Dressage at Royal Youtube Site

Click on the above title to find the videos that I took at the Royal. Hope you have highspeed!

Lesson Dates for Niagara Set

I will be in the Niagara region on the first Sunday of every month. If you are interested in arranging for me to be at your facility for private lessons in the Niagara Region, please e-mail me at elaine.ward@yahoo.com

Royal Quadrille Finally on YouTube!

I finally figured out how to use YouTube, and upload the video. Thanks to Judy for taking the video.
I'll upload the other Grand Prix and Freestyle Tests within the next week.
'Till then click on the title to go to the link for the 10 horse Grand Prix Quadrille that was at the Royal last month.

Dakota CW

What a glorious day to take pics. Thanks to Les for using his new camera.
Doc is really starting to muscle up and develop.
He's now under saddle.

Pics at the Stable

Doc hamming it up for the Camera!


Docs'Sire, Sandhillspinnaker a Purebred Egyptian (both Docs parents are Grey)


Guess Who?


Kisses for Les from Mav!

Brittney and Baikan Krisp

I received a wonderful e-mail from Gayle in Leamington about Baikan Krisp, and her daughter Brittney's success with Kris this past season.

Subject: FW: Baikan Krisp 2006 Starter Champion
Elaine,

I just wanted to send you a short note to let you know that we attended the Stonehaven year-end awards presentation last night and Brittney & Kris have a new title……….2006 Stonehaven Starter Champions. They received a framed sketch picture of two horses (that she has to bring back next year to pass down to the 2007 Champ) and a trophy that she can keep and of course the longest ribbon she has ever seen (according to Brittney). She is so excited and we are so proud of both of them!! We were not expecting it at all which I think made it that much sweeter.
I really never formally thanked you for bringing Kris into our lives…..thank you for making that call to Bill when you wanted to sell him as you are partly responsible for making a little girls dreams come true!!!!!!!
Gayle

Congratulations Brittney from all of us here at Kirkridge.

My Hard Drive Crashed!

Ok, so I just bought the digital camcorder, all fired up to do some youtubing, and guess what? My Hard Drive on my computer crashed! I should be back on line tomorrow with a 250gig hard drive. That should give me tons of space to work on the videos. I had 160 before.
Of course with the crash, I lost all of my e-mail contacts.
If you don't hear from me, don't think I'm ignoring you......could you please re-send your e-mails to me even if you have not contacted me in a while........please???
You know the drill; insectfree@sympatico.ca
If you are desparate to get a hold of me due to lessons you can call me on my cell:
519-771-3040

Click on This Link to Find YouTube!

OK, I found the coolest link going.........if you click on the link of this post, you will find YouTube. Thousands of Dressage videos......take your pick, either do a basic search of Dressage, or get fancy. Try Dressage at Devon, Reiner Klimke, Josef Neckermann. Some people have uploaded old videos of the 70's and 80's dressage horses.
Only one problem......it does'nt work with Dial-up.
So, now I have a digital camcorder, I can start uploading some stuff from the farm!

Glanbrook Cadora Awards

KF Almaz and Chellis of the Far Side took more dressage awards today at the Glanbrook Cadora Year End Banquet.
To my complete surprise Allie won the Training Level and was second in the First Level Division. Not only did we win medals, but we also received a saddle pad and a set of white polos!
Rosemarie placed second with Chellis in the Training Level Division, and won a medal and a whip (the whip I am going to personally "smack" Rosemarie with it for not attending!). Seriously, Rosemarie is doing a course, and could not attend.
Thankyou Glanbrook for an enjoyable brunch!

Judy and Mav

Thanksgiving Monday turned out to be glorious! Judy brought her camera along for her lesson, and had me take some pics of her and Mav. It's kind of fun taking pics and teaching at the same time.
Enjoy the pics!

What's up Doc?

A couple of weeks ago, I made a trek to Wisconson, and went horse shopping. I brought back a lovely 5 year old Purebred Arabian Gelding. He's not been handled much, but did'nt complain about getting on the trailer, and dealing with all the construction through Michigan. I call him Doc; that's short for Dakota.
Doc is a real sweet horse, that rivals the warmbloods in movement. I'll be getting him going this winter, and hope to show him next season. If he moves as good under saddle as he does free lunging, I can see this horse becoming a National Champion one day!

