Championships

As we are about to leave for the championships, I am reflecting on years past.
Many of you don't know how SWDC began and also how lucky we are to have our regional championships right here in Houston EVERY YEAR!
I attended my first Regional Championship in St Louis, MO.  That was in the 80's and we only had four regions in the US.  It was a long  haul and meant taking  off several work  days and spending a lot of money!
So, SWDC was formed so that we could compete in a champs and stay closer to home with friendlier rules.
Then USDF divided the country into more regions, 9 now, so that no one would have to travel far.  Houston just happens to have the largest venue, Great Southwest EC so we usually get the bid.  However, our region covers five staes and many of the competitors have to make quite a trip to be here.
When you meet someone this weekend from out of town, appreciate their efforts. 
And know that this show is a culmination of efforts from years past.
But mostly, have fun and enjoy the efforts of those past volunteers who brought the show and sport to this moment in time.

Think like a horse

If you were a horse your happiest moments would be secure, unchanging and in a herd. 
They are prey animals, as oposed to predators like us (even vegetarians!).  Their survival depends on following the herd leader with unquestioning obedience.  In nature, if the herd leader says, "Run!" they must do so immediately or the consequence might be death.
Our domesticated horses are not evolutionarily far from this sentiment.  That's what makes them trainable.  The desire to obey and be "with us".  When we ride, we are a herd of two and it is imperative that the rider is the herd leader.  Otherwise, our mount loses confidence which can produce undesirable behavior in many forms.
Think like a horse and take charge (with kindness of course!)

Lemony's Nicket

While I was in Verden, Germany for the World Champion Young Horse competition, I saw the Hanoverian year old stallions compete as well.  The classes were run like the US Materiale with three horses going at once.  My very favorite, and the winner by the way, was the young stallion, Lemony's Nicket.  He's a beautiful bay by Londonderry out of a Weltmeyer mare.
Well . . . I must have great taste because I've just read that he sold for 900,000 Euro at the Verden auction to none other than Harmony Sport Horses of the US.
He will apparently stay in Germany for now.  Look for great things from this handsome young man!  I have a special feeling about him.

10 reasons I like the drought

1.  No mosquitoes (or at least very few)
2.  Haven't cleaned my horse's feet in three months.
3.  No mowing.
4.  Clean horses.
5.  No muddy paw prints on the kitchen floor.
6.  Fire ants are suffering
7.  I now sit outside at night for dinner
8.  Haven't had sauna in the arena (much)
9.  Have put off replacing gutters to the tune of 5K
10.  And the number one reason I like the drought . . . no rain rot/scratches/dew poisoning on the horses!

travels abroad

This august I traveled to the Netherlands, Germany and Finland for the most wonderful "horsey" vacation .  Well, actually I was teaching in Finland but got in lots of sightseeing as well.
The first event was the world championship of young horses in Verden.  This was my third year to attend and the horses and riding were the best.  In the past, the judges seemed to reward tension and "passagy" trots if they produced brilliance.  That has thankfully changed. In most cases, the warm-ups and the rides presented very good basics with incredible impulsion and confidence.  Of course these were young horses with rowdy crowds, so some tension is inevitable.
In the end, the fabulous mare, Woodlander Farouch from Great Britain won the 5 yr. champs, while Astrix from the Netherlands repeated his win from the previous year and took home the 6 yr old title.
You can watch both on youtube!
More later including pics!

cool breeze

When it's 100 degrees outside, a cool breeze would be a nice thing, right?
Here's an idea:  When you ride, lift your chin high.  Open your throatlatch, just like we want our horses to do when they stretch.  If you do this, you'll feel and air move over your neck and throat and it really will make  a difference.  The good news is that it will also improve your riding posture and your horse's impulsion and throughness,  It sounds like such a small thing but the result can be powerful.
Give it a try and let me know how it goes.
Marie Morgan
http://solstice-farms.com/

quadrille lessons

You can see the finished product on the website:  http://solstice-farms.com/
It really looks great but it has been a journey!
The quadrille lessons were different for everyone but we all ended up with better horses and better riding skills.  Loverboy had to learn to play well with others, he had a tendency to pin his ears when Furiant came close.  After the third or fourth week of practice however, Mary and I were "Clinking stirrups" regularly.  As his rider, I had to learn to stop worrying that he might kick another horse.  They all seemed to get into the herd thing and got along.
Many horses had to learn to speed up or lengthen their stride on command.  Others needed to collect.
We all learned the meaning of "dress right and left"
Mostly we learned to ride as a team.  In this highly individual sport, it was perhaps the best lesson yet.
Thanks to Emee for inspiring us!