JP Dressage LLC

01/04/2025

Love them or hate them, sometimes you just have to use a hay net. If you’ve got a horse whose not-so-hidden talent is to hurt himself, you’ve got to check out our YouTube channel to learn a few tricks and tips for hanging a hay net in a safe way: https://youtu.be/f-SdFoHouMQ?feature=shared

There are many ways to hang a hay net, and this is how we are doing it at Kynynmont Farm and JP Dressage. Safety first!

01/02/2025

Clinic alert! ‼️

Ready to work on your goals for 2025 with me? I’ll be doing a clinic Sat/Sun Feb 8-9 at The Sippel Farm in Annville PA (near Hershey). I’m a USDF Gold Medalist and Certified Instructor. I prioritize clear communication - both with students and of course with our horses!

If you are nervous to ride your horse off property I’m also happy to show you some groundwork that might help ease your horse’s tension and build your confidence! Of course, I also love working on upper level dressage dance 💃 moves too 🤩.

If you’ve never done a clinic before it’s a great way to ride with a new trainer and get a different perspective. It’s a fantastic time to get your horse off property experience and be with other riders battling the winter blues!

Rides are $140 (includes haul in). Please message Anita Behrens for more info. Of course us dressage riders always have a plan, so if the weather is bad we reserved the following weekend as a backup!

Hope to see you there!

12/30/2024

While my passion is training, teaching and horsecare, I guess I’ve learned how to match horse and riders too this year! 💙

12/28/2024

This year ... where to begin?

Pam, my client, barn owner, and dear friend passed away in February. There was, quite frankly, no plan. But the Liddell’s are a family of amazing people and the horses were never in jeopardy.

But, I needed to find them all new homes (this continues into 2025!). And I was given the extraordinary opportunity of making Kynynmont Farm the permanent home of JP Dressage, which meant I needed to, and am still very much in the process of, rebuilding my business in a new area and hoping to fill my stable with dedicated riders and horse owners.

Either having to sell 29 horses (plus rehoming the retirees) or rebuilding JP Dressage in a new location and earning the trust of a barn full of clientele would be a big undertaking, but I’m doing both at the same time.

I needed help. And boy did I get it.

First and foremost - Kirk Liddell. He has been extraordinarily supportive of me and my dreams, and has also been a tremendous business mentor.

KCL staff Kynynmont Connemaras - you keep the wheels turning even when they seem to be falling off and rolling down the hill backwards. Thank you.

My new students - thanks for having faith in a little known trainer in the area. And being game for me either picking apart your position or insisting we need more groundwork.

Horse care team All Stars - Dr Jill Burton Acland at ueavets and farrier Jason Hillman. Could not do this without you guys! Please see “you keep the wheels turning…” comment above!

The new Kynynmont Kids owners - having to sell 29 horses was terrifying. Not because I didn’t think I could do it. But my level of worry about where these horses and ponies would end up was quite literally ulcer inducing (I’m on the highest dose of omeprazol prescribed!!). However, for the most part, it’s been fantastically fun. 🤩 Getting text updates on the ponies always makes my day.

And then there are the amazing female entrepreneurs who have helped me immensely.

Bethany Pastorial of Bethany P Photography - hands down you’ve given me the most solid business advice I’ve ever received. And you’ve helped me understand and appreciate expressing myself in ways I didn’t consider before. Your ability to communicate not just a story but complicated emotions and a lifetime of lessons and experiences through your camera lens is extraordinary. The images you created I’ll cherish forever.

Emma Tedescucci of Homeward Creative Co. - you brought a fresh feel to JP Dressage with a gorgeous new logo. And you created a website which feels both genuine and professional, and really captures my mission (and you miraculously taught me now to use it!).

Victoria Morano of Victoria Morano Photography - your gorgeous photos in the Spring and throughout the Summer showcased the horses and ponies beautifully. Thank you my friend.

Meredith Brisson her Connected Rider Program - my Mindset and Courage Coach. None of this would work or continue to work if I didn’t work on improving and developing my mindset and mental resilience (plus it’s awesome to have someone whose job requires them to listen to me vent 😂).

Taylor Kos of Gold Horse Media - my social media sensei. You get my creative juices flowing and somehow made one of the things I dreaded now be fun and powerful.

Terry Mansky - best equine bookkeeper ever! So awesome to reconnect!

Tyra Wiegers - our bimonthly Magnawave turned therapy sessions were essential to my sanity! Thank you for not only being a great sounding board, but also for giving me very good advice and encouragement. And being an awesome friend.

