DarkHorse Dressage

03/28/2024

Both horses AND students have been uncharacteristically naughty or distracted for the last couple of weeks.
Some of this behavior can be attributed to the spring weather and the large number of mares in the program coming into season; however, I had a fun conversation with a client this evening questioning if the upcoming solar eclipse was adding to the insanity!

With that in mind, I’ve been thinking recently what characteristics are attributed to the best students and athletes.
Here’s a hot take:

The ability to take a risk and fail, in my opinion, is what separates the rising stars from the rest of the herd.

For my human students: the ability to listen to your instructor and try things outside of your comfort zone will define you as a student and athlete.
*EVEN IF YOU THINK YOU KNOW BEST AND OUR INSTRUCTION WILL NOT APPLY TO YOU*

No, a trainer or coach should NOT be asking you to preform tasks that could potentially land you in a dangerous situation.
HOWEVER, trust the professional.
Humor me… if I’ve asked you to put your outside hand down 800,000x I will NOT be upset if you get a little fed up with my instruction and over-correct 😉
Lendon Gray once jumped me (and maybe made me cry after I got off my horse) saying “Don’t make the same mistake twice” and truer words have never been spoken.

*I’m climbing up on my soap box*
At the end of the day, you have scouted your instructor and hired them for a service. Maybe attempt their instruction before you declare they don’t know what they’re talking about ?
*climbs off of soap box*

Yes, me repeating “Make the neck straighter on the outside rein” may be some serious job security- but if you’re a student who hears this 30x per lesson, I might give you a high five if I ever instruct you to “create a little more inside flexion”
Try different things. Make different mistakes.

You may *think* you know it all, but humor the person you’ve hired and actually entertain our instruction… see what happens.

Trial and error is one of the BEST ways to learn.

Now, for my equine students (who of course I know are monitoring this page and lingering on my every last word):
Those with the ability to “eat up a challenge” will go the distance.

The horse may not be the most athletic or the most intelligent 🫣
However, a horse who isn’t opposed to a challenge and trusts in a rider enough to entertain new things will go far AND will be a joy to train.

I know you’ve all heard me say “come on, let’s eat up this exercise!” 😉

With that being said!! I am out of office until next week- please try to contain your chaos until my return next week.
I promise we will get through this eclipse (and the bipolar spring weather) together!

12/15/2023

Rarely post pre-clinic, but I’m looking forward to a fabulous weekend in Tulsa (oopsy- Claremore) Oklahoma!
It’s gonna be great to see some new faces AND *torture* old friends 🥰🐴

11/26/2023

NETX DC Show is a wrap!
Today we toast Allissa! 🥂

Chief didn’t get the memo that Thanksgiving has already passed and was the ultimate turkey.
I am *SO* proud of Allissa for her perseverance and determination to get the job done 💪

Allissa was ALSO crowned today’s junior champion!
Congratulations girls on a successful weekend!

11/25/2023

Saturday of NETX DC is complete!
Huge congratulations to Ila, who wanted everyone to know she’s the junior champion! 💙

Onto tomorrow!

09/27/2023

September has been a whirlwind! And…even though it’s not over yet, I wanted to get this post out before my busy day of teaching and packing tomorrow.

This month I’ve hit Missouri, Arkansas, North Texas, and Kansas in addition to my stellar, regular clients.

There’s been no days off and
I 👏🏻 Am 👏🏻 Tired 👏🏻

BUT… I have never felt more content and downright overjoyed to be doing what I do.

I’ve taught emotionally complicated horses, fat horses, skinny horses, good horses, bad horses… every kind of horse, but one thing remains the same:

I’ve been surrounded by gritty, powerful, exceptionally wonderful women all month.

There’s been blood, sweat, and tears- but also strong, *badass* women who have overcame countless obstacles to participate in one of the hardest sports in existence.

As long as y’all keep striving for greatness, I’ll keep hustling.
I’ve never been so overwhelmingly honored to be a coach, and I’ve never been so grateful to be living my dream. My life may feel like it’s falling apart, but I’ve also never felt so happy and true to myself. As I’ve said many times this month: “dig deep, and pull the greatness out of you”.

