Desert Sun Training

07/12/2024

Welcome to the herd, Jazzy Phizzle “Jazz” - 13 yr old holsteiner cross mare and her 2 year old ISH c**t Charmed I’m Sure “Fizz”!! Congratulations Jess!!!

06/14/2024

Warm weather is here to stay so it's time to remind ourselves how to keep our horses safe in hot weather.

Check out these tips for keeping you horse cool and healthy over the summer.

06/06/2024

Things your riding instructor wants you to know:
1. This sport is hard. You don't get to bypass the hard…..every good rider has gone through it. You make progress, then you don't, and then you make progress again. Your riding instructor can coach you through it, but they cannot make it easy.

2. You're going to ride horses you don't want to ride. If you're teachable, you will learn from every horse you ride. Each horse in the barn can teach you if you let them. IF YOU LET THEM. Which leads me to…

3. You MUST be teachable to succeed in this sport. You must be teachable to succeed at anything, but that is another conversation. Being teachable often means going back to basics time and time and time again. If you find basics boring, then your not looking at them as an opportunity to learn. Which brings me to…..

4. This sport is a COMMITMENT. Read that, then read it again. Every sport is a commitment, but in this sport your teammate weighs 1200 lbs and speaks a different language. Good riders don't get good by riding every once in awhile….they improve because they make riding a priority and give themsevles opportunity to practice.

5. EVERY RIDE IS AN OPPORTUNITY. Even the walk ones. Even the hard ones. Every. Single. Ride. Remember when you just wished someone would lead you around on a horse? Find the happiness in just being able to RIDE. If you make every ride about what your AREN'T doing, you take the fun out of the experience for yourself, your horse, and your instructor. Just enjoy the process. Which brings me to...

6. Riding should be fun. It is work. and work isn't always fun.....but if you (or your rider) are consistently choosing other activities or find yourself not looking forward to lessons, it's time to take a break. The horses already know you don't want to be here, and you set yourself up for failure if you are already dreading the lesson before you get here.

7. You'll learn more about horses from the ground than you ever will while riding. That's why ground lessons are important, too. If you're skipping ground lessons (or the part of your lesson that takes place on the ground), you're missing out on the most important parts of the lesson. You spend far more time on the ground with horses than you do in the saddle.

8. Ask questions and communicate. If you're wondering why your coach is having you ride a particular horse or do an exercise, ask them. Then listen to their answer and refer to #3 above.

9. We are human beings. We make decisions (some of them life and death ones) every day. We balance learning for students with workloads for horses and carry the bulk of this business on our shoulders. A little courtesy goes a long way.

Of all the sports your child will try through their school years, riding is one of 3 that they may continue regularly as adults (golf and skiing are the others). People who coach riding spend the better part of their free time and much of their disposable income trying to improve their own riding and caring for the horses who help teach your child. They love this sport and teaching others…..but they all have their limits. Not all good riders are good coaches, but all good coaches will tell you that the process to get good is not an easy one.

*thank you to whoever wrote this! Not my words, but certainly a shared sentiment!

05/05/2024

Reminder!! Entries for the May 11 dressage show close Tuesday!! Get yours in on my website!

04/12/2024

Hi all!

Ride times are posted! Please click below to see them or check your emails.

Apr 14, 2024 8:00am

04/10/2024

Last call to get your entries in for our dressage schooling show this Sunday!!! Come join us, we offer all dressage tests both English and western and will be doing a hobby horse and sit-a-buck competition during lunch!! Entries close tonight! Sign up at desert-sun-training.com

04/08/2024

Don't delay, neigh-sayers!
It's now or never to trot your way to our schooling show this weekend! 🐴⏰
https://www.desert-sun-training.com/events

04/02/2024

🌟 Don't forget to mark your calendars! 🌟
Our dressage schooling show is just around the corner on April 14th. 🐎 It's going to be an exciting day filled with talent and friendly competition. Secure your spot by signing up on our website today! See you there!
https://www.desert-sun-training.com/event-details/dst-april-dressage-schooling-show
🏆🎉
Video Credit: Adrian M. Flores Photography

03/14/2024

We’re one month away from our next dressage schooling show!! Come join us with all dressage tests available, and with our lunchtime festivities of sit-a-buck and a hobby horse competition! Oh, and for those of you who do western dressage, our judge is a certified WDAA judge! Get your entries in on my website as early as possible to help me with planning!!