Sue and Julietta

Sue has had a really good season this year. She started riding with me in the early spring and has been really sucessful. Pictured is her 3 year old Fresian mare Julietta. She acheived a 3rd premium in the Fresian Keuring a couple of weeks ago, and was 3rd in the Riding Horse Class.
Sue also competes with Malcolm, an aged TB gelding. She did super at the last Glanbrook Primary Dressage competition with mid 60 scores in the Training Level classes, and garnished 2 second places from a huge entry.
Congrats Sue on your acheivements for 2006.

Dressage? Well, not Always!

Congrats again to Rosemarie and Chellis. Not only did she take the Ontario Trillium Championships for Training Level Adult Amatuer, her overall standings are in 1st place for all of the shows for 2006.
Chellis went to the Fresian Kuring at the end of September, and she received her "Stur" mare 2nd Premium Status! They also placed 2nd in the Riding Horse Class!
Jeez, it's that Cedar aka Barra's Destiny, Sara's 3rd level horse doing hunter in that pic? Yes it is! Cedar looks handsome over that fence!

Chellis and Rosemarie Crowned Champions!

Yesterday Chellis and Rosmarie competed at the Ontario Trillium Dressage Championships-Western Division.
Amid somewhat sketchy footing for the first test, Chellis the Fresian did not waver.
She won the Training Level Test 4, and placed 3rd in the Training Level Test 3 Adult Amateur to take the Amateur Training Level Championship.
Rosemarie is needless to say thrilled wtih the outcome. This was Chellis' first year in Trillium competitions.
Congrats Rosemarie! You worked hard and were well deserved of this Championship. You did me proud!

More Nationals Stuff

It's so nice to see a good photographer at shows. Don Stine really has a knack. I especially love this one of Allie in the "big trot". Albeit the timing is a hair off, it still shows how much the Princess has matured.
I've ridden her since the show, and am bound and determined to get her out of the baby classes. Our lateral work is coming along wonderfully, and we've started canter half-pass. My goal is to start showing her at 3rd level next year.

ESP Two Moon Junction+/ , by my calculations is now eligible to receive his Legion of Excellence now. That will put a +// behind his name!

So, we are back from Regina, now finally rested........now back to reality!

I'll be going to the Ontario Trillium Dressage Championships to coach Lauren and Rosemarie with Moon and Chellis. Darn-it, I did'nt enter Allie thinking that she would be tired from the trip. As it turns out, I'm the one who is bagged, and my mare was bombing around the pasture the next day!

Canadian Nationals Report

For pics go to my webshots page: Just click on the title of this blog.

Well, we are back safe and sound from Regina. No blips or major hold-ups coming back home.
Our trip started out with a breakdown, even before I got to pick Moon and Lauren up. I think back now, as it was a blessing. The fuel lift pump in the truck up and quit between Chatham and London. I managed to get the truck and trailer off the 401 without getting us killed. My truck only had 42K on it when it failed. So much for a new truck!
Thanks to Marilyn Fahringer, she picked up my trailer and Allie at the tow truck guys’ house in Thamesford. My truck managed to hobble that far, and we did’nt get stranded.
The Dodge dealer in Chatham was only 1 of 4 dealerships in southwestern Ontario that had the part, and on a Friday to boot. I felt like I won the lottery! So, 24 hours later, we were on our way.
I hate Chicago. It has 2 seasons; either Winter or Construction. I guess August is a Construction season!
The run through the rest of the US was fine; a whole lot different than I remember 10 years ago when I used to run those roads on a weekly basis.
29 hours later we arrived in Regina, got the horses settled, and had a long nap!
Sunday was spent getting the camp together; we had all the ammenties; fridge, microwave, toaster oven, T.V, and a brand new awning. We brought our bikes, and used them to get back and forth from the stable. The parking lots were always full, so it was real easy to weave through the stables, and park right out in front of our stabling.
Monday, the horses were schooled, and were feeling pretty perky. Allie is a real trooper. She felt like she’d only been on a short trailer ride.
We took a trip to the RCMP training facility, and toured the museum. I also left a message for Laura to give a call so I could see her, as she is in training there right now. It was good to see her, and she is doing great. Only 4 months to go before she is a full fledged Mountie!
Wednesday was Dressage Day. Allie had to be schooled for over an hour; she was being her typical self; not focusing, and I knew that the show ring would blow her mind like last year. We did ok in the Training Level class; 6th place and good enough for a top 10.
Our First Level test was much better, but was disappointed with the same score as the Training Level test. Good enough for 5th place.
Moon was pretty good, but was overwhelmed with the environment in the show arena. He faired oK in the Second Level, but did manage to get it together for the First Level Championship. He made a Top 10, and is now eligible for his Legion of Excellence. I’m really proud of Lauren and Moon; their first National Championship show, and had to compete against professionals.
Thursday was an easy day, and we checked out more of the main ring horses.
Friday, Allie was a star again in the Half-Arabian Sport Horse Under Saddle. Out of 22 horses, we came 6th. The US National Champions did’nt even make the cut! I was the only dressage horse to break top ten in that class. Lauren and Moon did’nt make the cut for the Championship, but with a hunter judge, I’m surprised I even made it.
We left for home on Saturday, and got Moon, Lauren and Bill home in 26 hours. Allie got to relax at Bill Windsor’s Farm in Leamington for over an hour, while we unpacked all of the “Baileys”.
I made it home at 8 last night. Tired, but happy how things went in Regina.

