Thank You, Walter Zettl! You Will Be Missed.

Walter Zettl, my 89 year old mentor/friend/dressage teacher died in the early morning hours of June 7, 2018. It was expected, but it didn't make it any easier when it did happen. He was one of the last great Dressage Masters of the old school. He has taught countless thousands across the globe and yet I still pinch myself that he took an interest in little ole me for the past 13 years. He had such a gift for making each person he met feel like the most special person in the world. No one was too insignificant for his attention.  Besides having the great honor of him teaching me at countless clinics, doing video lessons,  as well as  the countless clinics I audited,  (rode or audited several times in Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, NY, Nova Scotia, Houghton, etc ), he and his wonderful wife, Heide,  whom I love dearly, would call on the phone Christmases and Easters and birthdays and sometimes just because. Once, I was headed to my last competition before the selection trials before London.  He and Heide were headed to the airport to go on their yearly trek to Germany.  They called just to say, “hi and best wishes” before they left the country.  He believed in ethics and honesty and is one of the few horse people I know who actually practiced what he preached. He was so kind to everyone - horses and people alike. I've never met a kinder person. He could be a bear if he needed to, but kindness was his default mode. Once, I was getting ready to put a horse down.  I had the backhoe person hired, the vet coming, the insurance on standby and I panicked, thinking, “what if I can save him.”  So who did I call but Walter.  He was so gentle and kind and told me I had made the right decision and it was best to let him go and not to let the horse suffer because the treatment wasn’t guaranteed and usually did not work and most likely he would be a year in a stall, in pain,  and I’d be right back where I was that day at the end of a painful year for the horse... it was best and kindest to let him go.  He cried with me and held my hand until I could hang up and do what needed to be done.  He was like that.  Always wanting to know if you were having training issues or loving to help you solve a horse problem, even the sad and difficult ones.  He told me once when I asked if he could coach me, “I’m too old to travel and be your coach, but I’ll be your friend.”   and he and Heide stuck to it.  I know there are so many who had a closer working relationship than I, but, for me, it is going to be difficult to figure out how live without Walter just being there.  Even though it might be several months in between talks or rides or contact - just knowing he was there was so nice.  He touched thousands upon thousands of lives and made the world a better place for the horses. - teaching kindness/gentleness and “give with the hands.” among so many other things.    His love for the horse resonated from every cell of his being.  He was the kindest person I’ve ever known and lived his destiny with passion.  I will miss the continued impartation of his vast knowledge, the quick phone chats, and just knowing he was there if you needed him.  The world is so very empty without him in it, and I still randomly cry when I think of him.  But I know he was met with a rush of many hooves that went before him and a "Well done, thy good and faithful servant!”.  As I said after every lesson, “Thank you, Walter!”  You are so dearly missed.

Rona Jacobs and Hugs for Horses

The late Ollie and me 2010

We all had to learn to ride somewhere, eh?  I started when I was three on my brother's pony and went from there on my own with borrowed ponies and horses whenever someone would allow me a ride on their steeds.  But when it came to lessons, I did not take lessons until I was about 11 years old.  We had just moved to Andrews, SC and she was an instructor in Georgetown about 30 minutes away.  Her name is Rona Jacobs.  What I remember most about her was her gentleness, her kindness and her sense of humor!  She backed my first horse, Stardust Dancer (Dusty) which had been given to me a few years prior as a newborn.  She taught me hunt seat, equitation and jumping - all of which I loved!  It was under her care and instruction I was reserve champion for SC for whatever circuit we were showing in a couple of these (can't recall which now - I'm 50!) after just one year of her teaching.  She took me into to her home and allowed several of us horse crazy girls to spend the night often - sleeping in sleeping bags in her living room floor.  She became like an aunt to me in my early years.  She taught me not only to ride, but that sportsmanship and teamwork and integrity mattered in life too.  It's not just about winning, but about living life well, treating your horse right, all the while going for your dream.  Thank you, Rona!

I haven't seen Rona for many years but she still teaches today.  Her small, oh, I don't remember, maybe 6-10 stall barn is now a 60 stall barn with an indoor arena.  She has opened a therapeutic riding program in Georgetown called Hugs for Horses - based out of her Georgetown Equestrian Center.  It is a non-profit dedicated to helping people of all ages with physical, intellectual, or emotional disabilities benefit from riding, caring and loving on horses.  If you'd like to see her website, please click HERE!