Link to Enter: https://wix.to/xlWww4V

03/11/2024

📣 The photos from the 2024 SAzEA Spring Horse Trials are here, courtesy of Adrian M. Flores Photography! 📸✨

Despite the muddy conditions, our riders showed incredible determination 🌧️🐎

Relive the excitement by checking out the album below! 🌟🐴

Big thanks to Adrian M. Flores Photography for capturing these unforgettable moments! 🙌 Don't forget to follow their page for more stunning photography!

🌼📸

Photos are 50% quality and watermarked. If you'd like full-quality photos, please contact me to purchase them. Thank you!

02/27/2024

📸 Dressage Schooling Show Memories! 🐴

Big thanks to all our riders for making the day amazing! 🌟 And a huge shoutout to Adrian M. Flores Photography for capturing the magic behind the lens! 📷✨

Want to cherish these moments forever?
Reach out to Adrian M. Flores Photography for photo purchases! 💌

🐎

Schooling Show - Photos are for sale. Individual, Single Ride, or All Rides. Please contact Adrian M. Flores Photography. All photos in this album have minimum editing and are 50% quality. Full-quality photos with color corrections will be provided upon purchase.

02/26/2024

We had such a wonderful day yesterday at our dressage schooling show! Thank you to everyone who came and supported the show! Everyone had really great rides, the final scores are below! Our extra class, the sit-a-buck was so much fun, the winner was Grace Geille on Lulu, and I hope everyone enjoyed it and looks forward to it again in April! The high point winners of the day were AA Cori McGraw on Sangria de la Rosa at Intro A with a 74.375% and JR Leilani Santos on Sunny at Training 1 with a 66.73%! Both riders received a gift card to go to Gusto's Italian Restaurant!! Congrats to all!!
Remember the next show is April 14th! We will offer all dressage classes, as well as another sit-a-buck, a team challenge, and a Grand Prix hobby horse competition! Can't wait to see everyone there!!!

RIDER HORSE TEST Class # Division Score Place
Cori McGraw Sangria De La Rosa Intro A 1 AA 74.375 1
Kate Randall Andante Intro A 1 AA 63.75 2
Lizzie Lau Finesse Intro A 1 JR 61.56 1
Zohar Spiegel Finesse Intro C 3 AA 54 2
Kristen Keller LuLu Intro C 3 AA 63 1
Sophia Canez Nonchalant Intro C 3 JR 60.25 1
Kate Randall Andante Intro A - TOC 4 AA 62.81 1
Kristen Keller LuLu Intro C- TOC 4 AA 60 2
Sophia Canez Nonchalant Intro C- TOC 4 JR 62.25 1
Lizzie Lau Finesse Intro A- TOC 4 JR 62.19 1
Grace Geile LuLu Training 1 5 AA 61.73 2
Beth Larson Chantilly Lace Training 1 5 AA 59.42 3
Renee Crouse WH Jullyus Training 1 5 AA 62.5 1
London Hopek WH Jullyus Training 1 5 JR 61.92 2
Leilani Santos Sunny Training 1 5 JR 66.73 1
Lexie Kiernan Chantilly Lace Training 2 6 AA 61.03 1
Beth Larson Chantilly Lace Training 2 6 AA - -
Lexie Kiernan Chantilly Lace Training 3 7 AA 62.4 1
Renee Crouse WH Jullyus Training 3 7 AA 60 2
James Heckman Vivo Training 3 7 AA 60.6 1
Grace Geile LuLu Training 1- TOC 8 AA 62.31 1
London Hopek WH Jullyus Training 1 - TOC 8 JR 59.62 2
Leilani Santos Sunny Training 1- TOC 8 JR 62.5 1
Randi Ader Eureka First 1 9 AA 65.74 1
Randi Ader Eureka First 1- TOC 12 AA 67.59 1
Casi Majeski Icaro Second 1 13 O 65.68 1
Hannah Balettie Wilderwind Second 1 13 O 64.43 2
Casi Majeski Icaro Second 1- TOC 16 O 65.43 1
Monica Kesler Sangria De La Rosa Grade 3 Intermediate A 19 AA 61.9 2
Monica Kesler Sangria De La Rosa Grade 3 Intermediate A- TOC 19 AA 62.62 1
Lindsey Prelog Rosie WWDA Intro 2 20 AA 63.33 1
Samy Moritz Baila USEA Starter 21 AA 62.67 4
James Heckman Vivo USEA Starter 21 AA 64.67 2
Samy Moritz Baila USEA Starter- TOC 21 AA 62.33 5
Jessica Cusack Dashing Wildcat USEA BN A 21 AA 65.59 1
Jessica Cusack Dashing Wildcat USEA BN A- TOC 21 AA 64.41 3
Shannon Frost Iron Tiger USEA BN A 21 JR 64.71 1
Adrianna Greenwell Lexus USEA Starter 21 JR 64 3
Shannon Frost Iron Tiger USEA BN A- TOC 21 JR 64.41 2

