Clinics

November 22nd, 2008: Come Dance with the Fillies at Valley View Farm, Santa Ynez

The Fillies, a women's Santa Ynez Valley riding group made up of veteran horsewomen from all equestrian disciplines  came to dance!  "Dance with your Horse", was uniquely designed to encourage riders beyond their knowledge boundaries and explore the ancient wisdom of equine communication.  Susan Derr Drake took riders down the enlightened path to more relaxed and enjoyable moments through herbs and oils.  Together the group experienced the sensations of music and how both horse and rider unite in harmony with balance.  It was a lovely experience, riders left with a song in their hearts and a renewed love for the depth of their relationships with their equine partners. 

January 5th, 2008: From the Judge's Point of View with Charlotte Bredahl-Baker at Pollyrich Farms, Buellton

Each rider had the opportunity to work individually with Charlotte and their individual test concerns.  The experience was both educational for the horse, the rider and especially the auditors. Charlotte's expertise brought in a full house, and her kernels of wisdom left every one attuned to her every direction. 

August 6-8th 2007: Rodrigo da Costa Matos Clinic at Newport Farms, Santa Ynez

Rodrigo is a gifted rider who was born in a country where exceptional horses and talents are recognised and nurtured.  He began riding at an early age, and his skills quickly became apparent to those who watched him communicate with horses.  His broad base of experience assures that when he is teaching he works with both horse and rider to achieve their desired goals.  He is currently the principal rider at the Escola Portuguesa de Arte Equestre in Lisbon, Portugal.  He trained with Nuno Palma and currently works with Maestro Dr J Filipe Figueiredo Graciosa, director of the Portuguese Riding School, whose own Lusitano stallions he trains.  He also works daily with stallions from the Alter-Real stud farm and serves as resident Director of the Morgado School near Lisbon where he is responsible for training up to 35 horses a day and is in charge of other assistant and student trainees many who come from all over the world and have varying degrees of riding proficiency.  He is one of the most sought-after clinicians throughout America and Europe, training top competitive dressage riders and classical equestrians alike.  Rodrigo has recently represented Portugal in Paris at the unique and unprecedented performance of Classical Equitation at the elegant Palais Omnisports. His masterful wealth of knowledge and generosity to share it is highly revered.  Whether working with a training level or grand Prix horse and rider partnership, he strives to bring harmony between horse and rider, emphasising the critical nature of lightness and kindness.  Rodrigo is a "purist", with precise methods and technical correctness in the classical style.  His demeanour as a clinician is quiet, kind and focused on bringing harmony and non-coercive partnering between horse and rider, regardless of the training level of either.  In this he is the master.  He is also a diagnostician who immediately pinpoints the problem areas needing to be addressed which enables him to quickly improve the horses way of going, while addressing the rider‛s specific needs and issues. 

Horses have been at the center of Rodrigo's life...they mystify and fascinate him and are his life's calling. He was well received in Santa Ynez with a very full three-day schedule and riders from as far away as San Diego.

July 27-28th 2007: Sonja Vracko Clinic at Westerly Stud Farm, Santa Ynez

USAE and CEF S Judge, competitor, trainer, and clinician, Sonja Vracko, has worked in Germany, Canada and the United States since studying under Willi Schultheis, Christine Stueckelberger and George Wahl in Switzerland and with Ducan Mavec in Lipica.
She founded View Ridge Farm Equestrian Center in Woodinville, Washington, where she trains riders and horses through all levels.

She is well-known and respected in the U.S. as a dressage show judge. Her reputation as a motivational instructor precedes her. The riders sang her praises throughout the clinic.  Auditors sat quietly, videoing and soaking up every kernel of instruction as Sonja quietly and carefully took each rider through the movements to improve fluidity and relaxation. 

Westerly Stud Farm was a lovely setting in which to host the clinic with it‛s backdrop of foothill mountains as seen from the arena.

Sonja Vracko and auditors

Auditors reviewing area at Westerly Stud

Ashley Ewing on Haflinger Fanny

Kerstin Laudermann and Lucy

Julie Corlett & Charlotte Bredahl at BBQ

Gina & Sonja with wine

• Levels varied from relative beginners to Kristi Ullman’s veteran performer Duek (The Mask of Zorro) schooling 3rd level and Kerstin 

  Laudermann on Lucy schooling Prix St. George. 

• Kerstin and Lucy were highlights of the clinic with their highly motivational rides!

• There were two Haflingers, Fanny ridden by Ashley Ewing and Lisa Everett on Franjelico Ca.  
  

 January 13th 2007: Hilda Gurney Clinic at Earl Warren

Olympian trainer and Judge, Hilda Gurney, a USEF committee member who helped develop the new 2007 Dressage Test, explained and demonstrated it with 13 riders. Because of her familiarity with the changes, she could expand on the reasons for them and what the improvements meant. She covered all the new tests, from training to 4th level with her demonstration riders. The clinic was well attended by auditors who braved the chilly weather in the bleachers.

Hilda

Lehua Custer on Gulliver

Attentive audience of auditors