Kelsey Dunlap is a USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold medalist and USDF Certified Instructor thu 4th level
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It’s so rewarding to feel how much Kasper’s confidence has grown since his last show. 2nd time out at PSG and he’s finding his way around the test with so much more fluidity - can’t wait to add the power some day. Still need to get rid of the unnecessary one tempis on centerline 😂
Anne and Fiona went, saw, and conquered. Those two are made for each other and I love being a part of their dressage journey.
Already looking forward to the next show in a few weeks ❤️
“If you are not in the arena getting your ass kicked on occasion, I am not interested in, or open to your feedback. Period.
There are a million cheap seats in the world today, filled with people who will never be brave with their own lives, but will spend every ounce of energy they have hurling advice and judgement at those of us trying to dare greatly.
Their only contributions are criticism, cynicism, and fear-mongering.”
-Brené Brown
Uberstreichen to test self carriage. Inching (and at times - millimetering) our way closer to Grand Prix and loving every up and down that comes along with it. At the end of the day, teaching horses to move more beautifully and in harmony is what it’s all about!
USDF FEI Trainer’s Conference Notes with , Sven Rothenberger, and Lilo Fore - Day 1
- Go forward without speeding up and come back without slowing down. Tempo control!
- you should always feel the extension in the collected gaits (pushing forward tendency) and collection in the extended gaits (sitting and carrying)
- the “ideal” rein aid is just closing the ring finger around the rein. But horses are not 100% on the aids, 365 days a year. You then need to turn the wrist in and sit in.
- how many times should you do an exercise? As many as it takes for the horse to gain some clarity - even if it’s a tiny amount. For some horses, it was 3 times. For others, it was 10 times.
- the neck is the easiest part to over bend and the haunches are easy to push out. The ribcage is the hardest part to access. Focus on being able to yield the RIBCAGE between your legs. Nose should not turn past the point of shoulder.
- riding with both reins in one hand allows horse to come out to your hand and makes you ride from the seat more.
- reins are for receiving and recycling energy, not supporting balance.
- in haunches in, BOTH shoulders should be pointed up the line. Don’t allow the outside shoulder to point out. This ensures quality of bend.
- For tense/sharp horses: it’s important to take all of the time required to establish relaxation. Otherwise, everything you teach the horse will be built on tension.
- it’s always good to end on a note where you know you can do more, because the horse is willing and understanding, but you choose not to. ❤️
Not going to lie - I woke up at 4am wanting to throw up from the thought of being put under the microscope in front of 300+ people. Ended the day thrilled with how much Heiren tried for me and I’m so happy to let us all learn from things that aren’t “good” - passage that’s too slow and out behind, canter without enough jump, trot-piaffe transition that isn’t forward thinking enough, slow timing, etc. Things can always be better, that’s what makes it fun! Thanks to the clinicians and USDF for an educational day, looking forward to tomorrow!
One stall available at a dressage barn in Monroe, NC!
Offering:
🔹Small group turnout (1-2 horses)
🔹Run-in sheds in all pastures
🔹Fans
🔹 Automatic waterers
🔹Oversized dressage arena
🔹 Cavaletti
🔹Perimeter track and riding field
🔹Resident mini donkey for entertainment
🔹Grand Prix dressage trainer available for lessons, training, and sales. Success in FEI Young Horses through Grand Prix including wins and top 10 placing at Regionals, Finals, and Festival of Champions.
Active show barn but quiet with a friendly atmosphere. Visit dunlapdressage.com for more info or PM!
HI Jinx is 1st level Open Reserve National Champion 🙌 congrats to owner, Steve Brown - thanks for all of the support this year!! Time to finish the changes and see how 3rd level goes for this event horse…hopefully it’s slightly more entertaining for him 😜
Jinx is quiet and focused today at the US Finals ❤️
Fireball’s Kasper ❤️
Amateur friendly project horse! 16.2, 5yo, DHH/ASB cross gelding. Schooling training level dressage with comfortable gaits, light in the contact, sensitive but not hot, and hacks out. He is green but safe and has a fantastic temperment that makes him suitable for an amateur to develop. Could go into any discipline but is getting a good flatwork foundation now. Owner had to relocate and sadly can’t bring Nic along. Very kind horse, easy keeper, no vices or soundness issues. Low fives. Located in Monroe, NC
https://youtu.be/n7W5Y3l78qk?feature=shared
The event horse took the win 😂
Jinx is Region 1 1st level Open Champion with a 73+% 🤩
So thrilled with the progress he’s made in the year he’s been with me, making the transition from eventing to dressage-land. Congrats to owner, Steve Brown!! 🍾🍾
On to freezing our butts off at Finals 🥶
One training stall available Oct 1 at boutique dressage barn with USDF Gold medalist and Certified trainer through 4th level. Success in FEI Young Horse classes through Grand Prix and helping riders reach their goals. Consignment possible for the right horse. Located in Mineral Springs, NC. Contact for more info!
dunlapdressage.com
[email protected]
Private dressage barn ISO barn help Fri and Sat afternoons 4p-6p, located in Monroe.
