News
August 30, 2016
Grey Haven Farm
So much news to share!! I had my beautiful, baby girl, Adeline, on July 6. She is healthy and happy and already out at the barn most days helping her momma. Emme Johnston returned to Braeburn mid summer to help me out as I slowed down at the end of my pregnancy and just after Addie was born. She and Kate Tackett were amazing throughout my pregnancy, and I cannot thank them enough for all they did.
Speaking of Emme and Kate, we are excited to share some other big news. I will be expanding to a second location, Grey Haven Farm, in Chapel Hill, and Emme will manage this farm for me as an assistant trainer. Emme will keep 4 horses in training there, and she will be available for lessons both at Grey Haven and off site. I will be available for lessons at Braeburn Farm or Grey Haven Farm. Please see Grey Haven page for more information about this lovely facility.
Kate Tackett will continue to manage Braeburn Farm and also work as an assistant trainer for me. She is an excellent instructor, and has already begun teaching many juniors and AAs in the area. She will be available for lessons at Braeburn or off site. See the Training/Lessons/Sales page for more information about Kate and Emme, or to contact them for a lesson. Kate is now a certified equine massage therapist and is also available for therapeutic massage in the Triangle/Triad area.
We have some fabulous clinics coming up at Braeburn Farm. Jontelle Forbus will be teaching September 2 & 3, Debbie Bowman will be there September 7, and Scott Hassler will be coming down November 18 & 19.
We will be headed to the USDF Region 1 Championships in a few weeks, and then we are all excited to see some cooler weather come in. This summer has been brutal!! Check back soon for more information about other exciting clinics and an Adult Camp we will be running this fall.
Speaking of Emme and Kate, we are excited to share some other big news. I will be expanding to a second location, Grey Haven Farm, in Chapel Hill, and Emme will manage this farm for me as an assistant trainer. Emme will keep 4 horses in training there, and she will be available for lessons both at Grey Haven and off site. I will be available for lessons at Braeburn Farm or Grey Haven Farm. Please see Grey Haven page for more information about this lovely facility.
Kate Tackett will continue to manage Braeburn Farm and also work as an assistant trainer for me. She is an excellent instructor, and has already begun teaching many juniors and AAs in the area. She will be available for lessons at Braeburn or off site. See the Training/Lessons/Sales page for more information about Kate and Emme, or to contact them for a lesson. Kate is now a certified equine massage therapist and is also available for therapeutic massage in the Triangle/Triad area.
We have some fabulous clinics coming up at Braeburn Farm. Jontelle Forbus will be teaching September 2 & 3, Debbie Bowman will be there September 7, and Scott Hassler will be coming down November 18 & 19.
We will be headed to the USDF Region 1 Championships in a few weeks, and then we are all excited to see some cooler weather come in. This summer has been brutal!! Check back soon for more information about other exciting clinics and an Adult Camp we will be running this fall.
April 28, 2016
Kate & Gracie after a beautiful test!
Happy spring to everyone! We had a great first show at Williamston. Kate competed Gracie at 3rd/3 with score to 67+% as well as Fuerst Blush at Training 3 with 68+%. Ellen and Hannah tried out 4th/1 for the first time with mid 60's, and Hannah and Nueva got back in the show ring with many beautiful moments after a long absence and a cross country move!
We are looking forward to competing in Pinehurst in May and Raleigh in June. I just stopped riding, since I am now 7 months pregnant and feeling huge! But other than my lack of balance, I feel good and healthy. And Daniel is very ready to be a big brother.
Check out some of the updates I've made to the website, and let me know what you think! Thank you, as always, for your support and interest! ~Eliza
We are looking forward to competing in Pinehurst in May and Raleigh in June. I just stopped riding, since I am now 7 months pregnant and feeling huge! But other than my lack of balance, I feel good and healthy. And Daniel is very ready to be a big brother.
Check out some of the updates I've made to the website, and let me know what you think! Thank you, as always, for your support and interest! ~Eliza
January 19, 2016
Prince Hopeful, aka Pappi
I can see it has been almost a year (yikes!!) since I updated my news. Not going to write everything that has happened in all that time, but here are a few big news items:
Emme Johnston has moved on to work for JJ Tate and is now in Florida with her wonderful Jake! Emme worked for Eliza Sydnor Dressage for over 5 years, and we were so sad to see her go but very happy for her to take on this exciting opportunity.
Kate Tackett is now the barn manager and head working student for Eliza Sydnor Dressage! Kate has worked for me on and off over the years, since she started at Elon University many years ago. I am so thrilled to have Kate with us full time. There is not a more committed, fabulous working student out there! Kate is planning to compete on my Gracie this year and had a very successful show season in 2015 aboard Dr. Chelsey Miller's, Lvis.
I had to say goodbye to two amazing horses in 2015. Brookie (Slo Blazing Brook) passed away at the age of 32. He had been with me since I was 6 and he was 4. Such a fabulous pony, who taught me so much and put up with me as I figured things out, bit by bit. Pappi (Prince Hopeful) had to be put down at the end of the year, which was very hard for all of us who had known and loved this sweet boy. He was such a gorgeous, kind, graceful animal. His body never quite matched the strength of his heart, and it was hard to say goodbye.
My son, Daniel, turned two recently, and he is very excited to tell everyone that he is going to be a big brother! I am due July 4 with baby number 2!! We don't know if it's a boy or a girl, but I'm thinking girl.... and pony... :)
I hope you are all staying warm out there and enjoying your horses. More updates this year, I promise!! ~Eliza
Emme Johnston has moved on to work for JJ Tate and is now in Florida with her wonderful Jake! Emme worked for Eliza Sydnor Dressage for over 5 years, and we were so sad to see her go but very happy for her to take on this exciting opportunity.
Kate Tackett is now the barn manager and head working student for Eliza Sydnor Dressage! Kate has worked for me on and off over the years, since she started at Elon University many years ago. I am so thrilled to have Kate with us full time. There is not a more committed, fabulous working student out there! Kate is planning to compete on my Gracie this year and had a very successful show season in 2015 aboard Dr. Chelsey Miller's, Lvis.
I had to say goodbye to two amazing horses in 2015. Brookie (Slo Blazing Brook) passed away at the age of 32. He had been with me since I was 6 and he was 4. Such a fabulous pony, who taught me so much and put up with me as I figured things out, bit by bit. Pappi (Prince Hopeful) had to be put down at the end of the year, which was very hard for all of us who had known and loved this sweet boy. He was such a gorgeous, kind, graceful animal. His body never quite matched the strength of his heart, and it was hard to say goodbye.
My son, Daniel, turned two recently, and he is very excited to tell everyone that he is going to be a big brother! I am due July 4 with baby number 2!! We don't know if it's a boy or a girl, but I'm thinking girl.... and pony... :)
I hope you are all staying warm out there and enjoying your horses. More updates this year, I promise!! ~Eliza
March 24, 2015
Katie & Brody make the most of the snowy weather.
Katie and Brody make the most of the snowy weather.
May 27, 2014
Wow, I can't believe it's almost summer! Time is flying even more than usual with my little cutie there on the left. He is just amazing and growing like a weed! It feels great to be back to work, riding and teaching every day. I am still figuring out how to balance everything with Daniel in the mix, but I feel like I'm starting to get into a groove.
I am so excited to welcome Kate Tackett as my working student for the summer! Kate is a rising senior at Elon and has been a student of mine for a few years. She is so wonderful, and we are thrilled to have her full time for the summer. Kate is a very lucky girl this summer, as she is getting to ride Anna, who just came back to Braeburn Farm for training. Anna is a fabulous Oldenburg mare, owned by Vicky Boule, and we have really missed her. Kate will be learning from her this summer, and then I will continue with her training in the fall and beyond.
I am also very excited about some of the other horses in training here - Sundance is a 2009 Hanoverian mare, owned and bred by Marcia Boeing of Hucks Hill Farm in Camden, SC. She is one of the nicest horses I have ever ridden, and I am not exaggerating. She is for sale, and you can check her out on the sale horses page.
Bentley is a 2010 Trakehner/Andalusian cross gelding, owned by Esther & Greg Bell of Knoxville, TN. He is at Braeburn to be started under saddle and is doing so well!! He is the sweetest horse in the universe and just thinks all this riding business is great.