02/25/2024

We’re all set and ready for the first dressage schooling show of the year tomorrow! Can’t wait to see everyone there!!

02/19/2024

Countdown is on!! Entries close for the first dressage schooling show of 2024 on Wednesday night!! We offer ALL dressage tests - USDF, USEA, WDAA. Come join the fun with team competitions - pair up with another rider and compete for a prize with your top two scores! There will be prizes for high point junior and high point amateur as well! As the season goes on we will have other extra classes as well to take part in… things like a dressage hobby horse competition and raffles and maybe sit-a-buck competitions. There will be year end prizes as well for those people who show in 3 shows and accumulate at least 6 scores in a singular division, and some extra accomplishment awards (no memberships or added fees)! We’re excited to invite everyone to us this year for a whole new schooling show experience!

Desert-Sun-training.com

At Desert Sun Training, we invite you to embark on a transformative equestrian journey under the guidance of our skilled trainer, Casi Majeski. Nestled against the backdrop of the desert sun, our facility specializes in three core disciplines: Dressage, Show Jumping, and Eventing.

02/18/2024

🌟🐴 Get excited for our Dressage Schooling Show on February 25th!🐴 🌟

🏆 Whether you're an experienced rider or new to Dressage, join us!

📍 Don't miss out! Sign up by Wednesday, February 21st.

Click the link to enter. https://wix.to/PydnVRn

Let's make it a day to remember! 🌟🐎

02/17/2024

Heads up!!! Entries close on Wednesday the 21st for the first dressage schooling show of the season!! All entries must be made through my website desert-sun-training.com. Remember we are the only in person schooling shows going on right now, and there will be prizes given at each show as well as year end awards if you compete at 3 out of 4 shows! Looking into doing some team classes at each show and will do some fun year end awards like most improved and such!! Come join the fun next weekend at Raven Ranch!

At Desert Sun Training, we invite you to embark on a transformative equestrian journey under the guidance of our skilled trainer, Casi Majeski. Nestled against the backdrop of the desert sun, our facility specializes in three core disciplines: Dressage, Show Jumping, and Eventing.

01/24/2024

Calling all equestrians! 🐎✨ Mark your calendars for our upcoming Dressage Schooling Show on February 25th. Showcase your skills, have your rides expertly judged, and gain valuable experience in a supportive and engaging environment.
Entries are open now and close Feb 21st.
See you there!
https://wix.to/XRYmMB7

01/22/2024

Wow, such an amazing weekend with Jeremy Steinberg! His lessons are so informative and positive every single rider had improvement and many decided to do two rides instead of one! It’s really remarkable to see the changes from such subtle instruction that takes everything back to the basic foundation and how the horse thinks and moves bio mechanically! Every single horse ended softer, quieter and moving more supple and through their body. I cannot wait to have him back… hoping to have him here again as early as March, or maybe the end of September!

