Eric's Blog

The Big Picture

Thu, 02 May 2013 06:52:37 GMT

The Big Picture

When young, I believed anything was possible. I still do. When young, I fell in love with the horse, and their peaceful mirror image they had to offer of myself. I still see it and love it. When young, I have dreamt of being Olympic and World Champion. I still do. When growing up, whether it was a College education, a real job, or even ridding my horse, I put myself through a lot of hurdles of expectations life had to offer. It was a learned response to set goals, work hard, then achieve the goal. Sometimes if the goal was not met, you either worked it from another angle, or deep sense of frustration sits in along with the expectation that the desired result should just happen! Besides, how else can one justify all that hard work and time that was put forth. This is when one gets desperate and blinds themselves of all the little things that make the big picture complete. After watching our world's best, compared to the rest of the field at the Rolex CCI****, there was a vast difference between the two. One showed rhythm and harmony with no acts of desperation and the other was trying to fit everything into a one dimensional picture while trying to manufacture a score. One was listening to their horse and the other was listening to the judge and tweaking something that may look more aesthetically pleasing. A little tweaking here and there is not going to bring us back to the top of our game. We need to go back to what makes a balanced, rhythmic, harmonious pair, starting with our own balance on top of the horse. If not for the show ring, for the longevity of our horses. We have to take our blinders off and face the reality that we are chasing for an end result of showing up to the game, without thinking of winning the game. I was taught to follow three riding priorities in the following order: 1.)Have Fun 2.)Protect your Investment 3.)Win Find the fun in learning how to protect and preserve your horse's physical and mental being. Learn the mechanics that makes them balanced to achieve what we put them through easier and cause less wear and tear. Be careful not to put your desired expectations ahead of your horse and fall into the act of desperation. In the end, winning will be a lot easier, fun, and way more enjoyable to watch.

Eric G. Dierks

FLAIR®Master Class: Eventing with Eric Dierks and Ralph Hill

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 05:54:56 GMT

FLAIR®Master Class: Eventing with Eric Dierks and Ralph Hill. In this video, Dierks and Hill discuss the deceptive 2012 Rolex Kentucky XC Double Brush Tables. Click HERE to view.

Eric Dierks and Ralph Hill walk their group through the 2012 RK3DE XC Bridgestone Park Question.

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:20:56 GMT

In this next obstacle at the Rolex Kentucky CCI****, Ralph and Eric describe how to ride the incredibly daunting coffin jump. Click HERE to view.

Flair Master Class featuring Ralph Hill and Eric Dierks Effort #8, The Brush into Water

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 20:18:13 GMT

In this 9th video of the FLAIR® Master Class Eventing Video Series featuring Ralph Hill and Eric Dierks, the pair takes the viewer through the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Effort No 8, the Brush Water Challenge. Click Here to view the video

Do You Know What You Are Riding For?

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 18:16:01 GMT

Observing some of the chaos over a warm up ring, teaching countless times the basics, hearing excuses for mediocre or bad results, gives me the overwhelming feeling that most individuals do not know what they are even riding for? It takes a lot of maturity to look in the mirror and to claim accountability in ones self instead of against another opponent. Going from show to show, investing in different gadgets, or finding the miracle untraceable drug is not going to replace hard work on the basics. Today's practices are not only putting us behind on a competitive scale internationally, but they are both ineffective and unethical.

Riding is a life long investment of exercising our competency. We can go through life unconsciously incompetent until tragedy appears. Then we become consciously incompetent and realize we need to educate ourselves to the point we become consciously competent. If one exercises their levels of competency with patience, maturity, and discipline, the goal is to become unconsciously competent. Winning ribbons and earning awards are often looked at as accomplishments of one's hard work. It has developed a large group of people that judge one another based on their results, and has in turn made us chase for the end result. Look outside the show ring for your education and seek why you ride, and what the purpose of the competition really is. Is it to beat your fellow competitor, or is it to demonstrate the hard work you put into yourself and your horse displaying a strong, harmonious pair that have a mutual respect for one another while tackling your competitive discipline.

