Kimberly monk dressage

02/11/2025

Beautiful day to ride

02/06/2025

The Obvious Thing to Do is NOT Obvious to Most Riders🤯

Let me explain—I hope it helps you be more understanding of others and more forgiving of yourself!

Background -
A client once approached me for help with her dressage horse. She struggled with flying changes—her mare leaned on the bit, and when she asked for a change in canter, the mare became even heavier and hard to pull up.

She was frustrated and wanted my help.

😎The Task...

I ask people to look at the image and see if they can spot why this rider was having trouble.

Some feel uncomfortable, thinking they don’t know enough. But I encourage them to look and think.

Sometimes, I explain that a flying change is when a horse swaps from one canter lead to the other while in motion.

And every single time, without fail, they identify the problems.

Not only that—they can also see the solutions!

⬇I’m keen to hear what YOU see and what potential solutions you can identify!

The Twist...

I bet most people will say:

➡️Go back and refine the basics.
➡️Go back to groundwork.
➡️Go back to lunge lessons etc.

All things that are indeed necessary!☑️

The solution will likely involve going backwards in training—to something more simple.

But here’s the problem:

👉 Going backwards is NOT intuitive! Especially if groundwork or training basics (foundation) responses is foreign to you‼️

Why This Happens...

Instead of looking at foundation gaps, most riders instinctively search for specific fixes to the flying change problem.

They look for:
✅ Techniques to fix flying changes
✅ Drills targeted to the issue

What they don’t intuitively look for is:
🚫 Fixing their riding position & seat
🚫 Their horse’s foundation, responses, or asymmetry issues

These things aren’t obvious—they must be learned through experience, guidance, and mentoring.

The Takeaway...

Next time you’re frustrated with someone, remember that what’s obvious to you may not be obvious to them—because they can only be influenced by what they know and who they learn from.

And if you are struggling with your horse, maybe the solution isn’t obvious to you—yet!

💬 Keen to hear what you see in the image and what strategies this rider should use to solve the flying change problem!

02/03/2025

01/29/2025

01/29/2025

The canter transition

01/28/2025

01/17/2025

01/09/2025

Keen (registered as Willoughby), a 17.2hh gelding born in 1966 in California, was bred to race but deemed too tall to fit in starting gates. Purchased by Hilda Gurney for $1,000 at age three, he quickly excelled in dressage despite his spirited temperament.

Keen’s career highlights include being named USDF Horse of the Year five times and earning medals in international competition. He won team gold and individual silver at the 1975 Pan American Games and helped the U.S. team secure bronze at the 1976 Olympics, where they defied expectations by beating the Soviet Union.

In 1979, Keen claimed two gold medals at the Pan American Games and continued to compete at the highest levels, even recovering from a severe neck injury in 1980. At 19, he won the 1985 USET National Championships and was ranked among the world’s top 20 dressage horses.

By the end of his life in 1989, Keen had amassed three gold, one silver, and one bronze medal, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest dressage horses in U.S. history.

01/07/2025

Openings now Available at Fallbrook Hills Riding Club. Five minutes to schooling shows, 30 mins from Galway,45 mins from Del Mar showpark. Wi-Fi , 24 hours security cameras, Turnouts, Two arenas with high-grade arena sand, Dragged and watered every day, Covered 66 foot round pen, Fully lit barn and arena. 24 x 12 fully covered box stalls, Hot and cold water in the wash racks, Washer, bathrooms, Trails to warm up on. Dog friendly and Trailer parking.
Timothy and or alfalfa fed three times a day .

01/03/2025

https://cavalierecouture.com