Melissa Andersen Kinship Coaching

01/11/2022

As horses & riders "mature," it's important to incorporate exercises that strengthen muscles without stressing joints. Here, Tanya in two-point, encourages Stoli to stretch at the trot over a course of poles: Tanya strengthens her jumping position; Stoli strengthens his jumping "push." 🙂

12/24/2021

Wishing everyone Happy Holidays!

11/23/2021

This year, I am "giving thanks" for being Axe Me Again's trainer: she was an equine "La Grande Dame," expanding my horsemanship skills for over 25 years. Wishing everyone many reasons to celebrate a Happy Thanksgiving!

03/02/2021

Nona, at 31, is a "poster pony" for working at the walk! More than once, this included me leading her in daily recovery "marches" as rehab from various setbacks. Stephanie's willingness to remain committed through the years has given me a remarkable opportunity to prove what can be accomplished with steady & consistent determination to keep a horse's muscle structure healthy & supportive. Nona continues to lead the trail rides! Of course, she still shows off her piaffe & passage if she sees a carriage😊

02/02/2021

When Mother Nature prohibits a quality ride, I am inspired by a quote from legendary UCLA basketball coach, John Wooden: "Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." Skilled groundwork can equal skilled riding for many things, including balance & rhythm, impulsion, quality transitions, lateral & longitudinal elasticity, relaxation and pole work. As far as Rio is concerned, it's another day at the office 😌 As for me, let's just say I get my "steps" in 😰

01/12/2021

“Appearance can be deceiving. Remember endurance makes gold." Reading this "fortune" from my cookie last week immediately brought Amy Potts and her horse Sweet T to mind. The journey began some years ago with the simple goal of getting Sweet T, a Quarter Horse bred (and built) for cutting cattle, to jump. Although a bit conformationally challenged, T naturally possessed both bravery and an excellent work ethic. My approach was to take things slow and steady, using lots of gymnastic-type exercises to encourage Sweet T to stretch her physical limitations while supporting those natural instincts. We'd test the progress with SJ & XC schools at various facilities, carefully planning Sweet T's showing schedule accordingly. Amy brought determination and dedication as well as her own bravery & work ethic to every lesson/schooling session/horse show. With dressage help from Jeanette Van Mill, their diligence paid off as they jumped to the win at a Beginner Novice Long Format Three Day Event in 2018. Yes endurance, combined with patience, can make gold!

01/05/2021

"With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts."
--Eleanor Roosevelt

Cheers to a NEW year!

12/24/2020

We are so very lucky to have horses in our lives through this tumultuous time!

12/15/2020

12/15/2020

In addition to meeting Stephanie & Nona for a casual stroll, Ginny longed to trot, canter and jump while riding in the Foundation. Over the past couple of months, we would alternate between my rides to educate Firefly, and (coaching from aboard Nona) my accompanying Ginny riding her pony. The back and forth, step by step process has culminated in Ginny confidently jumping Firefly on the trails.

12/03/2020

In 1997, I had the amazing opportunity to train and show a most debonair equine. Promoted as Cool Hand Luke, he was registered with the American Paint Horse Association as One Lucky Hawk. I simply referred to him as "the stallion." He was a joy to ride and his owners, Phil & Kathy Grady, were wonderfully supportive. In addition, the education I gained from the Gradys, their niece Amy Hardy and "the stallion" continues to influence my training to this day. No doubt, I was the "lucky" one!

11/10/2020

Many humans employ a personal trainer to help them achieve a fitness goal, often in hopes of gaining a competitive edge. An aspect of my training approach is very analogous to this scenario except I am the "personal trainer" for the horse😊 Encouraging quality movement in the walk-to-trot and trot-to-walk transitions (as previously illustrated) can be thought of as "dynamic stretching" exercises. A next step, shown below, can be a low-intensity warm-up exercise: trotting quietly and rhythmically to a small jump. When the pieces begin to come together, the horse willingly pushes off of either hind leg, thereby landing on each lead naturally in an almost identical frame. As you can see, Rio and Stacey have arrived!! Now they are ready for the next day's lesson: jumping courses (a moderate-intensity exercise) with their horse show coach, Ashley Lovegrove.