Report from Canadian Nationals!

Practising Rollkur on an RCMP Horse!

Well, we are doing good so far. Lauren went Top 10 in First Level, and I was Top 10 in Training Level and First Level.
The trip was good, except for the break down in Chatham.
More details to follow and pics when I get home. I'm on Wi-Fi at Starbucks in Regina sending this message out.
We show again on Friday.
Lots of tales to be told later..........

Pics from Reg 18 Championships

Congrats to Lauren Bailey and ESP Two Moon Junction+/ on winning the Sunar Born Lucky Memorial Trophy. Second place was Kailey Clark and SMX Tyson. Surprisingly, both riders were juniors. Not surprising really, more like appropriate; Lucky loved the juniors!

The other pic is Gen Custer, Alan Ehrlick and his dog Forest at the awards ceremony for the Prix St. George and Intermediate 1 classes.

Grandview Trillium at Niagara was a Grand Time!

The three pics are the ones Rosemarie, Sarah and I won for Divisonal Champions! Nice touch eh? Thanks to Valerie Frost for taking such lovely photographs.
More results when they are sent to me...........hint, hint.............

Region 18 Hot Weather, Hot Show Results

Hey All, Just back from London at the Regionals. Darn Hot! Anyways, this is how we did:

KF Almaz+//:
Champion Training Level Open
Champion H/A Sport Horse Show Hack
Reserve Champion First Level Open

Gen Custer:
Champion Prix St. George
Champion Intermediate 1

CCF Porshah:
Top 5 Training Level ATR (only 2 marks off Champion!)
Champion H/A Sport Horse Under Saddle Jr. Horse

ESP Two Moon Junction+/
Champion First Level Open
Champion First Level ATR
Champion Second Level Open
Champion Second Level ATR
Winner of the Sunar Born Lucky Memorial Trophy for Highest Score by an Amateur or Jr. with 66.54%

Sorry for the short post, but got to get some sleep; I have a show in Niagara tomorrow.:) E

Region 16 Arabian Championships

Excuse the pics; they are the proofs that I purchased, and am waiting for the originals. Still shows an awesome horse!
Region 16 Championships in Syracuse New York brought us home some hardware again!
After a lackluster dressage day; A Top 5 in Training Level, and a Reserve Champion at First Level (with a tie broken by the judge), Sport Horse day was excellent!
Allie redeemed herself, taking the H/A Sport Horse Under Saddle Championship with 11 horses in the class! She also won the H/A Sport Horse Show Hack with near flawless performances!
Thanks to Rosemarie for doing an excellent job as groom for the Princess.
So, all in all, a pretty good show!