I did not have a picture of Rona - it has been so many years since I have seen her.  A lot of pictures were wiped out by Hugo in '89.  I've added a picture of me and the "Late Great Ollie Dollie - Fascination"  Grand Prix Jumper and Grand Prix Dressage horse.  My heart still aches when I think of him.  I still can't believe he is gone.  Some of them are supposed to live forever....  If I come across a picture of Rona, I will post that later.  

Sally Banner-Brown DVM

Sally with her own "pony"!

I must say many thank you's to Sally Banner - Brown, who has spent countless hours helping Ghlen recover from EPM since June 2015 and holding my hand when I didn't know what else to do for him.  Before that, she and John Malark were his vets when we came back to SC in 2012 after the London Selection Trials.  Their care has been second to none.  With John's untimely and suddenly tragic death, Sally is Ghlen's single vet of choice.  She knows his ins and outs and all of his idiosyncrasies.  Although HE's not so happy to see her truck drive up to the barn - "I" am happy to have a vet who takes such good care of all of the equines in her care and in particular, Ghlen.  She's knowledgeable and accurate and brings a great personality to the table as well.  Thank you, Sally, for all you've done for us.  We plan to start competing again in another month or two - as soon as we are cleared by the vet!  It truly has taken a village to bring Ghlen back and Sally is most definitely part of that village.  To learn more about Sally and Edisto Equine Clinic and Hospital, click HERE!  Thank you, Sally!

RIP Sweet Ollie

This gentle giant, who opened a whole new world to me, passed over to the rainbow ridge.  A part of my heart went with him.  He belonged to Jennifer Conour, who generously loaned him to me to try and make it to WEG at the last minute.  There was one more qualifier for the selection trials... in Canada.  My second horse had also come up lame and there was one week to go before this last qualifier.  Jennifer allowed me to come try Ollie (who had been retired, but she brought him out of retirement for, I think, the 3rd time, for me.)  After one ride together, I shipped him to Canada the next day and flew out myself.  My second ride on this big boy was on the day of the jog.   3rd ride was down centerline.  We did get our scores for selection trials that weekend and ultimately made it to be alternates for WEG, thank you to the awesomeness of Jennifer Conour for sending her horse out of the country with someone she had met once and to Shelley Van den Neste who coached me and helped me learn the ropes as I winged it.  Little did I know how kind, gentle Ollie with his massive height of 17.3 and his big broad shoulders would propel me into a whole new arena in life.  I will miss the six to eight months we spent together, him beginning to reteach me movements I had to relearn after my accident (He retaught me my flying lead changes with James Dwyer giving us an "8" on our first ones while we trained with Missy and Jessica Ransehousen at Blue Hill Farm!) ...him sleeping standing over my wheelchair...him taking my ponytail and twirling in in his upper lip over and over... his gentle nicker when he would see me...him following me around like a puppy - only he was a quite massive puppy....  As my riding improved, he gave more - never more than I could handle, but always enough so I was challenged.  When other horses would spook at an object, he would literally look back at me as if to say, "You're ok.  I've got this." and he would steadily go ahead.  He was such a confidence builder. 

Jennifer asked me if the winters were to get too cold, could he come south with me - and if anything were to ever happen to her, would I take Ollie.  Of course, I immediately said I would.  I've made sure I've had room for him wherever Ghlen and I go from that time forward.  I am going to miss my great, big, massive godson who was a legend in his own right.  He helped so many get their bronze, silver, gold medals.  He helped me gain international experience.  He taught so many and was so generous a schoolmaster, from beginner to grand prix, it didn't matter.  He was a saint.

It's not often that a retired Grand Prix jumper/Grand Prix dressage horse comes out of retirement to show you the ropes, reteach you some skills and give you the confidence to move on.  Ollie, you were one of a kind and I hope you are one of the first ones I see when it's my turn to cross the rainbow ridge.  RIP my dear, dear friend.  

