My beginning...the pony years!

  When I was 7 my mom thought I needed an activity that was mine. I looked up to my older brother at the time and wanted to be like him. He was a gifted athlete. He was good at every sport; baseball, soccer, water skiing  and snow skiing and riding motor cycles. He was very competitive and had to be the best and win. With our age difference of nine years and my vision problem I didn't stand a chance. So even though he had taken a few riding lessons before me. He did not seem to want to continue, and my mom thought the ponies could see, so why not give it a try! Little did she know what she was getting into, lol!
  Mom and Dad bought a small farm in the country and went with, instructor Anne McKay to a mixed auction in Timonium Maryland and bought two ponies. Dawn was an 11.2 hand Shetland pony we got for $75.00's with her sheet that had her name on it. And Love Bug who was a pinto that was 14.2 hands without his shoes after being riden hard on the day his feet were done, lol for $400.00. Dawn was meant for me and Love Bug for my brother. It should be mentioned this was in 1972 and a gallon of gas was .25 cents a gallon and a Mach 1 was $3,200.00 brand new!Classes at shows were $5.00!
  Dawn was a feisty forward minded pony and little much more me at that points. So my parents contacted the previous owners and decided to have the older sister of her previous rider be my instructor. Donna Blevins at the time was 17,and her parents owned Sullivan had Spring Hill Equestrian center 15 minutes away. In the very beginning she brought her many time champion hunter Cram to our house to ride out with me on Dawn and I.  Cram was a beautiful Chestnut Thuroughbred. I would also take a lesson on a school pony at her house. She wasn't sure I would be able to ride Dawn, but it worked out well. Dawn was very forward and was not afraid of anything and would never stop. In fact once  at Spring Hill a jump was set at 3'6 inches for Donna's sister Lynn to take with her Arabian jumper, Florida Sun. Well jumped it by accident! My mom almost fell off the wall of the arena were she watching. (I believe Lynn was Taking from George Morris when she could in those days. I mention this because his book, huntseat equitation set the standard for equitation, that was the law in our barn growing up. ).
  It should be mentioned here that I was always picked last on the playground at school for everything and  there were 62 girls myself and one other boy in the lesson program at the barn. It was the first time I was able to get a girls attention and I was determined to do well.
 We moved Dawn to spring Hill and bought a young dapple Grey 13.2h Welsh pony named Grey Bullet. Dawn was getting rather small for me at this point. Love Bug also moved to the barn at first to be used as a lesson pony. To help offset the others expenses and later for me to compete. Bullet was only three and had little training. I had a bad habit of getting ahead of the motion and dropped him in front of jumps. Which caused me to have many falls. This is how I started riding Love Bug to regain my confidence
   After a few years I was to compete all three .This didn't last for too long, because I became too tall for Dawn. At this time I was able to show in the hunter, equitation, and jumper when offered and also pleasure divisions. With my poor mom standing all day in all types of weather holding one or two ponies while I rode the third! There were so many fun classes back then, outside courses, handy hunter, trail and command.  The fence heights in those days were generally higher too. It was fun! as it should be.
  I rode with Donna for eight years and the only reason I stopped was sadly her mother passed away and her father sold the farm. Also it was time for me to start showing horses and my Dad said I had to sell a pony if I wanted a horse which was reasonable, but I wasn't ready to do that. So I rode for pleasure and ran cross country during high school, not returning to riding competitively until college.
  I learned so much over my eight years with Donna about riding and caring for horses, but most of all how not to give up! How to fall off and get back on, and that on any given day anyone can beat anyone else. You are competing against yourself first and foremost and ALWAYS BE A GOOD SPORT, win or loose! We had our share of champions but more importantly we enjoyed the process andd had many smiles along the way.
  I think one of the best things is to see when you are in and around the sport for years like I have. Is people like Sandy Farrel whom I showed against at that time go on and have so much success or go to a barn and teach a grandmother and her daughter and her granddaughter all in the same afternoon. 
  I hope in sharing these fond memories I have been able to relive some of your own, and helped you in some small way.
                                                           Sincerely,
                                                                            John
P.S. Thanks Mom and Dad!!!
*** For those of you who may not know my father passed away on September 8, 1990  at 1100 PM in my arms.A story I will share soon. I miss him every day!

Choosing a Trainer is like choosing your spouse!

   Choosing a riding instructor may be as simple as calling the one and only individual within a hundred mile radius who offers riding lessons. The choice is not nearly so limited, or usually so easy. It should be done with the same care you would take to pick a university for your child.