Duties include - feeding 8 horses and 1 donkey, turnout, cleaning stalls, re-haying, cleaning water bowls, making AM grain, and blowing out the aisle.
Horses are well behaved, donkey is hit or miss!! 😆 PM if interested!
First show with Kasper in the books ❤️ Too many mistakes for good scores due to his enthusiasm but omg such amazing moments! We got everything from a 4 to a 9 😂 “Horse has wow potential”.
Also brought along Jinx who put in solid tests with scores to 71%. He’s made so much progress the last year, it’s nice to see it rewarded in the ring.
Can’t wait for next outing!
Play time with my ❤️ horse
So excited to partner with as a sponsored rider. It gives such a close contact feel and it’s the first time I can push on the gas pedal without struggling to stay out of Heiren’s way. The dance just got even more fun. Lightweight and adjustable tree with exchangeable panels seal the deal. Thank you !!!
For Sale: 2012, 16.2 h, Oldenburg gelding by Wake Up. Shown through 2nd level with scores to mid 60s, schooling 3rd. Safe and fun, more woah than go. Enjoys hacking, no vices or soundness/health issues. Great in the barn and in turnout alone or with others. Minor xray finding that is available to be reviewed. Located in Monroe, NC
Sadly for sale because the owner has upper level aspirations and Waylon does not 😆
https://youtu.be/gQoowMQ7B_Q
Spring means clinics and shows! 🌸🌺So excited to start the season off next weekend at Willets Farm and then March 24-25 at Fishing Creek Warmbloods in Fort Lawn, SC. It’s always so much fun - looking forward to seeing everyone!
Love this little rocket ship ❤️
Two awesome farriers working on two awesome horses. And a helping hound. No foot - no horse! Love this team!
Floating sofa alert!!
Extremely safe and sweet 17h 2009 3rd level registered Canadian Warmblood available for consideration. Benji is as safe and sweet as they come and has comfortable gaits, is easy to put on the bit (can go in double or snaffle), and has easy flying changes. More woah than go and can be trusted with kids and beginner riders. Owned by an equine vet who bought him straight from the breeder as a 4yo and has done all of the training herself. Very sadly available because she has FEI ambitions and Benji does not 😆 He is perfect for someone looking for a safe mount to learn on and enjoy, or be shared by a parent/child combo. Fabulous temperament and a gentleman in the barn! Sound with no injuries and has recent, clean X-rays on file. Very easy keeper. Stands for vet and farrier and has been lightly competed through 3rd level. Excellent home a must for this sweet boy!
Located in Monroe, NC
https://youtu.be/8VB4y3M95zM
Reserve Champion with a 72.2% in the big Region 1 Open PSG Championships. Absolutely loving the journey with this furball ❤️❤️
-Hotline x Rabino bred by Claudia Novick
-Yelled at by Chris Hickey
- And supported by a big village! Thank you everyone!!
The baby lama is putting his big boy pants on and slowly turning into a dressage horse!
4yo Rascalino x Jazz
It still needs a name but…Dunlap Dressage has moved to our new home just off of Hwy 75 between Monroe and Mineral Springs!
- USDF Gold medalist and USDF Certified Instructor through 4th level
- Success through Grand Prix and FEI Young Horse classes
- Located just off of Hwy 75 between Monroe and Mineral Springs
- 17 acres/8 stall barn/1-2 horse turnout/flex fencing and shelters in turnouts/gated access/80x220 arena
- Trailer in lessons welcome
dunlapdressage.com
Also ISO part time barn help. Week day and weekend shifts available, 8a-9a and/or 4p-6p. Job includes feeding 8 horses, turn in/out, cleaning 8 stalls, tidying the barn. Horses are well behaved, the mini donkey is sometimes not so well behaved 😆 Please PM for more info!
Same, Kaia, same. Very tired, but very excited…getting so close to moving in to the new farm!