Ramard

Photo by Lindsay McCall.  2012 London Paralympic Selection Trials; Gladstone, NJ

There are only two companies where I've tried multiple products and thought each product from that company provided a benefit to my horse.  The first one I ever experienced that with was KER.  The second is Ramard, Inc. 

Ramard is in the process of bringing a new product out for horses who have experienced the neurological effects of EPM, as well as other neurological issues, including stringhalt and shivers, to name a few.  The product is all natural and each ingredient has been proven by science to help the neurological components of the body (both human and equine) function as intended.  Ghlen was the perfect horse to try this on with both shivers and EPM.  Since his EPM diagnosis in June 2015, he was having trouble backing in his stall without dragging his feet.  After the first dose, he was backing, lifting his feet and not dragging them, about 50% of the time.  I can now ride him and back him and he backs 90% of the time as he is supposed to do.  Before I started this gel by Ramard, he was completely incapable of doing this.  His forward and lateral balance has become better under saddle as well and he is becoming more sure of himself.  This is a totally natural product and is FDA approved.  As soon as the name is announced, I will let you know! 
     I've also tried this product on myself.  Those of you who know me know how skeptical I am of new products.  You also know that since my accident in 2001, I have had anhydrosis.  After just 3 or 4 doses, I am beginning to sweat!  Not much yet, but definitely sweat.  Errrrrr perspiration.  From the positive effects seen in both Ghlen and myself, I plan to keep us both on this for many years to come.

Another Ramard product I like is Total Medicated Rinse.  Ghlen is a northern boy and the bugs and heat here in the south are no friend to him.  His allergic reactions are bigger than any horse I have ever owned and have sometimes produced some very serious health issues.  Plus - he is a redhead.  So I decided to buy some Total Medicated Rinse.  It soothes his itchies and reactions and provides a nice smell which also repels the bugs.  It's been tough to find things that work for him and his weird skin type.  But this definitely works for him.

Total Joint supplement is another product I have begun to purchase for Ghlen.  It combines MSM, chondroitin, glucosamine and HA (in a high molecular weight so it is digestible) in one supplement.  I like it because #1, it works and #2, it is in an affordable monthly container.  What I was purchasing before was GREAT, but I had to buy a bucket that lasted for several months at a time and with my disability, fixed income, that was getting harder and harder to do.  I've been very happy with the results Total Joint gives me and none of the ingredients are on the FEI banned or controlled substance list. 

I have been very happy with the Ramard products I have used.  They are top quality ingredients, the benefit to my horse is definitely noticeable, and their service and quality is top of the line.  I will let you know when the gel for neurological issues comes out on the market.  It has already been FDA approved and is all natural.  It has provided benefits for skeptical me and my horse.  I was quite impressed and am looking forward to the continuing neurological improvements this product provides for both Ghlen and me.

From the bottom of my heart -- Thank you, Ramard, Inc!!

Walter Zettl

-15 degrees F outside; 20 degrees in the indoor!

Sometimes there are not enough words, or the right kind of words, to thank someone for all they have invested in your life, both through the books they've written and the personal input they have given.  Walter is that person for me.  The VERY abbreviated version is as follows.  In 2005, four years after my accident, Kathy and Robin Marshall invited me to their home and farm for 10 days to see Nova Scotia and to begin relearning to ride the FEI movements on FEI horses at her farm and at the Atlantic Dressage Development Center.  It just so happened that Walter, a childhood idol of mine whom I felt I would never get to meet or ride for because of my accident that left me using a wheelchair and a walker, was there teaching a clinic at the end of the 10 days I was there.  Walter heard I was there through the staff and agreed to tack me on as the 9th ride of his clinic one day.  That was an awesome week, ending in an experience of a lifetime.  A couple of weeks later I received a phone call from a number I did not recognize.  It was Walter!  In the 12 years since, he and Heide have been kind enough to call every once in a while and to allow me to keep up with them.  In addition, I've been honored to take lessons with him sometimes up to six times a year, and/or audit his lessons, often with sponsorship from my good friend, Lori Northrup.  He has helped me through some major decisions, including making the difficult decision to euthanize my previous mount, Radical Roddin.  He's taught me that horse business can and should be done with ethics and honesty, that principles and character matter in a person, and that kindness to the horse is the most important of all things -  all sometimes difficult to find in the horse world.  I have been so very privileged and honored to learn from one of my childhood heros, Walter Zettl.  As I say at the end of each of my lessons with him, "Thank you, Walter!"