We had a super show at Pinehurst - Maui did her first Third Level tests ever, with scores in the mid 60's. Rudy competed at her first show of her life, and blew us all away with scores in the 70s! Emme had super rides on Jake at Third Level and is doing such a beautiful job with Thunder, who is rocking it at Training and First Levels. Ellen and Hannah continue to improve as they show at Third Level, and I am so proud of their progress.
All my students are on an upward swing right now, and it is really fun to be a part of their progress. This warm weather has everyone motivated! I know soon enough everyone will be complaining that it's too hot, but for right now, I hope we can all appreciate this beautiful North Carolina spring and all the lovely horses we get to work with each day.
I am so excited to welcome Kate Tackett as my working student for the summer! Kate is a rising senior at Elon and has been a student of mine for a few years. She is so wonderful, and we are thrilled to have her full time for the summer. Kate is a very lucky girl this summer, as she is getting to ride Anna, who just came back to Braeburn Farm for training. Anna is a fabulous Oldenburg mare, owned by Vicky Boule, and we have really missed her. Kate will be learning from her this summer, and then I will continue with her training in the fall and beyond.
I am also very excited about some of the other horses in training here - Sundance is a 2009 Hanoverian mare, owned and bred by Marcia Boeing of Hucks Hill Farm in Camden, SC. She is one of the nicest horses I have ever ridden, and I am not exaggerating. She is for sale, and you can check her out on the sale horses page.
Bentley is a 2010 Trakehner/Andalusian cross gelding, owned by Esther & Greg Bell of Knoxville, TN. He is at Braeburn to be started under saddle and is doing so well!! He is the sweetest horse in the universe and just thinks all this riding business is great.
We had a super show at Pinehurst - Maui did her first Third Level tests ever, with scores in the mid 60's. Rudy competed at her first show of her life, and blew us all away with scores in the 70s! Emme had super rides on Jake at Third Level and is doing such a beautiful job with Thunder, who is rocking it at Training and First Levels. Ellen and Hannah continue to improve as they show at Third Level, and I am so proud of their progress.
All my students are on an upward swing right now, and it is really fun to be a part of their progress. This warm weather has everyone motivated! I know soon enough everyone will be complaining that it's too hot, but for right now, I hope we can all appreciate this beautiful North Carolina spring and all the lovely horses we get to work with each day.
March 3, 2014
Sorry for the slow update, but as most of you know... he's here!! Daniel Emerson Romm was born January 11, 2014 at 12:27 am at the Birth Center in Chapel Hill, NC. He was 7 lb 14 oz, 21 inches long, and absolutely perfect in every way. My labor was long and hard but went really well, and I didn't have to have any drugs or any interventions, which is what I wanted! I don't have much experience with newborns (as in NO experience!) but he is one easy baby. He is so sweet, hardly ever cries, and is just the happiest little dude around. He has started smiling already, and is using that smile to make everyone fall in love with him! He comes to farm with me and has met all the horses :)
I am so happy to be back to riding! I got on Gracie two weeks after Daniel was born, but I just walked around. The midwives didn't want me to really ride until 6 weeks after he was born, and I pretty much obeyed ;)
Bethany had a good experience in FL working for JJ Tate, and she is happy to be back at Braeburn Farm and reunited with Pepper. All the horses are going well, and everyone is gearing up for show season. Check out Facebook for lots more pictures of my little man.
I am so happy to be back to riding! I got on Gracie two weeks after Daniel was born, but I just walked around. The midwives didn't want me to really ride until 6 weeks after he was born, and I pretty much obeyed ;)
Bethany had a good experience in FL working for JJ Tate, and she is happy to be back at Braeburn Farm and reunited with Pepper. All the horses are going well, and everyone is gearing up for show season. Check out Facebook for lots more pictures of my little man.
December 30, 2013
Well, today is my due date, but so far, not much is happening. Maybe this little one wants to be a 2014 baby?? I'm ready, any time he (or she, but I kind of think it's a boy) is ready...
I wrote this article for Bethany, who is headed to FL for 6 weeks to work for JJ Tate, a friend of mine and an excellent trainer, who is based in Wellington, FL, for the winter. I'm excited for Bethany to learn a lot and have a great experience. Thought others might be interested in this. It's applicable for anyone, really, but it's written for those beginning a job as a working student. I have been a working student A LOT in my life, all over the US and in Germany. These are some tips that have been helpful to me when I go to a new barn:
Read the article here.
Happy New Year, everyone!!!
I wrote this article for Bethany, who is headed to FL for 6 weeks to work for JJ Tate, a friend of mine and an excellent trainer, who is based in Wellington, FL, for the winter. I'm excited for Bethany to learn a lot and have a great experience. Thought others might be interested in this. It's applicable for anyone, really, but it's written for those beginning a job as a working student. I have been a working student A LOT in my life, all over the US and in Germany. These are some tips that have been helpful to me when I go to a new barn:
Read the article here.
Happy New Year, everyone!!!
December 5, 2013
So sorry for the total lack of updates here, but there has been a lot going on! I am due to have a baby in 3 weeks! I figure most of you keep up with things on Facebook anyway, so I have gotten bad about putting updates on here. To the left is a picture of me with Flow from the other day - about to pop!! Emme and Bethany have been doing a super job of keeping all the horses working well. I stopped riding the end of September but am still teaching, at least for another week or so until I can't waddle around after my students any more. All the horses look wonderful, and it has really been a pleasure to focus on my teaching these past few months and watch the horses' training progress from the ground. I am seeing so much that I am excited to put into practice with my own riding when I start back next year.
Gracie is also due to have a baby, but not until mid May of 2014. We will get to have some feisty babies together come spring! Until then, she is working beautifully with Emme and teaching Bethany a lot. Emme & Bethany's horses are improving by leaps and bounds. Both of them will spend some time this winter in FL working for my friends, JJ Tate and Ashley Perkins. I'm excited for them to have the opportunity to learn from JJ and Ashley, and I'm glad they won't be stuck in NC all winter while I am out of commission!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoys the holidays over the next few weeks. Stay tuned for baby pictures!!
Gracie is also due to have a baby, but not until mid May of 2014. We will get to have some feisty babies together come spring! Until then, she is working beautifully with Emme and teaching Bethany a lot. Emme & Bethany's horses are improving by leaps and bounds. Both of them will spend some time this winter in FL working for my friends, JJ Tate and Ashley Perkins. I'm excited for them to have the opportunity to learn from JJ and Ashley, and I'm glad they won't be stuck in NC all winter while I am out of commission!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoys the holidays over the next few weeks. Stay tuned for baby pictures!!
April 29, 2013t
Emme & Izzie. Click for more info
Phew!! It's been a busy month and a half since I last updated here. We have been to two big shows in Williamston, NC, and have had three clinics on the farm! The weather has been beautiful, all the horses are almost done shedding, and everyone feels great!
We are so excited to welcome Bethany Larsen as the new working student here at Eliza Sydnor Dressage! Bethany just arrived this past weekend from northern WI (Brrr!) and brought 3 horses with her. We are trying to find a free lease home for her two older horses, if anyone knows of a good home looking for sweet boys who are very safe to ride and good on trails. She also brought Pepper, her 7 year old Morgan/QH cross to be her daily project. We are excited to get to work with him.
Last weekend was a clinic with Gerhard Politz from CA, and everyone had great rides. Next weekend will be Dressage In The Sandhills, one of my favorite shows of the year. And we'll be there in force with many horses and students!
I've updated the Sale Horses page as well as the Horses in Training page. Follow us on Facebook for regular updates on the happenings around the farm. Happy spring, everyone!
We are so excited to welcome Bethany Larsen as the new working student here at Eliza Sydnor Dressage! Bethany just arrived this past weekend from northern WI (Brrr!) and brought 3 horses with her. We are trying to find a free lease home for her two older horses, if anyone knows of a good home looking for sweet boys who are very safe to ride and good on trails. She also brought Pepper, her 7 year old Morgan/QH cross to be her daily project. We are excited to get to work with him.
