SLK Dressage

07/20/2024

Funny!!!
POV:Explaining dressage to non-horsey people: 😂

Last night my husband and I went to a dinner party with some of his colleagues. On the way there I asked him NOT to talk about my competition last week (he was really proud of my results) at the party as I always find it difficult to explain dressage to non-horsey people.
And what did he do?! As soon as someone mentioned how well they had done at a cyclist race, he immediately mentioned "Oh Kathleen did really well with her horse at the regional championships last weekend!"
Uncomfortable moment, as people then feel obliged to ask about your horse. So I showed them a photo.
Gentleman no.1:"Oh, that's a Thoughoubred stallion isn't it?"
Me: No, actually she is an 11 year old Warmblood mare".
"...but she is too tall to be a mare! Mares are small!" (ME: nervous cough).
Gentleman no.2: Isn't 11 really old? Shouldn't it be retired by now?."
Me: "Actually, at 11 they are in the prime of their lives..."
G1: "How high does it jump?
Me: "Well, actually, she doesn't jump."
G2: So you race with her? Aren't you a bit tall for a jockey? (I am 5'9"!)
Me: "No...no. I do dressage."
Lady: Dressage?
Me: ...yes, I sort of dance with my horse.
Lady: "Oh! You do acrobatics on a horse! How amusing!"
Me: "No...no, wait..." And I got out my phone to show them something impressive, like Lottie Fry and Glamourdale in their freestyle... Too late! My husband had taken out his phone and was proudly showing my competition at the regionals in which I was doing fairly nice walk,trot,canter transitions.
Lady: "Oh, I didn't realise that you were just a beginner!"
Me: (a little bit taken aback) "well, not really.." (I was NOT going to mention I have been riding for over 20 years!)
Lady: "Oh, sorry! I forgot how hard it can be for some people! Our daughter is just naturally talented. She mastered what you are doing; walk,trot and canter within her first few weeks of riding! She's now been riding almost a year and she is already jumping! But just keep it up. I'm sure you will be good enough to jump too, eventually!
Me: nervous cough and pouring myself a generous glass of Chardonnay. 🍾🫣

04/14/2024

Yup

01/06/2024

09/16/2023

Photo submitted by Sharmane Kuhlmey, featuring PRE Stallion Feliz du Carel. Photo by Blesk Photography

09/10/2023

My brilliant twin Kelly Kinas Bernard gave me an amazing idea and I will share it now with you all and you can all thank us when your bridle keepers no longer slip down.

My huge pet peeve is flapping bridle straps because the keepers are too big, too loose and slip down. Even on my very expensive brand name bridles this happe...

04/15/2023

Omaro had show nerves as breeding birds were dive bombing Us in the shadowy corner. But in our second test he did somewhat better. I hope tomorrow we do quite a bit better

01/08/2023

Omaro

01/08/2023

Super fun ride on 3yo Omaro! We are playing with 2nd level concepts!

12/18/2022

https://youtu.be/gUrQ_np_gR8

Black Buffalo Monoflap Wolfgang Omni by Custom Saddlery. 17.5 medium in Excellent condition $3250.00 or best offer, shipped for $75.00DESCRIPTIONAll over sof...

11/24/2022

Another 3 year old Dutch Warmblood started under saddle at Nowhere Else Ranch

11/18/2022

3-year-old Omaro is already easily doing counter-counter and offered me a flying change today. I'm going to be very careful not to push too hard since it is all so easy for him

11/17/2022

Screenshots from my ride on baby Omaro today

11/12/2022

11/11/2022

Another 3-year-old started under saddle is in the books!

10/24/2022

3yo KWPN mare started her training today!! First time with a girth and a bit

10/24/2022

3yo Onida training has begun! First time girthed up and bridled

10/07/2022

Thank you to whoever reported me to USEF, it is good to know that I'm successfully enough to make someone jealous enough to try to take away my award!
YES
I have read the USEF rule book ! SUBCHAPTER 13-B AMATEURS AND PROFESSIONALS

GR1306 Professional/Amateur Status

GR1307 Amateur Status

Am I an ADULT AMATEUR COMPETITOR ?

YES I AM!

Am I a trainer?

Yes I am!

I own and show and train my own personal horses! Just me, no other rider or trainer!

Does that make me a USEF professional?

NO IT DOES NOT!

I am a breeder.

When I have my foals I train them to wear a halter, to lead, to tie, to pick up their feet, to ride in a trailer.

Does that make me a trainer?

Yes it does!

Does that make me a professional?

No it does not!

Do I have my USDF gold medal?

Yes I do!

Did I spend 20 years at first level and below before I finally bought a decrepid schoolmaster with Cushing's and tendon desmitis and a club foot and bring him from Itermediare to GP by myself....

Yes I did!

Does that make me a professional?

No it does not!

Do I teach lessons to people?

No I do not!

Do I take people's horses on to my property for training?

No I do not!

Does that make me a professional?

No it does not!

Do I go elsewhere to train other people's horses?

No I do not!

Does that make me a professional?

No it does not!

Do I have any sponsorship for any products related to horses or even anything at all?

No I do not!

Does that make me a professional?

No it does not!

Do I get paid from other people for anything other than my job as at the hospital as a cardiovascular Surgical Intensive Care Nurse?

No I do not!

Does that make me a USEF professional?

No it does not, only a professional RN!

I run a closed facility because my mares are too important and their pregnancies and babies are too important to allow other people's horses on my property!

Thank you though for reporting me.

it feels good to know someone is jealous enough of my success to want to take my Award away from me!

All you would need to do to be successful too is be as dedicated and hard-working as I am.

Eat, sleep, breathe and study dressage and spend every day all day every minute thinking about it working on it and then maybe you can be an adult amateur like me!