'Tis the season - for trailriding

What a weekend: sunny, 75 degrees, light breeze, no bugs = “Reiterherz, was begehrst Du mehr?” (Rider’s heart – what more could you possibly ask for?)

On Friday all four boys got a pedicure, and Saumur and Chambord also received new shoes. I asked Jim, our farrier, again if Remy shouldn’t have shoes, considering the trailriding we are doing. Jim assured me that Remy’s feet are great: “just look at them”. He’s right, but of course, overprotective ‘mom’ that I am… OTOH, less $$ for ‘mom’ to spend. Perhaps now if I could only find time for MY pedicure –

Saturday Saumur and Chambord got to enjoy the lovely trails. It was very relaxing. Saumur was getting his courage up and stayed next to Chambord the entire time (as opposed to sticking nose to tail behind him). He probably figured out the air was better next to Chambord than being right behind him.


I worked Remy in the arena, and encountered a rather petulant youngster. The time off last week did obviously not help. First he was sleepy, then pushy and demanding. Teenagers! Today I took the grouchy child on the trails with JP and Chambord. In the beginning we had to discuss attention and respect again. After I growled at him several times Remy finally focused and finished on a good note.


Remy’s attitude really reminds me of how my friends describe their teenagers. He might grumble and be defiant, but when you set him down and explain the rules he respects them (OK, that might not always do the trick for human teenagers). But bringing out a platter of cookies sure works for all!

Changing a good plan for a better one

This year I had planned to go to the Stuttgart German Masters. It is one of Germany’s biggest indoor horse shows, held in my hometown in November. It features the top of the sport in Dressage, Eventing, Jumping, Four-In-Hand Driving, Vaulting, exciting show programs – and great parties. And SHOPPING.

Oh, and yes, let’s not forget friends and family, R&R, great food… and a visit or two to the Schwabenquellen (mineral springs spa). Needless to say, I was really looking forward to the whole experience.



Well, “Life happens when you have made other plans”.  In that case – I did not have to “beg and plead” (see my earlier blog) for lessons. George confirmed that the boys and I are welcome back in October! Caroline has the stalls and apartment reserved for us. YEAH! VERY EXCITING!! So... I am trading my "pilgrimage to Germany" in against a "pilgrimage to Ohio".

Afterglow - and Reminiscences

This week I got to spend lots of ‘quality time’ (hah!) in my car, due to a business trip Up North. It gave me time to reflect on last week, not only the instruction and riding, but the entire package. I can honestly say there was nothing I wish that should have been different. Some of George’s remarks still ring in my head. I did tell him that his manner of speech really reminded me of Egon von Neindorff (George trained with him at the beginning in Germany). The DVD “School of Horsemanship”, chronicling the life work of Mr. von Neindorff, really captures a lot of it. Heard often by both of them:  “Give with the hand”.

Some other coins of wisdom I liked: “Use twice as much leg as hand” (meaning less hand). My favorite: “You have to rev up the RPM’s” (the horse has to be ‘on’ before a movement such as a flying change, not flat and strung out). For those not familiar with stick shift cars: RPM means Revolutions per Minute. Before shifting into the next gear you have to rev up the RPMs, otherwise the car fizzles out.

However, I won’t dwell on George’s quip about using OnStar when I got off course during a new exercise! That came right after I gave JP a hard time about men not willing to ask directions or call OnStar when lost… JP got lost buying carrots for the horses. And he isn’t even blond J!

So, now at home I try to keep the afterglow on as long as possible. I’m also contemplating how to go from there. The show season is almost over.  It will be the first year in a very long time that Saumur and I are not getting any year-end awards, which of course is no surprise as we never made it to a show! My competitive season did not pan out as planned – but so what? We are all healthy and happy, Remy gave a respectable debut at his first shows, and Saumur is more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him. Citing Jane Savoie: “It’s not just about the ribbons”! Honestly, the progress with the boys gives me more satisfaction than any year-end award ever could.

OMG - Have I become a Groupie?

Pictures from a Righteous Brothers concert flash through my mind: Middle aged ladies throwing (over sized) undies on stage...

But back to the present: We had an excellent trip back, the weather cooled off, the rain had stopped, traffic was light even in the construction zones; andJP didn't get a speeding ticket the entire time he was in Ohio (!) - what else could we ask for? The boys stepped of the trailer relaxed, right into the reception committee consisting of Chambord, Teddy, Max and Jaas.

The almost four hour journey home gave me time to reflect on our week. I have to say this has been the best week riding - Ever! What really made me happy was that both boys took to the increased challenges like fish to water, they stayed relaxed throughout. During the week George pushed me along in a way that motivated me. He got me to believe that I can actually do this well - and it is not an easy feat to convince the over-achiever in me.

Being in the presence of a consummate professional like George is very inspiring. The man gives 110 percent in each lesson or ride, he is tireless, and keeps his pleasant and effective style all day long (wish I could do that!). I have not once seen him getting impatient with either a student or a horse. Yesterday for example he went to a show to check out the footing, went to Havensafe for teaching and training, drove back to the show for coaching, and after another long commute taught me an intensive lesson on Saumur, rode Remy, taught me  - and then worried that JP and I might have a late dinner due to the pushed back lesson times.

As a side note: I found it pretty exciting to think that prior to asking me if he could get on Remy George had ridden an international level young horse imported from Germany that was about -ahem- a hundred times (!) -not a typo- more expensive than Remy. I didn't expect George to ask me if "I would mind him getting on". They both had fun, and Remy received lots of praise.

So, hmm, I guess I might well be on my way to becoming a groupie after all. Good thing that my inborn reticence prevents me from getting overly emotional. So, George, no worries: I promise I won't throw my undies at you in the riding arena! I will, however, beg and plead for more lessons.

