Qualia Dressage LLC

10/28/2025

With my impending move, I’m a little late on posting about the Region 1 championships.

Anne Hurwitz and Dante Chronos D’Authou won the I-2 AA championship, and earned a ticket to USDF Finals. Incredibly proud of this pair who have only been partners for six months!

Joanne Pedone and Kynynmont Brennain had an amazing showing at their first regionals. “Buddy” moved up to Third Level this year, and as anyone knows, it can be a tough jump. But it all came together at this show, and Joanne ended up having her best tests ever with scores over 65% in both. They finished just out of the ribbons in a huge Third Level AA championship class with a wild card score for USDF Finals.

Grace Lotsikas and Kartouche placed fourth in both their Third Level Jr/YR and Fourth Level Jr/YR classes. Grace got selected to participate in the WIT program in FL this winter, and I look forward to following their progress and cheering them on from afar.

Jessie Ginsburg and Imperador had a very productive weekend showing in the open classes, having some of their strongest tests yet, and “Perry” being his most rideable ever at a show.

Thanks to the Virginia Dressage Association for doing an excellent job hosting the show, as usual. While I am excited about my move to Ocala, I will certainly miss showing at the Virginia Horse Center.

07/21/2025

Hard to believe there was a time Hansi struggled to get past 6 or 7 one tempis. They all learn things in their own time. 🖤

07/16/2025

Very proud of my sweet boy who tried so hard for me in our first attempts riding the Grand Prix Special this past weekend, with a high score of 68%. 🖤
📸: .malmgren

05/08/2025

💯

Staying power, or tolerance for tedious -

I’ve taught the initial introduction lessons to about a million people: teaching people to straighten out their horse, to understand rythm, to feel the difference from their tight, wiggly nervous horse to a calmer, happier horse that breathes deeply.

This part is exciting: the changes happen quickly usually, and people want more.

But then it becomes tedious. It turns away from magic and changes into work. This is where the focus is on how the rider uses their leg, handles their rein. This is where you repeat over and over a new habit until it gets ingrained- the focus is not on progressing the horse but creating better habits- this is where it gets down to the nitty gritty of their expectation of the horse, their patience for re developing a poorly laid foundation in the horse and their own riding. This is where people drop off.

I’ve had very few get past this point - when things get tedious, people turn to self doubt, get emotional, think they can’t ride or don’t know what they’re doing and so on. This is when people are likely to look elsewhere for quicker or easier solutions, though I’m sure they’re not consciously doing this.

Many will be called, few will answer, as the saying goes. I don’t believe it’s because these people are incapable or not gifted. I think mainly it’s because we no longer have tolerance for tedium.

I think about the way I grew up riding and understand - in no time I was cantering, and jumping, long before I had the seat or hands for it. Many are taught this way too- a result oriented way of learning, instead of a layering in of a foundation: you can’t jump until you can control your leg and hand, and if it gets messier, you go back to the basics. But people see this as a punishment, not a support, and take it personally.

We don’t have the tolerance for tedium anymore , and so I wonder if not now, when will we ? And if we don’t, what will we be capable of developing with our horses?

Photo by Laurie Lampe

02/06/2025

I could not be prouder of these boys! They were rock stars at our first outing of the year at White Fences.

Sierra Stewart’s Furst of All made his FEI debut, and brought his A game for a 67.5% and second place in his first Prix St. Georges. Sierra bought Furstie as a 6 year old almost three years ago, and has stayed the course through the highs and lows of developing a youngster. I can’t wait to see her ride him down the centerline at FEI herself.

Hans and I knocked the dust off with our first go at Grand Prix in three months. Some bobbles kept the score just under 65%, but he is feeling so much stronger and confident in the work. Now we keep working on refining the details! 💪🏻

Huge thank you to my friend .idol for making time to come be my eyes on the ground with Hans. 🩵

10/11/2024

So cool to get to see the northern lights tonight while in Lexington VA for Region 1’s championship show. The trailer parking area on the hill gifted me with some great shots.