The Florida circuit is a very important part of our equestrian culture. Riders from not only the entire US, but the world come to compete and buy or sell horses!
Many years ago I was very fortunate to have worked for two of the worlds top warmblood breeding farms Catherston Stud http://www.catherstonstud.com/history.php, and Irons Spring Farm http://www.ironspringfarm.com/. While at Catherston Stud I bought a wonderful young horse Deep Decision (Ivor) by Dutch Courage Jennies Olympic Bronze Medal horse( one of her 5 olympics representing Great Britain!), and brought him home, to the USA with me. I had him at Iron Spring and wanted to show him. Mary Alice was very nice and allowed me to go to Florida with Tod Flettrich .She was taking lessons from Jessica Ransenhousen two time Olympian and the USA's Chef d'Equipe at the time,and Tod was her assistant trainer and had his own string of horses in training. It was a tremendous privilege and honor or which I am eternally thankful for- to all of them.
We had a great time, and I learned so much. Tod and I watched numerous FEI trainers, to learn everything we could. He gave me a great deal of his time helping me with my horse.I learned a great deal from Tod, but I am sure only a small portion of what he has to share.
Three things I would like to highlight about this trip that became clear to me.
One the horse business is very hard even for our team riders. I am not just talking about the hard work and long days, but the financial end.Which is a subject that could fill several books, and I wish our top trainers and farms would share appropriate information, so we could all have a more realistic picture of the business and do a better job sustaining our wonderful sport.
Two we need to find ways to show more people what we are doing, so they can enjoy it too. This will help us gain participants, sponsors, and grow the sport. We have to make what we do understandable and fun to watch, for this to be successful.
Three Tod was getting help from many time Olympian (6or7) and Canada's current coach Robert Dover who was very gracious and spoke a great deal with me while I stood by the ring and watched. While there where numerous trainers who impressed me, Robert system was very clear and fair. I also believe learn-able! What do I mean by learn-able? Some trainers use styles that are so difficult for the riders and horses, that while it works out for them 98% of the riders make a bigger mess when they try and copy them, than they do good. Robert's way is simple to understand and fair to both horse and rider and by the book! (UDSF instructors manual) This was very inspiring for me!You can get some of this inspiration by going to http://doversworld.com and/or by tuning into his radio program nightly at 6 pm EST .
I could go on and on about this amazing trip, but I am going to stop for now. I hope this has helped you in some small way.
Sincerely,
John
Many years ago I was very fortunate to have worked for two of the worlds top warmblood breeding farms Catherston Stud http://www.catherstonstud.com/history.php, and Irons Spring Farm http://www.ironspringfarm.com/. While at Catherston Stud I bought a wonderful young horse Deep Decision (Ivor) by Dutch Courage Jennies Olympic Bronze Medal horse( one of her 5 olympics representing Great Britain!), and brought him home, to the USA with me. I had him at Iron Spring and wanted to show him. Mary Alice was very nice and allowed me to go to Florida with Tod Flettrich .She was taking lessons from Jessica Ransenhousen two time Olympian and the USA's Chef d'Equipe at the time,and Tod was her assistant trainer and had his own string of horses in training. It was a tremendous privilege and honor or which I am eternally thankful for- to all of them.
We had a great time, and I learned so much. Tod and I watched numerous FEI trainers, to learn everything we could. He gave me a great deal of his time helping me with my horse.I learned a great deal from Tod, but I am sure only a small portion of what he has to share.
Three things I would like to highlight about this trip that became clear to me.
One the horse business is very hard even for our team riders. I am not just talking about the hard work and long days, but the financial end.Which is a subject that could fill several books, and I wish our top trainers and farms would share appropriate information, so we could all have a more realistic picture of the business and do a better job sustaining our wonderful sport.
Two we need to find ways to show more people what we are doing, so they can enjoy it too. This will help us gain participants, sponsors, and grow the sport. We have to make what we do understandable and fun to watch, for this to be successful.
Three Tod was getting help from many time Olympian (6or7) and Canada's current coach Robert Dover who was very gracious and spoke a great deal with me while I stood by the ring and watched. While there where numerous trainers who impressed me, Robert system was very clear and fair. I also believe learn-able! What do I mean by learn-able? Some trainers use styles that are so difficult for the riders and horses, that while it works out for them 98% of the riders make a bigger mess when they try and copy them, than they do good. Robert's way is simple to understand and fair to both horse and rider and by the book! (UDSF instructors manual) This was very inspiring for me!You can get some of this inspiration by going to http://doversworld.com and/or by tuning into his radio program nightly at 6 pm EST .
I could go on and on about this amazing trip, but I am going to stop for now. I hope this has helped you in some small way.
Sincerely,
John
Wishing y'all were back down here!!!
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