River City Training Stable

06/25/2024

: You have to watch video of yourself riding. Sorry. I know, it stinks sometimes, seeing the things that separate you from Charlotte Dujardin. It does. But you’re where you are on your journey, and that’s simply that. Lean into it. And watch the video 🎥

Feel lies. You may be so acclimated to the way in which you are crooked, or the way in which you are leaning too far forward or back, or the way in which you are doing xyz imperfectly. You need to see it. It will help you. And mirrors are great, yes, but they aren’t video.

03/28/2024

✨⁣
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Practice being nervous. ⁣
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The only way we get good at anything is to practice it, right? So if you’re a person who gets nervous - show nerves, young horse riding nerves, new horse riding nerves, whatever - find little ways to practice being nervous and functioning anyway. Riding new horses gives you the heebie jeebies? Practice by getting on a friend’s saintly schoolmaster, so even if you go ‘round the bend, you’re unlikely to get hurt. Showing makes you squeamish? Enter a schooling show, or even pop your clothes on, braid, and trailer to another trainer’s stable for a “faux show.” ⁣
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Nerves are part of the fight or flight response, and help keep us safe, so they’re not going away. But we can practice dealing with them in little bites, so the big bites don’t feel so big.

03/22/2024

DRESSAGE TRIVIA:
Which two movements are basically the same, but are actually more different than night and day?

Do you know the difference between the trot loop and the canter loop? Besides the fact that one is performed at the trot and the other at the canter, there is a MAJOR difference between these two movements.

They are performed in the exact same pattern, or path, so how can it be possible that they are so completely different?

Well, you know...
🎶🎤🎵 "It's all about the bend, bout da bend, bout da bend..."🎶🎤🎵

The trot loop at training level requires a change in bend twice. And it must be smooth and fluid. The changes in bend come at you quick and you need to navigate and plan and think....😰

The canter loop at first level does not include any changes in bend, so you ride the path with no worries of that! BUT this is actually a harder movement because it's actually much harder to keep the same bend in the canter without breaking to trot or switching leads! Welcome to counter-canter territory...🫣

Regardless, both movements require planning and attention to detail. See the diagram below to help you visualize both movements😎

03/16/2024

I spy an Artie pony and also an Addy Batcheller!

02/25/2024

The boys being so so good at Majestic Oaks last week! All three finished on their dressage scores and we had so much fun!
Rubiginous RC, 30.4 for 2nd in the Novice.
Sheldon RC, 32.4 for 3rd in the BN.
Dario RC, owned by Katie Price Letcher, 30.2 for the win in the BN (his first event!).

Zarasyl
Bridle Bling
BLISS OF LONDON - Saddle makers of distinction
English Saddle Fit in Tennessee
Platinum Performance

02/14/2024

I am on the horse hunt in Ocala only!

Looking for a horse over 16.2 hands. Could be maybe a hair smaller if very big bodied. Must be comfortable to ride, well-behaved, and extremely honest to the fences. Junior rider is looking for a horse to compete through training level. She is a nice rider, but Could use some confidence over fences, so absolutely nothing quirky and no stoppers! Absolutely must have a USEA record. We are reasonable on pre-purchase exams, but please disclose any maintenance. Budget is appropriate for what we need.

02/01/2024

I am on the horse hunt in Ocala only!

Looking for a horse over 16.2 hands. Could be maybe a hair smaller if very big bodied. Must be comfortable to ride, well-behaved, and extremely honest to the fences. Junior rider is looking for a horse to compete through training level. She is a nice rider, but Could use some confidence over fences, so absolutely nothing quirky and no stoppers! Absolutely must have a USEA record. We are reasonable on pre-purchased exams, but please disclose any maintenance. Budget is appropriate for what we need.

01/24/2024

01/06/2024

I have a tall, capable, soft teen looking to try some event horses. Must be 16h+, 2019 or older, have evented some (not just schooled- must have a record!). Prefers forward ride, must be honest over fences.
Mid fives or lower.
Looking ONLY in Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, or Missouri right now.

12/23/2023

12/23/2023

https://youtu.be/kwIHn_O7eh4?si=bg_7_NFg9JLV6pmk

My best red boy being so good around his first novice last month!

footage provided by RNSVIDEOMEDIA .COMHorse Trials and Three Day Eventing in North America