Hopefully more pictures and videos to come… this is just a snippet of Tesoro working on canter transitions today (thanks to Annette for getting some video!)

01/21/2024

If you are attending our clinic today with Jeremy Steinberg please enter through the North gate into the cross-country course. Passenger vehicles can park in yellow areas. Haul-ins please use areas in green.

01/21/2024

Schedule for tomorrow’s clinic!

Sunday:
7:15 - Casi on Tesoro (eventing@BN)
8am - James on Vivo (eventing@BN)
8:45am - Cori on Penny (training level)
9:30am - Jen on Urrobi (2nd level)
10:15 - Kate on Andi (intro level)
11 - Samy on Baila (training level)

Lunch

12pm - Shannon on Fawkes (eventing @ training)
1pm - Wyatt on Freya (1st level)

01/21/2024

Day one of the event was incredible! Thanks to Jeremy Steinberg and everyone who made it happen. Grateful for all the insights and learnings shared. Looking forward to what day two brings!

01/20/2024

Updated schedule!!

Saturday:
8:15am - Jess on Dash (eventing@BN)
9am - Casi on Icaro (2nd level)
10am - Grace on Lulu (eventing/training level)
10:45am - Samy on Baila (eventing/training level)
11:30am - Monica on Rosa (para novice)
Lunch til 1
1pm - Gianna on Inky (training level)
1:45pm - Jena on Bella
2:30pm - Leilani on Sunny (intro/training)
3:30pm - Casi on Tesoro (eventing@novice)
4:15pm - Kate on Andi
5pm - Casi on Santana (training/first)
5:45pm - Randi on Bubba (1st level).

Sunday:
8am - (open)
8:45am - Cori on Penny
9:30am - Jen on Urrobi (2nd level)
10:15 - Kate on Andi (intro level)
Lunch
12pm - Shannon on Fawkes (eventing @ training)
1pm - Wyatt on Freya (1st level)

01/19/2024

So excited for this weekend with Jeremy Steinberg! Hoping the storm holds off a bit on Sunday for us!! Here is the tentative schedule for this weekend, I look forward to seeing everyone!

Friday:
4pm - Jena on Bella (training level)
My name is Jena Zambrello (AA) and my horse is Bella Rose, a 10 year old Hanoverian mare. We are currently schooling training/1st level and have shown up to 1st. We are coming back from a SI injury and are working on getting back to schooling to 2-3 times a week. We put a large focus on our warmups and do virtually all of it long and low. I reintroduced some light lateral work (leg yield/renver) about two weeks ago. I would love to get coaching through a ride I typically do at home to see places I can improve on to enhance what I am already doing, without putting too much pressure on Bella, as I am being extremely careful to keep her sound and comfortable.
5pm - Monica on Rosa (para novice)
Monica is a grade three Para dressage rider. She has shown Sangria de la Rosa (a 15yr old Azteca mare) in both the Para Grade Three Novice and Intermediate levels. Monica has very limited use of her legs and right hand, she rides Rosa with two whips to simulate legs. Monica is hoping to get better carriage with Rosa as well as work on leg yields and other first level type movements that do not involve cantering as Monica is walk/trot only at this time.
6pm - Casi on Icaro (2nd level)
Icaro is a 9 year old PRE stallion who showed for the first time last year, ending as AZ state champion at training and first level. He spent most of his life as a trail horse in Mexico so he needs refinement and to work on collection in canter to prepare for second level and the second level transitions in and out of canter.