Sunar Born Lucky Gone 1 Year Today

It's been a year since I lost Lucky. 26 years old is a pretty good life! He is still sorely missed; I still mistakingly call his name when I am shouting his 2 best friends, Annie and Allie up from the field.
Lucky was a champion in his own right. With 9 Regional Titles under his belt and a Reserve Canadian National Championship at Prix St.George, he had a very sucessful show career. His dressage training started at age 12, and he won his first Regional Championships; Medium 1 and 2 at age 13. He was also just out of the Top 10 at US Nationals in 1992.
Lucky became my #1 Schoolmaster, teaching many riders the intracasies of dressage; flying changes and passage were his specialty, and he was kind enough even to put a young rider on his back and carefully babysit them around the ring.
Lucky was also the 1999 Ontario Trillium Champion at Medium 3/4 with one of my students competing against all breeds.
Lucky was such a special horse. He was a surviving twin. Lucky was the first one to give out a nicker when anyone came into the stable. My old guy knew he was special.
In memory of him, I've created the Sunar Born Lucky Memorial Trophy for the Region 18 Arabian Championships. The Silver Champagne Cooler and the Silver Plates for Keeper Trophies will be awarded to the highest scoring Amateur or Junior at the Dressage Championships. I'm sure Lucky will join the winner in the victory lap.

Getting Creative with the Software

Here is some "artwork" I did with a couple of programs I have.

WE ARE GOING TO CANADIAN NATIONALS!

So, you've seen it here first. Lauren and I have decided to make the trek to the Canadian National Arabian Championships in Regina.
I am SOOOOOO excited. Allie is HOT this year, and so is Laurens' horse Moon.
So, we'll all pack up in the truck and trailer, along with Laurens' dad Bill, and cruise out to Saskatchewan.
*****Laura M. (my former student and groom for US Nationals who is living in Regina at the present time).......can we please borrow your shower?*****

Kirkridge Riders "Git r' Dun" at Glanbrook!

Pictured: Chellis and Allie.......Allie looks like a Pony!Thanks Marion for the pic!

OK, I'm delirious after two days of non-stop showing! I'm stealing Larry the Cable Guys'infamous words for the title of this blog.
Allie was a STAR again today; we won 4 classes. Although again, the competition was slim to none in my division, the only person to come close to the 68% scores was my student Rosemarie and Chellis in the Amateur Division!

Here are the scores:
Rosemarie and Chellis
Training Level Test 2 Amateur: 1st Place 68.07%
Training Level Test 4 Amateur: 1st Place 66.53%

Sean and Kenkari
Training Level Test 2 Amateur: 2nd Place 61.15%
Training Level Test 4 Amateur: 2nd Place 59.23%

Sue and Malcolm (in their FIRST dressage show ever!)
Primary Training Level Test 1:
Primary Training Level Test 2: 57.92 (Tied for 6th) Way to go!

Elaine and Allie:
Training Level Test 2 Open: 1st Place 68.84%
Training Level Test 4 Open: 1st Place 68.84%
First Level Test 3 Open: 1st Place 67.71%
First Level Test 4 Open: 1st Place 68.89%
High Score First Level, and Winner of a Gift Certificate for a Photo

Sara and Incognito:
First Level Test 3 Amateur: 1st Place 63.14%
First Level Test 4 Amateur: 2nd Place 62.22%

Lauren and Esp Two Moon Junction:
First Level Test 4 Junior: 1st Place 62.22%
Second Level Test 4 Junior: 1st Place 61.17%
Second Level Freestyle: 1st Place 63.95%

Sara and Barra Destiny:
Third Level Test 2 Amateur: 1st Place 63.80%
Third Level Test 3 Amateur: 1st Place 63.11%

Canada Day Celebration for KF Almaz+// and Gen Custer

It does'nt get much better than this! Allie and Mav were FABULOUS at the Milestone Arabian Dressage Show! They were both troopers, and really did me proud! You can see from the pics; thanks to Judy Collins that these two were really "judge" pleasers.
Allie received the highest score I've ever gotten in the Training Level class. She has really matured, and a couple of "tweaks" with the equipment has really made a difference. Why was'nt I going to Nationals this year? ARRGGGHHH

Enough for the kudos, here are the results:
KF Almaz+//
Training Level Test 3: 2nd (Thanks to a canter transition with a buck) 70.00%
Training Level Test 4: 1st (My personal highest score EVER!) 77.08%
First Level Test 3: 1st 66.57%
Fist Level Test 4: 1st 67.22%

Gen Custer (Maverick) Our first Intermediate 1- 7's on our canter pirouettes!
Prix St. George: 1st 61.5%
Intermediate 1: 1st 60.5%

