Anna Keenan McPhee Dressage

11/14/2024

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11/10/2024

To develop the horse symmetrically in body and limbs you can use gymnastic exercises.

*** CORNERSTONES ***

The core of the gymnastic exercises consists of the circle, shoulder-in and haunches-in. All the other exercises are derived from these cornerstones.

🐴 The circle is used to develop the Lateral bending of the body and spine, the Forward down tendency of the head and neck and the Stepping under the center of mass of the inside hind leg (LFS).

🐴 Once the inside hind leg can step under, this hind leg can also start to take weight. To do so we use the shoulder-in and counter-shoulder-in. These exercises are designed to school the hind leg in function of the inside hind leg. As a result of taking the weight, the horse will bend the inside hind leg more and free the outside shoulder.

🐴 Once the horse can bend the hind leg as an inside hind leg, we can also start to school the hind leg as an outside hind leg. To do so we use first the haunches-in (travers) and later on the renvers. In the renvers the horse can lean less against the wall/fence with his shoulder, so it's a bit more difficult than the travers, but as a result he really supports himself with his hind legs.

*** ALL EXERCISES ARE RELATED ***

All exercises relate to one another and differ slightly:

🐎 The only difference between shoulder-in and counter-shoulder in is the position of the fence/wall. The same applies to the haunches-in (travers) and the renvers, also there the only difference is the position of the wall.

🐎 The difference between shoulder-in and renvers is the bending in the spine, which is the opposite. In these exercises the same hind leg has the opposite function ('inside' in shoulder-in, 'outside' in renvers). The same applies to counter shoulder-in and the haunches in.

🐎 The half pass is 'just' a haunches-in over the diagonal, and the pirouette is 'just' a haunches-in on a small circle. Both half-pass and pirouette require support of both the inside as the outside hind leg. Therefore in both exercises the shoulders must lead to be able to keep the center of mass in front of the direction of the hind legs, only then both hind legs can support the weight. So both the half pass and pirouette also relate to the shoulder-in.

*** NUMBER OF TRACKS AND DEGREE OF BENDING ***

Now all exercises can be done on 3 or 4 tracks, or 2,5 tracks or 3,75 or 3,99 ;) and your horse can have more or less bend in his spine. Now there is no 'perfect' number and the exact degree doesn't matter. What matters in ST is that you choose the number of tracks and degree of bending where your horse can support his body and center of mass best with both hind legs. And that depends on the conformation of your horse: if he has a long back or a shorter one, if he has long legs, or shorter ones, if he has a long neck or a short one. So choose the degree of bending and number of tracks where your horse can move in optimal balance and with most quality.

*** HOW TO DEVELOP THESE EXERCISES? ***

First start the circle, then after a few training sessions add the shoulder-in, and the moment the the horse can do this exercise for 66,6% of quality, add the haunches-in. From there you can start practising the variations.

**** HOW TO DEVELOP THE HORSE EQUALLY? ***

To develop a horse equally in body and limbs all exercises need to be done to the right and to the left (or as they say in English: on the right rein and on the left rein).

When doing these exercises there will always be an 'easy' side and a difficult side. To develop the horse equally, do the 'difficult' side a bit more often and it's also an idea to start with the 'difficult' side and to end with the 'difficult side'.

The moment the horse starts to feel more equal, switch to train the exercises 50-50.

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Click here for more information:

Circle:
www.straightnesstraining.com/straightness-training-exercises/circle

Shoulder-in:
www.straightnesstraining.com/straightness-training-exercises/shoulder-in

Haunches-in:
www.straightnesstraining.com/straightness-training-exercises/haunches-in

Renvers:
www.straightnesstraining.com/straightness-training-exercises/renvers

Half pass:
www.straightnesstraining.com/straightness-training-exercises/half-pass

Pirouette:
www.straightnesstraining.com/straightness-training-exercises/pirouette

Lateral movements:
www.straightnesstraining.com/straightness-training-exercises/lateral-movements

Ladder of exercises:
www.straightnesstraining.com/straightness-training-exercises/a-logical-system-of-ever-increasing-exercises

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11/05/2024

AKM Dressage will be at Topline Farm on 11/23 for a clinic!

Limited spots are left to ride, but come and watch!

Looking forward to seeing you. 😁

Akmdressage.com
🎉🎊

The Distinguished Rider Veritas Saddles Horses 4 Your Consideration The Cottage Equine Dressage Boutique Return to Rhythm LLC

10/30/2024

2021 Charming Queen 👑 AVAILABLE 👑
Owned by: Ryan Westfalen
Photos by: Renee Foust

10/30/2024

2021 London HTF
Owned by : Laura Cannillo (AKM social media Manager)
Bred By: Hilltop Farm

10/30/2024

10/29/2024

2021 Riviera Cruz
(Zhivago x Suri Cruz/Santa Cruz)
Owned and bred by: Katie Hutchins Wigness
PC to : Renee Foust

10/29/2024

Fall 2024 🍁
PC to: Renee Foust

09/30/2024

Rare stall opening on October 15th for a full training spot. Message me for more information.

https://www.akmdressage.com

09/28/2024

Anna catch rode Davoli CF (Davos CF x French Quarter CF / Quarterback) for Crosiadore Farm. LLC winning the 4yo Prospect Award. 🥇

Anna’s first DAD was on Nancy’s horse, Cilla Bona. Over the next two years, she earned the 4YO Materiale Championship title back-to-back, first with Davoli's sire, Davos CF and then with Fellini CF.