Saturday:
8am - Randi on Bubba (1st level)
My name is Randi and I ride Bubba. He is an opinionated 12 year old gelding. We won adult armature state championship last year and hope to move up to 1st level as well as beginner novice in eventing. He showed up to 3rd level with Casi. I would like to work on our transitions and maintaining his head carriage.
9am - Casi on Icaro (2nd level)
Icaro is a 9 year old PRE stallion who showed for the first time last year, ending as AZ state champion at training and first level. He spent most of his life as a trail horse in Mexico so he needs refinement and to work on collection in canter to prepare for second level and the second level transitions in and out of canter.
10am - Jess on Dash (eventing@BN)
Hello, my name is Jessica and I have been riding for 20 years, though I have been doing Enlgish only the last three. Dash is my 5 year old quarter horse mare. I started her in Western then changed to English two years ago. We began competing in eventing last year and are moving up to beginner novice. Righy now we are working on our trot/canter transition, moving forward off the hindquarters in the trot, and staying round. Dash is slightly downhill, so getting her to be light on her forehand is hard for us. I also tend to drop my right hip which does not help her when we travel to the right. Thank you for coming out to Arizona, I look forward to meeting you in person Saturday.
11am - Grace on Lulu (eventing/training level)
My name is Grace, the mare I ride is named Lulu. We are a new duo. I am looking forward to any knowledge you can give me, as I am new to the dressage/eventing world. Lulu likes to get rushing and fussy, that is what I would like to work on.
12pm - Samy on Baila (eventing/training level)
Little bit about Baila and I:
Baila is an 8 year old Andalusian mare. I have had her now for a couple of months. She came under muscled and with no formal training. We are working on helping her use herself and to stay focused. She has the tendency to be really interested on anything going on and want to go check it out. The main goal for the clinic is to keep her steady, balanced and focused. We have not shown yet but we plan to.
Lunch til 1:30
1:30pm - Gianna on Inky (training level)
Hello Jeremy! My name is Gianna and my horse is a 17yo OTTB Gelding named Inky. Last year was our first year competing at training level. My goal is to ride a first level test by the end of the year and start showing Dressage Seat Equitation. We’ve had some ups and downs recently that have caused me to have anxiety but I am working through it. This will be our first clinic! I am very excited and would like to thank you for your time.
2:30pm - Monica on Rosa (para novice)
Monica is a grade three Para dressage rider. She has shown Sangria de la Rosa (a 15yr old Azteca mare) in both the Para Grade Three Novice and Intermediate levels. Monica has very limited use of her legs and right hand, she rides Rosa with two whips to simulate legs. Monica is hoping to get better carriage with Rosa as well as work on leg yields and other first level type movements that do not involve cantering as Monica is walk/trot only at this time.
3:30pm - Leilani on Sunny (intro/training)
Hello, my name is Leilani Santos. I am eight years old and in third grade. I have been taking lessons for three years with Casi Majeski. This is going to be my first clinic. My pony is 23 years old. Her name is Sunny. she is a redheaded, mayor and sassy. My pony likes to keep moving. I would like to be able to stop her long enough to salute during my dressage test. I would also like to teach her to put her head down at a curve.
4:30pm - Casi on Tesoro (eventing@novice)
Tesoro is a 9 year old PRE stallion who came to me untouchable in the beginning of 2021. It’s been a slow road to gain his trust, but he has spent the last year showing in eventing which he loves. I’ve babies him a bit, so it’s time to push him more in dressage, therefore he needs more work on collection and engagement as well as lateral work.
5:30pm - Casi on Santana (training/first)
Santana is a 10 year old Andalusian gelding who is primarily Monica’s para dressage horse. Therefore he’s not done much upper level type work, and doesn’t canter often, but he’s fully capable and even has an untrained piaffe/passage. Would like to work on pushing him towards first and second level movements.

