Area III Adult Riders

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Program Updates

Ralph Hill / Andrew Harbison Clinic - Join us welcoming Ralph Hill back to the clinic circuit, August 15-17, Pine Top Farm, Thomson, GA! Click on link for the Details and Registration Form.

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January Clinic - The Adult Riders Winter Get Away Clinic, with Andrew Harbison and Lucinda Green, was held January 19 - 21, at Rocking Horse Stables, Altoona, Florida. Click on link for the Photo Album.

Lucinda Green Clinic Article/Feedback, By Karena Smith
I had ridden up to Training level with my mare a few years ago until an injury after the 2004 FL hurricanes retired her. So, here I was back up to Training level with my daughter’s horse, me riding him since she’d gone off to college this year, and thinking I should “push myself” and take it up a notch to Prelim. I had heard wonderful things about Lucinda Green and had a lot of fun and confidence building in Ralph Hill’s clinic last year, so thought, yes, I’m signing up!
 
Of course, when I shipped in that morning to sunny but cold and windy 40 degree weather at Rocking Horse, the idea wasn’t that great! I was freezing, my horse was “up”, and walking up to the stadium course of skinny fences at different strides and angles, I thought, “What was I thinking? Maybe I should drop back down to Training level!”
 
But then Lucinda showed up, all bundled up, gorgeous blond hair whipping in the wind, and in her lovely accent, explained to us the purpose of these fences—to ride our horse between our legs, in a tunnel, to focus on the horse’s straightness, to feel uncomfortable (imagine that) so we know how to handle difficult, uncomfortable situations when they come up on course, and to have fun! We were going to look and feel awkward but we would learn to ride it out correctly. Ok, well, when she put it that way, I’m quite the expert at looking awkward over fences, so I’m in!
 
The first few jumps actually surprised me because they really made you focus and concentrate. I’d never jumped these types of fences before with my horse and didn’t know how he would react. We actually did fine I thought. Sometimes I get complacent over a jump because it’s wide and as long as we go through the standards or flags, we’re ok! Well, her exercise really made you ride correctly with your horse listening to your aids. I also noticed I wasn’t the only one who was having difficulty or looking awkward. I was learning from riding and watching the other riders.
 
The other exercise I learned was walking to a jump and jumping it from a walk. Not a simple cross rail or small jump mind you. I’m talking walking up to a barrel, having your horse listen to you, use their hocks and jump it from a walk. What a cool exercise! Talk about putting jumping into perspective… obviously don’t need speed to jump and you’d better have a good seat. Lucinda was also kind enough to give me time to switch bits as the bit I was using was not working out. She also asked me to watch the next group of Training riders to see how they handled the exercise. Well, they looked just like the Prelim riders so I was glad I stuck it out with the group I was with. In summary, the first day was great and I learned a lot. But would it be enough for me to handle cross country tomorrow?!
 
The next morning wasn’t as cold but just enough I was still chanting to myself, “just be lucky you live in FL and not the NE right now!” Lucinda wasted no time getting us warmed up and giving the directive of “just go jump a few fences out here and let me have a look at you!” She quickly picked up on who needed what advice with their horse. I felt like I needed a LOT of advice. The riders in my Prelim class all seemed quite comfortable jumping all these prelim fences and I began to wonder what they were doing in my group and how come they weren’t all in an intermediate group?! I thought I was moving up a level and these ladies were jumping around like it was a day in the park! Talk about feeling a bit outclassed. But, Lucinda, the pro that she is, never made me feel that way. She had me trying different things to boost not only my confidence, but my horse’s confidence as well. I was still having bit issues with my horse so at the end of our class, she had me ride back to the barn, try a different bit, come back out with the Training group, jump a few jumps with the new bit and we both assessed the outcome. I did this twice and the bit I ended with was a charm! Finally! Some control and steerage on cross country! Well, you’re probably thinking, Ohmygod, what a loser! Look at all these bit issues. Did she not have brakes? Were they out of control on the field?!
 
No, I didn’t think so, but the new bit Lucinda suggested did make a difference for both me and my horse. We engaged in a frank discussion and she agreed with me that the horse and I were not a good partnership, which doesn’t mean he’s a bad horse or I’m a bad rider, it just means we don’t dance well together. I thought that was a nice analogy that she was able to share with me honestly, without hurting my feelings and confirming my decision to sell him. So, if anyone wants to buy a Training packer/up and coming Prelim jumper, let me know!
 
At the end of the day, I had jumped several prelim height jumps, a prelim bank into and out of water, a skinny out of water, 2 roll tops at hideous angles to one another, a huge (in my eyes) monster trakehner, and walking a big ditch (when in the past all I wanted to do was get over it as fast as I could). I was very pleased with myself and my horse and the clinic gave me the confidence to jump extremely well at the next show.
 