It takes a village....  And Crystal Franklin is a part of my village.  She allows me to bring baked goods to her office and do a "bake sale" as often as I can bring in the goodies.  It might seem like such a little thing.  But, when trying to raise $100,000/year or more, every single little bit helps.  Originally, I was doing this bake sale to raise money to go to Canada and train with Walter Zettl and Eddo Hoekstra in April of this year.  When I fell ill in April and then had surgery, it became apparent that was not going to happen just yet.  June is my recovery month.  So this bake sale has been used to buy the essentials - like wormers, meds, fly sprays, shavings, etc.....  We still plan to go to Canada and will let you know when that is going to happen.  Thank you, Crystal Franklin, for all you are doing to help make a life long dream come true and for looking after my sweet mom when I am not at home.  You are a friend in every sense of the word!

Thank You, Equestrian Aid Foundation

I would be remiss to not thank Equestrian Aid Foundation for their tremendous help - not only with myself, but with several athletes I know.  They assist with financial help equestrian athletes from all over the world who have been hit with catastrophic illness or injury.  They have helped me as well as many athletes I know who have been devastated financially and otherwise by accidents, injuries and illness.  If you ever see a fundraiser being given by them, GO!  Encourage your friends to go.  Participate in the online events offered.  You never know when you or a loved equestrian friend may need their services.  Thank you, Eddo Hoekstra, for referring me.  Thank you, EAF, for your kindness, assistance and help.   Their website is:  www.equestrianaidfoundation.org
Or - you can click HERE!

Life at the Wilken Farm

Ghlen's First Selfie

Life at the Wilken Farm is busy and uses every skill for my daily physical therapy.  At the end of every day, I am exhausted and every muscle in my body is screaming.  But it is worth it.  The Wilken Farm is a personal/private farm of some friends of ours and they have allowed Ghlen and me to come here as we continue on our journey back to the sandbox.  They have taken us under their wing, provided a stall for Ghlen and his own personal paddock.  They allow me to stay in their extra bedroom.  I get to feed and take care of their two dogs and eight cats (kind of like the dog and cat nanny!)  They feed me (and I try to feed them some too).  Ghlen is under cameras, so I can see if he is getting into some residual epm trouble and intervene quickly if needed.  These episodes are getting fewer and further between.  They follow instructions regarding his care when I am gone.  THANK YOU, Wilken Farm owners for helping Ghlen and me make our comeback.

Ghlen is improving each day.  I am amazed at where he was and where he is now.  Each day, I allow my heart to sing a little more with Ghlen's comeback from an almost certain grave.  Ghlen is happy here and is in work 3-4 days a week.  Next week, after my surgery, I plan to bump him back up to 6 days a week, allowing each day and how he feels/is doing to dictate whether it will be a strong work day or a light work day.  Ghlen has a pasture just behind his stall we call the big boy pasture because he has become such a big boy with his being brave.  Several years ago, he was, in the words of his owner, "not very brave".  I've spent several years earning his trust, taking him purposefully into situations I knew were scarey for him but safe for us.  He is beginning to trust and to let me lead him and to look to me with questions when he is afraid, rather than taking the bit and bolting, forgetting he has a rider up there on his back.  He is so bold and powerful and now we are beginning to add the brave.  It is an awesome thing to ride such a powerful horse when there is brave behind the power!  I can't wait to show him off to the world again one day soon.  A special thank you to the Wilken's, Lori Northrup, Kathy Marshall, LV Performance, the Equestrian Aid Foundation, KER, Parson's Auto and EquitOtic - and of course, Nancy Stanton. I'm off to try and fundraise to the tune of about $200,000/year minimum....  Contact me if you have any ideas!!!

Thank you, LV Performance!

Fuzzy pic.  Sleepy baby boy with his magnetic sheet

I'd like to thank some others who have helped us on Ghlen's journey to recovery and back to the competition ring.  Today I am giving a shout out to LV Performance!

