AHP Newsgroup: TheHorseStudio.com Speaking French Dressage Clinic Think Philippe Karl at Willowview Hill Farm International
Sponsored by TheHorseStudio.com in conjunction with Willowview Hill Farm International and hosted by international Grand Prix riders/trainers Greta Kemmer, Nikki Alvin-Smith & Tina Hammond.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25th, 2012
Contact: Nikki Brazier/PR & Marketing
TheHorseStudio.com
PRMarketing@thehorsestudio..com
Riders from New England and Pennsylvania gathered in Salem, New York on January 15th & 16th, 2012 to enjoy a special dressage training experience focused on Philippe Karl training protocols based on his 'School of Legerete' methods, or as termed here, "Speaking French Dressage."
Three Grand Prix trainers, Greta Kemmer, Nikki Alvin-Smith and Tina Hammond, joined forces to coax the best possible riding from eight horse/rider combinations and began by covering basics such as keeping the horse truly forward of the leg and working on improved suppleness through a series of lateral and longitudinal exercises. Exercises included work in a forward light jumping seat at the canter, which several riders found surprisingly difficult.
"The aim of the forward seat test is to see the horse is up and over his topline, that he is light in the rein and forward. He must remain on his hind end and the rider is able to play with the balance of the horse between front and back. This is particularly useful for horses that tend to over collect or are tense in the canter, such as you may see in the Lusitanos, Friesians, Lipizzans and Andalusians, " explained Swiss coach Greta Kemmer.
Nikki Alvin-Smith, who has competed in Europe to scores over 70% at Grand Prix, and additionally owns Willowview Hill Farm in Stamford, New York and runs both dressage lessons and a breeding program there agreed. "With the advent of so many baroque horses into the rank and file of dressage in the USA it behooves us to look at the methods of Baucher, L'Hotte and La Guereniere. True classicists that practice the art in lightness and with sensitivity. I have trained many breeds over the years including not just warmbloods and baroque, but quarterhorse crosses, paints and thoroughbreds. Every breed has its own special flavor and we welcome every horse. We were very pleased to engage two young riders on their sports ponies in this clinic. As breeders of smaller horses suitable for teens as well as our international horse breeding program, we love to see these youngsters learn the French School and come to understand, as explained in the DVD from Paul Belasik, The Lost Quixote, that French and German are not that much different."
In addition to two days of intensive dressage work, participants and auditors enjoyed welcome baskets and door prizes and an art auction. TheHorseStudio.com generously also provided three meals a day including breakfast, a catered lunch and a delicious smoked salmon and champagne tea. As is customary at TheHorseStudio.com events, "The International Equestrian Shop" donated an award for most improved rider of the event as voted on by both coaches and auditors.
Linda Thompson of Roxbury, Connecticut won this time around and was delighted with her pair of the latest color F.I.T.S. breeches in Taupe, a new Jaguar convertible bridle ( from snaffle to double), and all participants were awarded a beautiful blackberry riding vest.
"We are very grateful for the support of companies like The Horse Studio, especially in these difficult economic times," said Tina Hammond of Willowview Hill Farm, " I know our students and visitors appreciate the work they put in, and we love the products they provide. We urge our clients to support organizations such as theirs that truly give back to the sport."
A further personal review of the event from Nikki Alvin-Smith is also available at http://classicaldressageartinmotion.blogspot.com/2012/01/push-pull-of-classical-dressage.html.
You can also find Philippe Karl DVDs of Classical Dressage Volume 1-4 and The School Of Legerete Vol 1 and 2, the Lost Quixote and the books such as L'Hotte and others available at http://www.TheHorseStudio.com.
ABOUT WILLOWVIEW HILL FARM INTERNATIONAL:
Willowview Hill Farm International was established in the Hudson Valley of New York in 1993 and is an proven producer of international calibre horses for the dressage arena. Through importation of elite performance horses from Germany, Spain, Portugal and Britain and from their own breeding operation of Warmblood and Baroque mares, Willowview Hill Farm has produced many notable horses over the years. Horses such as the FEI Prix St Georg horse Willowview Hill Balou (Borneo x Wendekreiss), first class foundation mares such as Willowview Hill GemmaMaria (Graf Gotz x Gimli) dam of several premium status progeny as well as providing European competition opportunities for students through their operations in Jerez, Spain and in collaboration with Greta Kemmer, FEI coach based in Lausanne, Switzerland. In addition Willowview Hill Farm is a producer of high quality organically grown horse hay. Please visit http://www.WillowviewHillFarm.com to learn more about their programs and to learn about internship opportunities and lesson programs.
ABOUT THEHORSESTUDIO.COM:
TheHorseStudio.com is an online equestrian retail store that offers a wide selection of horse related products. Known as "The International Equestrian Shop," the store offers domestic & imported items including tack, artwork and collectibles, horse stationery and greeting cards, home decor and giftware as well as American and European Equestrian Couture Collections from the finest houses. In addition TheHorseStudio.com offers one of the widest selections of horse books and DVDs available online. Disciplines covered include dressage, driving, showjumping, eventing, polo, barrel racing, western pleasure, trail and endurance, vaulting, barrel racing, reining, cutting and horse racing. Since inception in April 2006, TheHorseStudio.com has offered frank reviews and extensive product testing of all items they market. The Horse Studio Team embraces experienced riders from many riding/driving disciplines who are well versed in the top levels of equestrian sport. In addition The Horse Studio Team encompasses personnel who are also published writers/authors plus executive management well versed in international trade.
Manufacturers, authors, publishers and production houses are welcome to submit their products for review and should forward free samples and/or catalogs to the address detailed below and/or email purchasing@TheHorseStudio.com.
For more information on this event and high resolution photographs of prizes, please contact:
Nikki Brazier/PR Marketing Consultant
www.TheHorseStudio.com
email: PRMarketing@TheHorseStudio..com