Last weekend was a clinic with Gerhard Politz from CA, and everyone had great rides. Next weekend will be Dressage In The Sandhills, one of my favorite shows of the year. And we'll be there in force with many horses and students!
I've updated the Sale Horses page as well as the Horses in Training page. Follow us on Facebook for regular updates on the happenings around the farm. Happy spring, everyone!
March 6, 2013
Well, I am officially sick of rain. I can't think of the last time we had SUCH a wet winter. Everything is mud, mud, mud. But luckily our arena is great and drains incredibly well, so we still haven't lost too many days with the training horses at home. But my lessons have seriously suffered this winter! Spring is around the corner, though, I can feel it. (And taste it with all the horse hair I keep eating as they start to shed!!)
We have gone to two schooling shows this winter with some of the young horses. The Pinehurst schooling shows that Sue Smithson puts on are so great. Emme and Thunder have done incredibly well together, and he is just such a nice young horse. I am always impressed with his attitude. Hannah did her first 3rd/1 last weekend and was wonderful, despite being qutie nervous. My other students are doing really well too, and I am very proud of the progress everyone has been able to make, even with the yucky weather.
There are some exciting developments on the horizon. More on that soon!! As you get ready for show season, check out my tips for the rules of the area -
We have gone to two schooling shows this winter with some of the young horses. The Pinehurst schooling shows that Sue Smithson puts on are so great. Emme and Thunder have done incredibly well together, and he is just such a nice young horse. I am always impressed with his attitude. Hannah did her first 3rd/1 last weekend and was wonderful, despite being qutie nervous. My other students are doing really well too, and I am very proud of the progress everyone has been able to make, even with the yucky weather.
There are some exciting developments on the horizon. More on that soon!! As you get ready for show season, check out my tips for the rules of the area -
January 25, 2013
Hampton Green Farm in Wellington, FL
I just returned from a wonderful trip to FL. Not only was it delightfully warm and sunny (not so much here at home!) but I learned a ton. I went to the FEI Trainer's Conference with Steffen Peters and Scott Hassler on Monday and Tuesday. Steffen rode almost all the horses, and narrated as he went, and it was just so wonderful to watch. On Wednesday, I participated in a USDF FEI Instructor Certification workshop at Hampton Green Farm (gorgeous!!) that Kathy Connelly led. I've written my notes out below for both events. I am not the greatest note taker, I'm a much more visual learner, so I have to remind myself to write things down. Especially when watching Steffen, I didn't want to take a moment away to write some notes! But I tried:
FEI Trainers Conference:
Day 1 –
- Ride a controlled transition to ext. walk every time, even when giving a break.
- Use large working pirouette in walk to develop true bending around inside leg.
- If right walk – canter transition is not so good, then L-R flying change will not be so good. Work on walk-canter transition and reaction to Left leg – Keep it simple!
- Ride often on the 2nd track, so you are truly in control of the shoulders.
- After canter ½ passes, stay slightly off track at end, so you can clearly straighten the horse before the change and move off inside leg.
- “A bad reaction is better than NO reaction!”
- Pirouette exercise – ride a line from B – A, ½ pirouette before A, finishing pointing toward E, then ride E-C, same thing in front of C.
- “Can she do the pirouette for a 9? That is not the question. The question is, can she do the pirouette for a 9 EVERY time? Does she TRULY understand?”
- “In the pirouette, I am playful with my hand, not too ‘stubborn’ with the hand.”
- SIMPLICITY and CLARITY are what Steffen seeks in riding every horse.
- Steffen doesn’t like the word “submission” – too one sided. BOTH horse and rider need to cooperate and BOTH need to be submissive.
- In the pirouette don’t work too hard. Prepare very straight on the line. Don’t bend too soon or allow them to fall off the line. Start your 1st step of the pirouette ON the line.
- CREATE POSITIVE HABITS – then the horses learns to offer it.
- STANDARDS – be patient for them to understand exactly what it is you want and BE CLEAR in what you want – keep your standards high at all times.
- Don’t make it complicated. Simplify your aids as much as possible.
- Just to have more contact is not a good goal.
- In pirouettes, don’t use your outside leg if you don’t have to! Create energy with the inner leg.
Day 2
- A horse who is behind the vertical can have 2 different problems
--Breaking at the poll and “spitting out the bit” – being too light
--Base of neck too low and feeling/look of neck too short
-“It is sometimes easier to ride her NOT knowing these things about her.” Don’t buy into the past!
-Steffen holds snaffle rein in the normal position and curb rein to the inside of that.
-Don’t buy into being too complicated with your aids!
- “Be ‘clever’ with your hands.”
- Reinforce the idea of the horse coming back to you. They must understand all the components of the half halt. Forward is good, but they must come back too!
-The walk – especially the extended walk – tells the true essence of the training.
-Address both sides of the problem – 1) Needs to sit 2) Needs to not run through in front (must wait for you)
- EFFECTIVENESS of the aids – “If you can do everything with no spurs and a rubber snaffle, that’s great. But use the tools available to make your aids more effective
- :We are momentarily strong in order to be light.”
- Don’t overdo it with the leg in the moment of collection
-When we create more engagement, the horse should not go more against the hand.
- Most horses make the pirouettes first too big, and then too small. Steffen tries to do the opposite – 1st small, then bigger as he goes. Each slice of the pie must be equal.
- Alignment is another word for straightness. Even with young horses pay close attention to the alignment. Don’t assume they will get straight on their own as they get stronger. Teach them to travel in alignment!
- Think about the necessity of bending in the pirouette.
- PSG/I1 – there are so many tests lost or won on the canter pirouettes.
- Don’t ride the half steps too much on the wall – lots of bending lines.
- The horse will not sit down if it goes too forward. They need to learn to carry with the hind leg, and you must take away some of the pushing.
- If the horse is already very active behind in piaffe, think about bringing the passage more on the spot. Then the transitions will be super!
- A true half halt is a beautiful thing to watch.
- CONTROL in the pirouette is the most important thing.
- Correct the horse first, and then repeat. Don’t just repeat. Correct the missing link.
- Use the canter to build stamina. Most people trot too much and canter too little.
- “He is so much more ‘open minded’ today.” – referring to the horse trusting to try more in the half steps.
- In the halt, wait for a release of breath (sigh)
- Ride very few trot extensions – just know that the gas pedal is there.
FEI Instructor Certification workshop – Day 3
Kathy Connelly
What makes a good trainer?
-We need to always strive to be better - always seeking out continuing education
-All trainers need to have a philosophy, a system & a style
-Philosophy - develop your philosophy to guide you in your teaching. Watch other trainers, even if you learn what not to do.
- Greatness should lead to humility
- What's important in a philosophy? Honesty, courage, trust, listening skills for listening to both horse & rider, open mind, no personal agenda/ego, be a motivator, do no harm
- System - safety first / tack check for fitting (Herm Sprenger pamphlets are good education for horses' mouth conformation), taking time to find out what's going on mentally with riders. Ask the following questions:
1. What are your horse’s strengths
2. What are your horse’s weaknesses
3. What do you want to get better at?
Dial system - rider - type A or B, horse type A or B, learn to dial down or up depending on what horse & rider need.
-Work on position with every rider
Balance Box -your vertical axis coinciding with the horse’s horizontal axis. Useful for realigning yourself for something like a half pass when the rider sits to the wrong direction - out of the balance box
- How can I be more clear to help this horse/rider?
1. Is your horse forward/light to the leg as a state of mind?
2. Is your horse straight? (Varying degrees)
3. Is he listening to half halts?
Half halts
1. Use your lower back, seat and leg to push the horse into the contact
2. Close both hands (thumb on top)
3. Moment of release
4. Repeat step one
There are half halts from one to ten. Don't use a 7 if a 2 would work. Don't use a 2 over and over if you need a 8.
Tune into the personality of the rider before you start teaching - what is their profession, what is their personality, etc.
Perfectionists are attracted to this sport, and that's great, but 10=excellent, not perfect.
"Thinking forward as a state of mind."
In work in hand - Teach him a visual response, auditory response and tactile response.
FEI Trainers Conference:
Day 1 –
- Ride a controlled transition to ext. walk every time, even when giving a break.
- Use large working pirouette in walk to develop true bending around inside leg.
