Developing Young Horse Championships at
Lamplight, in Chicago. Thay qualified and
were amongst the top 12 horse and riders in
the country to compete there. They placed
fifth overall! And, Rower showed in his
first Prix St. Georges ever, there! Now,
that was some good riding(and training, I
might add)!
September: JJ showed R BE 4th level
at Dressage at Devon, and they were the
champions! It sure was fun watching them in
the victory parade in the electric
atmosphere of the Dixon Oval! R BE was a
super star!
In between R BE's rides, Sallie Dixon gave
me a tour of the facilities at Thorncroft
Therapeutic, which is the yearly beneficiary
of the proceeds from Devon. I put up a
challenge grant during the show, and as a
result, they reeled in about an additional
$4,000 in private contributions at the
show(outside of the show proceeds)!
Back home in Atlanta, the floods that week
ruined the property at Dancing Horse Farm.
Along with the footing in the arena, I lost
a lot of land alongside the banks of
Peachtree Creek(again). We are in the
process of re-building the banksand
strengthening them with "rip-rap," and
dredging and re-placing the footing in the
arena. My heart especially goes out to
those who actually lost their homes, barns
and horses. Since our house and guest house
were un-occupied at that time, I offered
them to two families who lost EVERYTHING in
their homes in the floods. They are grateful
to have places to stay while they renovate
and re-build.
Meanwhile, Shereen and Jeff Fuqua
generously allowed me to take my horses
temporarily to their farm during
re-construction at Dancing Horse Farm. The
footing at Collecting Gaits is fantastic,
which is big help for Cooper, who is "on the
mend." Keep your fingers crossed! And, I
am moving along well with Zephyr, teaching
him flying changes and half-passes.
Ciao,