  Before beginning your search for the best possible instruction, it is both helpful and necessary to make a complete and honest assessment of your strengths, weaknesses, and goals as a rider. With which riding skills do you feel comfortable and competent? Which skills do you feel yourself lacking? Identify the equestrian pursuits on which you would most like to concentrate your educational efforts. Do you aspire to ride in the Dressage ring, the Hunter/Jumper ring or maybe just for pleasure?

   Visit  facilities and watch a lesson so you can make an informed choice. Take a notebook along so you can jot down information about the program’s nuts and bolts such as available lesson packages, lesson times, the number of students in a class, cancellation policies etc. Is the instructor qualified to help you reach you goals? How did they acquire their knowledge? Is safety a priority? Do they put the horses well being first and foremost in their training program? Do they fallow the rules set fourth by the FEI and the USEF to guide all of us?(especially when it comes to drugs,medications, and ethics!) Observe the barn routine and riding classes thoughtfully and right down your observations for later review. When considering putting a horse in training or boarding your horse with an instructor, don't be afraid to ask questions about the feeding program, health care program, care of the footing- overall facility and turnout procedures-quality-availability. This is especially important if you have a horse that has special needs.
    When you do choose your instructor give them 100% of your self. Keep a open mind, be respectful, be passionate about learning all you can and use your instructors knowledge to your best advantage. We recommend staying with them for a minimum of five years,studying literature and videos that they pick; which go along with their system and only riding in clinics they recommend. You should learn one language-system fluently, so you can have clear communication woth your equine partner and a happy lasting relationship.
  This model of how to choose instruction can be applied to learning almost anything. We hope sharing this has helped you in some small way.
                                                           Sincerely,
                                                                        Petra and John

The next step towards getting fit!

 Its time to take the next step in my exercise journey. I have been walking for three weeks and now its time to add something more. Remember to consult your physician before starting anything new, and I am sharing what works for me, and each of us is different.
  I know I do best when I am flexible and as even on both sides of my body as possible . I like to try and have no weak links, so I vary what I do more and more, and try and work every area of my body. I am going to add yoga three days a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for 30 minutes. Each day using a different workout for upper body, abs, and lower body. I am going to use the Gaiam video series called body target. I have used their videos before with great success. If you decide yoga is for you and you have access to a class given by a good instructor I recommend giving it a try with your doctors ok . Having an instructor who can see what you are doing and give you helpful hints will speed you results up and doing it in a class helps you keep going. Plus you may also make some great friends!
 After the three weeks I will continue to add other types of work outs. This is a building process that I have learned helps me get in shape and stay injury free. I am starting to add a little running to some of my walks at this point. A steady pace for 3 minutes every other day.
  I have a long way to go before I get to were I want to be, but I am going to try and enjoy the journey as much as I can. Try and remember to give your self a pat on the back anytime you stick with your plan and have a good work out. Its important to building you self confidence.
  My program is NOT to be as big and muscular as I can.
  My program IS to be healthy, flexible, toned everywhere, have a strong cardiovascular system, and feel great!!!
 This is something I am doing for me, not that Petra minds lol. I am studying to get my personal trainer certification through NAISM. Because I have always had an intense interest in personal fitness. Wish me luck. Again consult the apropriate doctors and professionals before starting anything. Also the old saying " no pain no gain" is not true as far as I am concerned. If you creat a base by walking and stretching and yoga most people can get into shape with very little soreness. This requires lots of careful stretching before and after, eating well, and focusing more on good form. I will get into more detail as I go through my own journey. I hope sharing this helps you in some small way.
                                                       Sincerely,
                                                                    John

John's Gouda Burgers

 Hey guys and gals' here is a easy, healthy and tasty dinner, for  you to try. Start with a small garden salad then try my Gouda burgers and corn with peppers, and finish it off with a bowl of sliced fresh fruit and vanilla yogurt later in the evening.
 The burger, start with a 1/4 pound of local organic ground beef per person. We have some great Angus and longhorn farms near by. I like to put a light coating of McCormak's steakhouse seasoning on the meat after I make the patties about the size of your palm and leave them in the fridge while I get everything else ready. I then put one can of corn in a small pot with a sliced red and/or orange sweet pepper, and put it over medium heat.Then I take two frying pans and coat them lightly with olive oil. One is an iron skillet the other modern lined. I then chop up two fresh tomato's and half a fresh onion( I am cooking for three in this example). I pre heat both skillets on high. Once they are heated I put the meat in the Iron skillet and the tomato's and onion in the other. I let everything cook for a two minutes flipping it every 30 seconds. Then I turn it down to medium low which is 3 on my stove. Then I set the table and make the other preparations filling drinks water and sometimes a glass of juice or wine ex. When I am finished that I turn the corn down to low and put the tomato's and onions in with the meat and put a slice of Gouda on top of the burgers and cover everything with the pan I was using for the veggies, and allow it to cook for three minutes or so. The time will depend on how you like your burgers rare-medium ex. this is for medium.While this is happening I chop up some fresh fruit strawberries, banana's whatever you like and put them in some small bowls mixed with one vanilla yogurt each( the Eat Right or Activia are my favorites) and put them in the fridge for later in the evening.Then I serve it! Breed or rolls are optional. I like one peace of whole grain oat breed on the side with mine.All of the prep can be done 45 minutes or so.While I clean up after Petra gives Emma Grace a bath and then we all sit down and watch a family show and enjoy our  fruit and yogert desert!!!
 I hope this has helped you in some small way.
                                                            Sincerely,
                                                                             John

