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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Clinic With Chemaine - Part 1

9/28/2015

 
I may have mentioned that I was riding with Chemaine this month, but I didn't really elaborate or clarify. What started as a few lessons split between me and another rider across town ended up being an actual clinic, albeit a very casual one.
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Chemaine, our clinician for the day. Photo by Edyta
In all started in late July when Chemaine suggested that she could drive the two hours to Bakersfield to give me (and another rider) lessons. She stipulated that she needed at least four lessons between us (we both have two horses), but more riders would make the trip worth her time. I started sending out message to anyone who I thought might be interested. In all, we ended up with eight lessons, a full day!
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Even some western dressage - Photo by Edyta
I will say that organizing a clinic, even a casual one, is not for the faint of heart. I don't know if it's just riders or people in general, but we're a fickle, high maintenance group of individuals. We had riders who don't deal with the heat, riders without trailers, riders who live across town, and riders with at least one crazy horse (I am raising my hand). I have put on one other clinic, and I've certainly attended a few, so I felt pretty confident that I could pull it off, even with all of the special requests.

Chemaine and I messaged back and forth until we had her travel arrangements sorted. From there, it was just a matter of scheduling the rides. In the end, the first three rides were scheduled at a barn on the west side of town. This worked out fine as that barn wasn't too far off the highway. From there, Chemaine ended up traveling another 40 minutes to reach my barn which is on the extreme east side of town.
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Just starting their ride.
 Even though the clinic was to be casual, I wanted everyone to feel relaxed and comfortable, so I loaded up the ice chest with a case of bottled water and snacks galore. My husband, who works for a major table grape grower, stopped by one of the vineyards on Friday night and hand picked a box of grapes for us - delicious!

While the original plan was just to have a lesson or two, I realized that if I was having company, I wanted to make sure the barn was extra clean and welcoming. During the week, I printed out waivers, made directional posters, planned for chairs, swept, cleaned out the arena water trough, and made sure that the poles that form my little dressage court were straight and accurate.
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Chemaine's awesome daughter - photo by Edyta
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Chemaine's equally awesome son - photo by Edyta
The morning of the clinic, I set up a small "hospitality" area with snacks and drinks and chairs (later manned by Chemaine's fabulous family crew). I dragged my sprinklers around for several hours, soaking the footing. When there is no breeze here, the dust hangs in the air which is a real nuisance. 

Once everything was in place, I jumped in my truck and zipped over to a nearby barn to pick up our trailer-less rider. Her boy hopped in with nary a complaint and unloaded just as nicely. Since he was to be at my barn for the entire day, I had arranged for him to hang out in the turnout next door, the same one that I use for Izzy. Just as we were finishing turning him out, our first rider pulled in.
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Enjoying her day. Photo by Edyta's camera, shot by Morgan!
Our two riders with heat sensitivity rode first, even though the coolest part of the morning was long past. Chemaine started teaching at 7:00 a.m. across town, but it was 10:30 before our first rider was able to start. By then it was already 88℉ and climbing. 

Even though it was toasty, everyone kept a positive attitude about the heat. There was a small bit of shade in the arena, so Chemaine was able to escape some of the sun when she needed to cool off. The rest of us had a lovely shaded area in which to hang out and watch the riders. Our wash rack is right next to the barn and arena, so each horse was able to have a cooling shower after their ride.
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We do it all around my place! - Photo by Edyta
Since I was riding two horses, I rode third and fifth. The rider in between my two lessons does western dressage, so that was a lot of fun to watch. She's an excellent rider and her horse is very well schooled. 
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Trying so hard to lift those withers - photo by Edyta
As I was cooling off and untacking Izzy, the group jumped in and put away the chairs and packed up the food and drinks. We had a late lunch/early dinner reservation at a nearby Mexican restaurant so Chemaine and her awesome teens went to my house to regroup while I drove our trailer-less rider back to her barn. 
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Not going to lie - WOW! There were plenty of icky shots, but this one is really nice! Photo by Edyta
Dinners with Chemaine are always a boisterous and fun affair and this one was no different. Nine of us ended up sitting around a large round table. We shared funny stories and throughly enjoyed ourselves. And of course, every one wanted to know when Chemaine is coming back.
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Dinner - not pictured is our photographer, Edyta!
I am working on it, ladies!

​Part 2 tomorrow ...
Tracy link
9/28/2015 07:13:06 am

How awesome! Sounds like a really great time :D

Bakersfield Dressage link
9/28/2015 12:46:55 pm

It was fun! :0)

emma link
9/28/2015 07:43:02 am

wow that shot of Izzy is gorgeous - can't wait to hear the details! congrats on hosting a successful clinic!

Bakersfield Dressage link
9/28/2015 12:48:40 pm

You'll be bored by the end of the week, Emma, I assure you. Four lessons in two days is a lot to share. :0)

I think I am going to share the series of photos leading up to and after that one as they illustrate how great Chemaine's teaching is.

Jan link
9/28/2015 09:23:01 am

I want to come next time! Do you think you could arrange a cross country haul? Haha! Sounds like a great clinic! And I really like that shot of Izzy too!

Bakersfield Dressage link
9/28/2015 12:49:32 pm

You would be more than welcome, but I don't think I can get there in back in ten minutes! LOL

SprinklerBandits
9/28/2015 10:42:46 am

Sounds like so much fun! Glad you got it worked out. :-)

Bakersfield Dressage link
9/28/2015 12:51:32 pm

We had a good time, but putting equine events together is a tough gig. I actually sent a friend a message about how I wanted to pull my hair out. She organizes a ton of these things. Her response was to just sit tight and go with the flow. She was right - it all worked out smoothly.

Megan link
9/28/2015 11:00:47 am

Organizing a clinic is SO difficult. Sounds like you organized a great one though! Excited to hear how your rides went!

Bakersfield Dressage link
9/28/2015 12:53:16 pm

It worked out, but trying to ensure that everyone makes it and leaves wanting to come again is definitely hard work. These were all people I know personally though so it made it a lot easier.

Austen link
9/28/2015 12:21:22 pm

I used to organize all the clinics for my trainer at my farm in Indy, and it was such a pain! Really worth it to have my trainer for the whole day and not have to drive over 2 hours one way. So I totally know how you feel!

Bakersfield Dressage link
9/28/2015 12:55:39 pm

At one point, I joked that driving 2 1/2 hours each way would have almost been preferable a few times. :)

But you're right having her come to me was really convenient, even though I spent way more than 5 hours organizing and helping people feel comfortable in my barn.


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I am a lifelong rider. 
    I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
    ​Welcome to my dressage journey.
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    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
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    Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
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