10/27/2020

The trot to walk downward transition is a wonderful opportunity to encourage a horse to step underneath from behind. The rider "simply" shifts her weight into her knee & thigh, allowing her horse complete freedom in his topline. One of the benefits is that the horse employs the same mechanics he uses to comfortably jump well from a quiet distance. I SO enjoy paying attention to the subtle things which, over time, can really make a difference! (Just ask Stacey & Rio 😊)

10/22/2020

The fabulous fall weather reminded me of a wonderful October weekend in 2011. Kathy Kirchner had been toying with the idea of attempting to show in the fledgling Green as Grass division on her darling horse Edger. . . Amy Potts' mare, Abby, was recovering from an injury. . . I suggested to Kathy that Amy, a seasoned competitor, might be willing to guide Edger through his first eventing experience with me coaching. Kathy and Amy both enthusiastically agreed and our adventure began. Edger, although a tentative creature, had willingness to spare. Guided by a combination of Amy's confident determination and Kathy's relentless encouragement (not to mention a little strategic coaching)🙂, we celebrated a successful schooling day (pictured). The next day, all the pieces came together as Edger and Amy were victorious!

10/13/2020

When Ginny Gwaltney moved Firefly to a farm on Young's Road, one of the goals was to meet up with Stephanie Carr Crosby and Nona for a hack through the Moss Foundation. First, Nona had to confidently march through the woods solo. Next, Firefly needed to learn to behave mannerly when she and Nona parted. Applying previously established flatwork skills and an understanding of each party (human and equine 😁) during practice rides culminated in a lovely Saturday stroll through the woods for everyone!

10/08/2020

In tribute to Kristen Conant Hart’s wonderfully heartfelt memorial of her Ollie Bombay, here are some photos taken at a Sedgefield (Greensboro) "C" show, October, 2001. Ollie (we called him Bombay) was "learning the ropes" that eventually led him to Kristen--SO GLAD to hear that he fulfilled her dreams! I feel fortunate to have had such a willing youngster to bring along. Thanks to those whose valuable input insured Ollie as Kristen's "heart horse:" Caroline Cooper, Bill Garvey and Mike Plumb. Thanks to Laura Norment for referring Bombay to Bethanna Perry. And, of course, for Cathy & Jim (deceased) Cantwell for their breeding choice that created such a special equine. Rest in peace, Ollie Bombay!

09/29/2020

A lifelong passion of bringing the best out in our equine partner began with Tonz. He was purchased for $275 at the New Holland (PA) auction; 2 1/2 years later this picture was taken. My very naïve, well-meaning parents brought him home as a birthday gift. It turned out that Tonz was almost as comfortable walking on his two hind legs as he was on all four. Thus the journey began. Countless determined hours (some quite frustrating), weekly riding lessons, and eventually, coaching at the shows culminated in Tonz (German word for "treasure") living up to his name--both as my equine partner and my equine "trainer."

09/24/2020

This was 1999 and Melissa Phillips Burhenne was only 13 when she and Magic Marker (Sara Lee) entered their first A show in Pinehurst. They were Reserve Champion! Cam Womble of Triangle Farms scooped Sara Lee up for a customer after this show. Melissa is married and expecting a baby girl in November. Congrats then and again now!

09/22/2020

Understanding and feeling quality at the walk can greatly enhance the quality of the walk-trot transition, which leads to a better quality trot right off the bat! Not only is patience a virtue, it is a tool when used appropriately. Remember, quality in each gait leads to quality in all endeavors. 😀

09/17/2020

Axe Me Again (Nona) and owner Stephanie Crosby competing at the Sedgefield Showgrounds in Greensboro. Nona is now 30 and still taking Stephanie out for hacks.

09/14/2020

Proper warm-up at the walk is so important and often overlooked as a way to improve performance. Here we are allowing Rio time to properly loosen his body by asking him to go forward and straight while stepping over a pole, which helps to ensure that he is also engaging his back in his warm-up.