Jack Le Goff; A once in a life time horsemen.

  I am a graduate of Westmorland Davis Equestrian Institute at Morven Park in Leesburg, Virginia. The school no longer exists, but it was an amazing experience, and I will share many fascinating stories of the training and events that took place there over the course of this blog.
  Jack Le Goff  was on the advisory council and gave regular clinics at WDEI. If you do not know who Jack is here is a link to give you background http://www.chronofhorse.com/article/jack-le-goff-dies-78 .
 He was truly amazing in many ways. Today I would like to share the two things that stuck with me most.
 First he believed that all riders and trainers should be true horseman and understand all aspects of their care, physiology, psychology and training. One example he repeatedly told us was that he should be able to blindfold us in the barn isle and bring out horses that were in our care one at a time and we should be able to not only identify the horse by running our hand from its knee to its fetlock. And at the same time we should be able to say if it was warmer than normal, had more or less fluid, and notice even the most minute change form day to day!
  The second thing I will always remember, that makes me smile.  He always stressed riding from your seat and legs and back to front. One day when  perhaps our best event rider at school, who was winning a great deal at the preliminary level on a particular horse was not completely BELIEVING in this concept 100%. He asked her to get off and stand at x (the center of the ring) facing c ( the center of the short side of the arena at the far end). Then he at 57 got on and began doing a very nice sitting working trot which became an active collected trotting by the time it took to go half way around the arena. With the horse now wonderfully on the bit in a good rhythm and great self carriage he proceeded to allow the reins to run through his hands until he reached the end nothing changed! The horse stayed the same and was fantastic! If this was not enough he then made a perfect turn down the center line of the arena. Never  picking up the reins or using his hands in anyway! When he was tree meters from the rider he went from this awsome sitting trot instantly to a perfectly balanced square halt! All from the invisible use of his seat and legs!!!  At this point he smiled as he dismounted and said, "you don't need your hands as much as you think you do" and  laughed in a good matured way. The audience and the rider laughed as well. All the while in awe of his demonstration. He knew this rider well and she rode very well through out the clinic.. She did improve after the demonstration, but was glad he chose her, because it only challenged her to be even better, and she wanted to be the best she could be. Proving that the tested method of horsemanship wins out over any gimmicky training every time.
  This has left me always wanting to know the horses I work with in a way not all instructors do in this day and age of hectic schedules and always trying to teach or ride as many as possible. 
  I try to focus on quality not quantity in everything I do. This can be applied to all facets of life. You can also benefit by being able to do every job at work or at home. You don't have to do them all on a regular basis, but if you have done them once and truly understand what each in-tales you will be a better employee, husband, dad, friend  and/or boss. What ever role you are in you will be more respected by those around you and empathetic with those around you.
  I hope through sharing these stories I have helped you in some small way.
                                                         Sincerely,
                                                                           John

Lamb Shanks? That sounds gross!

