Chamberlain Dressage

06/21/2024

Riding this Saturday at The Park! Meeting up in the Wells Fargo Bank area to park. No potable water. Bring your own drinks. We will brig water for the horses. Meeting at the park at 9:00 a.m.

In meanwhile, I have been researching weeds getting the ID's on a few - they are all so invasive!

And then I tripped across this... my new favorite song.

https://www.facebook.com/brittanymooremusic/videos/1148195659658842/

06/04/2024

My friend, Sherri Jones, is a talented artist who has ventured into her life's calling combining her art and healing for one's mental and physical help. Please watch her short introductory video (a little over 2 minutes long) and subscribe to her youtube channel.

Sherri's message

"I am on a mission to share all of these amazing tools offering hope to those who struggle with mental health. I have been working on stories to go with art as well as breathing and simple play. Started a YouTube channel and need your help. Please take a look and I NEED honest feedback! I have to have 100 subscribers before YouTube will share with anyone. Please subscribe and share with anyone you think might be interested! Thank you thank you thank you!!!!! Happy Summer!!!"

🎨 Welcome to the enchanting world of watercolor art with Sherri Jones! 🎨Join us as we delve into the creative realm of Sherri Jones, an esteemed artist and...

05/23/2024

Weekend Activity - It's always fun! No admission fee.

The USEA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization committed to providing eventing enthusiasts with a competitive level suited to their individual skills. By assisting and educating competitors, event organizers, and officials; maintaining responsible safety standards; and registering…

05/19/2024

It's that time... the Annual Post of Texas things that go bump in the night or day... Whilst some may not out and out KEEL you, they may leave you with an unpleasant memory. Please add to my list! Walking on the dark side...

Be watchful and careful - lots of venomous, poisonous, stinging, inedible things out there doing their thing.

Humans, Alligators, Africanized Bees, Kissing Bugs (Chegas), Wasps, Scorpios, Tarantulas, Red Velvet Ant, Black & Brown Widows, Brown Recluse, puss moth (asps), buck moth caterpillar, spiny oak slug caterpillar, hickory tussock moth caterpillar, saddleback caterpillar and Io moth caterpillar, American Dagger Caterpillars, Coral Snakes, Water Moccasins (aka Cottonmouth), Copperheads, Rattlesnakes, Centipedes, Blister Beetles, Fire Ants, Mosquitos, Feral Hogs, Deer, Coyotes, Mountain Lions, Chukacabras (JK)
, brain-eating amoeba, flesh eating bacteria, the flu, Covid, tetanus, rabies, parvo, pigeon fever, distemper(and lots of other deadly bacteria and viruses), jellyfish. puffer fish, lionfish, sharks, armadillos (Leprosy/Hansen's Disease), Poison Hemlock,

I love Texas. Only California can outdo us on the bug list though. We come in at Number 2. Mosquitos top the list for the deadliest. Humans come in at Number 2.

Sweet Dreams. (Yeah, I like bugs and critters except fire ants and mosquitos).

05/06/2024

https://www.facebook.com/happyhoovescteations

Find the beauty in everything! Even the old and unused can be made beautiful and find new purpose and meaning. I turn used lariat's into bowls and baskets because there is beauty in each rope.

03/17/2024

Thank you for all my birthday wishes and blessings. Kobe Steakhouse Hibachi with the family (steak and lobster, yum), visiting with friends, staining chairs and re -staining the horse bridge step up... Been a lovely relaxing day. 62 is also the year of my birth and now my age. Isn't that the one we call Golden ? At Kobe, they brought me a slice of cheesecake and a candle. And sang Happy Birthday. They asked my name, Carrie. But I said "You can call me Cinderella..."

Special Shout outs Sutton, Laura Shirk, my Lovely Step-Mom who has been "my parent" now for a few years Joan Johnson and the Jeffery Chamberlain family. And Terri Scarbrough Nelson, Aaron Nelson, and all my friends and clients.
Love you guys more.

03/04/2024

Ever feel utterly useless?

When Sherman wanted to eat, he ate. No amount of carrying a stick or kicking would deter him from his snack. Good for my cardio though.

Being blind doesn't matter... he can smell the good stuff.

Riding in a halter, not always so smart.

Steering Optional

Be prepared for sudden stops... LOL

02/29/2024

Doctor told me last night I need to do more cardio. Terri Scarbrough Nelson says she'll put coffee and doughnuts on the golf cart and I can chase her around in the morning...

02/18/2024

Goldie

Saying Goodbye is never easy. My heart and Ronnie's heart are broken. Ronnie saw her and wanted her for me 13 years ago. We were both touching and talking to her in my lap when she left. Thank you for bringing her into our lives Bobby.

Favorite memory: Me falling off a horse. Goldie rushing to perform CPR.