Training and riding is really quite simple if you have the discipline and patience. The sole priority of your ride should be balance, balance, balance, regardless of the discipline. Working in balance not only strengthens your competitive side but also increases longevity minimizing wear and tear. Just as if you were expected to pick up a 5 lbs dumbbell in balance, it would be harder and take more discipline, but be more beneficial in the long run. Lifting in balance will strengthen overall body muscle groups and increase coordination. If one compensates to avoid the harder work load, it will cause undue strain in an isolated area of the body, and eventually cause unnecessary breakdown. Just as easy as it is to pick up a 5 lbs dumbbell, a broke horse can carry a rider. However to carry a rider in balance, that takes maturity and disciplined training from the rider. The horse naturally wants to carry itself in a long stretched outline. Just like humans, we are not conscious of our balance unless we are given some initiative. The horse that is ridden unbalanced is causing wear and tear on their body and taken away from their potential athleticism. All the time and discipline put into training for balance increases longevity for the horse and their competitiveness as well.

Just like any dance, there is a leader and partner. The music plays and never stops. The leader leads in step, and gives their partner the freedom to follow and take accountability for their own balance. Though mistakes may be made, and toes may get stepped on, the music never stops, and they move to the next step in harmony. Eventually, one reads off the other to make a listening harmonious pair. Just like dancing, the rider must be in balance and lead with subtle aids. The aids meaning seat, leg, hands, and upper body control. There is always a beginning and an end to each aid to leave the horse to follow and take accountability for their own balance. Like the music, the motion never stops, so one must think of the next stride to keep the dance positively moving forward, rather than negatively correcting. A ride that shows mutual respect between rider and horse shows immediate character.

The art of today's competition, is to test the horse and rider balance. Whether it is the range of collection to extensive movements in dressage, higher technical jumps in show jumping, range of striding and ride ability in the hunters, or athleticism and endurance of the eventer, the balance is challenged. If balance is not met, rhythm is lost, push is sacrificed, ride ability altered, athleticism and endurance becomes flat. It takes a lot of rider maturity to stay the course. A blind judge can see a horses head come up, miss at a distance, or knock a rail down. The important thing is that you as the rider know why you get your result instead of comparing yourself to the rest of your peers. The first question one should ask themselves is one, was their own position in balance, two, was their horse in balance during the course of action. Then take accountability and discover the physiological make up of your equine partner that makes them balanced.

Whether a professional or amateur, we all want to have fun with our respected equine discipline. There has been countless times that I have heard the, “But I just want to have fun” remark. We owe it to the horse to train in balance, not just for competitive longevity, but also for safety. Unfortunately we are turning into a culture that learns more through tragedy than being more progressive. Countless falls, horse's breaking down, or not showing up on the podium are results of our training. When results are not met, we tend to react to the surface results rather than looking at the very base that lead to our demise. Not until you are willing to reinvest in the root of the problem, will you ever fix it. Anything else is just a cover up and will not surface until another tragic outcome. Whether training a horse or a rider I leave no stone unturned for betterment in sport and safety and take accountability for my actions. As a teacher, there is always a higher order of learning I want to obtain. This is when the student can problem solve for themselves based on their experiences and observations. Just as my horses, I would like my students to think for themselves and understand the basics enough, that a lesson needs no dictatorship behind every move to make. Everyone needs to know what they are riding for.

Learning to ride is a life long investment. Invest in the education and basics, if not to be more competitive, do it for the longevity and safety of your horse. There is way more to the art of riding's picture, there is also the balance of motion, and how rider and horse work together. If you continue to correct the surface, you'll never get to the root of the problem. Regardless the years of experience under your belt, everyone needs to exercise their levels of competency to be the best before tragedy appears. Everyday ride without expectations and listen to the partner you have underneath you rather than a forced result. Besides, nobody wants to dance with a partner that has preconditioned ideas ahead of your best interests.

Eric G. Dierks

FLAIR® Master Class: Eric Dierks Video 4: - Big Bank, Skinny Brush

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:27:26 GMT

Team FLAIR Eventer Eric Dierks takes the viewer on a course walk of the 2010 AEC XC course. In this fourth video in the FLAIR Master Class series featuring Eric Dierks, he discusses the Big Bank with it's steep drop, and the Skinny Brush.

Click here to view the video.

