CPW Equine Development

CPW Equine Development I train horses in a well rounded manner that includes work in hand, long lining and ridden work. I do all general training, with a focus in dressage. Thank you.
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Since 2009 I have been studying with JP Giacomini, a master horseman who rode with Nuno Oliveira. I began as a working student, progressed to Barn Manager and now fulfill the role of Assistant Trainer. I am available for lessons, clinics and consultations. This page is to share the different horses I work with, the training and the overall development I help guide them through. I see basic handlin

g as an opportunity to create the positive foundation wanted for a happy horse/human relationship. From there, I develop the horses' skills. This means I teach them different movements and get them confident in what they know. This will make them more comfortable in what is asked of them, and it will make them a better partner for their owner. My approach to training is a holistic one: I make it as well rounded as possible. I do work in hand, long lining and ridden work with every horse. My focus is in dressage, and it is my belief that dressage can help any horse, no matter its discipline. I hope you enjoy what I have to share! Please feel free to comment or message me with any questions.

The DNA of your horse.The conformation of your horse.These are things we have to consider and approach in our training.R...
11/26/2024

The DNA of your horse.

The conformation of your horse.

These are things we have to consider and approach in our training.

Racehorses are designed to go fast: to be able extend and push off their legs. Because of this, they typically have a straighter hind leg. While it's good for going fast, a straighter hind leg can make flexing, engaging, and collecting more challenging.

Every horse though, needs what they are not.

A supple horse needs strengthening exercises.
A strong horse needs to become more flexible.

I thought these were fun photos to look at.
TOP: standing square, showing Majestic's naturally straight hind leg.
BOTTOM: when I was working on piaffe reinback and ending up with a pretty nice little levade. His hip lines don't change too much (just rotate upward), but his stifle to fetlock angles really change.

It's fun to find the exercises that help each horse become better physically for today and for their continued well being πŸ’œ.




Triggers.A trigger is something that causes adverse emotional reaction.It is commonly thought of in relation to mental h...
11/23/2024

Triggers.

A trigger is something that causes adverse emotional reaction.

It is commonly thought of in relation to mental health issues.

The thing is though, if we've lived a little, we are likely to have triggers. Mental health is not a thing to shun as a weakness, but a thing to embrace as part of our routine care to help ourselves be our best!

Leading to horses...absolutely, if you've been involved with horses, you are likely to have some triggers. Can you think of a trigger you have with horses?

Something that makes you get anxious, fearful, angry or frustrated? Or likely, a combination.

It could be nerves and defensiveness rising when...
riding a new horse,
riding in front of someone,
riding in a new place,
the horse putting its head down (bucking?),
the horse putting its head up (rearing?),
cantering or jumping.

It could be aggravation when a horse...
ignores your aids,
acts pushy,
just doesn't do as you expect they should.

These are totally normal!!!

The first step is becoming self-aware when these occurrences happen so you are able to unwind the emotion instead of immediately getting caught up in it.

Then, a basic solution for fear and frustration is similar: backtrack in steps until you are able to confidently proceed again. If the feelings return (hopefully further down the path this time), backtrack again and then proceed again. Slowly building up your confidence.

Another solution is to ask for help. Maybe the frustration is there because you honestly don't know how to communicate something with your horse. Maybe the fear is there because the horse needs a little more help to understand a situation and you don't know how to give the help. Or maybe the fear is strong enough that someone's clearer view from the outside is monumentally helpful.

Remember your skills and use them. Remember your resources and reach out to them.

Something else to remember: triggers are often there to keep us safe. They are not a completely bad thing. To make them helpful, we must listen to them, evaluate them, and then work through them. That process in itself will help lesson the strength of the triggers because our mind is trusting that we are being attentive.

Anyone want to share a trigger and any way you handle it?

I'll start!

If I'm riding a horse I'm unsure of, I can find my mind spiraling away in different scenarios that "could" happen. This makes me less present and when I'm less present my safety decreases and the possibility of "what ifs" becomes stronger. Can anyone relate?

My solution is to give my brain better things to focus on than the "what ifs". So, I ask, what is making me uncomfortable? Is the wind billowing or something spooky in the corner? Then let me put the horse in a little shoulder-in which will help prevent spooking or will help "shape" the spooking for easier control. Is the horse rigid and I think something extra expressive may follow it? Then I may, again, pick some lateral work or change of direction to help with suppling.

