Saddle Tune-Up with Vincent from Devoucoux

A big thanks to Vincent from Devoucoux, who came out to the farm today and checked all of our saddles. He made a few adjustments to some of them to make sure they fit the newer horses. Without question,Vincent is an absolute genius when it comes to matching up the right Devoucoux product with horse and rider. He is in Aiken for the winter, so give him a call if you think he could help you and your horse.

Coverage of Pipeline Clinic on Dressage-News.com

From Dressage-News.com: 

By KENNETH J. BRADDICK

WELLINGTON, Florida, Jan. 29, 2014–Riders and coaches in the United States “Pipeline” clinic for combinations at different levels of American dressage had high praise for the two-day event organized by the U.S. Equestrian Federation and the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation.

A dozen horses and riders–youth, young horses, developing and Grand Prix–were monitored and advised by the four USEF dressage coaches: Robert Dover, Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor; Debbie McDonald, Developing Coach; Scott Hassler, Young Horse Coach, and Jeremy Steinberg, Youth Coach. at the Global Dressage Festival grounds. The event was open to auditors.

To view a photo of Silva and Rosa, continue reading at http://www.dressage-news.com/?p=24838

The Shamwari Syndicate is Complete

I would like to congratulate the new members of the Shamwari Syndicate! It is an awesome group that came together to purchase the ten shares. I would like to also offer a big thanks to the two individuals that bridged the loan for me to purchase this great horse.

The complete Shamwari Syndicate:

Bonnie Stedt, NY
Steve Blauner, NY

Craig and Gloria Callen, NY

Cuyler and Katie Walker, PA

Nancy and David Hathaway, NY

Mike and Anne Laver, SC

Fernanda Kellogg and Kirk Henckels, NY

Doug and Cindy Howe, PA

Denise Lahey and Pierre Colin, MA

George and Gretchen Wintersteen, PA

Andrew and Sandra Holden, NY

Boyd Martin

Duvent is Still for Sale!

Duvent has come a long way! He has grown up so much and is getting calmer and steadier by the day. Here we are schooling the Prix St. George here at FoxFrolic Farm in Aiken:

Shamwari 4 Update with Videos

Shamwari has set into his new American life well down here in Aiken, SC.  I have tried to contain my excitement since getting him, and deliberately taken in easy on him.

I gave him a light jump yesterday over a couple of fences and he felt super:



The rest of the the time, I have been delegated to hacking him while Silva has done most of the flat work on him:
 

I nearly have the syndicate complete, with only one or two shares left. He seems to be a really sweet horse that is fitting in well and I have been in contact with Ludwig nearly every day asking questions about his training and management so that we can have the easiest transition possible to life in America.

Boyd Martin

More Dressage Schooling Videos

Coquette, owned by Cheryl Griffith: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkuJyJV-C_Y

Coquette is turning six this year. Bred by Melinda Walton and Larry Smith, Coquette is out of Heidekleid, whom is also the mother of Benefactor, Duvent and Cece. Cheryl rides Coquette most of the time at home but I brought her to Aiken for a month of "dressage boot camp"; Cheryl will take over the riding when we get back to PA.

Here is Benefactor practicing his six-year-old test for this year's young horse qualifiers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT9EHS6E13E

Benny of course learned everything with ease again. He is not even six years old, and it is so early in the year yet, and he can do the test pretty nicely already! I am excited for the Markel Young Horse program this year!

Thanks again to Melinda and Larry for breeding such amazing horses, and for letting me train them!

Silva

Fun Sunday Jumping Clinic in Tryon, NC

Eric Dierks

It was a fantastic day teaching jump lessons at Eric and Trayce Dierks’ Renovatio Farm in Tryon, NC. 

Rachael Wood with Boyd - courtesy Stephanie Wood

We had an enthusiastic group of riders sitting on novice right up to advanced horses, all ready to learn, and the facility was fantastic. I very much enjoyed getting out there and teaching the clinic. 

Boyd

I had the riders work on some turning exercises and gymnastics to get the horses jumping well and rideable, then towards the end of the session I added in some technical lines that you typically come across in today’s jumping courses.

Katharine Knauz

Thanks to the Dierks for hosting the clinic, and to our sponsors who provided a few tokens of appreciation for the riders to take home with them. 

-Boyd Martin

Photos Courtesy Linda Valerio Stenzel:
lindavaleriostenzelphotography.zenfolio.com

More images will be posted soon, at Linda's site.