It was a blast to reunite with Crosiadore Farm and Iron Sport Horses for another fantastic year at DAD!

Congratulations to Nancy Holowesko, Hannah Irons and all Crosiadore Farm. LLC team members!

📸: Nancy Holowesko & Phelps Photography

akmdressage.com

Horses 4 Your Consideration The Distinguished Rider Veritas SaddlesThe Cottage Equine Dressage Boutique Return to Rhythm, LLC

09/26/2024

Dressage at Devon is a tough show for any horse, but this three-year-old, London HTF, excelled. AKM Dressage started her under tack in late June. London wrapped up the week with a busy and demanding schedule, and this filly stepped up to every challenge thrown her way!

AKM Dressage focuses on the whole horse and listens to the owners' ambitions and goals. “Abby” can be ridden by a professional in competitive classes and then handled by her amateur owner just a few hours later!

Congratulations to all participants and horses!

London HFT
“Abby”
2021 Premium Eligible Hanoverian Filly
Louisville HTF x Allegra Q / Anhaltiner E
Started by : Anna Keenan McPhee
Owned by : Laura Cannillo
Bred by: Hilltop Farm, Inc

📸: Pam Coath

Thank you to our sponsors!! ❤️
Horses 4 Your Consideration Laura Cannillo The Distinguished Rider Veritas Saddles The Cottage Equine Dressage Boutique Return to Rhythm LLC Devon Frinzi

09/25/2024

Super proud to have Three students and my two horses Mr. Mister and Cor ÜT Teherne qualified for Finals in KY! Not sad to say I will be on vacation that weekend but wishing everyone Best of Luck!!!🍀

09/25/2024

Day 1 at Dressage at Devon was a success 🎉

We kicked off the day bright and early at 8 AM with the 3-year-old Materiale class featuring London HFT (Louisville HTF x Anhaltiner E), securing a strong 2nd place finish.

Next, we had a catch ride on Davoli CF ( Davos CF x Fidertanz/ Quaterback) in the 4-year-old Materiale, achieving a solid 3rd place and winning the Born in the USA award. A big thanks to Hannah Irons for her excellent training of this talented horse and to owner and breeder Nancy Holowesko at Crosiadore Farm for the opportunity.

Last but not least, London HTF then switched gears to compete with her amateur owner, Laura Cannillo, in the Adult Amateur class, finishing 2nd with an impressive score of 81.5% in a large group! Great work to René for his show debut as assistant handler! 🥈

Looking ahead to Day 2, we have a busy schedule filled with in-hand classes and championship Materiale classes. Stay tuned!

📸 Pam Coath Photography

Hannah Irons Horses 4 Your Consideration Laura Cannillo Nancy Holowesko The Distinguished Rider Veritas Saddles The Cottage Equine Dressage Boutique Return to Rhythm LLC Devon Frinzi

09/18/2024

Best site for Advertising Horses 4 Your Consideration!

👑 Charming Queen 👑 2021 GOV 15.2 Mare By Charmeur PH X Authentic Queen Charm is confident but lightly started under saddle. She is very brave and shows confidence in all that she does. She is currently barefoot, she is great in her stall and in turnout with our without friends. Not heard bound...

09/02/2024

👑 Charming Queen 👑

2021 GOV 15.2 Mare
By Charmeur PH X Authentic Queen

Charm is lightly started under saddle but she is very brave and shows confidence in all that she does. She is currently barefoot, she is great in her stall and in turnout. Not heard bound or cranky when in heat. She stands on the cross ties, is good for the blacksmith and loves bathes. She’s an all around easy keeper. Charm has been introduced to flags, balls, bridges, poles, dogs, and hacks around the farm confidently. She would excel as a hunter or Dressage partner. Currently listing for 3️⃣5️⃣🥕’s. Located in Bath, PA

Video below shows her second time cantering and second time outside. Rider is 5’8’’. Updated video coming soon!

https://youtu.be/vJlre7oo7mY?feature=shared

https://youtu.be/-dnMcTNEGs8

09/02/2024

Theadora CF 💫
✨Available for yor consideration✨

2018, 15.3 Mare by Davos CF X Tanzpuppe Premium and Elite GOV Foal.

Video 1 (Summer 2024)- https://youtu.be/09c8Jl62Zhc

Video 2 - (Spring 2024) https://youtu.be/-wdTwZ7zXno?si=pIJbb4kT5RI6nJbG

PM me for more information.
(5️⃣0️⃣,🥕’s)

09/02/2024

Fullcare lease on confirmed 3rd level KWPN Gelding. Ari is a 16.2 hand imported Daily Diamond X Jazz. Ari has the best mind, he is safe and straight forward to ride. Soft in the hand not to hot not to lazy. Good in turnout, on cross ties, and to clip. Owner needs to find a lease for Ari by October 1st due to unforeseen circumstances. Ari will be showing at Region 8 Championships in the 3rd level open division this month. An out of barn lease is an option to the nearby PA/NJ area in an approved training program. PM me for more information.

https://www.akmdressage.com/dacari

Located in Bath, PA

11/11/2023

Congratulations Hillary Ellison Oliver & Louie, in their Third level National championship class! The pair earned a 66% and an 8th place finish out of 18. Well done! Veritas Saddles Kingsley USA The Distinguished Rider Return to Rhythm LLCHorses 4 Your Consideration