- If right walk – canter transition is not so good, then L-R flying change will not be so good. Work on walk-canter transition and reaction to Left leg – Keep it simple!
- Ride often on the 2nd track, so you are truly in control of the shoulders.
- After canter ½ passes, stay slightly off track at end, so you can clearly straighten the horse before the change and move off inside leg.
- “A bad reaction is better than NO reaction!”
- Pirouette exercise – ride a line from B – A, ½ pirouette before A, finishing pointing toward E, then ride E-C, same thing in front of C.
- “Can she do the pirouette for a 9? That is not the question. The question is, can she do the pirouette for a 9 EVERY time? Does she TRULY understand?”
- “In the pirouette, I am playful with my hand, not too ‘stubborn’ with the hand.”
- SIMPLICITY and CLARITY are what Steffen seeks in riding every horse.
- Steffen doesn’t like the word “submission” – too one sided. BOTH horse and rider need to cooperate and BOTH need to be submissive.
- In the pirouette don’t work too hard. Prepare very straight on the line. Don’t bend too soon or allow them to fall off the line. Start your 1st step of the pirouette ON the line.
- CREATE POSITIVE HABITS – then the horses learns to offer it.
- STANDARDS – be patient for them to understand exactly what it is you want and BE CLEAR in what you want – keep your standards high at all times.
- Don’t make it complicated. Simplify your aids as much as possible.
- Just to have more contact is not a good goal.
- In pirouettes, don’t use your outside leg if you don’t have to! Create energy with the inner leg.
Day 2
- A horse who is behind the vertical can have 2 different problems
--Breaking at the poll and “spitting out the bit” – being too light
--Base of neck too low and feeling/look of neck too short
-“It is sometimes easier to ride her NOT knowing these things about her.” Don’t buy into the past!
-Steffen holds snaffle rein in the normal position and curb rein to the inside of that.
-Don’t buy into being too complicated with your aids!
- “Be ‘clever’ with your hands.”
- Reinforce the idea of the horse coming back to you. They must understand all the components of the half halt. Forward is good, but they must come back too!
-The walk – especially the extended walk – tells the true essence of the training.
-Address both sides of the problem – 1) Needs to sit 2) Needs to not run through in front (must wait for you)
- EFFECTIVENESS of the aids – “If you can do everything with no spurs and a rubber snaffle, that’s great. But use the tools available to make your aids more effective
- :We are momentarily strong in order to be light.”
- Don’t overdo it with the leg in the moment of collection
-When we create more engagement, the horse should not go more against the hand.
- Most horses make the pirouettes first too big, and then too small. Steffen tries to do the opposite – 1st small, then bigger as he goes. Each slice of the pie must be equal.
- Alignment is another word for straightness. Even with young horses pay close attention to the alignment. Don’t assume they will get straight on their own as they get stronger. Teach them to travel in alignment!
- Think about the necessity of bending in the pirouette.
- PSG/I1 – there are so many tests lost or won on the canter pirouettes.
- Don’t ride the half steps too much on the wall – lots of bending lines.
- The horse will not sit down if it goes too forward. They need to learn to carry with the hind leg, and you must take away some of the pushing.
- If the horse is already very active behind in piaffe, think about bringing the passage more on the spot. Then the transitions will be super!
- A true half halt is a beautiful thing to watch.
- CONTROL in the pirouette is the most important thing.
- Correct the horse first, and then repeat. Don’t just repeat. Correct the missing link.
- Use the canter to build stamina. Most people trot too much and canter too little.
- “He is so much more ‘open minded’ today.” – referring to the horse trusting to try more in the half steps.
- In the halt, wait for a release of breath (sigh)
- Ride very few trot extensions – just know that the gas pedal is there.
FEI Instructor Certification workshop – Day 3
Kathy Connelly
What makes a good trainer?
-We need to always strive to be better - always seeking out continuing education
-All trainers need to have a philosophy, a system & a style
-Philosophy - develop your philosophy to guide you in your teaching. Watch other trainers, even if you learn what not to do.
- Greatness should lead to humility
- What's important in a philosophy? Honesty, courage, trust, listening skills for listening to both horse & rider, open mind, no personal agenda/ego, be a motivator, do no harm
- System - safety first / tack check for fitting (Herm Sprenger pamphlets are good education for horses' mouth conformation), taking time to find out what's going on mentally with riders. Ask the following questions:
1. What are your horse’s strengths
2. What are your horse’s weaknesses
3. What do you want to get better at?
Dial system - rider - type A or B, horse type A or B, learn to dial down or up depending on what horse & rider need.
-Work on position with every rider
Balance Box -your vertical axis coinciding with the horse’s horizontal axis. Useful for realigning yourself for something like a half pass when the rider sits to the wrong direction - out of the balance box
- How can I be more clear to help this horse/rider?
1. Is your horse forward/light to the leg as a state of mind?
2. Is your horse straight? (Varying degrees)
3. Is he listening to half halts?
Half halts
1. Use your lower back, seat and leg to push the horse into the contact
2. Close both hands (thumb on top)
3. Moment of release
4. Repeat step one
There are half halts from one to ten. Don't use a 7 if a 2 would work. Don't use a 2 over and over if you need a 8.
Tune into the personality of the rider before you start teaching - what is their profession, what is their personality, etc.
Perfectionists are attracted to this sport, and that's great, but 10=excellent, not perfect.
"Thinking forward as a state of mind."
In work in hand - Teach him a visual response, auditory response and tactile response.
December 5, 2012
Sweet Maui in her fuzzy winter coat.
Wow, how are we already in December??! We had a wonderful fall at Braeburn Farm and have been enjoying the mild weather. All the horses feel great and are working hard. Gigi just went home to her owner, Julie Blume Nye, for the winter, and while we are sorry to see her go, we're very excited for Julie to enjoy her girl more often!
Foxtrot, a 2008 Hanoverian mare by Wummestern, owned by Gracelee Lawrence, was in training for a bit and is now back home with Gracelee. What a fabulous mare! She is another Honey Locust Farm bred horse that is such fun to work with and very talented. Gracelee is helping out around the farm once a week, and we love having her around.
Emme Johnston, my assistant trainer, is getting very busy teaching and training outside horses. Emme is super with all types of horses, and has started a couple young horses under saddle this year and done a beautiful job. She is also a gifted teacher, and her students are really enjoying working with her on a regular basis. Contact me for information on working with Emme.
I am home for a while (which is fabulous!) and am available for lessons on the weekends. I travel to teach every Tuesday to Gibsonville, every Wednesday to Burlington, and every Monday and Thursday to Pittsboro/Chapel Hill.
I hope everyone is enjoying this weather and preparing for a lovely holiday season!
Foxtrot, a 2008 Hanoverian mare by Wummestern, owned by Gracelee Lawrence, was in training for a bit and is now back home with Gracelee. What a fabulous mare! She is another Honey Locust Farm bred horse that is such fun to work with and very talented. Gracelee is helping out around the farm once a week, and we love having her around.
Emme Johnston, my assistant trainer, is getting very busy teaching and training outside horses. Emme is super with all types of horses, and has started a couple young horses under saddle this year and done a beautiful job. She is also a gifted teacher, and her students are really enjoying working with her on a regular basis. Contact me for information on working with Emme.
I am home for a while (which is fabulous!) and am available for lessons on the weekends. I travel to teach every Tuesday to Gibsonville, every Wednesday to Burlington, and every Monday and Thursday to Pittsboro/Chapel Hill.
I hope everyone is enjoying this weather and preparing for a lovely holiday season!
October 2, 2012
Nadia and Mystique
We are excited to welcome Nadia Moheisen, a new working student, to Braeburn Farm. Nadia is a hard working young woman who is already a lovely rider and has made good progress in the one month she's been with us! We are excited to have Nadia and her mare, Mystique, with us.
We will have another clinic with Jennifer Baumert on October 20-21. Please contact Eliza if you are interested in riding or auditing.
All the horses are going really well. We are looking forward to the USDF Region 1 Championships in Williamston, NC, one month from now! Eliza will be competing Acadiana, Anna, and Gigi. Emme Johnston and Jake will be competing at Third Level, and Ellen Peebles and Favulous will be competing at First Level.