Ghlen has shivers, as everyone who knows him knows.  It has never affected his abilities and he has been national champion every time his owner, Nancy Stanton, has taken him out.  They told me when I first started with him that if he makes less than 70% on anything, he's having a bad day!  With me, in a three week span, we qualified for and were invited to the London Selection Trials in 2012 and placed 12th.  Nationally, we placed 6th.  Not nearly what I had planned, but not bad for only three weeks together on a horse that is definitely not a push button horse!

During this time, his requirements for vitamin E were 3-5,000 iu/day.  After he became ill in 2015, his requirements jumped from 3-5,000 iu's/day to 10-15,000 iu/day of Vitamin E.  This amount of naturally occurring Vitamin E has helped immensely in his comeback. 

This is where LV Performance comes in.  I order my vitamin E (among other things) from them.  Their service is quick, efficient and knowledgeable.  I can order his Vitamin E and before I know it, it is on Ghlen's stall step!  They take an interest, not only in placing your order, but in the horse and rider individually and what their needs are.  They have a great line of products from freshly batched equine sourced probiotics to supplements, leather care and insect control.  They are located in Wellington, FL.  Their website is:  www.lvperformance.com or you can click HERE.  They are a newer company and will be adding more products as they grow.  I'm sure if they don't have it, they can get it for you.  Check them out!

Update on Ghlenlivet (thank you EquiOtic!)

Well.  It's been a long, long time since I've posted here.  Ghlen has been through a lot.  I have been through a lot.  And we are both mending and heading back in the right direction.  As many of you know, Ghlen had a run in with EPM in June of 2015.  Since that time, there have been quite a few ups and downs.  He is doing well, under saddle, working on his good days (which is most days now), and is having days where his movements are even more astounding than when I first started with him.  If I can say so myself, this gorgeous mover is getting better with age.

I would never have gotten him back without the help of EquiOtic and Doug Froh.  He talked to me on the phone the night we thought we were going to lose him and offered his help.  Ghlen's response to the EquiOtic was nothing short of miraculous.  I had him on probio's.  But not live EQUINE sourced microcial probiotics.  I cannot thank Doug or EquiOtic enough.  They literally gave me my horse back.  If you have not checked them out, look them up HERE - or go to www.equiotic.com

Out goals have not change - just the timetable.  We are eyeing para nationals,  para weg, paralympics and able bodied nationals, as well as some other things, if he is able.  One day at a time but things are definitely looking upwards! As always, thank you, Nancy Stanton, for entrusting this boy with me.  I hope we can do you proud one day.

Nancy Stanton Dressage

Warming Ghlen up at the trot (picture by Lori Northrup)

We are here in Novelty, OH working with the owner who owns most of Ghlen, Nancy Stanton, for the summer, as well as some work with Walter Zettl and Carl Eijkenaar.  Nancy graciously allowed us to come for the summer to get back on track for competition.  We've had a few set backs over the last two years.  Ghlen had a very serious reaction to a spider bite.  Then I was sick for quite a while.  Then the weather did not cooperate at all this winter.  We are both on the mend, the weather is gorgeous up here, I am back in the saddle, and Ghlen & I are back into full time work.  Nancy has patiently helped us begin to get our feet back on the right track and I am forever grateful for her input, profanities (just kidding) and advise.  She is a class act lady who knows how to put fun into dressage without compromising the quality.  Thank you Nancy! I am so grateful to be back in the saddle and back towards aiming for national and international competition soon - both para and able bodied.  We have alot of goals , and therefore, alot of fundraising and looking for sponsorship in our future.

I would also like to thank Colleen Kelley and Lori Northrup, Reggie Summey Transport and Scenic Run Equestrian Center.  Without them all, this trip would not be possible.  It truly takes a village....

Nancy now has an assistant trainer, Meghan Kelley, who is a up and coming dressage trainer.  I have watched her ride and have been impressed with her seat and her knowledge base.

If anyone in the OH area wants lessons or training, feel free to contact me through this blog and I will put you in contact with them!

