Heading south to Wellington is always exciting as the travel, training and competition in Florida always opens new chapters in the journey of developing the horses as opposed to remaining at home to train. This year, we came down with 5 horses; 2 of my own and 3 owned by clients. We were all ready for the adventure to begin upon arrival.
A Winter Season Focused on Training & Learning
The work began the first week with my 8-year-old mare, Feymar OLD, who I rode in the Adequan/USDF FEI- level Trainers Conference. The conference consisted of a panel of 4 clinicians from the JSP ( Judges Supervisory Panel), the panel that oversees the scores at all the top shows at Grand Prix level in the world. I rode with Henk van Bergen, who was very helpful in directing us to reach for higher expectations in all of Feymar’s gaits and transitions. It was a great opportunity to expose her to a bigger atmosphere with a huge crowd of over 200 lining the arena at the McPhails farm in White Fences. She handled it like a pro and I was a proud mama.
Our Next big event was at the US Lusitano Association Conference, featuring Kyra Kyrkland and Pedro Torres. I had the opportunity to ride Elvis HI (owned by myself and Ailene Cascio) with Pedro both days. Pedro gave us great insight into how to specifically train this breed. By asking the hind legs to be better engaged with slow and steady leg yields, and balancing collection work with giving of the reins, I was able to see progress. Pedro really tested the balance of the exercises with how each horse could self-carry without rushing them through the work. It was slower than I would have ever expected, but very productive and sensible. Elvis had a wonderful session with Pedro coaching and now I continuously use his techniques now with Elvis and the other horses – with great results!
This year in Wellington was the season of figuring out each horse. The wonderful thing in Wellington is that you have access to so many resources and trainers all within close proximity. I was so fortunate to work consistently with both Linda Zang and Ali Brock during the winter. They are both so helpful – Linda with her biomechanics and vast experience and Ali with her exercises and get-to-it attitude which pushed me out of my comfort zone. We reach for higher levels of expectation, which trickled down to my clients who enjoy the extra fresh enthusiasm and challenges in the process of training their horses.
Lori Bruno and Holgazan, a 9 year old PRE gelding that she imported three years ago, made a lot of progress moving up to riding in a double bridle and beginning her first correct flying changes. Natasha Smith brought her Dutch mare Individu, a 9 year old by Negro. We had some real breakthroughs with her physical training and partnership with Individu. This winter season our goal was to really focus on the training instead of the showing of these horses.
I also had the opportunity to ride Maclaren, a grey 12-year-old SWB x PRE gelding that came to me to train and sell while in Florida. He is such a fun Grand Prix horse, and I know is close to finding his perfect home.
We also had an educational visit with Kim Gentry, “the Bit Lady” and owner of Bits n’ Such. She travels to facilities with a trailer full of bits, assessing your horse’s mouth for snaffle and double bridles. After analyzing each horse, she presented a variety of bits to try in order to see which bits produced the best results. It was very helpful for ALL of our horses who improved in terms of comfort level and connection. Some results were pretty dramatic. That was a huge discovery and we will have her come up north to Upper Creek Farm this summer as it was life-changing for the Florida horses!
Onward to Competition Highlights!
Feymar OLD and Elvis competed at Global Dressage Festival in their respective classes during February and March. For Feymar’s debut at PSG, we had some nice scores up to 69.5% with some acceptable mistakes. We just need some more miles and strength to improve the scores and clean up the test – but she is on her way! We have taken our time in our training and plan to show some CDI shows up north this spring and summer.
Elvis HI showed in the I2 with scores up to 71.5%, and a blue ribbon at GDF 9! He is also still developing his strength with the goal to move up to the GP by end of the year. I am very proud of them both, they tried very hard for me and we had fun!
Announcing Several New Sponsorships!
I also have added two key new sponsorships to our team.
Charles Tota Comfort Saddles and Bridles, based out Wellington, is working with me to develop my own line of saddles that will be arriving in the next week! My horses are fitted in his bridles as well. The saddles have total shoulder freedom for the horses and provide the rider with a balance that helps the rider stay in sync with the movements. The tree point is further back which helps the overall balance and the saddles are wool flocked and adjusted to fit every horse and rider. Charles travels north regularly for saddle fittings and carries other equipment like bits (top styles that are priced reasonably), protective leg boots for the horses as well as Konig dressage boots for the riders. He can measure riders for a custom fit while he is at your barn fitting saddles. His entire line of tack is branded under The Dressage Connection and can be found on his website at https://thedressageconnection.com
Another exciting sponsor partnership is with All Things Equestrian, which is a woman-owned sun shirt company that produces the softest and lightest sun shirts. I met the owner Deena at the Lusitano conference, and she is an avid fox hunter and mother of girls who compete in dressage. Living year round in Florida she wanted to create a line of casual shirts which would hold up in the southern heat. They fit and feel so fabulous and dry quickly, with antibacterial properties that keep you feeling fresh. Their prints are so vibrant and fun, I wear them to ride as well as heading out to meet with friends. They are my absolute favorite shirt in my closet! To see her full line of garments, please go to https://allthingsequestrian.com!
And Just Like That We’re Heading Home
It’s hard to believe that our season has come to an end and we are currently in the rig heading home to Stockton, NJ! I am excited to bring all the knowledge I have learned this winter season in Wellington back to Upper Creek Farm. I can say the big takeaway this season is LESS IS MORE. Easier said than done but it holds true.
Looking forward to competing this spring and being home again to see my other clients, husband, and puppies!
~ Kim Herslow
Click on images below for highlights of our season!
All competition photos, Sue Stickle.
