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The Schooling Arena
2008
11/19-20 Cesar Parra Clinic, Equus, Sheridan, IN
Contact: Jennifer Conour, 18747 Joliet Road, Sheridan, IN 317-339-9130
Lessons will be 265.00 per lesson; Auditing will be 25.00 a day, paid in advance, or 30.00 a day at the door; 2 day auditing will be 35.00 in advance or 45.00 paid on Sat.morning; Riding spaces still available.
11/29-30 Ed Rothkranz Clinic, Windara Farms, Pendleton, IN
Contact: Wanda Dodd at windarafarms@aol.com.
11/29 Linda Heiny Clinic, CenterLine Stables, Greencastle, IN
Contact: centerlinestables@msn.com or 765-522-1306
2009
5/20-22 J. Ashton Moore Clinic, Windara Farm, Pendleton, IN
Contact: Bonna McCuiston bonna@volte.org or 403-6202
7/3-5 J. Ashton Moore Clinic, Windara Farm, Pendleton, IN
Contact: Bonna McCuiston bonna@volte.org or 403-6202
10/2-4 J. Ashton Moore Clinic, Windara Farm, Pendleton, IN
Contact: Bonna McCuiston bonna@volte.org or 403-6202
11/13-15 J. Ashton Moore Clinic, Windara Farm, Pendleton, IN
Contact: Bonna McCuiston bonna@volte.org or 403-6202
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Impressions from a Clinic with J. Ashton Moore
Compiled and Submitted by Bonna McCuiston
The IDS sponsored clinic with J. Ashton Moore on April 24-26, 2006, held at Wanda Dodd’s Windara Farms, was a rewarding experience for all participants, rider and auditor alike. Following are thoughts concerning their experience contributed by some of those in attendance.
Comments from Diane Hess:
Once again, April's J. Ashton Moore clinic leaves me feeling both depressed and inspired! Depressed because Jeff's depth of knowledge and experience make me think I know NOTHING. Inspired (and exhilarated) because of the many "glimmers" of what could be that all the clinic participants take home from these clinics. For me, Jeff first worked on re-energizing my old mare's "giddy-up." Once that was done, we were able to not only do counter-canter (staying on-lead has always been elusive for us) but we also took our first piaffe-like steps. Talk about glimmers of what could be! On the third day, I asked Jeff to work with me on long-lining, something I've always wondered what all the hoopla was about. Halfway through this lesson, Jeff had me "scalloping" Deidre in and out on a circle at both trot and canter. If seeing the lightness of this 20 year old mare's collected canter wasn't enough hoopla for me, Jeff then took the lines and, within minutes and with no hystrionics, had Deidre doing beautiful reaching leg-yields across the arena. Even as I write this, I realize this most-recent J. Ashton Moore clinic has really left me feeling as if I can't wait to go home and school my horse. Make time to come to the next clinic; it is well worth it!
Comments from Marti Steussy:
Jeff Moore has two great strengths – his insight into horse psychology and his understanding of horse/rider biomechanics. On the first point, the short version is that the horse doesn’t know what we want, and we can only explain by (1) encouraging the horse to experiment until he “gets the right answer” and (2) indicating clearly (by something nice – like a brief rest!) that it was the right answer and, (3) repeat again and again and again.
On biomechanics, the great trick for women is not to wiggle in the middle. All this we probably know in our heads, but it’s incredibly helpful to watch it work out with our own bodies and horses.
Comments from Denise Henke:
How have I enjoyed these past three days, let me count the ways! Having devoted the last three years to being a Band Mom for my one and only who is now a freshman at Purdue University, I knew that I had lost a lot of muscle tone and my riding skills were getting sloppy. By buying Spencer, I am saying it’s Mom’s turn to have fun!!
I am so thankful I decided to do this clinic. Jeff has made me aware of just where I need help (let me count the places), given me tools (the strap) and many helpful ideas. I feel more confident in my ability to continue all of these and to not worry, if I keep being consistent, Spencer and I will both be happier in our never-ending quest of oneness.
The classroom lectures are a big help and Jeff’s approach to teaching during a lesson is very easy to understand, has put me at ease, helped build my confidence in myself and my riding abilities and makes learning more enjoyable. I am looking forward to the next clinic and am very thankful for all of Jeff’s help!!
Comments from Terry Luley:
Auditing this clinic was a most valuable use of time. The lecture each day provided an opportunity to discuss dressage theory – something we don’t do often enough. Mr. Moore presents a refreshing approach to dressage in that he debunks many of the myths of dressage and provided practical, workable alternative explanations. His two main points of focus are the rider’s responsibility to develop correct riding skills and the necessity to understand how the horse learns.
Comments from Katherine Duff :
Why I should NOT ride in Jeff Moore’s clinics!
I have been an auditor at every Jeff Moore clinic sponsored by IDS. He is detailed, concise, sympathetic, knowledgeable, personable and in short, a wonderful clinician. After each clinic I have returned home remembering intense “light-bulb” moments on everything from how to hold my hands, how to use my frontal plane to handle a spook, how to ride the illusive sitting trot and even how to ride the piaffe! I go home and get my horse out - and try his suggestions - and they work!
Now my dilemma: If I were to ride in the clinic and get 45 minutes of specific, intense “light-bulb” moments on my individual problems – of which I have many – I think my horse and I would explode!
Do I dare risk it?
What We Learned From Kay Meredith
Terry Luley
Kay Meredith proved to be a fun and funny person during the clinic she conducted at Legacy Farm November 9-11, 2007. While not everyone cared for her “teaching style” all felt it was a useful and valuable learning experience. Clinic participants were Deanne Bertram on Rhapsody, Kathi Hammond on Jack, Kathleen Curry on George, Marti Steussy and Lennox, Paula Bruveris riding Brigadier, Sue Peters on Rohan, Ken Levy and Laramie and myself on Nell. Following are some of the gems we learned from Kay.
--Quit nattering at the horse’s mouth; hold your hands still and let him make his own peace with the rein
--Stay off the FLR (you had to be there)
--Almost none of us get the horse truly on the bit for which the horse needs both lots of energy and yielding to
the rein
--Riders need to listen more and talk less during lessons
--Demand more of yourself; do you want to be “good enough” or “really good”
--You are giving away too many points in competition; don’t be happy with 6’s and 7’s when you are capable
of 7’s and 8’s
--Do you want in your heart what you say in your mouth ?
--Use the training tools you have available, but be sure you know how to use them correctly
--It is extremely important to focus on the development of the topline muscle
--Take your time training your horse. It is not about hitting the exact spot but rather about doing the transistion
when the time is right. We must strive for correctness when making transistions into and out of gaits and
paces. Done incorrectly only trains the horse to do them incorrectly.
--Horses typically fall in on the shoulder on the hollow side. It is our job to “stand them up” on the inside
shoulder using slight counter flexion.
--Pay attention to keeping the horse tracking in alignment, especially on a circle. All too often we see the
quarters “fishtailing” due to riding with too much hand and not enough leg.
--You must have a good ground person to see the things that mirrors don’t show
--Riding at the Grand Prix level requires great attention to detail. What delivered success at Prix St. Georges
and Intermediaire I will not deliver the same results at Grand Prix
--If all else fails, give Kay peanut butter cookies
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