Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Hallmark doesn't know about it, and I don't see it on my calendar, but it's a thing. I am declaring next week Trainer Appreciation Week. I've even got a sponsor. That's right, Riding Warehouse has stepped up and offered a $30 gift card for one lucky trainer. Unless this is your first time here, you already know that I had a less-than -fantastic experience at a recent clinic. Unfortunately, I let that experience really dampen my enthusiasm for dressage and riding in general. Thankfully MANY people reminded me how much fun riding is and that I do it for the love of the horse. My enthusiasm has returned! My own trainer posted a comment on Facebook reminding other trainers that they have a responsibility to build up their students rather than tear them down. So here is what I'd like to do. I want us all to stop and take a moment to thank our coaches and trainers for all the ways that they support and help us. If you have that kind of trainer, I am giving you a space to publicly acknowledge their awesomeness. Simply leave a comment describing how fabulous that person is. You can give them a shout out by writing their full name or simply use their initials. Write as much or as little as you'd like. You can also comment on my Facebook page or private message me. Email me directly if you'd prefer. No matter how you acknowledge your awesome trainer, just make sure you leave your name and email so I know how to contact you. Leave your comments by next Friday. I'll write everyone's name on a slip of paper and do a hat drawing over the weekend. On Monday, June 5th, I'll announce the lucky winner and email you the gift card code. You can present the $30 e-gift code to your trainer, or, you can buy a gift for them. Your choice!
I am going first by SHOUTING out to the world how AWESOME my own trainer is: Chemaine Hurtado, you are simply the world's best trainer!!!!!
Indi
5/26/2017 05:51:34 am
I ride with Leeanne Lloyd. As a 40-something rider who has been riding green OTTB'S for a decade or so I picked up a lot of defensive riding habbits. Leanne always builds up her riders and horses, instilling confidence in ourselves and each other. She encourages us to work hard and have fun. Love that woman!
I have to shout it from the rooftops: MINE is the best trainer!
You DO have a great trainer, one I respect and admire though I ride with another =D
Karen Burch
5/26/2017 03:31:18 pm
Ashke and I have been taking weekly lessons since last September with Amanda Moore. She has trained her own horse and is showing at Intermaire I. She is kind, gentle and always positive. She is encouraging to both of us and Ashke seeks her out for her affirmation that he's done well. She has helped us so much that I don't have any words. She is a great trainer and a great friend.
Bonnie
5/26/2017 05:42:55 pm
Maloree Hanks is absolutely the best trainer. My horse Patron and I have been taking weekly lessons with her for the past year. Patron is a young OTTB, and I am an adult re-rider who came back to riding several years ago after nearly 3 decades (!) of not riding. Maloree is patient and thoughtful with us both. She is always upbeat and positive and likes to end our sessions on a high note when Patron and I have done something good! She makes us both look and feel like superstars! I don't know what I would do without her. I have learned so much in the last year and look forward to continuing to grow and develop with Patron under her guidance.
Kelly McNamara
5/26/2017 07:50:30 pm
I love my trainer, Lisa Scebbi! She is taking me from traumatized (by my last horse who performed a random equine-assisted gravity check that put me off riding for almost 6 years) to confident, little by little. She knows when to push me beyond my fears in a safe way so that I don't regress, and with her help, I found a wonderful mare who is my perfect partner! Hope she wins!!
Kim Watts
5/26/2017 10:37:26 pm
I have ridden with the talented Amy Miller. She is a wonderful horsewoman as well as person. She helped me get my previous youngster successfully to I1. Then helped me when it was time to make the decision to sell her and start over. Even though it would mean losing money while I started my new filly at home.
Stephanie Wilson
5/27/2017 06:37:24 am
What can I say, but I agree with you. Chemaine Hurtado. She is the BEST. Always makes you feel great, even after an awful ride. Never a word to make you feel like it's not worth riding.
Val
5/27/2017 12:07:07 pm
What a great idea!
Deborah
5/27/2017 07:32:04 pm
I want to nominate Anne Quinn, who is not specifically a dressage trainer but an all-around trainer I have been working with for over 20 years now. She does an incredible job finishing a horse, and they never forget what she teaches them. She is also really good at helping riders with the little things, and to learn to ride with just the amount of aid that is needed at the time. She has helped me through a lot of issues with a lot of horses and I want to thank her very much for all she has done. I am loving my first even regular dressage trainer, Sandra Oxtoby! She is a beautiful rider but even more importantly excels at explaining things so I can understand them and see what to work on and how to progress between clinics. I only wish she lived closer, lessons every 3 months is not enough! 5/29/2017 07:22:57 pm
Shout out to my trainer Sean Cunningham. Through all the trial and tribulations of a pony and a client that gets injured, has surgery, and will take 12-18 months to rehab. Trying to keep the pony up to date and helping the client get back in the saddle so they can compete the next year. Not too many trainers want to take that on. Comments are closed.
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About the Writer and RiderI 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. About Speedy GSpeedy 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.
About IzzyIzzy 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.
National Rider AwardsState Rider Awards
State Horse Awards
Working Towards:
CDS Sapphire Rider Award Third Level: 63.514% Third Level: 62.105% Fourth Level: Fourth Level: 2023 Show Season
Show Rating (***) CDS/USDF/USEF (*) CDS (s) Schooling (c) Clinic (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic 2023 Show Schedule
TBD 2023 Completed … Pending 2023 Qualifying Scores
Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) Qualifying Training Level 3 Scores/2 Judges/60%: Score 1: Score 2: Score 3: Archives
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