More Show Results from June 25th

Congrats to Marion McKeen on her sucesses at the last 2 challenge shows in the Hack Division! Marion sent me this great pic (above) today. Banner has done very well this year, with her best showing, a First Place in the Show Hack at the Milestone Challenge Series!
This e-mail is from Bill Bailey about Lauren and the other Arabian Dressage Riders who competed at the Canada South Primary Show in Leamington!
Hi Elaine,
We attended the Canada South primary show in Leamington this past weekend & I have some good resullts to report for the AHAEC site. The show had about 40 - 45 horses competing. The Arabians did very well. Mikayla Kudroc was champion in Training with Cameo with scores of 68.? & 71.?. The 2nd level was won by Holly Fahringer on Korus (67.9 & 71.?) with Lauren taking reserve (66.8 & 63.2) in a class of 8. It was an impressive day for the Arabians.

Niagara Trillium Show-Congrats Sean and Sara

Here is the e-mail I received from Sara about yesterday's show:
Hi Elaine,
Show went awesome!! In the first test, Joey spent the first half of the test spooking at the judges tent and people haying in the next field over. So I got 60.88 in that test and a fourth.
My first level test three was much better and we won it with a 64.86. I
rode my training level test waayyy after but still got a 68.33 and won.
Joey is for sale.I never have a lack of good comments on that horse.
Sean did pretty good, he got a 63.46 in the training two and won that class.
Briggs got tired and although the test looked pretty good he only got a
56.67 in training three.
Sara
(Joey is Incognito- the bay horse and Briggs is Kenkari-the chestnut)

The Top 10 Things That Bother Me in Dressage

OK, so everyone that knows me knows that I am a pretty level headed person right? But I do have a few pet peeves in the Dressage World. Some beefs are old, some are fairly new. Read on, and enjoy the rant!

10. People who reply to messages on the Internet, with NO clue as to what they are talking about. I’m not Ann Landers, but good heavens, how can you tell what a horses’ training problem is if you have never seen the horse! Is it a horse or rider problem? I classify them as “Arm Chair Professionals”

9. Half-Halts. Yes, there is such a word. Quite ambiguous I might add. But, it goes along with reason #10, if all else fails, Half-Halt. 9 out of 10 riders can’t describe it, or what the aids or the purpose is. It’s definitely a word that makes you a dressage coach right?

8. People who tell others those things are either legal or illegal in the show ring. For Example: Did you know that Wintec Saddles are illegal? Give me a break! It’s probably someone who is trying to sell a crappy leather saddle. Good heavens, if a Wintec was good enough for Isabell Werth to ride for Germany in the Olympics, then I think it’s good enough for the 98% of people who don’t get to the Olympics.

7. Memberships. I presently pay over $250 per year for memberships. EC, OEF, Cadora, the Arabian Horse Association, Canadian Trakehner Society. I don’t begrudge the fact that they do some good, but at least for my $110 that I pay to Equine Canada, I can at least have a hard copy of the FULL rulebook, and a monthly magazine for no charge!

6. Administration Fees at Shows. What do we pay entry fees for? I thought that entry fees are the administration fees. And they vary too. Some shows are $5, some are $20 some are FREE. Again I don’t begrudge the fact that shows have to cover their expenses, but again, isn’t an entry fee to cover the administration fee?. Perhaps the shows should re-word it. Like “we need more money, but afraid to put our ENTRY FEES higher”

5. Speaking of entry fees, shows that charge administration fees, PLUS another fee if you screw up your entry form. $10 for not putting in your Coggins, or copies of your memberships, or how about a late entry missing the ADMINISTRATION fee? $20 if you please. Then you can show at our show. Too bad if you’ve never filled out an entry form. We’ll just take your money until you get it right! Don’t forget to cross your T’s and dot your I’s. I figured out at one show in particular, that they could have had one of their judges paid for from peoples’ “mess ups” in submitting their entries.

4. Rollkur. It’s a heavily debated, never ending battle. On a recent message board, its comparison was made to the US Presidency! Don’t get me started. The Rollkur wannabe’s in this country ought to have their legs slapped.