Brazilian Wedding Continues to Excel

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

I can't express enough how impressed I am with this lovely mare. Her barn manners are impeccable. She never pins an ear back at another horse, not even during feeding time. Pastured with another mare, she doesn't care whether she is there or not. The same personality extends into the arena. Very work-oriented, she is very independent. However, when my phone rang, I thought I was going to jump out of the start box!!! Though she rubs noses with my other grey off the track thoroughbred, Ansel, she has an eye out for the stunning black Friesian, Magnum. I think it's the long flowing mane and feathers or the fact I refer to him as Slash from Gun's and Roses. She comes up from eating to meet you at the gate and is always ready for work. A real treat to have around the barn.

Today she is already starting to hold her balance better in the canter. We have cantered a couple rails and even done a proper flying lead change!!! Brazilian is using her body in a manner that is very beneficial for her in the long run, however, like any person working out, it puts stress on the muscles and skeletal system. To keep her mind and body fresh, I work on the collection one day, then hack the next, never over exerting the horse for my personal agenda.

Along the lines of what Steuart said in his first commentary, you'll find our progression quite fast. This is not because I'm pushing the horse harder, but I know exactly what I'm looking for. My workouts are very concentrated in perfecting the little things, that make the more advance moves easier and more logical. There is always a reason for every action I take, and it is to complement the biomechanics that make the horse balanced. My advice is to study the horse out in the field, under saddle, jumping, etc. Study what makes them tick, how they are on their feet, how they use their top line, what are they thinking. Don't be a follower and use the same terms as everyone else like, coming from behind, or rocking back if you are not seeing it. Anyone can train a horse, it's just a matter of whether you are training the horse to do something you want. So educated yourself what you want and be clear to your horse. One thing I'm committing to myself, is to always keep my eyes open and learn from others. The equine world is a fascinating one, regardless of discipline, there is something to learn.

Eric Dierks

Open House Video

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:00:00 GMT

The following video was taken at our Open House portraying some training philosophy in the horse world, training tips on balance, and some good barn management advice.

Click here to view the video

FLAIR® Master Class: Eric Dierks Video 3: Accuracy and Striding

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:20:00 GMT

In this third video in a series of videos featuring Team FLAIR’S Eric Dierks, Dierks takes the viewer through Fences Five and Six of the 2010 American Eventing Championship — Accuracy & Striding.

Click here to view the video

Pony Club Pride

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:05:00 GMT

Dear Fellow Pony Club Alumni, One of my goals as a Board of Governor and a professional in the equine industry is to preserve the quality of horsemanship that is deteriorating in this fast-paced culture we live in today. Pony Club provides the vehicle and base to prepare young horsemen and women for the future. My goal is to make more people not just aware of Pony Club, but to let them know what Pony Club has done for individuals such as yourself. Whether you are involved with horses to this day or not, Pony Club taught values that we all use in many life changing decisions. Many of you stand as idols to our youth; they want to follow your footsteps. What better way to start following your footsteps, knowing you were involved in Pony Club. If you contact communications@ponyclub.org there is an image that says “Proud Pony Club Graduate” that I use on my Web site and a copy of the Pony Club motto. As a graduate of Pony Club, I would like to ask you join me in sharing our pride in Pony Club. Download the gif file and put it on your Web site with a link to www.ponyclub.org . Then print a copy of the motto, and display it at your facility or place of business. I am proud to be a Pony Club graduate and I feel we have every reason to display and spread the word about what Pony Club teaches and instills in its members. After you have downloaded the Pony Club “Proud Pony Club Graduate” image and/or the USPC motto, I ask that you send a copy of your business logo, Web site address, name, (or former Pony Club name), and highest rating to communications@ponyclub.org so staff at the Pony Club headquarters can add your link on the Pony Club website. Please share this request to other Pony Club graduates you know. We want to spread the word about our great organization and display the Pony Club wordmark and motto as broadly as possible. Thank you, Eric G. Dierks, USPC Board of Governor

Dear Fellow Pony Club Alumni,

One of my goals as a Board of Governor and a professional in the equine industry is to preserve the quality of horsemanship that is deteriorating in this fast-paced culture we live in today. Pony Club provides the vehicle and base to prepare young horsemen and women for the future. My goal is to make more people not just aware of Pony Club, but to let them know what Pony Club has done for individuals such as yourself. Whether you are involved with horses to this day or not, Pony Club taught values that we all use in many life changing decisions. Many of you stand as idols to our youth; they want to follow your footsteps. What better way to start following your footsteps, knowing you were involved in Pony Club.

