John Lassetter Dressage Clinic May 20-22

John has been coming to Maui twice a year since 1999? How blessed we are! World class dressage instruction on your own horse. When you live in the middle of the Pacific. In the most remote location in the world ( really Hawaii is the farthest of any island from a major land mass) that is a big thing. He travels half way around to
world to get here. The first time he arrived it poured and poured and he kept right on teaching. His boots were full of water! One time his luggage did not arrive. Bummer! Not to mention the long flights here, transfers....
I love John's lessons! He shows you where you need to go. His lessons are perfect for riders who do not get much help because when you learn the exercises and the increasing complexity.. if you set up the cones... it provides a great gauge for your progression. You have learned a good warm up routine which you can vary. You learn many different methods of introducing different exercises.
I have amazing rides with him, wish I could do the same on a daily basis.

John Lassetter Dressage Clinic October 22-25

True to form it started to rain 2 days before John arrived and it has been raining for 2 days after he has left. What was great was we had 3 days of no rain for the clinic! Friday and Saturday were quite warm with no wind. 3 of my horses were in the Clinic: Kalae (Kalypso/Kronenkranich/Pik solo): Wondermann (Wonderful/Weltmeyer/Pik Solo) and Rupert (Routinier/Rubenstein/ Pointmaker)
I had 3 fabulous lessons! The continuous melding of one geometric exercise into another complimentary one quickly supples the horse. In no time my horse becomes fluid and she powers up into an amazing ride. It is effortless and fun! Why can't we get this on our own? Sigh. John's comment "Kalae is a very special horse" Yes she is!
She always tries so hard! Carole discovered her R saddle pannel had a small lump mid pannel where the airbags have bunced up, and it was more compressed on the R. My horse!.. we immediately switched saddles
Rupert at 5 years old is in his second clinic with John. He has 60 rides under his belt ( girth) and was really moving out well, no resistances... really trying. The last day Zach volunteered to ride in a dressage saddle and they both excelled. I just love him! John advised me not to ride him yet and I have to agree.
Wondermann really impressed John. "I was most impressed by Wondermann". Dianne rode him the first 2 days and did a great job. John said "For me they make a very nice pair". Kim rode him the last day and he was a good boy and going well foward.
Jackie and Bella, Linda and Bambino, Belinda and Bella, also had great rides.
John gave a lecture Friday afternoon. Great information. Especially pertanent to me were 4 school figure exercises for introducing the flying change. I was able to ride all 4 patterns.. still just a bit late behind. I need to work on improving our fitness after 5 months off of work and improve the quality of the canter, collection......continue my canter priouette work which will help.
We were saddened that Marilee, Jessica and Peter were not with us as they have been for every clinic.. they were with us in our thoughts and prayers.

Fun Dressage Schooling Show

With the headlines saying "Snowmagaedon blankets the Mid-Atlantic", we awoke to a bright sunny day in the 60's. How lucky we are to live in Paradise. By 9 am our vests were off. At the county of Maui Equestrian facility aka "Tom Morrow Arena" we had great footing and the arena to ourselves. Jessica and Jackie worked hard to set up the poles and letters the evening before. Jessica's horse Mele stood herself behind C. I am sure she thought she was the judge and we should be trotting around the arena. "Not enough suppleness, watch accuracy, ...good halt! wheres the carrots?"

Everyone rode a test. Then had 10 minutes of direction and followed up with their test again. From intro level with 3 riders new to dressage to Training and First level. We were done by noon and thank goodness as it was quite hot. As my side kick Hunny (white Shepard/Akita) and I drove home I realised I have been judging horse shows since I was 17 years old. Isn't it interesting how your life is cast.

Hey, that judge behind "C" - is she sticking her tongue out at me?