1. Be aware of the issue.
2. Use your toolbox to give you brain and body something to focus on.

Often, once we help ourselves, the "threats" dissolve. It takes an active choice though, to choose what to focus on.

Now, for the photo: a semi horse related trigger 🀣. Feed bags dumped in a feed room doorway where the cart routinely needs to go through instead of putting the bags in the bins or on the storage box. They are harder to pick up from the ground than from the raised bed of the truck! Proof that there are triggers everywhere...which means we get to have lots of practice by the time we swing a leg over our horse πŸ˜„!

It was fun to get to participate in a western dressage Regional Championships with Majestic.Love the journey with my boy...
11/22/2024

It was fun to get to participate in a western dressage Regional Championships with Majestic.

Love the journey with my boy πŸ’œ .

Thank you to Gail Matheus and her online show program of Spotlight Horse Shows for the opportunity! Such nice mementos with the leather plaque and the medals with our info engraved on the back.




There are two sides to every horse.Especially a grey one 🀣.Even the piaffe, a seemingly very symmetrical and straight mo...
11/19/2024

There are two sides to every horse.

Especially a grey one 🀣.

Even the piaffe, a seemingly very symmetrical and straight movement, can be VERY different side to side.

During your sessions, remember to repeat exercises on both sides. We're looking for inner balance...so at least cleaning both sides is optional when doing a quick in-hand session πŸ˜„.

In a previous post I wrote about the benefits of the Equi-Flow Dressage Rope for the horse. I didn't talk about the bene...
11/14/2024

In a previous post I wrote about the benefits of the Equi-Flow Dressage Rope for the horse. I didn't talk about the benefits for the rider (which also benefits the horse πŸ˜‰).

~ I begin by riding with the regular rein and the rope. I use more rein/less rope and transition to using less rein/more rope. This transition helps bring rider awareness of how we use our hands: the amount of pressure, the release, and the direction and angle.

~ As "power" of the rein decreases and the use of the rope increases, the real need for weight, seat and leg aids becomes more clearly important and we can become more in tune with how we use them.

~ If we close our eyes, we can better focus on our hearing. By decreasing reliance on one sense (aid), we can bring greater awareness to the others and become more effective in them.

I started making these to sell at the International Liberty Horse Association's Liberty Championships. I find them a fun and helpful element for training. There is not just one clear path in horse training and playing and discovering is part of the journey!

EQUI-FLOW Dressage Ropes!A neck rope can be a useful tool used with a bridle to improve posture, and also a fun and help...
11/10/2024

EQUI-FLOW Dressage Ropes!

A neck rope can be a useful tool used with a bridle to improve posture, and also a fun and helpful tool when riding bridleless! I've been doing some neck rope riding for years now and over that period have experimented with and adapted the rope I use until it became this: the Equi-Flow Dressage Rope.

~The beads create movement, providing a gentle vibration to help achieve lightness and self-carriage.

~The beads roll easily, helping to slide the rope up and down the neck to influence longitudinal balance.

~The large beads are precisely placed to encourage softening and arching of the brachiocephalic muscle along either side of the neck and to gain increased lateral balance and bend.

~The soft, biothane handle is designed like a traditional rein to give the feel and communication found with a bridle.

~The goal is to encourage healthy posture while exploring all that is possible in the horse-human relationship.

Custom colors available 😊. Virtual and in person lessons available. PM for ordering info and for scheduling!

Another delayed post from Sept....the golden boy at Regional Championships!JP Zabacaxi is such a special horse: he tries...
11/01/2024

Another delayed post from Sept....the golden boy at Regional Championships!

JP Zabacaxi is such a special horse: he tries so hard, is athletic and talented and beautiful to match!

Thank you to his owner, Mariada, for the support! He is first in line as an alternate for the I1 Freestyle for Finals! πŸ’›πŸ’›

I'm way behind on updates, but looking back to our GA September clinic has me looking forward to our next one in Decembe...
10/31/2024

I'm way behind on updates, but looking back to our GA September clinic has me looking forward to our next one in December!

Keri is not only a wonderful host, but a pleasure to teach and we had fun beginning canter pirouette preparation (top photo). Elizabeth is doing a great job playing with lateral work with her relatively new boy (lower picture).

These people and horses sure make the journey a fun one πŸ’œ. Thank you to Keri and to all of the participants! See you in Dec!