And of course, there’s my Dan. Who won’t see this because he doesn’t go on Facebook! You are both the reason I wanted to make Lancaster work for me and you are the reason I’m able to. You are so supportive and encouraging of this crazy dream. I love you.

Onward to 2025 with an amazing team and big dreams.

12/26/2024

As I start to reflect on this year, I often think of Holly and Samuel. Holly bought Sam from me in July, and she left quite the impression.

The twinkle in her eye is infectious.

Her appetite for learning is insatiable.

Her joy in the journey is palpable.

In loss she finds hope.

Her spirit is aspirational.

Thank you Holly, for not only being the best mom to Sam, but for inspiring me to keep being inspired. It’s the easiest of things to loose in this industry.

12/22/2024

What surprise training moments have you been lucky enough to accidentally stumble into?

My new little buddy Chino is a weanling who came to me with a bag of trauma from his castration, and a very high sense of stranger danger. He was extremely protective of his body and it’s something his owner and I have patiently but diligently been trying to help him with so he can have a life with less stress and more enjoyment associated with humans.

Something as simple as presenting him with a candy cane - it’s new smell, sticky texture, and minty taste - was an opportunity for him to be curious, adventurous and outgoing. The more he investigates his curiosities, the less his fear determines his actions. This video might just look like a social media filler (and to be honest, that was my initial intention!), but it turned into a tiny moment in a lifetime of learning this wonderful gelding will hopefully get to experience. (Side note - we normally would never hand feed a horse this young, but he is extremely polite and the candy cane was too sticky for a bucket!).

12/20/2024

Sneak preview of our Holiday Reel .... Like about 80% of the horses and ponies at Kynynmont Farm, baby Kynynmont Kamden was not into the candy cane!! 🧑‍🎄🧑‍🎄🧑‍🎄

12/17/2024

Here’s your challenge for the next few months: be a Winter Warrior. Yes, this sounds cheesy. It will totally suck at times. And it will be frustrating. But I’ll be doing it with you.

Don’t let the bad weather be the excuse to not ride. Let it be the reason you intentionally and methodically adjust your ride or activity with your horse to maintain productivity despite the bad weather.

It’s cold and the footing isn’t terrific but don’t skip your ride or cancel your lesson. Rather, work on walk lateral work and your position. Trust me, most trainers love it when a student is actually down for a full lesson at the walk. So much can be accomplished, but sometimes riders feel that they won’t get their money’s worth. Trust me - you will. The work you can do in the walk this winter can yield a very high return on investment come Spring!

If you are worried about getting hurt (horse is fresher and ground is harder - it’s a very reasonable concern!!) - then get creative. If you aren’t familiar with groundwork, find a trainer in your area who is and she can introduce you and your horse to a world of possibilities and learning opportunities. Groundwork isn’t just about manners or desensitizing. From the ground you can help your horse become more supple, responsive, and in-tune with your energy. And it will even help your lateral work under saddle!

Pictured: Winter Warrior and JP Dressage student Laura Rakoczy on her very charming Descaro, by Donnerweiss GGF, expertly bred by Lesley Feakins, during an outside lesson when the temp was below freezing. And you better believe we got a lot done!

12/16/2024

Our oversized indoor arena has been freshly oiled by Dan at Arena Works, Inc. and it couldn’t be more perfect! If you’d like to train on a virtually dust-free surface this winter (that’s not frozen!) and beyond, don’t be shy to reach out. Haul-in lessons welcome as well as boarders in training. Proudly located in Lancaster, PA.

12/10/2024

The Lazy Way: I often tell both lesson students and sale clients that “I want to be a lazy rider.”

Don’t get me wrong: I am driven, work feverishly, and ride to my full capacity every day.

But … my mindset when it comes to my aids and how my horse responds to my aids is: I want to be a lazy rider. I want to accomplish more with less effort.

The Lazy Way inspires two concepts:

1. Be specific. Ambiguous, nagging, or continual aids that grow stale make the horse less sensitive, and make things so unclear you have to work extra hard to backtrack and make it right. It creates a terrible cycle of “corrections” due to pilot error, and creates more work for horse and rider! This is NOT the Lazy Way!

2. Seat first. The more I can influence my horse with my seat - with my distribution of weight and the activity/suppleness/fluency/or lack thereof from my hips, torso, back and upper legs - the less my lower legs and hands will have to do. Learn to turn your horse with your belly button. Learn to grow the canter from the swing of your seat. Learn to steer a half pass from the positioning of your hips. And you, my friend, can then do less with your legs and hands, and be a lazy rider, like me!

Do you guys have any Lazy Way tips you can share for better riding and communication with your horse?

