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| Photos Courtesy Sunny Cross |
Silva and I once again taught at the Fitch's Corner Memorial
Day Clinic in Millbrook,
NY. Without question this is one of the best-run
eventing clinics of the year, held at he beautiful Farm of Fernanda
Kellogg and Kirk Henckels.
Over the three-day weekend we utilized the jumping ring, cross-country
course and dressage ring to work with riders from all over who came to improve their
riding and horses.
This year saw some very challenging weather on the first
day, but in true eventing style we battled the elements and carried on.
We worked on grid work and show jump courses on day 1, also
paying particular
attention to the riders' positions. On day two we addressed many of the technical
cross-country
questions addressed and on Monday the focus was more on the
dressage, with Silva.
The clinic takes place on the beautiful grounds of the Fitch'sCorner Horses Trials, which will run this year on July 19-21. This will be
the 20th Anniversary of the event and the competition is offering a total of $20,000 of
prize money! On top of that, course designer Derek diGrazia is adding a new
mound complex, as well as expanding the water jump to make the event even better than ever.
A big thanks must go to Kirk and Fernanda, Nick Meyers and
Sunny Cross for organizing this highlight of our calendar every year. A big hand must also go to the 68 riders who took part in the clinic for the
tremendous riding that was displayed over the weekend.
Boyd
I received a lovely email from Fernanda Kellogg with the following information about the clinic:
ReplyDelete"Some facts about our Memorial Clinic:
We had 70 rides over the weekend between Silva and Boyd. Totally sold out.
22 horses shipped in from afar to attend.
Many riders have ridden in the clinic over the past five years.
Social events included buffet lunches at the Fitch's Corner Main house, and the highlight was a pig roast for 300 people, saluting the 20th Anniversary of the Fitch's Corner
Horse Trials and a salute to Boyd.
It was an epic clinic.
Fernanda"
My daughter and I, along with several members of our barn, traveled from just outside of Boston to ride in this wonderful clinic. Boyd is masterful at taking horse/rider teams from their established level and pushing them to their limits. He wisely selects grids and obstacles to introduce both horse and rider to new questions, and is unfailingly clear and supportive in his guidance. His upbeat personality and "can do" attitude inspires. Silva too gave incredible instruction. With Silva whispering in your ear, any rider will perform at his/her highest level. Our horses and riders all left exhausted yet energized, and really looking forward to the season! Thanks SO much - to Boyd, Silva, and the entire Fitch's team!
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