Jan Ebeling Teaches at Trainers Symposium
On October 6 and 7 former US Olympian Jan Ebeling taught a Trainers Symposium at Tom Murray’s beautiful Viola Farm in Canby. The symposium was not open to auditors but the attendees noted that the overarching message was “inside leg to outside rein” and “send the horse forward”. On both days instruction was given from Training to Grand Prix and a variety of demo horses and riders participated. It was wonderful to see instruction of this quality available so close to home. On Sunday, Oct 8th a clinic was available to audit and for open participation. Marilyn Ulicny and Lori Masuda audited the clinic, and I was fortunate enough to have Cha Cha participate in the clinic, with Cassi Soule riding. Horses at the clinic ranged from a 4 year old just learning to canter to an I-1 horse working on 2 tempi’s. Cha Cha’s lesson focused on relaxation and engaging her brain in a strange environment. Jan’s input on how to ride a hot mare brought about a rapid and positive change and soon Cha Cha was relaxed and working beautifully. Jan’s teaching style is personable, funny and with an unerring eye and quick wit. I would like to thank ODS, the organizing committee, Tom Murray and Viola Farms, and Jan Ebeling for making this weekend possible. Jill Giri
ODS Championship Show – A Wild Ride
As the dates for the ODS Championship Show grew closer, the smoke in the Umpqua Valley grew thicker. We were not unique in this situation, and for some it was worse than others, but riders across the state were faced with hauling in to the show not having ridden for days, and in many cases, weeks. This led to some squirrely horses over the weekend. Upon my arrival on Thursday, I found Cindy Sanders and many of her students had fled the smoke ahead of time, and had arrived earlier in the week. I settled Cha Cha in, warmed up in all my competition arenas, and looked forward to accomplishing my goal for the weekend; earning my USDF Bronze medal. I needed 1 score of 60% or greater at third level to get this done. I rode relatively early on Friday, and Cha Cha warmed up well. She is always a little tense, but was adjustable and not spooky.
Down centerline we go…. All was proceeding to plan until we began the canter work and I asked her for the medium canter along the long side. Silly filly interpreted my cue as buck, buck hard, and keep bucking, the ENTIRE LONG SIDE. Funny how time slows down sometimes. I saw my friends gasp sitting on the hill watching, I saw Cassi running to “A” to catch the (soon to be) loose horse, and Sally Temple’s eyes were as big as the moon. I finally get her reined in and somehow managed to keep her in the arena, me on her back, and in a straight line (not off course). We have broken to a trot and am trying to coax her back into the canter to finish the test. Now pleading, “c’mon, you can do it, just canter…” First circle at V was at the trot, reorganized and got it done at the canter. The rest of the test was, to use Vanessa Becker’s words, kind of a dumpster fire. As I approached the second long side for the extended canter, discretion was the better part of valor and I asked for a conservative lengthening instead. We got around, finished the test and saluted.
Back to the warm up arena to see if we can work that little kink out. After a bit Cha Cha is working well and we head back to the barn. I couldn’t wait to read the comments. The judge did not disappoint. I earned my first 0 (bucking throughout) which was a 2 but was crossed out for “use of voice”. Then a 1 for the circle at V (not cantering) and a 2 on the lead change (late behind, not connected). My favorite comment was for the extended canter. “Late to develop, then conservative. GOOD IDEA”. Well, if you can’t approach dressage with a sense of humor, you are in for a rough ride.
Saturday was a purposefully conservative ride, with the focus on relaxation and submission. Did not get to the 60% mark. We did not provide the fireworks for Saturday, there were other horses that stepped up to fill that role. And then there was the neighbor. The property owner who owns the land that borders the Sylvan arena decided that 4 rides into the AA 1rst level championship class was a good time to start shooting large gauge firearms along the fence line. The judge orders the rider in the ring off her horse as it wheels and spooks in fright. Neighbor keeps shooting. Show management was forced to cancel and reschedule the remaining rides in the class, as well as all subsequent classes for that arena. Re-rides were offered to the riders that had completed or not quite completed their tests.
Sunday dawns clear and beautiful. There had been no more shots fired in the afternoon, so management was going to try to hold classes in the Sylvan arena as planned, but would move to the indoor arena if needed or safely indicated. Show starts without a problem, but about 9 the gunfire starts again. A hasty decision was made to move the classes indoors for everyone’s safety. I was lucky enough to be out walking my horse when the announcement was made so we walked around to get used to the ring. I also rode under the same judge Saturday and Sunday, so I had a road map from my test yesterday on how to improve. The message was clear, send that horse forward! We warm up well, insisting on her going forward and we head on in. One last chance. The test starts well, she is attentive and forward in the indoor ring. I send her across the diagonal in the extended trot and peek in the mirrors (looking good!). Collect in the corner and trot right on past “A” where I am supposed to halt and back 4 steps. About 1 ½ lengths past “A” I hear a whistle. Crap. I immediately halt. Do I back where I am? Do I circle back? I decide to back where I am, and proceed with the rest of the test. We halt, salute, and thank the judge.
As I pick up my test and look at the score, I start to jump for joy and hug the lady next to me! 60.256%!!!!!
I run into Cindy Sanders next and tell her my story, because I am bubbling over, and she stops me. “She had a bell, that judge had a bell!” Her student had the misfortune of being the first rider in the indoor after the arena was switched and the microphone was turned up way too loud, spooked her horse and she ended of off course.
I heard a whistle. Not a bell. That is what stopped me. What did she have? I have to ask. The classes are over, and so I ask the judge if she had a bell or a whistle. She replies that she had a bell, and that the whistle was for the Sand arena. I must have heard the whistle from another arena at the exact moment needed to keep me from going off course. Having a movement late and having an error of course, by the way, in my case was the difference between a 60.256% and a 59.743% and the bronze medal.
I guess even the dressage gods have a sense of humor.
Happy Riding
Jill