12/07/2024

A warm-weather-loving, rather-be-sweating-than-need-a-sweater-but-I’m-in-PA-12-months-a-year girl’s top tip to her fellow equestrians braving the cold:

💕 Be kind to yourself. You could be blowing the steam off of a pumpkin spiced latte curled up on your couch. Instead you are blowing on a frozen double ended snap that froze while your horse was turned out.

💕 Be kind to yourself. No, you aren’t in Wellington working on your half passes with an Olympian. But you are improving your walk pirouettes in 20 degrees on your very spicy young horse who says he feels GREAT in this “reFRESHing” climate.

💕 Be kind to yourself. Yeah some people are getting their bikini bodies in shape in February. But at the end of the day you don’t have energy for that because you are teaching your older horse to line drive around the indoor arena since you know it’s too cold for him to work hard for you under saddle but you also know his joints need movement to stay sound and his body needs activity to keep a healthy gut.

💕 Be kind to yourself. Because it’s really freaking cold. And horsing around isn’t as fun in the cold. But you showed up anyways.

12/05/2024

One of my favorite things about dressage riders is that we truly are lifelong learners. My favorite students don’t necessarily have the fanciest horses underneath them. They have a heart full of joy for the journey and a mind that’s always searching for a better way to be with their horses.

12/03/2024

It’s blanket season! It’s important that blankets are put on and adjusted properly for your horse’s safety. We made a video about blanketing for our staff so everyone is on the same page, and we thought we could share it with you 😊 PSA: it’s kinda dorky! 🤣🤣

https://youtu.be/q6CSMNFmZ3Y?feature=shared

11/30/2024

What’s your biggest winter riding struggle? Let’s brainstorm some solutions!

Mine: 🥶 The temperature!! I’m one of those “always cold” people. So when it’s actually cold, I turn into an “always freezing” person.

A few tips I can share that help me a lot:

🥶 Wear a heated vest over a long sleeve shirt but under a sweatshirt. That way the heater stays closer to your skin (and you can have it on a lower setting to preserve battery) and the sweatshirt traps the heat inside. And a backup battery is a great thing to have!

🥶 Invest in winter riding boots. Last year I bought a pair of lined De Niro Boot Co from The Distinguished Rider and it made a huge difference. I could justify the expense since I’m wearing them all day, not just for one ride. But if that’s out of your budget try insulated paddock boots with half chaps. This also allows room for layers!

🥶 You know that pile of pantyhose you kept from years ago in the back of your closet but you never think you’ll wear? These are great to wear under regular riding breeches as they make them slightly more wind resistant and it’s very easy to pull breeches over them even after holiday treats! But let’s keep our expectations in check - I did say slightly! Also great to stuff with a towel and use to buff your boots!

🥶 Keep a warm beverage ring side. Get a small keurig for the barn so hot chocolate is always a drip away! (This is a great gift for barn staff too!!)

🥶 The SSG Gloves Winter Rancher gloves are great. While they feel a little bulky, the leather is very soft and I never have trouble with my grip. IMO they run large. They are seriously warm, comfortable, and durable.

I’m not sponsored by any of the above companies, I just think they are great quality!

11/29/2024

Let me help you crush the winter blues, work towards your goals, and come out strong for the Spring show season! I’m available for 1-2 day clinics through the winter within a few hours of Lancaster, PA. Let’s learn together (and be cold together!). Email me at [email protected].

11/27/2024

During this week of giving thanks, I often think of Blaze.

My pony Blaze saved me. When I was 11 my mother died in a car accident. My father was both distraught at the loss of his wife and unprepared to be a single father. He found comfort in alcohol. I found comfort at the barn (and of course in the wonderful community of adults who gently guided me).

When Blaze, the pony I was leasing, was put up for sale my dad fortunately knew I couldn’t handle another loss and he bought me Blaze.

Blaze was not a schoolmaster - quite the opposite! He was such a bad school horse they wanted to get rid of him. Blaze was extremely pushy and mouthy, considerably gassy all the time, had heaves, and got me off almost every day that first year. He had a semi permanent urine stain on the side of his neck, and was so bad for mane pulling that I had to roach his mane.

But like a schoolmaster, Blaze did teach me things and took care of me in his own way. During a time when home life was stressful and unsteady (to say the least), that pony taught me that if I kept showing up and kept loving him, he would love me back. Blaze taught me both love and resilience.

Hanging in my office is the sign announcing that Blaze was mine. It’s signed by all “the barn girls” from Clovelly Riding Stables in St. John’s NFLD in the late 90s. It’s a reminder every day of the horse crazy kid I was (and still am!) and the healing capacity of a horse and barn family. I am so grateful.