We will have another clinic with Jennifer Baumert on October 20-21. Please contact Eliza if you are interested in riding or auditing.
All the horses are going really well. We are looking forward to the USDF Region 1 Championships in Williamston, NC, one month from now! Eliza will be competing Acadiana, Anna, and Gigi. Emme Johnston and Jake will be competing at Third Level, and Ellen Peebles and Favulous will be competing at First Level.
September 3, 2012
Emme & Jake in the clinic with Jennifer Baumert
We had another great clinic with Jennifer Baumert recently. Left is a picture of Emme & Jake riding in the clinic, doing beautiful changes! Jennifer will be coming back to Braeburn Farm October 20-21. If you're interested in riding or auditing, just let me know.
We had a very successful show in Raleigh last weekend. Acadiana got two 76%s at First level, Gigi got in the mid 60's at Second Level, Vicky & Anna got 70 and 71% at Training level and won a huge class. Cindy & Fresca won their 3rd level class with over 70%, and Dylan and Mr. Milton won so many blues at Intro, that I can't even count them!
This fall we won't do too much showing, since everyone is all qualified for Regional Championships. We'll be focusing on training and teaching most of the horses in the barn flying changes. It seems like I have a barn full of horses ready to learn them right now! Django recently came back in training for a bit, and we are excited to have him back. Mateo went home to his owner in PA, and we wish them all the best, as his owner gets used to riding her sweet boy at home!
I chaperoned The Dressage Foundation's Olympic Dream Trip in August. Ashley Perkins and I led a group of 4 fabulous young women around Germany and Denmark to visit Jan Bemelmans, Hubertus Schmidt, Monica Theodorescu, Morten Thomsen, Klaus Balkenhol, Wolfram Wittig, and Matthias Rath. What an adventure! We also got to tour the Landgestuet in Warendorf, home to many famous Westfalen stallions, and visit the DOKR and FN (Germany's Olympic training center, and the headquarters for their country's riding organization, like our USDF.) I posted tons of photos on Facebook, so check out Eliza Sydnor Dressage to see and read more!
We had a very successful show in Raleigh last weekend. Acadiana got two 76%s at First level, Gigi got in the mid 60's at Second Level, Vicky & Anna got 70 and 71% at Training level and won a huge class. Cindy & Fresca won their 3rd level class with over 70%, and Dylan and Mr. Milton won so many blues at Intro, that I can't even count them!
This fall we won't do too much showing, since everyone is all qualified for Regional Championships. We'll be focusing on training and teaching most of the horses in the barn flying changes. It seems like I have a barn full of horses ready to learn them right now! Django recently came back in training for a bit, and we are excited to have him back. Mateo went home to his owner in PA, and we wish them all the best, as his owner gets used to riding her sweet boy at home!
I chaperoned The Dressage Foundation's Olympic Dream Trip in August. Ashley Perkins and I led a group of 4 fabulous young women around Germany and Denmark to visit Jan Bemelmans, Hubertus Schmidt, Monica Theodorescu, Morten Thomsen, Klaus Balkenhol, Wolfram Wittig, and Matthias Rath. What an adventure! We also got to tour the Landgestuet in Warendorf, home to many famous Westfalen stallions, and visit the DOKR and FN (Germany's Olympic training center, and the headquarters for their country's riding organization, like our USDF.) I posted tons of photos on Facebook, so check out Eliza Sydnor Dressage to see and read more!
Eliza & Totilas!
August 6, 2012
It's been way too long since I've written, but I have made big changes here. A whole new look for the website, and now I can update everything myself, so hopefully I will be better about making frequent updates. A big thank you to my wonderful husband, Jonathan, who helped me set this all up. We've been super busy on the farm all summer. We've survived the heat, but WHOA has it been hot??!! I can't wait for fall! I had a wonderful working student, Natalie Lademan, for the summer, and today was her last day. We are all sad to see Natalie go, as she has been super. She is returning to college at Averett University, where she is majoring in Equestrian Studies, so we hope she'll be back to visit soon. I've been busy showing lots of horses. Everyone has done really well, and I am very proud of my students too, who have been rocking it!
I am getting ready to leave this Sunday for The Dressage Foundation's Olympic Dream Trip. I am the head chaperone this year for this amazing trip. Check out the details here. All the horses are going so well, and I'm really excited about everyone. We just had a great clinic with Jennifer Baumert, and she will be back again at the end of August. Let me know if you are interested in riding or auditing.
I am getting ready to leave this Sunday for The Dressage Foundation's Olympic Dream Trip. I am the head chaperone this year for this amazing trip. Check out the details here. All the horses are going so well, and I'm really excited about everyone. We just had a great clinic with Jennifer Baumert, and she will be back again at the end of August. Let me know if you are interested in riding or auditing.
April 6, 2012
I'm back!!! Jonathan and I had way too much fun traveling the world. You can read all about our adventures on the blog I kept: www.jonathanandeliza.blogspot.com. We also posted thousands of pictures to my personal Facebook page. Go check them out!
And now I'm home and back to work with my beloved horses. Almost all the horses have returned to Braeburn Farm, and we are back to more than full time! Emme had a wonderful winter in FL working for Jennifer Baumert. She learned a lot, and her horse, Jake looks fantastic! They competed at 3rd and 4th levels, and Emme finished her qualifications for her USDF Bronze Medal. Congratulations!
I have a few new young horses in training. Django is a 4 year old Dutch WB gelding (Jazz/Fleming) who is amazing! What a sweet, beautiful moving boy. Mateo arrived this weekend, and he is here for me to start under saddle. He is a 4 year old PRE/Arab gelding - too cute for words! He is smart and willing and will be a blast to work with.
Our first show is next weekend, April 14 and 15, down in Williamston, NC. I will just be coaching. The schedule for spring is crazy busy already. The farm is so incredibly beautiful right now with neon green grass and flowers everywhere. Please come out to see us!
December 21, 2011
Happy Winter Solstice everyone! I hope you are all enjoying the holidays and staying warm. The weather has been so mild so far this winter, that we haven't had any down time with the training of the horses. That's all about to change, though!
I got married November 5, to Jonathan Romm. The wedding was here on the farm, and it was truly the best day of my life - so amazing to be surrounded by so many friends and family. Here's one of my favorite photos:
And now Jonathan and I are off on a wild & crazy honeymoon. We are taking three months (Jan-March) to travel through central and South America and Africa. I am so thankful to all my students and clients who are allowing me to take this once in a lifetime trip. I'll be back to work teaching and training on April 1. We'll be keeping a blog with lots of photos. Check out my facebook page for updates!
September 14, 2011
Wow! Sorry it has taken me so long to update the site here, but I've been a little busy!! I've been showing a ton this summer, took Hannah to the Young Horse Championships, enjoyed teaching a lot of students (new & old), and have been planning my wedding, which is in (yikes!) less than two months.
Ellen Peebles, her wonderful Hannah, and I drove halfway across the country to Lamplight Equestrian Center, just outside of Chicago, in early August. Hannah was wonderful, and we were so excited to be competing against the best young horses in the country for the Markel Young Horse Championships. It was really inspiring to be around such high quality horses and riders. I can't wait to go again next year!
All of my horses in training are doing great. I have a couple youngsters that I am starting under saddle right now, which is always such fun. Somehow I have ended up being "the mare trainer" but that's fine with me!! I have seven mares in training right now, and only a couple geldings. Gracie is going so well right now, and I'm really looking forward to the Regional Championships with her. Anna just competed in her first show ever and did so well! And Double Oh Seven will finally start his show career next weekend at Pinehurst! Very excited to see how he does.
Emme & Natalie continue to be the best working students ever. They have both qualified their horses for the Regional Championships, so we'll be headed to Lexington, VA, with a bunch of horses! ~ Eliza
Ellen Peebles, her wonderful Hannah, and I drove halfway across the country to Lamplight Equestrian Center, just outside of Chicago, in early August. Hannah was wonderful, and we were so excited to be competing against the best young horses in the country for the Markel Young Horse Championships. It was really inspiring to be around such high quality horses and riders. I can't wait to go again next year!
