I’ve always admired Bethany Pastorial’s work. Whether it’s her photography, video, or video with voice overs, she’s a moving storyteller and a powerful force. When the opportunity to collaborate with her presented itself, I knew it was the right move. But oh boy was I nervous!! Little did I know I wouldn’t want the day to end! Bethany made me and everyone else feel super comfortable. And the purpose became clear: it was about the horses. And my journey with them. Starting in the morning we worked with my two retired guys: Henry and Dado. Having spent oodles of dollars on pro photos when they were competing, I realized this probably was the last professional shoot with these two pillars of my life and I needed to enjoy it. Then we moved on to some of the many, many horse and ponies I‘ll be finding homes for over the next year. As my Kynynmont Kids move all over the country, it feels so great knowing I’ve got these touching moments to keep forever. And finally, the photoshoot encapsulated the next chapter of my journey: what I get to build with other equestrians at this amazing place: JP Dressage at Kynynmont Farm. Let the fun begin! #Equestrian #DressageTrainer #DressageLife #DressageRider #DressageHorse #Dressage#DressageGoals #EquestrianCoach #DressageTraining #PennsylvaniaDressage #PADressage #LancasterHorses #PAHorses #KynynmontFarm #ConnemaraPony #EquestrianLifestyle #HorseGirl
Be brave to try new things! First time teaching a horse to “self park.” Still some cleaning up to do but very happy with having done just two short sessions totaling not more than 15 mins!
#Equestrian #DressageTrainer #DressageLife #DressageRider #DressageHorse #Dressage
#DressageGoals #EquestrianCoach #DressageTraining #PennsylvaniaDressage #PADressage #LancasterHorses #PAHorses #KynynmontFarm #ConnemaraPony #EquestrianLifestyle #HorseGirl
There is of course a lot of controversy in the world of dressage, much of it warranted. But for me, in my arena, Dressage is: a way of improving the communication with my horse; an approach to assess my horse’s body and physical needs; and my greatest joy. #Joy #Equestrian #DressageTrainer #DressageLife #DressageRider #DressageHorse #Dressage#DressageGoals #EquestrianCoach #DressageTraining #PennsylvaniaDressage #PADressage #LancasterHorses #PAHorses #KynynmontFarm #ConnemaraPony #EquestrianLifestyle #HorseGirl
These really are the #gooddays 😊 #Equestrian #DressageTrainer #DressageLife #DressageRider #DressageHorse #Dressage#DressageGoals #EquestrianCoach #DressageTraining #PennsylvaniaDressage #PADressage #LancasterHorses #PAHorses #KynynmontFarm #ConnemaraPony #EquestrianLifestyle #HorseGirl
Dressage is a team sport. Horse and rider are of course a team. A team supported by vets, farriers, trainers, clinicians, body workers, barn owners, countless barn support staff, wonderful spouses and families and friends. This post is about the friend. The amazing friend. The one that gives you the gift of time and experience on the back of their horse!
My student Laura Rakoczy has an amazing four year old we’ve been working with. The goal is upper level dressage (well her goal was just get to First Level but I think there are big things in store for this pair!!). Laura hasn’t had much opportunity to ride movements above Training Level and knowing what those movements and the lateral and longitudinal balance feels like is invaluable when you are training a young horse with future goals in mind.
But then enters her longtime friend, Barbara Balnaves Royer, and Barb’s wonderful horse Bean. Barb and Laura came up with a plan: six weeks of Laura riding and lessoning on Bean and then compete for the first time ever at First and Second Level at a recognized show (Laura had previously done one Recognized show at Training Level). Not only did they get down centerline together, but Laura and Bean earned two scores towards Laura’s Bronze medal 🥉 with a 67% at First Level and a 63% at Second!
While ribbons and medals and showing are all great, Barb’s gift to Laura really transformed Laura from someone riding her four-year-old horse to Laura truly training her four-year-old horse. She finally got to feel the movements, feel the balance, and even more importantly feel the bobbles and the “mistakes.” As a trainer, I can only hope more of my students have a generous and caring friend like Barb with a wonderful horse like Bean. #teamworkmakesthedreamwork 💜💜💜
#Equestrian #DressageTrainer #DressageLife #DressageRider #DressageHorse #Dressage
#DressageGoals #EquestrianCoach #DressageTraining #PennsylvaniaDressage #PADressage #LancasterHorses #PAHorses
Trailer loading ✅ In just 3 minutes Teagan (2022) and Kinley (2021) learned to quietly load on the trailer! They’ve both had extensive groundwork where they’ve discovered how to interpret their human’s body language and learn to trust us (something we two-legged creatures must aspire to continuously earn!!).They both loaded first with just a few bites of grain (get those good endorphins associated with the trailer!!) and then immediately walked on and off without any grain. Zero pressure. These two lovely prospect are full sibling Halfbred Connemaras by the warmblood stallion Don Kayden KF and out of our Premium Connemara mare Kynymont Moira. Both are available for sale AND we just made substantial reductions in their price! Visit www.jpdressage.com for more info! #kynynmontkids #mare #younghorse #salehorse #FutureStars #thatwaseasy #horsetrailer
Jessie and Kynynmont Katrin are gearing up for Regional 1 Finals next week. This mare is pretty special and if you’d be interested becoming a part of their partnership so she can stay in the JPD program, please don’t hesitate to reach out! VC: Bethany P Photography #kynynmontkids #jpdressage #dressage #connemaracross
LOVE these horses and ponies 😍 VC: Bethany P Photography
Jessie and Keaton rocking it at Dunmovin' Dressage Days to the tune of 71%. Thanks Bethany P Photography for this gorgeous reel!! #kynynmontkids #jpdressage #dressage
Enjoying the gorgeous Fall weather. Best time of the year to long line! #kynynmontkids #jpdressage #dressage
Good morning from Kynynmont Farm ☀️
18 rides, 5 horses, one rider, two amazing grooms, countless people behind the scenes … teamwork makes the dream work!! The Kynynmont team had an amazing time at Dunmovin' Dressage Days expertly run by Doreen Garland and Tyra Wiegers at the Devon Showgrounds. All of the horses and scores improved tremendously over the two days of competition (well, except one score, but that’s horse showing!!). Keaton earned two scores of 71%, katrin broke 70%, and Donna Phoebe KF got a 69% and 68%! Aliza had an uncharacteristically tense first day, but regained her composure for a clean and delightful Second 3 test that unfortunately did not bring in a huge score. Cooper was also not his ususal self on day 1. While he pepped up and really brought it on day 2, showing enormous improvement, unfortunately the judge didn’t agree!! If you are interested in Cooper, please do not let one show’s bad scores deter you from this amazing guy!