440-428-8550
440-983-1495
An easy drive from anywhere in Lake, Geauga, and Ashtabula counties.
News!
As of June, I am still frustrated! :( The lovely new saddle fit beautifully for about 2 weeks, and then both Brak and Ford had built enough new muscles that it doesn't anymore. With the help of the people at ReactorPanel, it has been made comfortable again, but it keeps sliding forward. I am now waiting to receive a new girth that has helped others with a similar problem. Without a doubt, the worst part of owning horses is fitting saddles.
Still not letting my time go to waste though! I went to a seminar with Charles de Kunffy, one of the world's most respected Classical trainers and instructor's, on teaching riders on the longe line. I also attended a lecture/demo by Colleeen Kelly, who presents herself as a world-class expert on rider biomechanics, and a great many people seem to believe her. I was totally unimpressed, but I would be happy to give her a lesson in biomechanics anytime she wants to improve her knowledge base.
2009 was a frustrating year. Brak outgrew his saddle which started us on a much-too-long quest to find a new one. The bad news is that we made no progress in our training whatsoever, and I spent a ridiculous amount of money having saddles shipped back and forth on trial. The good news is that I have learned a huge amount about fitting saddles. The better news is that we finally found a saddle to fit! I am smitten with ReactorPanel saddles.
However I did not let 2009 go to waste. In fact I earned not one but 2 important
credentials. I am now licensed to teach science to grades seven through twelve AND
I am an Ohio approved horse show judge. I got to judge several shows in 2009
(and a 4-H clinic), and received these comments:
"Amanda provided interesting patterns"
"worked all classes methodically and gave exhibitors plenty
of time to show their abilities with their horses"
"offered constructive criticism to help with their next classes"
"nice to work with"
"good with kids"
"knowledgeable"
"quick"
However, I still am feeling frustrated by my lack of riding progress. There was so much I wanted to do last year, and all that ambition just got bottled up, so now I feel as though I might just explode! So here are my explosive plans for 2010: I am aiming for my bronze medal. My focus has always been on learning and teaching, not on competing. However I have recognized for a while the shortsightedness of that course of action. I thought we would rectify that last year, but alas, it was not to be! Is it possible to get the scores we need at 3 very different levels of performance all in one year? On a OTTB who has never shown? We shall see!Check back often to see how we are doing!