Casually searching for a special rider to enjoy this wonderful horse and take lessons on him in a part-lease type of situation. Zeus is a 11yo, 17.2hh Friesian/Hanoverian cross trained to 3rd level. Schoolmaster type that is fun to ride, quite, and easy in the lateral work. Owner has a second horse that she is focusing on and so would like to find someone to give Zeus a job. Recurring injuries prevent him from intense training and moving up the levels but he is sound and would be suitable for someone who wants to master the lower levels on a trained, safe horse. Owner would like to continue being able to hack him on the weekends and groom him. We strongly prefer that he stay on site but open to ideas - just looking for a unique fit. Capable horse that is too nice to sit around! Located just outside of Mint Hill, NC at a small dressage barn.
dunlapdressage.com
SOLD
Sweet and kind 2010, 16.2 hh, registered Andalusian gelding looking for a special home. Noble is schooling first level and is behind in training/conditioning due to owner lack of time. He has been back in full training since Dec and is showing ability and work ethic to move up the levels with someone who will give him consistency. Sound with no injuries but NC State did perform a left ventriculocordectomy on him in 2018 for a mild roar and he is cleared for dressage work. Good ground manners and no vices, very easy in the barn, easy to put on the bit. Forward thinking without being hot. Super temperament and straight forward to work with, perfect for a AA or Junior looking for a partner to enjoy. Very capable horse in a unique situation = great price but good home is a priority for the owner! Located in Indian Trail, NC
https://youtu.be/NukiAzxGvlY
Began the year by getting bucked off at our first show, ended it with a successful US National Championships. And I may be smiling but I was actually miserable having to put my soaking wet show coat back on in freezing temps for awards. If all that doesn’t sum up life with horses, I don’t know what does 😂😂 I absolutely love this flying fur ball.
Definitely excited, also maybe a little nauseous…1000% overwhelmed with gratitude towards the family, husband, amazing clients, and friends who are making this possible. Dunlap Dressage will have a permanent home for our horses and clients (and Mambo)!!! says he will go by Duke of Waxhaw from now on (actually Monroe/Mineral Springs but he says Waxhaw sounds better 🙄)🤣🤣
Finally got the results back….I passed my USDF 4th level instructor testing!! I can’t say teaching, riding, and lunging under pressure was fun but I’m glad I made myself do this program. It’s made me a more organized, effective communicator and it’s never a bad idea to open a book and study theory 😆
Thank you to United States Dressage Federation Official Page for providing a program like this for trainers to work through. And HUGE thank you to the demo horses and riders, organizers, and examiners - these exams are not easy to put on!!! Melissa Allen stepped in and hosted a great exam even after multiple curve balls!!
On to regionals in a few weeks - Heiren will be competing in the 3rd and 4th level championships! 🤞
Learning to play my accordion better thanks to Katherine Bateson!! She helped me with refining his answers to my questions. Lots of good feelings and I love how hard he tries. ❤️ Thank you for hosting Melissa Allen and Anne!!!
Indian Trail, Indian Trail
Indian Trail, NC
28079
| Monday | 8am - 6pm |
| Tuesday | 8am - 6pm |
| Wednesday | 8am - 6pm |
| Thursday | 8am - 6pm |
| Friday | 8am - 6pm |
| Saturday | 9am - 2pm |
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The dressage world is basically burning to the ground…meanwhile, @olivertelford has made a tongue in cheek video explaining some common competitor woes. Enjoy a Non-Horsey Husband’s take on why you didn’t get a 70%. 😝. For more entertainment- the link to his How-to-Piaffe video is in the comments. #nonhorseyhusband #horsehusband #horsetraining #dressagetraining #feidressage #dressage #dressagehorse #horsesofinstagram #horses #piaffe #pferd #pferde #dressagehorsesofinstagram #tongueincheek
Great to school with Bo Jena again. It’s been so nice to see that while everyone has their own style, the concepts and goals are all the same. Hind legs that push AND carry, longitudinal and lateral suppleness, a contact that receives and recycles, clear and consistent aids which can only come from a good seat, and of course lots of praise and walk breaks. The work is intense but brief and no drilling. Both the boys feel great, loving bootcamp! #feidressage #roadtograndprix #dressage #dressagetraining #piaffe #passage #pirouette
Play time with my ❤️ horse #dressage #piaffe #dressagehorse #hanovarian
I found my next dressage prospect!!! 😍😍 Can’t teach a clinic without also having some fun 😆 Thanks for having me, Fishing Creek Warmbloods, and thanks to super pony Casino for the introduction to Paso Fino-land. Looking forward to the next clinic - Aug 27-28!! #clinicdays #dressage #dressageclinic #fishingcreekwarmbloods #dressagetrainer
Still have a long way to go but loving the journey with this beastie ❤️
How special to have my very first riding instructor from when I was 10yo in Iowa, send me her horse for boot camp (because winters in TN suck 🥶 and she’s busy being Dean of LMUs vet school 😱😱). We are working to develop his gaits more and then maybe take him to his very first show. Having lots of fun, thanks for letting me play with your floating red couch Stacy Thacker Anderson!!!
Just keep swimming (literally and figuratively)🐠🌧🌧
Kelly's K-9 Kuts Pet Salon & Spa
Indian Trail
Home With You compassionate pet euthanasia
P. O. Box 2601, Indian Trail
Castleberry Doodles and Poodles
Hollyhedge Lane