Thank you Lucinda for your time, your enthusiasm, your wit, the sharing of your knowledge, and most of all, your patience and understanding for horse and rider. If any adult amateur, heck, anyone, wants to push their limits and learn from it, you should really consider a clinic with Lucinda Green. I hope she comes back in March when it’s not so cold.

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June 2007 Clinic - While running through the last minute checklist preparing for the Ian Stark clinic I could feel my nerves getting worse and worse. What was I doing signing myself up for an Ian Stark clinic?! I’d been out of the eventing world for some time, after retiring my Prelim horse, and now have a six year old homebred mare that is getting ready for her first event, but were we ready for Ian? I’d gone back to regular lessons with my fabulous trainer, Lellie Ward. I know how great my mare is with her in lessons, but would I be able to ride my mare properly elsewhere? I was sure about to find out! I had three days worth of clinic to test my ability.
 
Trailering in on Dressage day I concentrated on everything under the sun except the clinic to keep my nerves down. I arrived at Full Gallop Farm early to see how the previous lessons were going and still have time to get my horse tacked up and ready for the lesson. Our lessons were great but hot, got to love that Southern weather, and structured in a way that more experienced horses and green beginners had no problems being in the same lesson. My little mare was wonderful after Ian hopped on and got her through her little temper tantrum. It was so funny watching the two of them, my mare being a silly pig and Ian just calmly waiting her out. We all dream of being as great a rider as Ian.
 
Day two was show jumping and started out by trotting a line of several ground poles which my little girl thought were 4’ jumps and had to leap over all of them. When I finally convinced her to TROT over them we moved to jumping that line as a set of low bounces. I liked that Ian worked so hard to focus our riding and getting us to think about how our body affects the horse. I found that if I look for my next jump before jumping the first one I tend to get to the next jump properly. Spirit was amazing and jumped everything in great form, even the skinny chevron which she almost jumped the height of the standards. I think she likes jumping big. The whole time Ian was encouraging us and instructing us but never making us feel like we couldn’t do something or pushing us past our limits. Day two complete; but the fun hasn’t started yet… Cross Country day is next.
 
This was the day I had waited for. Spirit had only done a few real cross country lessons and one Lucinda Green clinic, so I was nervous about her reaction. Our class was right after lunch. We were all burning up in the heat but once the lesson got going we forgot everything except the ride. The horses warmed up over some easy logs and straightforward jumps and then moved on to banks. Spirit was a bit nervous the first time and really asked me if I was sure but went for it once I put my leg on. After that we played over some ditches, which thankfully are no big deal for Spirit, but more of a mind game for me. My show jumping lesson helped though and, once I was able to see my next jump while going over the ditch, the ½ coffin was easy. Full Gallop Farm has one of the best selection of jumps and some of the neatest I’ve seen but Spirit happened to find one “Turtle” jump quite unappealing. We were heading uphill to a set of fairly easy barrels when my beautiful mare spotted what she was sure was a scary, horse eating, fire breathing, Turtle skinny that was parked right next to the barrels. It took six times going up the hill and over the barrels to get her settled down to the point that she would not spook during the approach. Silly girl. Ian gave such great tips on how to ride that and prevent her from doing it again so hopefully I’ll remember them while we’re at an event. Thank you Ian!
The next part was what I’d been worried about… WATER! Lellie and I have worked very hard to try to get Spirit better at the water and I wanted to see how far along we’ve gotten by taking Spirit to a new water area. Ian had us all trot through a few times and Spirit was awesome and just trotted right in! YEAH!!! We then cantered through a few times before he had us canter into the water then jump a small log out. That was only warm up though. The next thing we did was jump down a bank into the water which led to jumping over a log at the edge of a bank into the water which eventually led to jumping a rolltop at the edge of a bank into the water and out the incline or the bank up. Spirit did it all with no fuss! What a great mind this gal has on her! Again Ian was always very encouraging and would give great tips and bits of information or tell stories of horses he had ridden and ways of dealing with problems.
 
This clinic helped my confidence so much and really showed me that my horse and I are ready to start competitions soon. I encourage anyone who wants to compete and wants to learn from people that have been there and done that to please go to these clinics, become a member of either Adult or Young Riders programs, take lessons, learn, and have fun! You will not be disappointed.

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Adult Team Challenge
 
The Tryon Riding and Hunt Club hosted the 2007 Eastern Adult Team Challenge over the August 25-26 weekend. Teams from USEA Area III and Area II were in attendance.
 
Last year, Area III's Desperate Horse Wives won the Novice Team Challenge (Anne Wilson on Ringwood Casino, Danielle Hewitt on Mardi Gras, Abbie Jones on N 36 Degrees and Lisa Fouche on Posh). This year, the former winning team split up into two groups.
 
Lisa and Abbie formed a new training level team, again called the Desperate Horse Wives. They added Marcea Funk on The Dutchman and Kim Keeton, DVM riding Wade and Tay. Both Marcea and Kim are from Florida. Once again, this team came out on top with individual placings as follows:

Marcea Funk, 1st, Abbie Jones, 4th, Lisa Fouche' 5th and Kim Keeton, 8th.