If you contact communications@ponyclub.org there is an image that says “Proud Pony Club Graduate” that I use on my Web site and a copy of the Pony Club motto.

As a graduate of Pony Club, I would like to ask you join me in sharing our pride in Pony Club. Download the gif file and put it on your Web site with a link to www.ponyclub.org . Then print a copy of the motto, and display it at your facility or place of business. I am proud to be a Pony Club graduate and I feel we have every reason to display and spread the word about what Pony Club teaches and instills in its members.

After you have downloaded the Pony Club “Proud Pony Club Graduate” image and/or the USPC motto, I ask that you send a copy of your business logo, Web site address, name, (or former Pony Club name), and highest rating to communications@ponyclub.org so staff at the Pony Club headquarters can add your link on the Pony Club website.

Please share this request to other Pony Club graduates you know. We want to spread the word about our great organization and display the Pony Club wordmark and motto as broadly as possible.

Thank you,

Eric G. Dierks, USPC Board of Governor

FLAIR Master Class: Eric Dierks: No 2 - The Skinny

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 03:04:00 GMT

Eric Dierks Blog,MainTue, 13 Dec 2011 03:04:00 GMT

Second video in a series featuring TEAM FLAIR’S Eric Dierks in which Dierks, a member of the USPC Board of Governors, takes the viewer on a course walk of the 2010 American Eventing Championships cross-country course.

In this second part of the eight part FLAIR® Master Class featuring Dierks, he discusses preparing for – and riding – The Skinny.

Click here to view the video.

Pony Club Can Be Our Silver Bullet - uneddited

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 01:41:00 GMT

There is a weakness in our country for horsemanship. Competition has been a driving force toward more people becoming involved in the equestrian world. The new comers want to do the sport without the knowledge to care for their equine partner. The accountability gets handed around to the next person making the money rather than understanding the guts that make things tick. Even the professional today is handing the reins over to the groom that has more horse knowledge than them. Veterinarians are being paid to evaluate a lame horse, but we train them to tell us something more comforting or just make him sound, so we may still ride, compete or have faith in our investment. Boarders are seeing their horse once a month when the check is due and giving broken up advice to the barn manager from something they have heard from a friend or read from the internet. Riders are fumbling around in search of something that they are not even aware of what they are searching for. It's a humbling experience when something goes wrong, but to keep doing the same mistake again because you don't have a base of knowledge, well that's just redundant. There is a system in place that I believe gets dramatically misperceived.

When I was in Pony Club I enjoyed the friends I made and team camaraderie that was created through Team Rallies, Camp, Fox Hunting and other club activities. Horsemanship and stable management were of a necessity to learn as you moved up through the rating system. Our club brought in guest clinicians such as Ralph Hill, Jimmy Wofford and John Winnett. Our club also had a local event that we participated in and volunteered for. As I got older and further along in the rating system, I learned to become more self sufficient and how to give back. The older members stood as an example to younger generations and we learned to teach them as older members taught us. When I competed and did Young Riders, Pony Club kept feeding my knowledge in Horse Management, teaching and team camaraderie. I failed my handful of ratings, but always came back to try again. I've been told things I didn't want to hear, but learned to see from their perspective. Pony Club is the base that makes me the Horseman and Sportsman that I am today.

Working in the professional world as a trainer and competitor, I hear some misperceptions of Pony Club and even conflict within clubs. Complaints I hear are that Pony Club is not cohesive with their showing agenda, ratings and instruction may not be consistent, members are having to make a choice between Young Riders or Pony Club, or my favorite, my Pony Club doesn't do anything for me, just to name a few. I have heard these perceptions strictly on the local level through clinics and lessons I have taught from club and non-club members, parents, trainers, and even the occasional District Commissioner(DC). The perception of Pony Club really gets tainted and I believe horsemanship in this country has dropped as a result.

I've recently attended my first Pony Club Board Meeting as a Board of Governor and have to say I was very impressed. Before the meeting, I had my hair up a bit. I've had a perception of Pony Club that was different from what I remembered in my youth. I was dreading the thought of listening to the continuous negative drowning that goes on in a typical board meeting....and this was to take place friday night, all day saturday and sunday. The experience was far different though. The room was surrounded of thirty-five volunteers that either sat on the board or were part of an advisory committee. All with no personal agenda but the same goal in mind for Pony Club. There was a mutual respect that filled the room for each individual and what they brought to the table from their personal perspective. The talking was all about doing and not just planning, and the doing about following through. I walked into the board meeting dreading with one perspective of Pony Club and walked out with another, motivating me to deliver a message.

