Flying Change Seminar Times 2/23/13

11:30 Demo

12:30 Lauren

 1:15  Fiona

 2:00  Pat

 2:45  Q & A

Due to some iffy weather in the forecast, we are keeping the schedule short with a lengthy demonstration to start the day. During the Q & A at the end, another horse may be brought out to do a second demo - but that will depend on the level of interest and weather. 

If we get significant snowfall overnight, the clinic will be held at the same time on Sunday. Any changes, postponement or alterations to the schedule will be posted here on the blog, FB, the Calendar page on our website and on the Event Page of the Chronicle of the Horse.

Any questions or conflicts, please email Ellie@watermark-farm.net

February Clinic Schedule and Information

So we have our last clinic in the first Clinic Series today! It's the Flying Change Seminar! Yippeee!

And that is also exciting because Series II is just around the corner with our Riding Fundamentals Clinic on February 3rd, Demystifying Lateral Work on the 17th and the Flying Change Seminar on the 23rd! Mark your calendars!!!

Some things worth mentioning -
   We recommend riders audit the first 2 clinics (at least, riding would be more beneficial) if they are interested in working on their changes as there are many subtle training tools that go into building a clean single change and it is too much to cover in a single 45 minute session for most horses.
   We are offering a $10 discount for each clinic session to any/all TB's (OTTB or just full xx blood) for this series. Anne has a solid foundation in transitioning the TB from racing horse to Grand Prix, so this an opportunity to help encourage better dressage scores for our equine friends that were bred for more speed than their warmblood buddies.
   In case of inclement (seasonal) weather - we will push the clinics back 1 week. However, that being said - the Series must wrap by the end of the first weekend in March, so check back often for updates!
   For those interested in using a WF horse for the clinics - we are happy to provide a trained FEI horse for you to learn on, however, they are not machines and can take great exception to a strange rider at times. It would be beneficial to your learning experience to ride them a few times prior to the clinic(s). Contact Anne@watermark-farm.net to discuss which horse suits your riding style and schedule best.

Flying Change Seminar Reminder!

Just a reminder to get in touch if you are interested in riding in our Flying Change Seminar this Sunday the 13th. The demonstration will be quite lengthy, so there are limited riding spaces. 

Snippet of video and a few photos to share!

Two snapshots (obviously from the iPhone) of Dreamcatcher WF wearing his big horse equipment! A vintage Stubben Tristan and then a hand-me-down bridle that was custom made for his ancestor Abundance in the 1960's...so some proof that good leather lasts a lifetime when it is well cared for!



McDreamy does start out a tad hasty in his rhythm in this clip. He was a bit surprised that I was in a different position! If you can persevere to the end, you'll see him settle into his super tempo and then fabulous walk. He is on track to be undersaddle by the weekend, so check back for more footage soon!


aaaaand as promised...footage from the following day! This is the first direction (we always start to the left), so he's on the same page about the program and order in which things are happening. Such a good baby horse!

Some Fun for our Friends and Fans to End the Year!

Things here on the farm are busy, busy, busy! Which is always good. We have quite a few horses joining our training program, so check back often for links to their pages and new photos!

We are trying to encourage more interaction from our supporters on Facebook and for any followers here on the blog too. There are a great many photos from over the years on our FB page HERE, so if you want to play along, go ahead and flip through as many as you would like and send us the link(s) to your Top 10! We will announce the winners to begin the New Year for a bit of fun!


There is a Group Lesson this coming Saturday at 2PM - please email or message either me or Anne@watermark-farm.net to sign up. We will make the decision as to the indoor or outdoor early on Friday AM, so if there is demand, we will split into 2 groups inside - a 2PM and a 3:15PM.


There is a Long Lining Clinic set for December 8th. You can sign up for that by emailing me (Ellie@watermark-farm.net) or calling Anne on her cell.

Happy Riding!

12,500 Fans, new video and then the Group Lessons

So it's been another busy week here on the Farm! All of the riding horses are going very nicely, the youngsters are coming along in their development and we have a few projects that are also making progress! Lots of positive energy and good fun!

Oreo has kept a close eye on our training regimen!

We've also had a stretch of beautiful weather - brisk but gorgeous!

With perfect footing, ideal lighting for photos and lots of smilies for the happy riders!

 

We had beautiful weather on Saturday for the first of our group lesson sessions. It was a bit breezy but very doable in terms of the conditions and the fine company! So as it stands now, we'll be offering the lessons every Saturday starting at 2PM from now until the beginning of December. If the weather is poor the group size will reduce to 4 horses in the indoor so as to give everyone plenty of room to ride. But if it is nice....we can accommodate up to 7 riders per group.

The Farm Page has motored right past 12,500 Likes and is well on the way to cracking the 600 mark in the next few hours - or at least before the end of the day tomorrow! Very exciting!

One of our 'returning to work' horses is doing so well it almost brings tears to our eyes. Here are some videos of her first ride back in the outdoor arena with Francisco...

and these are my favorite photos - 

 Millie is by Waldaire out of mom's favorite mare Lily by Again and Again, so having her back as a riding horse gives us a lot to look forward to - especially when her fancy way of going is taken into account. :)

Happy riding!

October Long Lining Clinic Sunday the 7th

That's right! Another long lining clinic is not that far away! :)

Sunday October 7th will have us opening the doors to welcome both auditors and participants to learn more about the double lunging system! Our "official" start time will be tentative until we have a final headcount of participants.

Clinic Information

Gloves are required. Helmets are strongly recommended.

First Demo Horse will start at 9:45 AM.

The focus of this clinicis to introduce the steps to introducing the double lunge system, equipment and basic techniques of handling the lines, horse and whip at the walk, trot and canter. 

Basic lateral work, rein back, suppling and gymnastic exercises will also be included. More technical excercises and techniques will be added for the more advanced students and horses.

The clinics that follow later in the year (October, November, December) will have the same rudimentary start for beginners but move participants towards a greater understanding of more complex exercises and technique. 

Fee and General Clinic Information:
$50 per horse/rider
Auditors - $10
$25 to use a Watermark Farm horse

Time for more education!!! It's a Fall Reduction for our Lesson Fees!

Fall is upon us! For many of us that means winter is looming and it is time to address training conundrums, add in new exercises and challenges or get our young horses out and about in new locations in a socialized group experience!

With all of the above in mind, we will be offering a reduced Group Lesson Fee of $35 per horse for groups of 3 or more. A Semi Private Lesson (just 2 horses) is reduced to $50. 
Lessons will run for exactly 1 hour. 

This is a super opportunity to have a less intense environment to get some instruction and have a few minutes to practice on your own while the other rider(s) get some one on one help! With many years of FEI experience behind us this is a great chance to have a correct foundation established for both horse and rider!

These reduced fees will apply September 25th-November 30th, so it is time to band together, share the ring space and improve your riding and your horse’s education!

Email Anne@watermark-farm.net to reserve your Group Lesson Time!

Clear skies! Nice temperatures! Long lining anyone?

It must be getting closer to fall! :) We've enjoyed a glorious few days with nicer temperatures and sunny skies! 

So since fall is approaching (I think it's here really), who would be interested in a long lining clinic?

We can free up a Saturday in September and set a date. If you have a Saturday that works best - speak up now!!! Send an email, comment below - let us know what works and we'll do another day of helping people to learn this valuable skill!