The Dec clinic is already full, but you can reach out to get on the waiting list, to come audit or to schedule a clinic yourself!

I am so so grateful to The Dressage Foundation and Lynn Palm for making these grants available, and am beyond excited th...
10/05/2024

I am so so grateful to The Dressage Foundation and Lynn Palm for making these grants available, and am beyond excited that I was chosen as a recipient!

I love learning. I love the journey with horses. I'm looking forward to growing more with my sweet boy, Majestic, in our western dressage education through the opportunities opened by this grant!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/3fs27BYJr52Zaskk/

09/04/2024

Breakfast in bed πŸ˜ŠπŸ’›

09/02/2024

When we went to Masterson Station Park a few weeks back we got to play with going through water! He loves hose water, doesn't bat an eye at puddles, but was suspicious of this water...I think from how they treat it, it looks different.

We ended up being able to go through it walk, trot, canter no problem! What a good boy and a fun day πŸ’œ! And I didn't drop my phone in the water - an extra plus πŸ˜….

This golden boy. So proud of him! He did his first Intermediate 2 test and earned a 64% and placed 1st! I2 is a big jump...
08/20/2024

This golden boy. So proud of him! He did his first Intermediate 2 test and earned a 64% and placed 1st!

I2 is a big jump in skills from I1! We were working on one tempis and piaffe/passage in the winter, but when show season prep started and we planned to stick with the small tour classes for regional qualifying (PSG, I1 and I1 FS), I returned to just focusing on those requirements.

Then, I thought, Meadow Lake's August one day show would be perfect to dip our hooves in at I2 before refocusing for Regional Championships in September. So, for the month leading up to the show we were busy with short sessions (because of the heat and humidity!) getting one tempi and p&p practice in!

As from every show, we have our homework...things to develop, strengthen, solidify...but that's actually one of the things I love about showing. It gives you a snapshot of where you are. It often illuminates things you might not notice from the comfort of home. It gives you a marker to journey forth from! And I'm thrilled with the willingness and effort he gave that we can continue to develop from!

Thank you to Meadow Lake for hosting such a convenient show in such a pleasant environment. Thank you to the volunteers, judge and show staff. Thank you to Bruce McNeil of Barefoot Movement who does a superb job keeping Caxi's feet in good shape and was a great helping hand at the show. Thank you to JP for the guidance and support. And a huge thank you to Caxi's owner, Mariada, for believing in us and the journey!

Professional photos by the one and only Lisa Michelle Dean Photography - thanks for dealing with the rain and then heat that day! And the schooling photos by a very good friend who came to cheer us on!

08/17/2024

16 one tempis! You can look at my smile at the end of the video and know I'm pretty excited!

How did we get there though? How does one show at a lower level while developing higher skills?

I go back and forth.

Last winter I worked on one tempis. I got to the point of doing 11 of them! I got to that point once and then backed off. I started looking toward my spring and summer show goals which did not include one tempis. After our current show goals concluded in June, I resumed in July working on one tempis.

Here we are, yesterday. I had done 16 on Wednesday, but without any eyes/evidence. Yesterday I confirmed they weren't just a happy accident πŸ˜„. Still not completely solid, but they're there!

I've had huge guidance and influence from my mentor, JP Giacomini, on how to train, which has made a huge impact on my skills and career! From there though, I've trained Majestic myself. This horse is my happy place. At the end of the day of work I want to be able to do as much or as little as I want. I don't want the pressure of doing everything perfectly or at a certain rate. Yet, we continue to develop because he's an amazing horse and I am dedicated in our practice.

I am so thankful for this horse and all that he shares with me. I thank him every time I dismount. For his patience, effort and heart.

P.S. sorry for the video quality...lighting is so hard with the open arena sides...I adjusted the lighting as best I could! Also, sound on for the matching music 😊!




08/15/2024

We had a great time at an obstacle playday at Masterson Station Park last weekend put on by Chris Pepplitsch! (Link below for another one offered in November!).

Majestic is super with most obstacles, but has not been very interested in getting all four feet on a platform at the shows we've been to (to be fair, one was a narrow balance beam and the other was a teeter totter in the shadows πŸ˜…), so it was great to get to work on that. It was also fun to try out some new ones, including the round spinning/seesaw board. If I got his feet placed center enough, it kept the board balanced and I could play with rotating his hindquarters and the board would turn. Playing with the balance in his shoulders was a good exercise!