I can tell you on the national scale, Pony Club has got the system down and keeps on working to improve it. They provide a systematic way to develop a base of knowledge of everyday horse care and stable management while learning to become independent and accountable for one's own actions. There is a riding standard as well, carefully complimenting the age or ability from the member starting out in the club to the age of twenty-five. There are several tracks offered to accommodate varieties of aspiring equestrians such a Dressage, Eventing, Show Jumping, Games, and even talk of an Equitation and Western track. They provide the guide line of how to run your local club. As a strong volunteer base, Pony Club is strictly motivated by delivering a message of better equestrian care and sportsmanship.

On a local level, one needs to look more what you could do for your Pony Club rather than what your Pony Club can do for you. The reward will come back full circle to benefit you in the long run. It's much like a small business. There are going to be personal needs in one region of the United States that are different in another. Each club is tailored to their areas needs. As for you club members, it's important to discuss those needs and help your local DC find the resources to meet them. It's also important to spread on to others how you benefitted from Pony Club. As a large group you will benefit from each-others resources of knowledge and or do good within the system Pony Club has set up for you. If you are competing and have participated in Pony Club, make it known. There were many Olympians and members of the World Championships team that came up through Pony Club that could only motivate the aspiring young rider to look for knowledge through a system that has been proven to work such as for yourself.

There will always be discrepancies within a system, however a system is better than no system at all. Improving a system is brought on by communicating and taking positive actions. Pony Club is that system for the younger generations coming up. The young generation can stand as an example of accountable horsemen and women of the future not just in equestrian care and competition but life in general.

Eric G. Dierks

These are some pics taken while hacking on our new Farm.

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 01:00:00 GMT

Eric Dierks Blog,MainWed, 05 Oct 2011 01:00:00 GMT

Sterling

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:00:00 GMT

<img alt="" width="300" height="207" src="/eric2011/Portals/0/messagepart.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 207px;" /><br /> <br /> Just purchased another off the track Thoroughbred by The Silver Move out of Charming Lover.  26 starts  His name is Sterling and he has got engine to spare! Very excited about him.

Have You Found What You're Looking For?

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:42:00 GMT

Stand outside the warmup arena of any show. Dressage, stadium, or cross-country, anyone can look from the outside in, and observe complete chaos, no order, and a bunch of riders fighting for something they did not bring to the show. I'm not talking strictly about the amateur or the novice level rider, but also the advanced professional. The riders working with their horse in harmony are far and few between. There are riders sweating bullets, others mumbling profanity to their equine friend while trying to get their head down, still others feeling the need to tell the whole world how wonderful their horse is (slapping them on the neck and riding a track that could not be described as a straight line or a circle), and then you have the trainer yelling "half halts" and other "coming from behind" sayings all the while dictating every move of their student, but of course the student has no resemblance to what their coach is saying. The warm-up could not even be described as a warm-up, but a war zone of tension and insecurity. Are we loosing touch with what we intentionally wanted to train the horse to do?

As soon as you throw your leg over your horse's back, ask yourself, "What is the overall goal you want from your horse." I have been asking this question to every rider that has ridden with me in a clinic for the past 3 years. After watching them warm up for ten minutes, I make my assessment of horse and rider pairs, and then I have the rider describe their warm-up and ask the infamous question. Their answers have been 100% identical! Every rider described a small portion of the overall ideal. Common answers were, to get relaxation, and to get their horse's attention. Some comments focused on getting the horse in front of the rider's leg, to get the horse to submit to rein pressure. Some answers where so creative that I don't care to mention them. But overall the answers I received were not wrong answers; they were just such a small portion of the overall picture. What happens next when you have your horses attention, relaxation, or get him in front of your leg? The ideal answer I was looking for was a "balanced horse." Then, what is important to reveal, is what makes a horse balanced?