The other two original Desperate Horse Wives (Anne and Danielle) formed a new Novice team called Charlie's Angels. Minge Wiseman on Mr. Starbucks from Blythewood, SC and Bob Bezzeg on Bedroom Pal from Landrum, SC rounded out the team. This team was also victorious, bringing home the blue and making their coach, Kathy Faulk very proud. Kathy also coached the Training team to victory. Kathy is from Blythewood, SC and free lance teaches in SC and NC and was formerly the instructor at FareWell Farm in Blythewood.
 
Individual placings for the novice riders were:

Danielle Hewitt, 1st, Anne Wilson, 2nd, Bob Bezzeg, 3rd and Minge Wiseman, 13th.

Danielle was also the low score winner with dressage score of 20 and final score of 24!
 
The best decorated stall belonged to the Suwanee Swingers who had pink leas, a round bed, crazy videos and pink wigs to match their pink shirts they wore during competition. What a creative group (or maybe scary)???

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The Cindy Burge Memorial ICP Grant provides funds to assist those who wish to pursue ICP education. Within Area 3, the Adult Rider program sponsors a yearly scholarship of up to $500 for ICP training and certification. The scholarship awards $250 for an ICP workshop and another $250 for an ICP certification session.
The Area 3 Adult Riders ICP Scholarship Application form provides additional information. Deadline for scholarship application is September 30, 2006. Questions can be addressed to Cindy Phillips.

Background Information
The USEA and the Instructors’ Certification Program call your attention to the Cindy Burge Memorial ICP Grant, offered each year by each USEA Area’s Adult Rider Program to one (or more) of its Area’s instructors who meets the grant’s qualification standards and is selected as a recipient. These qualification standards include merit as an instructor, service to the sport, potential to provide future benefit to the sport, and demonstration of compatibility with the educational goals of ICP and intention to be assessed for ICP certification.
This grant program honors Cindy Burge, who was a spirited leader of eventing in the Northwest and one of the first instructors to be certified by ICP. With her instructing and competing and her organization of the Deep Creek Horse Trials outside of Spokane, Washington, Cindy benefited eventers every day with her knowledge and experience, her riding ability, and her organizational talent and hard work.
The Instructors’ Certification Program thanks the USEA Areas and their Adult Rider Programs for helping to identify and assist instructors all over the country who, like Cindy, are interested in confirming and enhancing their knowledge and skill as eventing instructors. This grant money will help pay the fee for each recipient’s participation in an Assessment for ICP certification.
Before being assessed by ICP, instructors at Levels I or II must attend a 3-day Levels I/II Teaching of Dressage Workshop and a 3-day Levels I/II Teaching of Jumping Workshop; the Teaching of Jumping Workshop covers teaching of both show jumping and cross country riding/jumping. Usually these two Workshops are offered by the same host at the same barn/farm. Before being assessed, instructors at Levels III or IV must attend a 3-day Levels III/IV Workshop that covers teaching of dressage, show jumping, and cross country riding/jumping. Then candidate instructors may be evaluated for certification at an ICP Assessment at the ICP Level appropriate for them.
Because the U.S. is so large, it is often necessary to travel a distance to both Workshops and an Assessment. ICP is similar to the USDF instructor certification program in this way. Nonetheless, due to the importance of increasing the safety and skill of eventing riders and horses – as well as their enjoyment of the sport – all eventing instructors are highly encouraged to go to the USEA website to view the ICP Workshop and Assessment calendar. Everyone who attends ICP Workshops and Assessments shares and learns, including their hosts and riders.
For more information about ICP, including the definition of each ICP Level and a list of already certified ICP instructors, click on “Education” on the USEA website homepage and then on “Instructors.” For more information about your Area’s Cindy Burge Memorial ICP Grant, contact the person who leads your Area’s Adult Rider Program. You can find that name by clicking on USEA Area Contacts and then on your own Area, or by visiting your own Area’s website.
(submitted by Sue Hershey, August 21, 2006)

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Win a Halter - Tack Today has once again offered a halter to any adult rider with a score of 25 or less at the end of an USEA recognized event. The rider must be an amateur and belong to the Area Adult Rider program. See the Tack Today flyer for details.

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Adult Rider Photo Album - Enjoy the Adult Rider Photos - just click on the pictures to enlarge. If you have non-copyrighted pictures that you would like added to this album, just send as an email attachment to areaiii@hotmail.com.

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Membership - The Adult Rider dues for 2008 are $20; $10 for renewing members. To join/renew, click here for the membership form to fill out and mail. The Adult Rider program offers several clinics, participation in the Adult Team Championships and lots of fun and good times for Area III adult eventers.

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Contact Information - The Area III Adult Rider Coordinator is Robin Bass. Robin is seeking your help to make this program what you want. She is open to suggestions and would love to hear from any Area III Adult Riders. Contact Robin at Robinb@us.ibm.com.

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