Summer Camp Planning

How far away is summer?  Not that far and we’re already getting requests for our summer camp information.

Here you go:

For the 12 and under rider we are offering two different camp sessions this year.

Session A runs from June 25-27.  Three days of riding, learning, and horse related fun activities.

Session B runs from July 30-August 1.  It will be different material but same format.  Riders can attended either one or both!

For members of our Youth Dressage Team, a D4K Boot Camp.

This camp runs from July 1-3 with the focus on test riding, getting the competitive edge, studying for the written test and winning warm-up techniques.

For the more advanced rider we also have our Advanced Camp.

This year the dates are July 18-20.  With dressage, stadium, cross-country and other horse adventures.  In the past we’ve played polo and learned how to drive a carriage.  This camp includes a camp-out style sleepover.

For more information look at our camps page:  http://ridingfarm.com/riding-camp.php

Get in touch with us if you’re interested in signing up!

-Hollie McNeil, Owner/Trainer: Riding Right Farm

Tune-Up

Sometimes when your car isn’t running quite as well as it should be you know it’s time to take it into the shop for a little tune-up.  The same could be said of horses.

Take for example our fancy German Riding Pony, Jimi Hendrix.  He knows it all: shoulder-in, traver, renver, half-pass, flying changes, canter pirouettes.  He’s a wonderful asset to the riding program as he truly falls into the category of “school-master,” meaning he’s able to teach riders what he knows.  Sometimes however, these school master types start taking advantage of their situation.  “Not riding me quite right? Well, here’s a little curve ball to deal with.” That would be Jimi talking if he could.

That’s where the tune-up comes in.  A rider who knows more than Jimi (i.e. Andrea, our assistant trainer) got on the little squirt yesterday to set a few things straight.  The rules are pretty easy to understand.  You will go forward, straight and obediently.  Not sideways, silly, and with your head looking one way and your haunches swinging like you are Hawaiian hula dancer.  Jimi was none too pleased with being told who was who and what was what.  He had a look on his face that clearly conveyed the message that he had been caught being naughty and he was being called on the carpet for it.

This tune-up is what makes working with a trainer so important for horse owners.  It’s so easy to get stuck on your own and out-witted by your horse.  When you can have someone who is more experienced, skilled, and knowledgeable get on your horse and clarify the training process everyone benefits.

-Hollie McNeil, Owner/Trainer:Riding Right Farm, Author:40 Fundamentals of English Riding

Lendon Gray and Education

I got back late last evening from a trip to Woodbury, Ct.  I was presenting one of my educational powerpoint/videos at the Dressage4kids Weekend Educational Program, otherwise known as WEP.  This was the 10th annual WEP and the brain child of two time Olympian, Lendon Gray.

You really have to hand it to this woman.  She has truly dedicated herself to the education of riders.  Her focus has been on kids, as they are obviously our future riders and the caretakers of our horse knowledge.  However, education is for every age and the door is always open and adults are encouraged to attend these events.

Here’s a brief overview of some of the topics that were offered this weekend.  Dr. Hilary Clayton, the country’s premier researcher on equine bio mechanics, gave lectures on horse back pain, bits, bitting and rein tension.   Other presenters talked about everything from animal cruelty investigations, to speech therapy and therapeutic riding, to improving performance through sports psychology.

There were also sessions for professionals in the business that tackled the tough subjects of difficult client situations.  Examples:  how to deal with difficult boarders (and tell them to leave…), and the sometimes dicey relationships between students, parents, and horse owners.   Lendon was one of the presenters for this one and it was great to hear how she’s dealt with these difficult client situations.  After decades in the business and running facilities with more than 50 boarders she’s pretty much seen it all.

Personally, I found every session I attended interesting and informative.  There’s never an end to how much you have to learn in the horse industry (and in life itself for that matter).   A big thanks to Lendon for doing her part to make all this knowledge accessible.

-Hollie McNeil, Owner/Trainer:Riding Right Farm, Author:40 Fundamentals of English Riding

Cool Mo-Cap

The technology that is turning movie making into a computer project, almost rather than an acting project is the future.  Take for instance, Tin Tin, Avatar, and Lord of the Rings.  It’s the melding of what’s real and what’s not and sometimes and it’s tough to tell the difference.  For our Fun Friday today a look at how one film company took on the project of motion capture with horses.  This is some fascinating video:

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

-Hollie McNeil, Author:40 Fundamentals of English Riding, Owner/Trainer:Riding Right Farm

Equine Affair – Ohio

Following up on her great reception by the audience at Equine Affaire in MA,Hollie has been invited to be a ‘featured presenter’ at Equine Affaire in Columbus, OH this Spring.  You can see more at the Equine Affaire website.  It’s a great recognition of Hollie’s skill as a teacher/presenter of riding.