A dressage judge has a one dimensional view to a horse, and the blind judge could see a horse's head come up. Unfortunately the rider is immediately focused on the head instead of the balanced horse that allows for the beautiful picture in the end. If one where to give their equine partner a little more credit and treat them more like a dance partner, I think we would have many more sympathetic riders thinking about placing their horse's feet, rather than dominating the head placement. Whether jumping or on the flat, riders associate control with the horses head being down. Because the rider is not centered or balanced, they are relying on the reins for their handle bar to the horses mouth. There would be a deeper understanding of accountability of balance from both parties, if one were to take the reins with the same feeling and respect you would have with your dance partner. One would, of course, start by working with the rider.

If we as riders are going to domesticate a horse and ride for our own amusement, I think the least we can do is respect the horses natural way of going and train ourselves to listen to our equine partner instead of getting caught up in asking them to do something that they are not ready to do, let alone able to do. We live in an instant gratification society today. There is a huge market for artificial aids. Some help in a positive way to magnify your natural aids, others make up for shear laziness on the riders part, such as putting the horse in a false frame and unnatural way of going. One can get caught up into the fast track, goal setting, gotta get there attitude before looking back and enjoying the balanced, harmonious dance with your horse. Nine times out of ten, you are not getting what you want because you are out of balance, which causes your horse to be out of balance. Take a breath, respect what your horse is trying to tell you, and do your best to follow through with your horse. Then reward your horse for their effort.

The Debate that Should Not Even Exist

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:42:00 GMT

As I hear the debate between Modern vs. Classical Dressage, I think "Great, another misperception of what basic training is." Here is my version of Classical vs. Modern Dressage. One is centered around the basic training of the horse to increase longevity, ridability and harmony in the horse's life with the idea of balance on both the horse and riders part. The other is training to appease a judge with no eye for balance and a misconception of physiology, who is more entertained by artificial movement and head placement. Nothing is ever going to replace good classical training unless you're entertained by movement that is unnatural for the horse. This misconception is leading to inhumane training techniques and should not even be up for debate.

Dressage is not all that complicating when one has an understanding of the horses physical and mental makeup. The more complex the movements, the more the basic foundation is tested. However, when one trains for a personal goal or following an agenda without listening to their horse, the basic training gets sacrificed and force is applied. Anytime force is applied, the horse naturally resists until they look for another source of balance, being the rider. The rider then is taking away the accountability of the horse to balance on their own.

When Basic Training is done correctly both the horse and rider are accountable for their own balance. The artistic picture that many long for is the end result of a balanced horse. When allowed to go forward along with subtle aids from a balanced rider to guide in direction and pace, the horse begins to carry the riders weight and levels, enabling the horse to stretch their neck and swing over their back. However, when riding the head and neck, the rider is enabling the horse to balance against their hands, tensing in the back and putting concussive effort on their body.

Lets not complicate Classical Dressage with expectations, artificial aids that apply force, or lack of knowledge. The horse is a noble creature that aims to please. When training, make sure the character is not ridden out of your equine partner due to a hidden agenda or expectation. Dressage involves two.

That is my interpretation and I'm sticking to it, if not for the sport, for the welfare of my horse.

Ride the Horse that's Underneath You

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:41:00 GMT

Have you ever planned your day and get deeply upset when it did not go according to plan? Have you ever threw your leg over your horse and had a specific exercise you wanted to work on, but your inner voice said today might not be the day for that, but you went about with your plan anyways and ended with a fight? Ever enter a conversation having a preconceived idea of what the other is going to say? Have expectations on a horse, and be prepared to be let down 99% of the time. Riding is still a pairs game. Much like dancing, you can't do one without the other. Listen to your horse and have a two way conversation through actions. If everybody did this in society, I think we would all be better listeners and the world would be a more peaceful place. Know what you are asking of your horse and have a deep understanding of why you are asking it. If you are asking your horse to put his head down, then you don't understand the concept of roundness or horse's physiology. Educate yourself about your equine partner and dance to the song he is playing. Nine times out of ten, it's not country.

Have You Listened to Your Horse Today?

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:41:00 GMT

In today's culture we are raised on expectations. A + B = C. Order a value meal, get it the same way, same time you would at any other fast food restaurant in the world. Products become mass produced to fit the masses needs. Everyday work and functions become mindless monotonous behaviors. Even carrying on a conversation with another human being becomes a polite back and forth question answer period that the parties involved either know the answer to the question asked, or don't care. People get so easily trained into this behavior pattern because we encounter it everyday. Be sure when you go to the barn today, you put the care into bringing your horse in from the pasture and brushing him, just as much as riding him and putting your equine friend back out for the night. Don't let your horse feel like part of your agenda. Communication between you and your horse may be some of the only real conversation that exists today,.......that is if you are listening.

