Category Archives: Horseback Riding

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FEI Level Dressage Horse Trainer

There many things that I have accomplished last year that I could write about, but I am choosing to write about my stepdaughter Amber Smigel. She is truly an amazing person and an accomplished FEI Dressage trainer and rider. Last month at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Los Angeles California, she earned her Gold Medal in her first attempts at the Grand Prix level on her Hanoverian horse “Dow Jone’s”.

What makes this a great accomplishment is that she has owned “Dow Jones” since he was two months old. She broke him and trained him to the top level of dressage earning her gold medal.

Amber purchased “Dow Jones” from a Hanoverian breeder in North Carolina when she was 18 years old. At the time, “Dow Jones” was a two-month-old foal. Patience is the key to Amber’s success. She patiently began doing the necessary groundwork and waiting for Dow to mature, Amber backed him at age 4 she likes to give horses a chance to grow up, before she starts serious work under saddle. All of her training comes from a classical, conservative background that always follows the six most important aspects of dressage: rhythm, suppleness, contact/connection, impulsion, straightness, and collection. Without this, you cannot achieve the back to front connection that dressage riders try to obtain. Dressage is a lifelong education. Amber is grateful for the enjoyment of training horses from the beginning groundwork to Grand Prix. She has had the opportunity to experience this more than once and it is fantastic!”

Amber’s plans for the upcoming season include coaching sessions with Mary Kehoe and clinics with the world-renowned Conrad Schumacher to continue furthering her education. It is this education that she shares with her students and clients while helping them to achieve their goals. She will be campaigning Dow Jones and his full brother Dijon in the upcoming season. In addition, Amber will be attending both open and Arabian shows with her clients. Please visit www.ambersmigeldressage.com or click on her photo to learn more about Amber.

FEI Dressage Level Horse Trainer

 

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FEI Level Dressage Horse Trainer

There many things that I have accomplished last year that I could write about, but I am choosing to write about my stepdaughter Amber Smigel. She is truly an amazing person and an accomplished FEI Dressage trainer and rider. Last month at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Los Angeles California, she earned her Gold Medal in her first attempts at the Grand Prix level on her Hanoverian horse “Dow Jone’s”.

What makes this a great accomplishment is that she has owned “Dow Jones” since he was two months old. She broke him and trained him to the top level of dressage earning her gold medal.

Amber purchased “Dow Jones” from a Hanoverian breeder in North Carolina when she was 18 years old. At the time, “Dow Jones” was a two-month-old foal. Patience is the key to Amber’s success. She patiently began doing the necessary groundwork and waiting for Dow to mature, Amber backed him at age 4 she likes to give horses a chance to grow up, before she starts serious work under saddle. All of her training comes from a classical, conservative background that always follows the six most important aspects of dressage: rhythm, suppleness, contact/connection, impulsion, straightness, and collection. Without this, you cannot achieve the back to front connection that dressage riders try to obtain. Dressage is a lifelong education. Amber is grateful for the enjoyment of training horses from the beginning groundwork to Grand Prix. She has had the opportunity to experience this more than once and it is fantastic!”

Amber’s plans for the upcoming season include coaching sessions with Mary Kehoe and clinics with the world-renowned Conrad Schumacher to continue furthering her education. It is this education that she shares with her students and clients while helping them to achieve their goals. She will be campaigning Dow Jones and his full brother Dijon in the upcoming season. In addition, Amber will be attending both open and Arabian shows with her clients. Please visit www.ambersmigeldressage.com or click on her photo to learn more about Amber.

FEI Dressage Level Horse Trainer

 

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Glad to be back Riding my Horse!!

It has stopped raining and the arenas are now in great shape for riding.  Today I jumped back into the saddle after nearly two weeks off from riding.  Riding my horse is one of my favorite past times.  Its a great way to work my core, burn some calories and to relax all at the same time.  Contrary to popular belief the horse is not the only one that gets exercise.  My estimated calorie burn for 30 minutes of general riding is 228.  Not bad for jumping on a horse and having fun.

I was really expecting a rodeo ride after all this rain and two weeks with no riding.  I thought there would be a lot of pent up wild energy awaiting me.  I was pleasantly surprised with “Mac Daddy” today.  He was well behaved with no outbursts.  He listened to my seat and was responsive off my leg.  I did several drills with him today to keep his mind focused on me.  If a horse is focused on you he will respond as a willing partner with no behavior problems.  Great drills for this are One Rein Stops and the Cruising Drill.

I do One Rein Stops at the walk, trot and lope (canter) and the Cruise Drill is done at the trot and lope.  With one rein stops you get the horse moving and relax into the seat when you want him to stop.  If he stops you flex his head to the right and left side.  If he doesn’t stop you use the rein to pull his head to one side until he stops and relaxes his head at your foot. For the cruise drill you get the horse moving forward and let him go where ever he wants to go.   You keep your legs off of him.  He is supposed to keep going until you cue him to stop.  If he stops before you ask you get him moving again until you ask for him to stop.  For more information I suggest you search you tube for Clinton Anderson demonstrations of these drills.  Make sure Clinton is in the video and not some horseman that has purchased Clintons videos.  Tomorrow I will jump back in the saddle again and hopefully I will get the same behavior from my horse.  Those of you experienced with horses know that each day brings a different adventure.

Working Cow Horse Working Cow Horse

 

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Rain Go Away!!!!!

We are a bit spoiled here in sunny California and until recently have enjoyed great weather.  Over the past few weeks we have seen our fair share of rain with sporadic days of cloudiness and sunshine.  This makes it almost impossible for me to enjoy my favorite pastime of riding my horse “Mac Daddy”.  Mac is a quarter horse with a personality to boot.  He loves chasing cows and long trail rides.  His only vice is he hates vultures.  Just the sound of them causes him to freeze in his tracks while looking all over to see where they are.

Thank goodness for spurs and good health insurance (LOL).  I recently had to use my health insurance when Mac tripped and fell while we were at a fast paced lope aka gallop.  I was launched like a lawn dart directly into the dirt footing of the arena.  Mac rolled over onto my leg as he stood back up.  Being the great horse that he is, he stood by my side until I stood up.  Luckily I didn’t sustain any broken bones but I was sure banged up.  I have just recently recovered enough to begin exercising again and riding him.

Mac Daddy