Below: Precious, Lucy, Jelly Bean, Amber, Goldie, Magic and Annie.

Goldie, The Undisputed Queen and Pack Leader

RIP little girl. Momma loves you.

11/25/2023

Being present. Sometimes that's a tall order. Today, with help, I was present at the LBJ Grasslands with friends, horses, (and no camera). Seems I left purse and phone at home in the golf cart. It was a fabulous 9.2 mile red trail ride - a lot of color in the trees. Every burnt stick of wood I saw I would think charcoal for purifying water (too much naked and afraid tv). Wide variety of riders out. Deer are definitely hiding. Didn't even see a cow! Enjoyed the company of our group - Pam Wirtala, Sydney Clark, Cleta Watts, Sandy Dixon, Kathleen Brown, and me present. And present for this glorious day we were blessed with. God Bless.

11/01/2023

From a Horse Trainers Group KW: "Question! Any pointers on training a horse to stop laying down when saddled?? Have a client horse I’m riding and when I was working her in the round pen she decided she wanted to stop and lay with my saddle on. Client said she she would do that when she would get tired of working as well."

My answer: First... check for medical, saddle fit, etc. Secondly, anticipate (if you can) when she is gonna drop, calmly get off and walk her over to a tie up (like a horse trailer) and go about your business. Leave saddle on. Loosen slightly. Prefer you tie to the side of the trailer that has a gravel (rocky, not pea gravel) base. Leave bridle on, halter over the top with lead rope as tie. Return about 30 minutes later, offer a drink of water, tighten saddle, climb aboard as if nothing happened. Stay on the gravel if need be just walking... make your point, put her away if all goes well. Rinse repeat as many times as necessary. Make that second ride is longer and more satisfactory the next time. Sometimes make the first ride 5 minutes and hang her out to dry. Then ride longer. The key element here is to get consistent trustworthy satisfactory behavior without punishment. Don't fight the battle if there is a better way to win the war.

Your thoughts?

05/26/2023

Please read

I’m Kelly Moss, my cousin Brandon Gall and his wife Amanda were in their home last nigh… Kelly Moss needs your support for Gall’s lost EVERYTHING

04/14/2023

I answered an amateur's question about showing her horse in hand and the points she was awarded and why. A partial answer is below and good for all the remember:
Here are some links to explore, brush up on your showmanship skills and above all HAVE FUN!: https://www.usshba.org/.../preparing-for-inspections-from... ; For DETAILED MOVEMENTS: https://www.horseillustrated.com/western-horse-training...; https://www.horseillustrated.com/western-horse-training...
While a horse is judged on conformation, soundness and gaits, in that order... if your horse responds promptly and willingly it can be a crucial factor in scoring... turnout always counts - and this includes practicing with your horse so you both can be looking and feeling your best.
For weight, ask your vet what his ideal weight should be and use a weight tape to keep your feeding appropriate to his age, growth, exercise. If possible, before the class, exercise enough to help those developing muscles show and tune him up to tune in to you!

03/29/2023

Heads Up!
I have a lovely horse for you! Everyone adores him . Has done many pony club events. His owner is turning 16 and becoming more "teenager" in a good way. This past fall, he's gone fox hunting with a 9 yr old, and two older Ladies in their 70's - one is our huntsman working the hounds.
Perfect in the hunt field. Not worried about the field. If he had to stop and p*e, he will and amble to catch up. Can jump 3', show hunter quality, very comfy to ride... trail, jump, dressage savvy. Reg. QH and Registered blood stock paint. 14.2 and 1/2. 17 yrs of age. Has been on a show maintenance program with supplements, chiro, injections when needed. I've had this horse in my program on and off since he was 5 yrs old, so I am super attached and just want the best for him. I am guessing with continuing show maintenance he has about another 10 years of being useful. I would also retire him back here. Yah, he has been a good horse for his owners and a lesson horse for me to help keep him fit.
Or let's put it this way: We have a good looking QH (reg QH & registered paint), pro packer, show pony. 14.2 hh and a smidge more / prob could get pony card, 18 yrs old now with a ton of shows. Trail riding, fox hunting, pony club, lesson horse, has jumped 3'3" on purpose. Can do an Eventing canter or a HUS canter. He is a show pony so he gets the show pony life in terms of supplements, chiro, monthly shot of Pentosan. Daily 1/2 Previcox. Wears elevated heels, vet no longer sees evidence of ring bone. Wonderful wonderful pony. Takes them of all ages and skill and adapts as needed. Jr rider has decided she is having too much fun as a teenager.
For More pics and Video, PM for more info.
Springtown Texas.

Send a message to learn more

11/07/2022

Love this!

11/07/2022

Truth

Hahaha TRUTH 😂
credits: The Cinchy Cowgirl

11/06/2022

Accepting Auditors / clinic full!