This is a warning to any one that knew me from the past, I like to cook, and bake! I know, shocking isn't it? I used to be the queen of going out for lunch and dinner(boy the money I wasted!). After a long day of teaching, when you get home past 9:00pm its hard to motivate yourself to make any thing, well some thing that's not popped into the microwave that is. I was always the first one to say "Let go to the pub! I want a club sandwich!". Well now that I'm married with a child, things have taken a change for the better. John and I put a lot of effort into to eating well and at a more regular time and we take turns doing the cooking. All most every night the three of sit down and have dinner together, just as I did growing up. In this post I just wanted to share one of my favorite things that I make for my family.
Lamb Shanks! Possibly the toughest cut of lamb out there, when not cooked properly that is! But its one of my all time favorites!     
And if they came from a lamb that was free to graze, they'll have less saturated fat and more omega-3  than just about any cut of grain-fed beef.
I start with two good sized Shanks, and lightly cover them in sea salt and fresh ground pepper. Then using a cast Iron pan I put a good layer of high heat oil (about a inch), and once the oil is hot I brown every side of the lamb shanks. This takes about five minutes. After removing the lamb shanks I drain most of the oil and fat, then using the same pan I add about four cut and peeled carrots, one can of stewed tomatoes(drained of liquid), one cup of cubed red potatoes and about half a cut up small onion. I also add one diced garlic clove and a fresh cut up chill pepper(don't tell John!). Make sure you all your veggies cut up before hand, as you will need keep stirring the veggies as you go. Then add one small can of chicken broth and one cup of dry red wine. Bring all this to a boil to reduce the wine . Always use a wine you would enjoy drinking! Do not use a so called 'cooking' wine. Cooking wine can be salty and have some funky additives that will effect the taste of your meal.
Once the wine has been reduced (the level of liquid will go down) turn the heat down to simmer and add your Lamb shanks. The liquid should just cover the sides of the shanks. Then cover the pan with a cast iron top. If you don't have one, tin foil will work. It will take about four hours for the shanks and veggies to come out perfect. You do not need to  do any thing further but sit back and wait! So go enjoy the rest of that red wine with your husband!
Your shanks will be done when the meat is so tender it falls of the bone! I hope you try your hand at braised Lamb shanks! They are not as scary as they seem!
Sincerely,
Petra

Important lessons in True Horsemanship!

  I want to share a story that has two parts and its meanings can be applied to a variety of things. It all revolves around a time I spent learning from Conrad Schumacher in Germany. Over time I will share my experiences working with numerous great instructors and trainers. I share will not cover all they have to offer, that would be its own book!
 The first part is about me as a student.When I went to Conrad's I had not been riding as much before hand as I would have liked. The horses I did have time to ride were not at a high level,but he was patient and took me under his wing . I trusted in the fact that he was incredible, which I had been able to see in person here in the USA. I was able to attend a clinic were he worked with a variety of horses and riders. The combination that impressed me most was Lendon Grey and Idocus. Here was a Grand Prix rider/trainer that I had watched for years on horses like Seldom Seen and so many others. She rode with such focus and rider and trainer showed such mutual respect throughout the clinic that I knew if I showed the same focus and respect I would have great results too. After attending the clinic I was given the optrutity to go to Germany and train.
   While working with Conrad I was able to feel and learn things that I did not even realize were possible. In one lesson he had me stay on a pirouette for 8 revolutions(most horses can not do this well and should not be asked too, this one was very specail). While Being as relaxed and focused as I could.
  He asked me at all times to challenge myself to see how light my aids could be, how to go with and accentuate the horses movement more every ride. To put the horse first by always
considering what it was thinking and feeling. To ask myself, if I had done everything I could to properly prepare the horse and reward him. He said at the end of the week he was pleased with my progress and I he would be happy to work with me again.
  This reinforced my belief that when you work with a gifted teacher, and you give their lesson 100%. You will learn not only how it can work for you, but something you can apply to any lesson you may take. If you do not have trust and confidence in your trainer, you have to ask yourself is this the right teacher? If the answer is yes you must try and open your mind and ask questions after your lessons to gain understanding on how you can achieve this goal.
  The second part is about me as a teacher. He gave me a wonderful example of what it means to be a great instructor for many reasons, but one story he shared has stuck out in my mind more than any other! He had a horse that he trained and then leased to students. Each student leased the horse for two years. He did this five times. In between each students lease he would ride the horse for a time while he searched for the next one. Each student won championships on this same horse! What was very interesting for him is that the horse changed so much with each rider even though they all had similar success. When he would take the horse back and rode it the horse did everything well that the previous rider did well and struggled with everything the
previous rider struggled with. Each rider was different. We all know each horse has strengths and weakness's but he had no idea how much the rider played in it. Before this he spent most of his time focusing on what would improve the horse by telling the rider how to correct or improve the horse.After this experience he focused  a lot more of his time focusing on correcting and improving the rider. Teaching through the rider. This thought me their must be a balance. That there are many ways to look at each situation through the horse, the rider, and the combination of both. Also the physical, mental, and environmental aspects of the horse, rider and combination of that horse and rider must be considered! Wow, its a lot. So simple and yet so complicated. I guess that is what makes it so wonderful and fasinating!!!
 I hope this has helped you in some small way.
Sincerely,
John