Scenic Run Equestrian Center

We are at the lovely Scenic Run Equestrian Center in Novelty, OH.  We came here to work with Nancy Stanton for the summer, who has graciously given me the ride on her Ghlenlivet, whom I am working to own one day.  I couldn't be happier with the facilities.  Between Flip, Phil, Rodolfo and Dani the place is run very well.  There is an indoor and an outdoor arena, pastures, all weather turn out and a whole bunch of cool people!  Ghlen settled in nicely after his 20 hour haul, had one day off and settled into a nice work routine.  I absolutely love that boy!  I am so thankful to Scenic Run and all their staff for their help and to Nancy Stanton for reaching out to help us on our next leg.  We hope to be back to international competition soon, with a specific aim to Rio.   A special thank you to Colleen Kelly, Lori Northrup and Reggie Summey Transport from NC for getting us here safely.

For more information on Scenic Run, check them out here at  Scenic Run Equestrian Center.  If you are in northern OH and are looking for a place to board and train - look them up!  They run all kinds of packages from self care to total care, depending on your needs.

Pictures coming soon!

My Mom

Mom's Are Wonderful!


I just wanted to give a special shout out to my 72 year old mom.  She has become quite the horse person.  Before, during and after my surgery she brought me to the barn and let me bark orders to her about how to feed, clean buckets, muck stalls, lead Ghlen in and out of the pasture, etc....  She has gone and fed him lunch when I had doctor appointments or physical therapy.  She leads him around like she's been doing it all her life.  Ghlen looks forward to her visits.  What a sport!  She even dumps the manure in the manure pile, sweeps the isle, cleans the feed room and whatever else her hands find to do.  Mom's rock - particularly MY mom.  Thanks Mom!

county saddlery logo

A huge thank you to County Saddlery for changing out Ghlen's older girth when it started leaving sores on him from the top edges of the girth.  The new design has rounded edges and fits very well.  Ghlen is very happy with his new girth and his rider is so thankful to County Saddlery!  Check them out!  They have great saddles and girths and their customer service is second to none.

Thank you, County!

Sun News Article

Photo by Lindsay Yosef McCall 2012                
 Horse's name is misspelled on scoreboard.  He is Ghlenlivet, owned by Nancy Stanton of Chardon, OH

Steve Palisin recently did an article on Olympic and Paralympic Dressage and was kind enough to include Ghlenlivet and myself in the article.  You can find that article HERE .

Thank you Steve!

I promise to bring you up to date on my blog before too much longer.  Thank you to all my family, friends, supporters, coaches, horse owners, vets, farriers, grooms, and everyone else who makes this possible for us.  We are completely indebted to you all.

I've been switching Ghlenlivet over to this feed called CoolStance.  It's a low carb, high fat feed.  It's made of medium chain triglycerides -  which basically means the feed starts to digest almost as soon as the food is swallowed, not in the hind gut where alot of feeds are digested (which can lead to hind gut acidosis and colic).  MCT also means that the glucose gets stored easily in the cells and is easily accessible for energy.  It does not need to be converted into something the body can use as it comes out of the cells...it is already in a usable form, unlike some other oils and high fats like vegetable oil or corn oil.

Because Ghlen has shivers, he needs to have a steady stream of glucose in his system, not the highs and lows associated with some other feeds - but without molasses and grains.  His body doesn't tolerate the molasses and grains in many feeds.  He can't even have sugar cubes, poor kid!  But he gets plenty of carrots and some apples to boot.   Studies show that blood glucose stays a constant steady on this feed for 24 hours/day.  Cool Stance is turning out to be a great feed for him!

Cool Stance has been around for 20 years or more in Australia and other European countries.  They have to CoolStance feed, PowerStance (which is coconut oil which is dried into powder form) and even some human coconut products. They are just now marketing in the US.  For more information, go to www.stanceequine.com or click HERE

Thank you, Cool Stance!

Dylan, Nancy Hinz and Yellow Rose Dressage

Update 7 June 2012

Pictures are here.  Nancy Hinz, Dylan's owner, sent these pictures of Dylan - the awesome Welch Cob she allowed me to ride in TX.  They have continued to keep in touch since then and even helped raise some funds to help me get to Selection Trials!  Thank you Dylan, Nancy and all of Yellow Rose Dressage!!!!

***************

Pictures coming, pictures coming!  I don't have any pictures back from my picture taker.  But they are coming.  I'll add them when they do!