3. Shamatuers. Sh-amateurs. Yes, that’s not a typo. These are the people who compete in shows that you know darn well are definite professionals. But for whatever reason, they seem to be proud of riding against the 9 to 5 ‘ers. You can take the SH in Shamatuers in a couple of contexts. Sham or Sh%t. Either way, I don’t like it.

2. People who lie about their credentials. Trainers and Coaches who have done nothing, who claim to people that they have been “The Bavarian Dressage Champion” (but they fail to tell you it was a walk-trot division) and trained with “Joe Blow” seemingly hanging on their “famous coaches’ shirt-tails”, having done nothing themselves. I especially like the people who were around many years ago, who come back rising like a Phoenix into “guru” status. They got caught in their lies and deceitfulness years ago, but waited a few generations of dressage riders to be born-again. Sorry, but I’ve been around for the past 30 odd years, and have a memory like a steel trap!

1. Coaches of National Dressage Teams riding in Walk-Trot Classes in a schooling show. This has come to light in the past few days. OH PULEEZE! Who are they trying to impress? Why can’t they have a student ride the horse, or further the horses’ training and come out in a walk-trot-canter class. Would you actually put your horse in training with a person who did this?

Allie and Elaine Incognito!

Could you imagine that! At a recent horse show,........Elaine and Allie were disguised as "hunters"! HMMMMM she looks pretty nice!

Say No to Rollkur!

Here is a link to the most disgusting training method on the planet........the dreaded Rollkur. It is cruel and unusual punishment to the horse. Why this has not been taken up by the FEI, National Federations, and Local Humane societies as cruelty is beyond me. The FEI- International Equestrian Body has almost taken a blind eye to it, as it may offend some of the apparent top riders in the world. I think we should start a revolt.
Click on the title above to find out, and see what terrible damage this does to a horse.

Big Results at Glanbrook Trillium Show June 4

4 Horses and Riders represented Kirkridge at the Glanbrook Trillium Show in Brantford. The competition was held at Langford Church Stables, which is a new facility for the Glanbrook Shows. It's a lovely facility! Ample parking, and a good show ring. A little humor was added in the indoor arena with a donkey occasionally "braying"!
The judge was Don Barnes, who also really liked this new facility!
The weather held out; I got wet before my test, but when I passed the judges' booth to start my test; the sun began to shine! I guess it was a good omen.
Thanks to all of my students who came out to support us. Our results show that although the entries were fairly light, we could have placed just as well at any show that had twice the number of competitors.
Here are the Results of the Kirkridge Riders:

Rosemarie Greer and Chellis:
Training Level Test 1 AA: 1st Place 64.09%
Training Level Test 2 AA: 2nd Place 60.00%

Sean Wismer and Kenkari:
Training Level Test 1 AA: 3rd Place 60.90%
Training Level Test 2 AA: 1st Place 60.38%

Sara Pederson and Barra's Destiny:
Third Level Test 1: 1st Place 63.06%
Third Level Test 2: 1st Place 65.24%

Elaine Ward and KF Almaz+//
Training Level Test 1 Open: 1st Place 66.81%
Training Level Test 2 Open: 1st Place 65.00%
First Level Test 1 Open : 1st Place 62.59%
First Level Test 2 Open : 1st Place 65.29%

Lauren Bailey and ESP Two Moon Junction+/ competed at the London Dressage Association Trillium Show on the same day. Where the weather was great for the Glanbrook Show, the LDA show was a mud bog!
Here is the e-mail I received from her father Bill this morning:
"Hi Elaine,
Lauren's results were Lev. 1 Test 3 - 62.00, Test 4 - 61.67 , Lev. 2 Test 1 - 57.89, Test 2 - 59.72. The Lev. 2 Test 2 was the only test done in ring 1 but she was not accurate in a lot of the details which cost her. The other 3 tests were done in a lower ring that had 6 - 8" of mud throughout with a lot of standing water. The judge was not very considerate of this to all competitors. The test sheets had the same comment about 20 times that the horse lacked energy & wasn't forward enough. In retrospect I don't know if it was worth while going in to the ring. There were a number who didn't. It was a rather frustrating day."

Kim Fisher Photography Rocks!

Absolutely some of the best pics I have had taken of my horses! Visit the link on the title to check out Kim's website with her proofs from the Milestone Show.