Friesian Gelding, JELLE

10/03/2024

24/01/2024

Conrad Schumacher will be in North Alabama at Full Circle Horse Park from February 14-16. There are still rider spots left, so hurry! Contact Serenity Joy Villar for details!

14/11/2023

I just read (another) post from an equine sales agent, complaining about how buyers have impossible expectations on PPEs and become "hysterical" if one little thing shows up on x-ray (this is paraphrased, so the rant was longer), basically accusing buyers of just being "tire kickers" and wasting her time. I did respond to her post, but I think it bears repeating on a larger platform. Here is my response to her:

I have read your posts about "failed PPE's", hysterical clients, etc., and to a point I understand your frustration. No, there are no perfect horses. There is no guarantee that any horse will STAY sound from moment to moment. However....there is a BIG difference between "the (not so) good old days" of handshake deals/skipping PPE's and today's sales...that is PRICE, PRICE, and PRICE (as the commercial goes). First, the price sellers are asking for horses these days (exorbitant!!!), the price of the sale (commissions, board, care and domestic transport, and quarantine surrounding import/export), and the price of a PPE (which IMHO is absolutely necessary and is not a pass/fail thing in most cases). And here are just a few of the trip-ups from a buyer perspective (I am a professional trainer, but MY clients/students are the people I am working for--buyers--the other side of the coin). It annoys me no end that some (many) sellers will market a horse either with knowledge or suspecting that there may be some performance-limiting issues (or reasonable potential for it), AND ask over $100k (purchase price only! not including any of the other costs mentioned!) for said horse, *and not disclose said issue(s)*; Not even at the point of potential buyer scheduling a PPE and paying for it (can cost in excess of 3k for a complete PPE). Are you hoping the vet will MISS performance-limiting factors?? And THEN, when the issues are revealed on PPE, seller (or agent) is not only unwilling to negotiate price or even acknowledge that there may be an issue, but bullies potential buyer and accuses buyer of being hysterical (many times becoming hysterical themselves), or of trying to use "misleading, misinterpreted" results on PPE to haggle price (what an insult!). Then, turns around after the failed sale and puts horse back on market at original asking price, with no mention of PPE results for the next unsuspecting buyer....hoping that this next poor sucker will forego the PPE or choose a vet who will miss issues. Sorry, but you *might* have some valid grievances against a particular buyer, but the above scenario is WAY MORE common than hysterical buyers. You picked a difficult segment of the horse industry. But, you picked it. Transparency and customer service are SORELY lacking throughout the equestrian industry. "Buyer Beware" is NOT the way we should do things. Let's ALL try to do better.

29/10/2023

Yes, to every single word of this!

HOW TO GET THE JUDGE ON YOUR SIDE!

People often wonder what they can do to improve their scores, and get the judges to look for reasons to give points, and not hand them reasons to take points away, as they strive to show their equine partners.

Here are a few.

Show your horse at a level that you and your horse are proficient.

It does not matter if it is a new show season. If you have not done the work to prepare for a higher level, do not enter classes above where your horse can do all of the requirements somewhat comfortably.

Prepare.

Grooming training and preparing take months of practice and the judge knows what a well turned out and prepared horse and rider look like. That means every thing. Groomed to perfection, tack clean and conditioned, clothing clean and appropriate.
You and your horse should be fit enough for the warm up and the class plus 10-15 extra minutes. Meaning you or your horse should not be “so tired” that you use the walk portion of the test to catch your breath. The whole test needs to be ridden to the best of your collective abilities.

Smile and have empathy.

For your horse, the judge and the other competitors. Be a good sport. Don’t hog the warmup. I was at regionals in a crowded warmup recently with a young horse and I was on the rail and a rider came straight towards me not leaving enough room as she flew towards us and passed left to left in a medium canter. But her whip hit my horse in the face causing him to jump out of the ring and then be apprehensive about oncoming traffic. Leave room and keep an eye for green horses or riders when at the show.

A smile and a composed face do a lot to let the judge know that you are there to present your horse. You are there as his friend and leader first and a competitor second. Judges appreciate riders who know how much they can ask of their horse in the ring.

Ride accurately

If you do not ride the test precisely the judge has to believe that either you cannot steer through a correct pattern or your horse does not steer correctly. Don’t lose those points. Perfect practice makes perfect. Video yourself as often as you can find a way to do so and fix the big, then small problems until they disappear. An accurate test with a well turned out horse and rider who has a good attitude and empathy for the horse will get noticed and rewarded.

Watch and learn.

When you have a chance, watch tests of those better than you or classes you hope to prepare for. Watch the warm up, the ride, and then go check out the score and see if it matches your thoughts. Train your eye so you are not surprised by your scores.

Be courteous

To everyone. Show management, other competitors, well just everyone. Congratulate folks that do well, and mean it.
Everyone is on their own journey even those in your class. You may not know what it took for someone to even get to show so…. Be courteous.

Have fun.

Make up your mind ahead of time to have fun showing. Become part of a group at the show so you have a team to cheer you on and help if needed. Ask a trainer you know if you can stable with them if no one from your barn is going. Make friends have fun!

In the long run it is all about you and your horse. You want him on your side, ready to work for you and feeling good about his job. When that happens you have already won.
Happy Centerlines!

04/09/2023

The following is one of my favorite poems. I had forgotten the prose, but try to live by its philosophy. I needed this today, and hope others will find it inspiring as well:

"Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy."

— Max Ehrmann, 1927

20/03/2023

I have reached 2K followers! Thank you for your continued support. I could not have done it without each of you. 🙏🤗🎉

16/01/2023

25/07/2022

This winter was a rough one for me. I had a severe respiratory infection that I have finally overcome, and now, I am working very comfortably at third level, and with just a bit more fitness and reliability in the Flying changes, we will return to the competitions. I was a star at the Janet Foy Clinic this weekend, sponsored by GDCTA and hosted by Shannondale Farm in Milton, GA. Janet watched Mary and me with an eagle eye, and gave some invaluable ideas, exercises and clarification to Mary about me really understanding my flying changes, and now I do understand it much better, and we had clean, calm changes in both directions! We will polish these up, and then competitions, here we come! I am very proud of myself, and wouldn't mind showing off again for Janet anytime! 😍😁Mary took a photo (only one, can you believe it!?) of me when we first arrived at the wonderful USEF Elite Training Center at Shannondale.

22/02/2022

More of Jelle's year-end accolades. USDF National awards this time! He is such a special boy.... 💙