As an owner and rider for the Nations Cup 2017, Mette received a beautiful trophy with her and Marron's name engraved on it together with the dates of the two Nations Cups in Europe which the pair participated in, as part of the US Dressage Team.
Rancho Murieta CDI3*
It was a wonderful ending of a great week at the CDI3* in Rancho Murieta, CA. Despite the weather, that once again was horrible, with covered arenas and a well organized show it all worked out.
Marron won the CDI GP Freestyle with a high score of almost 74% and he would have also won the Grand Prix if I would have walked to the correct letter. I picked S instead of H and that was a 2% deduction from each judge for that mistake. We still ended up second but the win was mine.
My other two horses, Fuego (3rd level) and Chrevi's Ramour (4th level) won their classes and both of them are stepping up to the plate. Not sure right now, when the next show will be for me, but this was a really good one! I will keep you all posted!
The Dressage Affaire CDI 1*
Even if I thought I would never be able to compete, when the worst rain storm was hitting LA, I did manage to pull it off and it turned out to be a very successful weekend.
I showed my three horses in the national show; Marron - GP, Ram - 4th level and Fuego 2nd level. They were all super!
It's hard though to write about that you win your class, when there is barely anyone in it, but it is the scores and the judges comments that counts and whats really making me happy.
The highlight of the weekend was that Anna and her horse Lourdes won both the CDI Prix St. George and the Int.1! So between the two of us, we once again did really good.
The next show for me will be the CDI 3* in Rancho Murieta. This time Marron will do the Grand Prix and the Musical Freestyle. Ram and Fuego will compete in the national show, Ram is still doing 4th level and Fuego is going to try out in 3rd level. I'm very much looking forward to this show and I will keep you all posted!
Clinic in Minneapolis
I had the pleasure to be teaching a wonderful group of up and coming young riders as well as some adults in Minneapolis this past weekend at the beautiful farm owned by the Schmidt Family. Here is Bianca Schmidt on her lovely horse Cenna.
High Percentage Champions at the LA Mid Winter Dressage
Both Fuego and Chrevi's Ramour were awarded High Percentage Champions at the LA Mid Winter Dressage in Burbank, CA. Fuego won the Training - Second level Open devision and Ramour won the Third - Fourth level Open devision.
LA mid winter dressage show
Wonderful pictures from a rainy LAEC with the best fanclub ever!
The young guys were out for the first time in a long time. Great practice, great results - even though a bit wet..
As always I'm so thankful for my sponsors; Riding in a Custom saddle, bridle, boots and saddlepad by PS of Sweden, beautiful show jacket and breaches from Mastermind and show shirt from Goode Rider, gloves by Heritage, stirrups by MDC Stirrups. I washed my horses with K9 shampoo and added on the final touches with their amazing products like hoof balm and show shine. I feed my boys Triple Crown Complete and for supplements I can always count on Platinum Performance for the best results! Thank you each and one of you for all your support and fantastic products!
EquiFest - Expo in Topeka, Kansas
I think this is fun!!
A week ago I was the clinician at the big Expo; EquiFest in Topeka, Kansas.
It was a great weekend, with the best crowd and fun students to work with!
I taught two dressage lessons a day and had one lecture each day.
It’s an amazing event with top trainers from many different fields of the equestrian world; working, telling there point, of what they are good at!
So it is really everything from cowboy hats to helmets, coming together for a couple of days!
Exiting!!
EquiFest of Kansas 2018
Mette is in Topeka, Kansas this weekend as a presenter of classic dressage, at the Equifest of Kansas. Topics include: "Improve your lower level tests", "Thinking outside the Dressage box", "Importance of basic work", "Getting your horse thinking forward", "Looking closer at lateral work" and "What is cross-training?" She will also take a closer look at " Musical Freestyle".
It will sure be a very interesting, exiting and educational weekend for everyone attending! Hope to see you there!
Adequan West Coast Dressage Festival
There is so much great to say about the last, of the four, Adequan West Coast Dressage Festival, held in Del Mar the week of February 14-17th!
The shows has been incredibly well organized, totally top of the line, and a staff that made the show so much fun to attend!
This time it was Anna Blomdahl on her home breed horse Lourdes, in the small tour, and me on Marron in the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special.
Anna had two good rides, but the one in Int1 was very special! She rode so good and just danced the test away! Ended up 5th in a huge class with many good horses and riders, with two judges having her in first. Scores close close close! Super fun and exiting!!!
Marron did great in the Grand Prix and ended up 4th, very close to third, in a huge class of 15 great horses and riders. The second day we placed as well, this time in the GPS. He got very spooked by the “fiddle music” that blasted down in the center of the ring just around X. The Del Mar arena is definitely not his favorit arena to show in, and the music at X didn’t make it better! but..It is what it is, and what to do!?? Just bad luck! He had some really great moments though; so on to the next one!
So to Scott Hayes and his Team! Thank you!!! We are all looking forward to next year! Please keep this going! And for you that could not come this year, make sure you plan on coming 2019!
I will now take my young horses to LAEC; for the Mid Winter national show the first weekend of March. I’m so looking forward to bringing them out!
Before that show I will Fly to Kansas and Topeka to be the presenter at the big Horse Expo!
Different and fun! I will keep you posted!
USDF FEI-Level Trainers Conference with Johann Hinnemann
This year the United States Dressage Federation, hosted its USDF FEI-Level Trainers Conference in Del Mar, California, on February 6-7th. The presenter of the conference was the well known and worldwide recognized trainer and coach, Johann Hinnemann.
Both Anna and I took part in the conference during the two full days as we soaked up inspiration by watching Mr. Hinnemann teach some of the top riders from California.