Sunday:
8am - Kate on Andi (intro level)
Andi is my first horse. She was trained in classical dressage two years ago. After training she sat with little to no work. She and I have been together for about seven weeks now. We are working on contact, walk trot transitions, loosening up her front end, and impulsion from her hind.
9am - Jena on Bella (training level)
My name is Jena Zambrello (AA) and my horse is Bella Rose, a 10 year old Hanoverian mare. We are currently schooling training/1st level and have shown up to 1st. We are coming back from a SI injury and are working on getting back to schooling to 2-3 times a week. We put a large focus on our warmups and do virtually all of it long and low. I reintroduced some light lateral work (leg yield/renver) about two weeks ago. I would love to get coaching through a ride I typically do at home to see places I can improve on to enhance what I am already doing, without putting too much pressure on Bella, as I am being extremely careful to keep her sound and comfortable.
10am - Jen on Urrobi (2nd level)
Urobi, 9 yr old PRE stallion showing Second Level and schooling some Third Level. Jen has recently started riding him (about a month and a half together) and is looking to work on quieter transitions between movements and developing more suppleness.
Lunch
12pm - Shannon on Fawkes (eventing @ training)
I have Fawkes who is a 12 year old thoroughbred that I’ve been eventing at Novice with and am about to move up to Training with, and would want to work on lengthenings and straightness overall, but also specifically in the canter and through the transitions. Working on putting more energy and power into the trot instead of quickness would be really beneficial too.
1pm - Wyatt on Freya (1st level)
My name is Wyatt Weeks and this is my mare Queen on the Green aka Freya. Freya is 13 years old and she is a ottb. We are schooling first/training level and showing training level. I have been focusing on contact, suppleness, and straightness. I would like to work on straightness of my position and maintaining a steady contact as well as the basics.

01/14/2024

Last call!! Jeremy Steinberg will be here next weekend! I’m needing one more ride to cover his minimum rides required, is anyone else interested in taking advantage of such a great opportunity!?!?? Sign up on desert-sun-training.com!!

At Desert Sun Training, we invite you to embark on a transformative equestrian journey under the guidance of our skilled trainer, Casi Majeski. Nestled against the backdrop of the desert sun, our facility specializes in three core disciplines: Dressage, Show Jumping, and Eventing.

01/01/2024

Sunday is FULL! Thank you to everyone who has signed up to ride with Jeremy on Sunday! If there is a need I might be able to squeeze one more Sunday ride in, but there are still spots open for Saturday! Get signed up on desert-sun-training.com!! And there’s unlimited room for auditors!

At Desert Sun Training, we invite you to embark on a transformative equestrian journey under the guidance of our skilled trainer, Casi Majeski. Nestled against the backdrop of the desert sun, our facility specializes in three core disciplines: Dressage, Show Jumping, and Eventing.

12/29/2023

Wow! One day in, and already 4 of a guaranteed 6 rides for Sunday rides with Jeremy are sold! Loving the response for this clinic, and think it might sell out! Here’s an article published about riding in a clinic with him!

On what was possibly the hottest and most humid weekend of July, Anna and I visited the lovely Linden Woods Farm in Durham, N.H., to clinic with USEF High Performance rider and former Dressage Yout…

12/29/2023

Calling all equestrians in Southern Arizona! Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to learn from Jeremy Steinberg at Raven Ranch.
Reserve your spot today at https://wix.to/CeVWjiv 🐴🌞

06/24/2023

Course is set for the first day of our “mock jumping show”!!

06/17/2023

Ok guys, I’m thinking of bringing in Jeremy Steinburg for a dressage clinic at Raven this year. He might have an opening the weekend of August 12…. Although it will be hot, would anyone be interested? I might see if we can do a split schedule and ride mornings and evenings. I’d need 8-12 rides a day and it would be $300 a ride at the minimum to make costs. Let me know if your interested, and interested in that weekend or if you would rather wait to hope he has another weekend available.

05/05/2023

Better late than never…. I’m horrible about posting! But the show last weekend was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who came to show and/or volunteer!! We had the biggest show to date, with 87 rides! And we had quite a few new faces, which was great to see. The judges were wonderful, Cynthia Ganem took the morning shift, and Carole Haney did the small court and the afternoon/evening shift. And despite the 100 degree weather, everyone did wonderful, had good rides/scores. We have a break from schooling shows until the fall. I look forward to seeing everyone (and maybe more) for the last show of the season October 29th! Mark your calendars, and start coming up with your costume for it!!