Who's Keeping Score?

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:40:00 GMT

I consider myself to be a professional in the equine industry. I make money teaching lessons, clinics, training and selling horses, and compete on a regular basis. I consider myself and peers to be some of the hardest working individuals in the world today, just to make that little profit margin after money spent on our addicting horse habit. It's not your typical 9 to 5er, five days a week with paid holiday and sick days. It takes patience and discipline to make each horse ridden feel like they are the only horse in the barn, for each student to feel like their individual needs are met, and for the best effort to be given at that given point of time at a show to achieve optimal performance. Unfortunately the equine world, like many businesses have become a numbers game, where quality is sacrificed for quantity. Success in this industry should not be judged by how many horses one rides or students they teach, but by the quality of work and improvement put out. Scores, points and numbers are all superficial in the end. Unfortunately the public does not have the attention span to watch what riding really is all about. They are more impressed by the score, the year end points or the number of rides rather than watching good honest horsemanship in front of them. I have heard to many riders trying to get their red jacket just to say they rode on the team, rather than preparing themselves to be a gold medalist at an Olympic Games or to be World Champion. Be true to yourself. Do you feel successful because you have numerous rides? Do you feel victorious at an event because you completed and survived? Do your students know what they are looking for and are they hungry for more? Success should be measured from within yourself. Whether your a competitor or a professional, be true to yourself, because in the end, who keeping score?

The harder you work, the luckier you are.

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:39:00 GMT

Hard work and perseverance never go unrewarded. If you make the same mistake three times in a row, you have to ask yourself "how bad do I really want it". Harden up marshmallow! This sport is not for the weak or the faint at heart. The highs are high and the lows are really low. The average horseman will work seven days a week from 7 to 7 for that natural high one gets when everything is falling into place. However in the horse world, chaos theory takes over and your on the schedule of chance rather rather than the plan you manufactured in the morning over a cup of coffee. With focus, hard work, and perseverance, one will find order and fun to this otherwise all work and no play equestrian world. I crack up and feel sorry for the people that think the weight of the world is on their shoulders or think that the other person has all the luck and is wondering when their big break coming. It's not gonna happen unless you do something in the positive direction. You can listen to all the advice from your friends or self help tapes or buy the supplies, but if you don't do, you'll never count on being lucky.

Heart vs. Talent

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:39:00 GMT

Showing the last two weeks and seeing the transformation of the horse ending with more heart than he started with was very satisfying. It takes a good horseman to know how much to push a horse to give one a bigger end result. Push to hard, and one can see all the confidence plummet along with a frustrated rider that will continue to try harder to fix the matter, only ending in a horse doing the task at hand scared, and because he has to. Not push at all, the pair becomes ordinary, boring, a chore to watch. The horse and rider look as if they don't have any direction. Test the boundaries just right, one can observe a horse look to please its rider and see the pair out perform any combination with talent. A horse with heart is a horse with direction, confidence, and willingness to learn. A pat and a "good boy", go a long way when you get what you want. Show the appreciation to your horse, and he will give you his heart.

Focus.....Focus......Focus

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:38:00 GMT

The closer I'm getting to the competition season the more I like to work on my focus. I feel this is a huge element towards being competitive and confident. How many times have you done a sloppy transition or a bad line to a jump and just past it off as a mistake and went on with the rest of your workout? Have you ever jumped a fence and talked out loud your error before even landing? That is lack of focus. With concentration on doing all the components correct the first time, there will be less margin for error in the future whether working out or at a show when it really counts.

Horsemanship-the good and the ugly

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:38:00 GMT

Until you realize that you don't matter anymore than anyone else, until you accept that for every action there is a reaction and there are no special rules for you, until you accept that you are not invincible over others, you will not succeed as a horseman. Horsemanship is all about the discovery, love, and ambition all wrapped up in one. It is not the shows that people are so quick to judge one by, but the respect that one has discovered through trial and tribulation and acceptance of all those outcomes. Horses just seem to bring out both the best and worst, the good and ugly in everyone I know.