I recently competed in Katy, Texas and the CPEDI 3* there, which was the final requirement of my being invited to the Selection Trials where the team for the 2012 Paralympic Team to London, England will be selected.

I was unable to raise the funds to bring "my" horse(s) and wrote the organizers to ask if they might have a horse I could catch ride.  They put me in touch with Nancy Hinz of Yellow Rose Dressage of Montgomery, TX.  She offered her pony, Madoc Dylan - and it ended up being a match made in heaven.

Because of finances, I could not afford to come a week early to train on Dylan.  Bill Stapleton traveled with me, did all the driving, pulled my wheelchair in and out of the car, bought food and pushed me around.  For the record, within 20 minutes of Dylan arriving at the show grounds, Bill was mucking stalls, unloading trailers, filling water buckets and giving out hay just like he had done it all his life.  He gets 5 gold stars for this trip and lots of hugs.

We arrived in time to have 3 rides on Dylan at Nancy's farm, Yellow Rose Dressage.  Then Nancy hit the road to bring him to the Great Southwestern Equestrian Center in Katy, TX.  Dylan is so awesome!  He is a Welch Cob pony, not a spooker, and boy, if you insist on it, he delivers.  I had a little trouble with my insisting sometimes (something I am working on), but he still was rock, solid stable.  For the team test (and on our 5th ride together), he delivered a 65 and some change.  The next day was the individual test for 62 and change.  Sunday was the freestyle, which I basically made up as I went along.  Dylan loved the music and  gave a 66 and some change.  I would have loved to have had Dylan's first 70%, but I was very happy with all we did.  It wasn't that he couldn't do a 70% - it was that I wasn't able to ride him at 70%... YET, lol.  He is a lovely pony.  Nancy, his owner, bent over backwards to make it happen for us both (thank you, Nancy).  Cindy Moriarty was fill in groom when she could and Nancy couldn't ... both of them totally rocked (thank you, Cindy/Nancy).  Everyone from Yellow Rose Dressage did GREAT with their classes.  Allie, on her pony Maple Lane Kero, (also known as Peaches) did a wonderful freestyle and brought the house down on Saturday evening.  Everyone, including Dylan, was awesome.  In addition to the above scores, we ended up being Reserve Champions for each of our Grade II classes.  Thank you, Dylan!   Just think of how well we would have done if we had had a week or two together before hand.  I was completely impressed with Dylan, Nancy, Cindy,  Allie and EVERYONE at Yellow Rose Dressage.

A very huge hug and thank you to everything Yellow Rose Dressage did and everything they ARE doing to help us on our journey to London.  A very big hug and thank you to Missy Ransehousen and Sharon Schneidman for all you guys do to help make us all be our best as well.

If you are in TX, check them out HERE!   (pictures coming soon!)

Medicine Wind Tack Shop

picture from Medicine Wind Tack website

I recently dropped by Medicine Wind Tack Shop  (owned by Dale and Jennifer Martin) to pick up a couple of things as I passed by on my way to volunteer at IPPL (International Primate Protection League).  In the process, I ended up with a Fenwick Titanium shirt and the matching headband.  Products infused with titanium are the latest technology for natural healing.  It is supposed to restore energy, boost the immune system and calm.  Star has a new face mask with this stuff in it and he seems to love it.  When I came up to him yesterday with it, he was literally putting his head into the mask. Thank you for all your help that day, Jennifer!

Check out Medicine Wind!  They carry some nice stuff!

Meet Ghlenlivet! and Classic Star!

Meet Ghlenlivet, affectionately known as Ghlen or Ghlennie.  He is owned by Greg and Nancy Stanton of Chardon, OH.  Nancy is the Grand Prix trainer at Sendon Way Equestrian Center.  Sendon Way is a family affair with Nancy being the trainer, Sharon being quite involved, and Greg & Nancy and Bob and Bernie living on the property.  The horses have 24 hour care.  Their awesome groom is Alex.