All of my horses in training are doing great. I have a couple youngsters that I am starting under saddle right now, which is always such fun. Somehow I have ended up being "the mare trainer" but that's fine with me!! I have seven mares in training right now, and only a couple geldings. Gracie is going so well right now, and I'm really looking forward to the Regional Championships with her. Anna just competed in her first show ever and did so well! And Double Oh Seven will finally start his show career next weekend at Pinehurst! Very excited to see how he does.
Emme & Natalie continue to be the best working students ever. They have both qualified their horses for the Regional Championships, so we'll be headed to Lexington, VA, with a bunch of horses! ~ Eliza
March 21, 2011
First of all, a big congratulations to Ashley Powell on the purchase of Maui! Maui is a gorgeous 2005 Hanoverian Mare by Madison. She was bred by Dr. Lori Minteer of Jupiter, FL. Dr. Minteer was wonderful to work with and has done a beautiful job with Maui. We're so excited for her future with Ashley. She arrived last Tuesday, late at night, and has settled in well and is already improving in her training each day.
I'm off to my first big show of the year this weekend - March Magic down in Williamston, NC. I'll be showing Gracie at the I1 each day and Hannah in the FEI 4 year old test as well as Training 3. I'm excited to get back to showing after this long winter!
Other big new... I'm engaged! Jonathan Romm and I got engaged a week ago. I am so excited. I don't have too many details planned out yet, but we do know that it will be on the farm, probably in late Oct or early Nov. And no, I will not be riding Lancer down the aisle! But do expect some pictures with the horses!! :) ~ Eliza
I'm off to my first big show of the year this weekend - March Magic down in Williamston, NC. I'll be showing Gracie at the I1 each day and Hannah in the FEI 4 year old test as well as Training 3. I'm excited to get back to showing after this long winter!
Other big new... I'm engaged! Jonathan Romm and I got engaged a week ago. I am so excited. I don't have too many details planned out yet, but we do know that it will be on the farm, probably in late Oct or early Nov. And no, I will not be riding Lancer down the aisle! But do expect some pictures with the horses!! :) ~ Eliza
February 21, 2011
Well, a big change in the weather since I last wrote. It has been down right balmy here for over a week now. It's great riding weather, and I've been teaching and riding a ton! All my young horses are back in full training with me, including Hannah (Real name- Favulous) who just came back to me from her owner, Ellen. Ellen has been doing a super job with Hannah all winter long, just light work for this fancy baby girl. But now she's back with me, because in a month we head off to Williamston for the first show of the year - March Magic Dressage. Hannah will be trying the FEI 4 year old test for the first time, and I'll be showing Gracie at the I-1 and coaching a few students. I've updated the calendar on my website, so it should give you a good idea of my schedule for the next few months.
I've been having super lessons from Bailey every other week, mostly with Gigi and Gracie. Gracie is just feeling so fantastic. I think I'm becoming pretty obnoxious when people ask me how she is, and just gush on and on about her! Scott Hassler came in for a clinic, and I rode Miss Grace Face each day and also Acadiana on the 2nd day. Acadiana handled herself so well at a new place and really settled down to the work after just a little wildness on the lunge line.
Double Oh Seven is (finally!) really a riding horse. He is going so nicely and gives a wonderful feel. His owner, Catherine Cheney, has been such a help in the barn these past couple months. She is also leasing Lanciano, an older former FEI YR horse, and really enjoying learning from him. It's so inspiring to have Emme and Catherine around each day, both are so hard working and really want to learn. I can't ask for more!
Looks like it is going to be a very busy show season this spring. I hope all of you are also enjoying this weather and riding every day. Check back often for updates or visit me on Facebook! ~Eliza
I've been having super lessons from Bailey every other week, mostly with Gigi and Gracie. Gracie is just feeling so fantastic. I think I'm becoming pretty obnoxious when people ask me how she is, and just gush on and on about her! Scott Hassler came in for a clinic, and I rode Miss Grace Face each day and also Acadiana on the 2nd day. Acadiana handled herself so well at a new place and really settled down to the work after just a little wildness on the lunge line.
Double Oh Seven is (finally!) really a riding horse. He is going so nicely and gives a wonderful feel. His owner, Catherine Cheney, has been such a help in the barn these past couple months. She is also leasing Lanciano, an older former FEI YR horse, and really enjoying learning from him. It's so inspiring to have Emme and Catherine around each day, both are so hard working and really want to learn. I can't ask for more!
Looks like it is going to be a very busy show season this spring. I hope all of you are also enjoying this weather and riding every day. Check back often for updates or visit me on Facebook! ~Eliza
January 11, 2011
It's snowy and icy and yucky, and so here I am getting lots of computer work done. I've been really working with my students lately (and myself) on coming up with some goals for 2011. All my regular students have been great about planning what they really want to accomplish with their horses in 2011. It's exciting to think about. I'm a planner, so I'm in my element sitting here in front of my computer, planning out the whole year of shows for all the different horses I'm riding and coaching. With horses, plans never quite work out like you'd hoped, but it's still worthwhile to put your goals down and paper and craft a plan for how to accomplish those goals.
So my challenge to any of you out there reading this, what are your goals? Write them down. Break them into specific, realistic steps and then figure out how to accomplish each step. It will focus you and give you something concrete to work towards.
This year I have many goals, but I'll just give you all a few of them:
Those are my competition goals, but I have other goals that are not competition related, and yours don't have to be either. If you just want to feel confident hacking your horse out alone through the trails, that's as worthwhile a goal as it is to compete at the Grand Prix. Challenging ourselves makes us better riders, and it keeps our horses interested as well! Happy riding ~ Eliza
So my challenge to any of you out there reading this, what are your goals? Write them down. Break them into specific, realistic steps and then figure out how to accomplish each step. It will focus you and give you something concrete to work towards.
This year I have many goals, but I'll just give you all a few of them:
- Compete Gracie successfully at the I-1 and qualify for Regional Championships (one score to go!) Create a freestyle for her and compete with it by the fall of 2011. Improve the GP work - piaffe/passage, 1 tempis and pirouettes.
- Compete Gigi successfully at 1st level and qualify for Regional Championships. Continue teaching her 2nd level movements and compete at 2nd level test 1 by the fall.
- Debut all my 4 year olds (4 of them!) successfully and happily. If things keep working out, qualify any or all of them for the National Young Horse Championships in Lamplight in August. If not, work towards qualifying them at Training level for the Regional Championships.
Those are my competition goals, but I have other goals that are not competition related, and yours don't have to be either. If you just want to feel confident hacking your horse out alone through the trails, that's as worthwhile a goal as it is to compete at the Grand Prix. Challenging ourselves makes us better riders, and it keeps our horses interested as well! Happy riding ~ Eliza
December 14, 2010
Ahhh, winter is here in full force! I write to you now from under about 12 layers of clothes, but I'm still working hard, riding and teaching (those brave souls who still agree to lessons in this weather!) All the horses are going very well. I'm actually really excited to have a few months of quiet training time with no shows to prepare for or any big events to rush of to. Gracie is feeling better than ever, and all my "babies" are coming along so well!
I am still writing for Barnby Notes, and they have opened some of the professionals' notebooks up to the public. So check it out at www.barnbynotes.com.
I have two really fabulous horses for sale, and I have updated their pages here, so visit the horses for sale pages and check out Ronin and Santee, or better yet, come see them for yourself!
I make very regular updates on my Eliza Sydnor Dressage Facebook page, so if you're not already a fan, please look me up! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season, and that your horses are warm and cozy on these cold nights! Thanks for stopping by ~ Eliza
I am still writing for Barnby Notes, and they have opened some of the professionals' notebooks up to the public. So check it out at www.barnbynotes.com.
I have two really fabulous horses for sale, and I have updated their pages here, so visit the horses for sale pages and check out Ronin and Santee, or better yet, come see them for yourself!
I make very regular updates on my Eliza Sydnor Dressage Facebook page, so if you're not already a fan, please look me up! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season, and that your horses are warm and cozy on these cold nights! Thanks for stopping by ~ Eliza
September 12, 2010
Seems like the summer came and went in a flash. Things are going really well here on the farm, except that we are praying for a little rain and an end to these flies. We're finally starting to get some cooler nights, so I know it's around the corner!