And we finished the week - with a bang

Our last two lessons today - and the boys put in stellar performances! Saumur had the best canter half-passes ever, we also worked on canter pirouettes, and had some good effort starting piaffe.

George rode Remy again to work on the connection and the canter, and then they cantered on both hands all around the arena. Today actually Remy was better on the right hand (while yesterday he was better on the left). George mentioned that this is actually a good sign, and common in young horses. George had me get on, and we were able to recreate the same good ride. Cantering Remy around the arena, soft and round, and on the bit was just so much fun. George mentioned that he'll have a "very good canter".

What an awesome week, it's like a big weight has lifted off me. Before I came here I had a lot of doubts about my abilities and asked myself if I even should continue with the dressage work (and not just stick to trailrides). No more doubts, I'm still smiling :-). The boys stayed happy throughout the intense work, not a spook in sight, they (especially Saumur) were as happy and relaxed as could be.

And my very French husband said to me at the end (in English!): "Give me Five"!

Danke, George!

This week should have come with a big warning sign

"Attention - The Surgeon General warns: This Is Highly Addictive" would have been the appropriate warning for this week.

JP and I spent another very pleasant morning at Betsy's farm (without encountering any Amish carriage mishap on the way).  I am just amazed at the precision and work ethic of everybody involved. I also remembered Dudley, the donkey, from my previous visit - and this time again his voice made his presence known. Liz took me to see him, he is just a lover boy, very cuddly and soft like your favorite plush toy.  More drooling over the fantastic horses followed.

In the afternoon it was our turn, Saumur got to go first. As previously, George had us work on improving the individual movements, and then focused on the flying changes. Key is to move Saumur away from the leg in the new direction, i.e. changing from left to right he has to yield to my right leg. We had good, clean changes! It was quite an intense session, but again Saumur was noticeably happy and proud afterwards (me, too, despite the dripping sweat and indigestion).

The indigestion came from our stop in the town of Burton, on the way back from Betsy's. We discovered a cute diner, resembling a 1950s throwback. The fries were just too good to pass! I usually live on salad and/or yogurt for lunch, so needless to say, I shouldn't have had a large lunch before riding -

I got a break with Remy, in that George wanted to ride him first again to work more on the canter. George patiently guided Remy through the right lead canter, and every time Remy lost his balance, he calmly made a transition. By the time I got on, Remy felt awesome. For the first time, we could maintain the canter on both leads, and wow, I must have had a big grin on my face. The trot work afterwards was wonderful, too. Quite the progress in a short period of time. George said that Remy is very smart, which of course, made my 'mother heart' swell to unknown proportions.

Two more lessons tomorrow, and then we are heading home. Due to George's schedule the lessons have to be in the afternoon, so we'll stay another night and hit the road early Saturday morning. It will give us time to explore rural Ohio a bit more tomorrow. Bummer, Paddock Saddlery, the nice upscale tack store that used to be in Chagrin Falls, has closed. I just don't think I'll find my luck in "Yoder's Harness Shop".

Riding throught the storm - and a masterclass for Junior

Yesterday we were invited to watch the lessons and training at Betsy's Havensafe farm. By the time I got there I was quite a bit rattled. Driving on the country roads I seemed to be the only car in between all Amish buggies. When I came over the top of a hill I had just time to pull to the left as a buggy was stuck on the right side. There were only kids around, a little boy had the horse unhitched, the others held on to the carriage. I held on with them until I saw their dad drive up. But the poor horse ... skinny, and when a little girl lifted the harness to give the horse some relief I saw the open sores that had developed all over. Very sad.

Havensafe is a different world. Everything is perfect, but not 'in your face' bragging perfect. The first thoughts that come to mind a peace and quiet. The staff is very friendly, everybody shakes hands and smiles. Betsy also introduced me to her farrier, another person exuding top professionalism, who comes once a month from Florida. It was interesting to listen the discussion of "shoes or no shoes" for one of the competition horses. The consensus was if he goes well, and the hooves hold up, no need for shoes.

And then of course, the horses. I saw George ride Cleopatra and Horizon, absolutely stunning mares. In addition, I got to watch Betsy and Liz take lessons. Everything stayed quiet, focused, very precise. After Betsy's lesson I told her now I know what to aspire to in flying changes (she had started with fours, finishing with one tempis, all straight, engaged, and clean).

In the afternoon it was our turn. Just as I got on Saumur the heaven's opened and a storm broke lose. George reminded me that little things like the weather have no bearing on my riding. We had an awesome lesson, focusing on precision in the transitions, and then collection in canter and trot. George had me work around him on a very small circle, haunches in - then straight, in the canter. The beginning of a pirouette. Our canter half passes with either counter canter or flying changes at the end also improved considerably. The trot work consisted of medium to collected, then half passes. On the smaller circle we worked on the smallest trot possible (while staying engaged), and had some excellent steps. George quipped that Saumur will learn piaffe in no time!

With Remy I got a surprise: George said he'd like to ride him. Well - of course!! My stirrup leathers were barely long enough to account for George's long legs. He worked Remy like in the previous lessons but then focused on the canter. Remy's left lead canter is good ("very age appropriate"), but in the right lead he loses his balance and then breaks. Remy stayed attentive and focused the entire time through, didn't argue, and it was more than I had asked of him before. At the end George asked me to get back on to feel what he created. Sure enough, we finished with the best trot work ever!

JP arrived in time to watch the lessons, so that was great. I try not to think that I only have two days left here, I definitely would love to stay longer. Wonder if I could stay on as working student? After all, Denny Emerson had 76 year old working student in his event stable, so it's not too late yet!