I met them when looking for a horse for purchase when I thought I might have sponsorship to that end.  That ended up falling through, but maybe I can find another way to one day own this lovely, kind hearted, talented boy.  There are not many horses I get on and they immediately feel like a glove.  Umm, not that I could sit his HUGE trot right away, but that he just fit.  He lifted up into me and I was carried by him.  The rhythm from his gait settled into my head where I was able to get my cues to land at the appropriate time without 10 days of practice on him.  (There is alot I have to compensate for the land both sides of my cue at the same moment and in the correct moment of the stride.)  From the moment I saw him, I was smitten and wished there was a way I could own him.  But it was not to be.   I approached them about the possibility of trying to take him to the 2012 Paralympic Selection Trials instead of purchasing him at this time.  God must have been smiling at me, the stars all aligned and the Stanton's graciously offered to take Ghlen off the market until after the Paralympic Games in London.  These people took me in like their own and have graciously made themselves available in every way possible to help this happen.  Look for us in London!

To the Stanton's and Lewis' - from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for giving me this opportunity with this special boy.  It's been love at first site with him - an instant bond that doesn't happen very often in a lifetime.  Stay tuned!  We plan to knock everyone's socks off :)

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Meet Classic Star!  Star, Starstar, Starmeister has been a horse I have been riding for about 4 years now.  His owner is Beverly Rardin.  She contacted me several years back and told me she had a jumping horse who was getting up in years and knew he had some dressage training (but wasn't completely sure how much - around maybe 4th level)  and would I come work with him to see what kind of dressage he knew and could get back after being out of it for so long.  I needed a horse to ride and she needed her horse to be ridden.  So it was a perfect fit!

I took the first two years to build up his back strength and hind end as he had been ridden in a hunter/jumper frame instead of a FEI dressage frame for the last 10 years or so - give or take.  Gradually, he began to build up his different muscles and began to love his dressage work.  We were starting things like 1/2 passes at the trot and canter, collected and medium canter, 1/2 step trots, etc....  He had obviously had some dressage training up to at least I1.  One day, he began to offer 2 tempi and was so proud of himself!  I didn't ask for it, but I was certainly happy at his exuberance!  After that first day, he would offer 2 tempis whenever he was excited and happy with his work.

Beverly and I began to search for his passport.  We tracked it down and low and behold, Star is not 15 or 16 like we thought, but 24!  Not only that, he was a Grand Prix jumper in his younger years and had attended the big wig shows in Aachen and such.  So we decided to try and make a bid for London with the 24, going on 4 year old.  Only Star had some interim plans.  With his spunk and spirit we all know, he decides that kicking his stall wall might be a fun thing to do.  In the process, he broke his splint bone.  We think he may have at that time also injured his suspensory in that leg because all his xrays had been clean to that point for suspensory injuries.  It's been a process getting him back.  But Star is all heart and loves a job.  Then in the middle of rehabbing him, I had an injury and was out for 4 months.   I'm back.  Star's back.  I am willing to work and see what he can do as long as he is wanting to try and is not injured.  So we are working to get to Selection Trials.  So far, so good...but he has a long way to go to get the stiffness out from being off for so long.  He is also a bit emotional with things, which is new for him.  So I'm taking it one day at a time and seeing what he can do each day.   We are working every day on getting there and I have no doubt as to his "want to" and drive.  It will be fun to give him a chance in his golden years to shine on the international stage one more time.  For me, it's more about the relationship than the goal - so if he ever decides he can't - or if he is in danger of being injured again, we won't do it.  The horse comes first.  Always.  But if he can, then we will.

Beverly has also taken me under her wing and adopted me.  She has done absolutely everything possible to help me, not only with Star, but simply to make it to the Paralympics.  I could not do this without people like her who give so generously and do everything they can to make someone else's dreams come true.  Beverly is a class act and it's an honor to know her and work with her horse.

Star has quite the personality and it is impossible not to love him.  I love him so much.  If I could own him, I would own him too!   I am so proud to ride him and honored to be a part of his life.  To Beverly, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for allowing me to ride him and see what he can do.  He's got too much heart to turn out to pasture and retirement until he says he is ready.  Thank you.

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To the Stanton's, Lewis' and Rardins:  I am honored beyond belief that you have entrusted your horses to me.  I get teary eyed everytime I think of the trust you've put in me with your wonderful partners.  I hope to make you all proud of your four legged family members.  Thank you!