There were things to drag, a tarp to raise by pulling a rope, streamers to ride through...among others! It was a good variety, spaced out well so everyone had space and the people who ran it were so supportive and encouraging.

I'm enjoying venturing into the obstacle realm, and something about it that I really appreciate is that in-hand is encouraged. I do so much in-hand work with my dressage work because I believe it really sets the learning up the right way. It was nice to apply that concept by wandering the obstacle course in-hand and then returning under saddle.

Link to the next obstacle playday:
https://facebook.com/events/s/met-benefit-hunter-pace-and-tr/1289651248679823/



08/09/2024

It's probably been a year and a half since I've ridden Zorro bridleless. It's just not a main focus, but as JP asked me to check back in with the bridleless work, I did so.

This horse is special. A year and a half and I got on straight away with the neck rope and was able to do all of our lateral work, piaffe and passage and things like play with two tempis to one tempis back to two tempis.

He is proof of the exceptional character that can be found in these horses. He is also proof of the training. Yes, he has been trained with a bit, but that doesn't mean it will automatically transfer or everyone would be doing it. It means he is responding to my seat, posture, neck rope, legs and my intention.

In this video I asked for the reverence stretch for the second time ever without a bridle (the first was right before I went to get my phone) and he understood me clearly.

I'm definitely not opposed to bits at all, but I do love playing with training and testing out the limitations (or lack of). Love what Zorro shares with me 🩡.

08/05/2024

Our July adventure! We went to a county fairgrounds show and competed in their obstacle course!

We had a little trouble navigating the side-pass over the large pipe, but once the dimensions clicked, we were good! And I was so proud of him for touching it and not reacting and settling right back into work mode.

The teeter was hard. What you can't tell from here is that it was covered in shadows. I was happy he tried it and then we moved along.

Such a good boy with all the rest. I'll post the course in the comments if anyone wants to see the details.

Also, sound ON if you want to hear Phillip's encouraging words! It was a loooong day as the show had a lot more people/took a lot longer than expected and Phillip was happy to hang and support us 😊. So appreciate him!

Oh, and we placed 2nd πŸ₯ˆπŸ’œ!


08/05/2024

Each year I try and set some fun goals for Majestic and I. I stay so busy with the rest of the horses I work with; my goal setting is a way of making sure I keep time for Majestic and I to keep developing together.

Two years ago the TIP Champs in western dressage was a goal. Last year the TIP Champs in both western and classical dressage was an exciting achievement (Level 5 and Intermediate 1). This year, they decided not to have the Kentucky TIP Champs and so I wondered what I could do new this year as a goal.

It wasn't too hard to find something: a freestyle.

I have a notebook I travel with for journaling and jotting notes and diagrams. Flying home from a clinic, probably a few years back now, I drew out a freestyle for Majestic just to pass the time. I was already aspiring then but hadn't made it a priority.

This year, I decided it was time. I put one together and the first time I rode it with music was for this year's WDAA International Online Challenge. I followed it up with riding it at the KDA Western Dressage show and so enjoyed getting to do it live! Such a fun experience with my boy πŸ’œ!

At the KDA show Majestic and I earned a 9 on the entrance of our first test and then a 69% both days on our freestyle! I had a little trouble hearing my music at the live show and felt we were better in sync for the online show which resulted in a 73.8%!

Posted with this is a clip from the live show of one of my double pivots...my nemesis in WD! You are supposed to keep the inside hind foot in one place and pivot around it twice while maintaining forward intent. It's not something I work on a lot because, from a biomechanics perspective, I prefer the actual forward stepping turn on the hindquarters in classical dressage. I still find the pivot a fun challenge though and was pleased to get a solid one!

The pivots aren't as good in my online show submission, but I'll still share that link with you since it's easier to hear the music if anyone wants to see the whole thing.

Thanks to the hubby for helping me with the music! We threw it together pretty quickly. He had the idea of Metallica - symphony version - and I went with it. It's fun to experiment with patterns and music!

Some of the required movements for a level 5 freestyle:
Trot half-pass zig zag
Canter pirouettes
Double pivots
3+ four tempis
3+ three tempis

Video link:
https://youtu.be/5F_I5oOsl-o?si=FtSZTspB-hGguz-q

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40330

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