I've been very busy with horses in training, teaching here on the farm and away in clinics and doing a fair amount of shows. I give very regular updates on Facebook, so make sure you become a fan of Eliza Sydnor Dressage on there! I have some beautiful new horses in training - lots of youngsters.
I'm proud to announce my newest sponsor, FITS. FITS is a fabulous compay who makes all kinds of riding apparell, however they are mostly known for their britches. They have a different design to them, and they are the most comfortable riding pants you'll ever wear. Please check them out at www.fitsriding.com. They also make beautiful shirts, stock ties, etc. I'm so excited to have them as a sponsor, because I really believe in what they produce.
I've been very busy with horses in training, teaching here on the farm and away in clinics and doing a fair amount of shows. I give very regular updates on Facebook, so make sure you become a fan of Eliza Sydnor Dressage on there! I have some beautiful new horses in training - lots of youngsters.
I'm proud to announce my newest sponsor, FITS. FITS is a fabulous compay who makes all kinds of riding apparell, however they are mostly known for their britches. They have a different design to them, and they are the most comfortable riding pants you'll ever wear. Please check them out at www.fitsriding.com. They also make beautiful shirts, stock ties, etc. I'm so excited to have them as a sponsor, because I really believe in what they produce.
June 20, 2010
Things are going very well here, except that it is SWELTERING! I wasn't expecting this heat so soon, but what can you do? We're just trying to keep the horses cool and not kill ourselves in the heat. Which is much easier, now that I have two FABULOUS working students. Greta Friesen came at the beginning of May and has a wonderful Hanoverian gelding, Astaire, who will be her partner for the summer until he has to go back to being a school horse for St. Andrews College. Emme Johnston arrived the first of June, after graduating from Mt. Holyoke College, and brought her horse, Jake, a lovely Irish TB gelding. These girls have just been wonderful, and I am so grateful for their help!
There has been a little bit of confusion from some about the management of Braeburn Farm. As of April 1, I took over managing the farm. However, my mom, Cindy Sydnor, is still very actively training, teaching, judging and clinicing. It appears some people thought my takeover of management meant that my mom was retiring. But those of you who know her know that will probably NEVER happen! This way she can do all that she wants to do, and none of what she doesn't want to do. :)
I have a lovely new horse in training, a 2007 Oldenburg mare by Royal Prince, named Acadiana. She is owned by Gerry Orlando from Efland, and came to me June 7. She has already been lightly started and is just a joy to work with. She has three good gaits and a super disposition. I am excited for her future!
I will be clinicing in Waxhaw, NC, June 29 & 30, and then in Charleston, SC, July 10 & 11. Then we will be headed to the Dressage at Lexington show, July 16-18. Hope to see some of you there!
There has been a little bit of confusion from some about the management of Braeburn Farm. As of April 1, I took over managing the farm. However, my mom, Cindy Sydnor, is still very actively training, teaching, judging and clinicing. It appears some people thought my takeover of management meant that my mom was retiring. But those of you who know her know that will probably NEVER happen! This way she can do all that she wants to do, and none of what she doesn't want to do. :)
I have a lovely new horse in training, a 2007 Oldenburg mare by Royal Prince, named Acadiana. She is owned by Gerry Orlando from Efland, and came to me June 7. She has already been lightly started and is just a joy to work with. She has three good gaits and a super disposition. I am excited for her future!
I will be clinicing in Waxhaw, NC, June 29 & 30, and then in Charleston, SC, July 10 & 11. Then we will be headed to the Dressage at Lexington show, July 16-18. Hope to see some of you there!
May 15, 2010
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Ok, so I know it's been way too long since I updated the news here. But I have been trying to re-do the website so that I can update it regularly rather than have my webmaster do it. And that proved a little more complicated than I thought! But it's done, and now I can (hopefully) give you more regular updates. I'm still new to this, so the best way to follow along with my progress is to become a fan on Facebook. Just search for Eliza Sydnor Dressage!
I've been to three shows already this spring, and things are running a million miles an hour here! But I'm loving it. My students have been doing great at the shows, and I've been really proud of all of them. I had two really disappointing shows with Gracie early this spring, and I just couldn't figure out what was going on. She's been SO hard to put weight and muscle on, and while she was going FANTASTICALLY this winter, she really shut down on me in the show ring. I finally bit the bullet and paid for a scoping, and we found out that poor Momma has bad stomach ulcers. So she is in the first week of her treatment right now, and I'm really hoping that this will help her to be her wonderful self at shows in the future. She is such a talented mare, but as many of you know, she's never been easy. (That's how I ended up with her!!) But I love this mare, and I'm excited to see how she progresses once her tummy feels better. I've started working regularly with Double Oh Seven (owned by Catherine Cheney), who has lived at our farm since he was 6 months old. He is three now, and he is blowing us all away. He is just the MOST beautiful young horse with three incredible gaits and the sweetest disposition. He's lungeing beautifully, and I've been on him a couple times now. He's really much more concerned with his cookies than with me on his back! I'm very excited for his future with Catherine - what a horse! Below is 007, Ellen's 1st ride on Hannah, and Ellen strutting her stuff with Max at the Pinehurst show. I'm also very excited to welcome Greta Friesen as my new working student. She arrived a week ago, and she has just jumped right in and become invaluable already. We picked up Astaire yesterday, a horse she is leasing for the summer from St. Andrews College. He is lovely, and I'm excited to see their progress. We have many horses for sale right now. I am still figuring out how to update that info on this site, so please email me or call for more information. I know of many for sale, from youngsters to trained horses, in all different price ranges. Here are a few photos of White Pearl from the Dressage in the Sandhills show, taken by WNC Photography. |
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February 16, 2010
Well, this has pretty much been the worst winter I can ever remember! I'm sure many of you are in the same boat, not being able to ride much or even go outside! Our arena has held up great, as always, but our farm is just one big muddy mess. Despite all of that, I do have some great news to report. Wonderful Lady was sold to my good friend, Jessica Rattner, from Sherwod, OR. Jessica and her family own and operate Devonwood Equestrian Center, one of the top dressage training and show facilities in the US. Jess is a beautiful rider and just a great person. I am so excited to hear about her future with Lady. They fit each other right from the start when she came to try her. Congratulations Jess! We also found a fabulous home for my wonderful boy, Pappi (aka Prince Hopeful.) Pappi had been for sale for quite some time, but his prior injuries made it difficult to find the right buyer for him. I got an email one day from Beth Levine, a woman from AR who works for the North Central Arkansas SPCA training shelter dogs to become service dogs for returning war veterans and others with disabilities. She herself is a disabled rider who has high hopes of making the US Paralympic team in 2012. The only thing she was missing was a horse! So after many emails, Beth flew out to NC and spent a week with us at Braeburn Farm. It was love at first sight for Beth with Pappi. And he loved her as well! He went so beautifully for her, and they really looked like such a team after just 2 rides together. I am really excited for Beth to have such a nice horse with which to go after her dreams. I will be seeing them soon, as she would like for me to coach her along the way! Here are some pictures the day we put Pappi on the trailer for his long ride to Arkansas.