Limited Outside Riders Accepted! Reserve your spot now! Awesome opportunity for both English and Western Disciplines!

10/02/2022

Limited Outside Riders Accepted! Reserve your spot now! Awesome opportunity for both English and Western Disciplines!

12/05/2021

Reminder! How old is your horse in human years…

We have shared this before, but it is always interesting to see how old our horses are in human years...especially as they change.
This week our 26 year old has just been diagnosed with Ring Bone and I was devastated, then I realised that he is "75 1/2 yrs old" so of course he will have some degeneration, but just like my Dad I think he's invincible.💪
Today our youngest horse turns 3...so effectively 18....and we all know about 18 year old males 😂

11/19/2021

Excellent article on the Pyramid of Training with out using those words!

For this weekly tip I’d like to address a concept that I call the horse’s TRAINING “DEBT”, also commonly referred to as training “gap” or “holes”.

First of all, the definition of the training debt is basically the action of trying to teach the horse movements that are more complex than the ones he is required to solidly perform at a lower level, without him being able to master them Yet. A typical example would be to start teaching changes without being able to perform perfect canter to walk transitions and / or achieving a balanced counter canter. Another common example is to start half steps before being able to have a good collected walk. Etc. The list can be very long!

The distinction has to be made between two types of training debts: it can be accidental or deliberate.
When a horse accumulates some training debt accidentally, it is a usually by lack of knowledge from the rider, trainer or rider/trainer combination. If there isn’t a clear understanding of the pyramid of training, and of the process of taking a horse up the levels, you might end up in this situation without being aware of it. One advice I can give you is to consider for a second the movements you are schooling and that are required at a particular level. Let’s take the example of third level; if you are schooling changes and half passes, ask yourself the question: have I ever learned how to perform a good travers, renvers and shoulder in? Can I perform a 3 loop serpentine that includes counter canter? If your answer is NO, then you are accumulating training debt with your horse. There is a logic behind the movements required at each USEF level, and how they are added up the levels. The same way, if you aren’t able to put your horse on the bit, and the highest level you’ve ever schooled is First Level, there is absolutely no reason why you should ride this horse in a double bridle.

The second way accumulating training debt occurs is in a deliberate manner. I am pretty sure the majority of the riders understand they shouldn’t leave gaps when training their horses and yet it is far more common that you can imagine. This, my friend, is because of EGO. You need to get that USDF medal score no matter what, don’t you? This is especially true in the US where the race for medals is in itself and by far the most important objective of most Dressage riders.
The ego will unfortunately lead many riders to try to take that horse as fast as possible up the levels, even if half of the movements aren’t mastered at the lower levels. This is how we end up with so many riders showing horses unable to perform a canter half pirouette, and even remotely collect the canter at all at PSG for example.

The training “debt” is a term I used in my former job as an engineer (technical debt), and this concept reflects the implied cost of additional rework caused by choosing an easy solution now, instead of using a better approach that would take longer. It totally resonates to me in the case of horse training. Please consider the following for a moment: accumulating training debt will only SLOW DOWN your progress and will ALWAYS lead to failure (whether we talk about horse injury or failure to achieve a level). Deferring the fixing of a training debt until later, or even worse - not even attempting to fix it and blindly carrying on, is borrowing time before you eventually have to fix it anyway, because there is a limit on how much debt you can accumulate..you will eventually get stalled at a certain level.

It is very important to take responsibility for the inability of a horse to keep progressing because you have made him accumulate training debt, and not blame him and any other external factor (the saddle, the show venue, the diet, the hormones, how tough the judge was at your show, etc).
It is sometimes very challenging as a trainer when you’re being pushed to support a client who is inclined to go down that road to hell. I had a couple of situations myself where people ask me to take a horse in training for a month “to put changes” on him, knowing that the horse is green as grass from a Dressage standpoint. Realistically it might take me 6 months to a year to get him there, if I want to do it correctly. It is very hard to balance the fact that we need food on our plate with sticking to our own principles. I would never train my own horses in such a way, hence why would I diverge from my own system for a client’s horse?

I think it is important to understand that nothing will prevail a good foundation work. If you start repaying your debt by addressing the holes in the horse training and leave your ego at the gate, then -and only then - will you be able to accelerate your progress. Dressage is not a sport for instant reward, sometimes we have to be patient and accept to hit a plateau for a while.
At the end of the day, ask yourself the question: is it more important to get these scores for your medal at the cost of your horse’s correct and adequate training, or wouldn’t you feel a lot more proud of yourself at the deepest level if you would do it properly, even if it takes twice the amount of time?

Vincent Flores Dressage
USDF Gold, Gold Bar, Silver, Silver Bar, Bronze & Bronze Bar Medalist
Coventry, Connecticut
https://vfdressage.webs.com/

📸P.C.: Susan Stickle

08/08/2021