I miss Pappi so much already. He was always a joy, from day 1 under saddle until the day he left. Such a loving, kind horse, with so much talent and heart. I am incredibly happy that he is with a wonderful person who will bring out the best in him. Please check back soon for more updates. We have some exciting things happening over the next few months!~Eliza
I miss Pappi so much already. He was always a joy, from day 1 under saddle until the day he left. Such a loving, kind horse, with so much talent and heart. I am incredibly happy that he is with a wonderful person who will bring out the best in him. Please check back soon for more updates. We have some exciting things happening over the next few months!~Eliza
January 18, 2010
Happy New Year to everyone!! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday. I can't tell you how happy I am that it has finally warmed up. That cold weather was almost enough to make me consider Florida again. (Almost! Most of you know how much I hate Florida...) I am really excited for 2010. My horses are happy and going well. There have been some big changes to my site. I've added two new pages - Sponsorship Opportunities and Young Horse Training. Please check them out and let me know what you think. I recently established grant eligibility with the American Horse Trials Foundation, Inc. (Visit their site at http://www.ahtf3day.org) This organization allows my supporters to donate in a tax-deductible way. Please visit the sponsorship page to learn more, or contact me directly. Over the last few years, I have begun specializing more and more in starting young horses under saddle. I never set out to become a "young horse specialist," but I really enjoy working with the babies, and there aren't too many trainers out there who have the skill or the will to do the initial backing. Check out the new Young Horse Training page to learn more about what I can offer and to see some photos. I've also created a Facebook page for Eliza Sydnor Dressage, so take a look and become a fan!! Happy riding to you all! ~Eliza
November 23, 2009
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Wow! So sorry I have been lax in updating my site! It really is because things have been very busy. We had a great fall show season with everyone. Lancer and I finally made our Grand Prix debut! We didn't do all that well, but we didn't do terribly. And it is very satisfying to know that I started working with that horse 11 years ago when he had just been started under saddle. He allowed me to make MANY mistakes, and still he tries for me everyday. I just cannot thank that horse enough for all he's given me. Gracie is doing really well and was such a good girl at the last show. I think she is really beginning to get more confident in competing at the PSG. I rode very conservative tests, but they were correct and she was working for me in every movement. (Even the pirouettes!!) We scored consistently in the mid 60's, so I think now that she's more confident, I can start asking her for a bit more in the movements that she's really secure in. I want to put together an I-1 freestyle for her next year and a GP one for Lancer. Feel free to email me with any ideas for music!!
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I have a really fun group of horses in training right now, a nice mix of babies and more advanced horses. Check out the Horses In Training page for an updated list of everyone and what we're working on.. At the beginning of October, I moved most of my horses to Bella Terra Farm in Snow Camp, owned by Joan Maynard and her sister, Lisa Ward. Joan and Lisa have been friends and clients of mine for over a year now, and their farm is so beautiful. I now have 6 horses in training there and am teaching lessons out of their farm as well. Stay tuned for more pictures of their place and their own website, coming soon! We are hoping to host one clinic per month at Bella Terra for my students to come out and have a day of fun and education. Keep an eye on my calendar and email me for more info about these clinics. The rest of my horses are still at Braeburn Farm, and I will continue to take young horses in training there.
I just returned from the Young Dressage Horse Trainers Symposium that Scott Hassler puts on every year. As I go into winter, it always re-energizes and re-motivates me to really focus on my horses' training. It's easy to get a bit burnt out by the end of show season, and lose a little motivation when the weather starts to turn crappy. But Scott Hassler and Ingo Pape put on a super symposium, and seeing all my friends and fellow trainers from across the country reminded me how much I love what I do. Happy riding! ~Eliza |
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July 20, 2009
Well, I just returned from Moscow, where I had a fabulous, relaxing time with some wonderful old friends. It was nice to take a little break from riding, but by the end of the trip I was itching to get home and see my ponies again! Just before I left for Moscow, we went to the show at FENCE in Tryon.We took a big group, and overall it was a great show. I got a little help from my good friend Jen Baumert on Friday with Gracie, and she felt great. I was second each day in the PSG and finished qualifying Gracie for Regional championships. I also showed Joan Maynard's wonderful mare, Bella, on Saturday, and she is now qualified for regionals at First level! Joan then showed Bella on Sunday and did such a great job at her FIRST EVER dressage show. I was very proud of both of them, and we are already planning our next outing. Cady Erickson also showed her sweet boy, Bombay Sapphire, for the first time at a recognized dressage show, and did a beautiful job. A photo of them is below. Nicole Badr and Ruby Red made their debut at Second Level on Sunday. I was so happy and proud for Nicole. She has done most of the training herself on Ruby with very little regular help from me, and Ruby has not always been easy! They looked super together, and they are only getting better and better. I had a great time at my clinic in Camden at Jody McLean's beautiful farm. I got to see lots of old friends including my vet from when I lived in Columbia, SC, Liz Cuttino. I am going to try to do regular clinics in Camden, with the next one in early August. (Wish us luck in the heat!!) I also have another clinic coming up at Lauren Fox's farm in Waxhaw, NC, on July 23. If anyone is interested in riding or auditing, please shoot me an email. I now have a little bit of a break from showing and will start up again with the Labor of Love show in early September. Enjoy your horses and stay cool! Eliza
June 3, 2009
Just returned from the Raleigh CDI. I did not have a good show personally, but sometimes that's the way it goes. I did enjoy seeing many old friends, and I wrote an article for DressageDaily about the show. Check out www.dressagedaily.com and scroll down to read all my articles from the three days of competition. You can also find them on my In The Press page. Our next show will be Tryon at the end of June. I will also be giving a clinic in Camden, SC on June 11 and in Yadkinville, NC, on June 24. And then I am so excited because I will be taking a week long vacation starting June 30 to Moscow with my 2 best girlfriends! Another of our closest friends has moved to Moscow, and we are going to visit her and see all the sites! If anyone's ever been, email me and let me know where I should (or shouldn't!) go." Thanks! Eliza
May 26, 2009
We had a busy and wonderful time at Dressage In the Sandhills in May 8-10. I was showing 4 horses and schooling a few students as well. Two of my horses in training, Winning Hand & Urietta, had their first show in Pinehurst. They were both so well behaved, and really exceeded my expectations. Urietta got qualifying scores for Regional Championships at both Training and 1st levels, with scores in the high 60's and low 70's. Winning Hand won her last class with a score of almost 72%, which also gave her the high score award for NC Bred Horses. A big congratulations to Urietta's owner, Joan Maynard, and Winning Hand's owner, Julie Blume Nye! Another big congratulations to Nicole Badr who again had a super show with Ruby Red. They won both their classes on Sunday with scores in the high 60's and qualified for Regional Championships! A lovely picture of them is to the left.
In the middle of May, Eliza had to say goodbye to Richmond, as he moved on to another rider. Everyone was very sad to see Richmond go, and I wish him nothing but the best for his future. He is an incredibly kind and talented young stallion, who has a great career ahead of him. It was an absolute honor to work with him, from his early days as a 2 year old, to the National Young Horse Championships last year, to a fantastic winter of training with Scott Hassler this year. He was a joy to ride each and every day, and I am so grateful for the time we got to spend together. Below are some photos from one of our last schooling sessions, as well as a conformation photo the day he left. You can really see the progress he made over the winter and the muscle he put on! My next big show is the CDI at Raleigh where I will be competing Gracie & Lancer. Then the youngsters will head up to Tryon at the end of June for another show. I will be giving clinics in Camden, SC, and Yadkinville, NC, in June. Please contact me if you are interested! Thanks for stopping by, Eliza |
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Spring, 2009
Spring is finally here, and I am so ready for the warm Carolina weather! All the horses are getting their shiny, summer coats and looking beautiful. The farm is so lovely and inspiring this time of year. We are opening an on-farm store on the "other side" of the farm, where my dad raises cattle, pigs, chicken, etc, etc. If you've never checked out their website, please take a moment to look at www.canecreekfarm.us. It's really exciting to see all that's going on over there. We will be having a big party for the grand opening of the store on May 16. There will be food, music, and tons of fun. Please come if you can!! Email me for more information.
Show season is in full swing, with Williamston and Tryon behind us, and Pinehurst and Raleigh coming up soon. Below are some photos from Williamston of Gracie and Lancer. A big congratulations to my student, Nicole Badr and Ruby Red, on their success at Tryon. Nicole was 1st level JR/YR high score of the show, and Ruby was a star!
All my horses are going very well, and keeping me really inspired in my daily work with them. My mom took some photos of Gracie during her training session the other day. I hope you enjoy them. You can really see the muscle she is developing!
Thanks for stopping by, Eliza
Show season is in full swing, with Williamston and Tryon behind us, and Pinehurst and Raleigh coming up soon. Below are some photos from Williamston of Gracie and Lancer. A big congratulations to my student, Nicole Badr and Ruby Red, on their success at Tryon. Nicole was 1st level JR/YR high score of the show, and Ruby was a star!
All my horses are going very well, and keeping me really inspired in my daily work with them. My mom took some photos of Gracie during her training session the other day. I hope you enjoy them. You can really see the muscle she is developing!
Thanks for stopping by, Eliza