With that being said: I am returning to the East Coast for the next couple of weeks for an exciting educational opportunity. So, if you need something from me…..don’t. 😉

Just kidding… but in all seriousness, please allow extra time for me to respond to any texts/phone calls/emails as I am going to be studying my t**h off to help better myself for each of you.
Normal lessons will be resuming October 16th, unless I actually disappear into the woods and never return (kidding)

Let’s go baby! 💪

09/04/2023

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure to teach once again at the lovely KML Farms in Republic, MO.

On the docket I had mostly junior riders, and all the girls quickly realized I reserve *very* high expectations for all my junior/young riders.

The overall theme of the weekend wasn’t straightness, or thoroughness, or even promptness to the aids- it was “accountability”.

These girls were individually challenged to an array of different exercises each day, yet the message remained clear: any effort given at less than 100% capacity isn’t good enough.

As a trainer, it is my responsibility to ensure I never over-face a horse and rider combination; however, [safely] encroaching boundaries catapults success.

Did I stick my foot up some bums? Absolutely.
Did we succeed at what some girls thought was the impossible? You betcha.

At the end of the day, sometimes it’s more than a weekend of riding lessons… sometimes it’s about inspiring young women to grit their teeth, celebrate hard work, and take pride in their victories.
Sometimes it’s about creating the next generation of wonderfully gritty horse women who are hungry for more, and strive for success.

(Photo of the fabulous Monet and Jenn ❤️)

07/27/2023

As I melt outside 🥵 I’m starting to book my fall/winter cavaletti clinics, and we’re quickly filling up!

Are you interested in hosting or want to attend? Let’s chat!

These lessons are structured for students/horses of all levels- absolutely no jumping experience or tack necessary.
This is a fun way to focus on energizing, suppling, and engaging your horse outside of your day-to-day dressage work. Let’s play!

PM or email me @ [email protected] for more info!

07/03/2023

Getting excited for another clinic at the lovely KML Farms!
Sign up while spots are still available!

Lauren Fisher is a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist who specializes in developing young horses to the FEI levels. Lauren has years of experience teaching riders of all disciplines and levels of experience- her goal is to make dressage accessible, digestible, and fun for horse and rider. Lauren enjoys...

06/25/2023

💯

"There is no one correct position for the neck. On the contrary, since the neck has to be actively carried together with the torso, it's imperative to constantly change positions slightly. Fatigue of the active muscle chains can only be avoided by shifting between fascia bundles, engaging new areas and giving previously engaged areas a break. That's all--but 'that's all' doesn't mean it's simple." --THE HORSE IN POSITIVE TENSION
Find this new book .com
📷 Corinne Foxley

06/05/2023

Summer is finally here! 🌞
Reach out for lesson availability- let’s tackle your riding goals! 💪

05/27/2023

We’ve got a full weekend booked for Little Rock, 🤩
Let’s dance! 🐴

05/24/2023

Tsalling van de Marne

Introducing Apollo!
An imported 2014 16hh Friesian gelding by Thorben 466 x Argen 417

Apollo is an in-your-pocket type with impeccable ground manners, and can take you in any direction!
In the Netherlands he was used primarily as a walk/trot/canter lesson horse and pulled a cart on the weekends. He’s been in a part-time dressage training program (3 days per week) for only a few months and we are quickly unlocking his potential! He is easily going at training level and is schooling the first level movements.

Apollo is very level headed- he’s been ridden with construction, dive-bombing pigeons, cats, dogs, and running horses (oh my!) and doesn’t bat an eye. He has more whoa-than-go, but is learning to better balance himself while working in front of the leg.
He would excel as a dressage partner, working equitation partner, or even a western dressage partner. Or! Hitch him up!
The possibilities are endless with this special guy!

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asaYGLiC8uk

PM for price
Located in Greenville TX- approximately 45 minutes east of Dallas

05/19/2023

Sales horse, Apollo, is looking like a superstar today 🤩
Just a couple months into dressage training and he’s developing nicely! 🦄

03/31/2023

All packed up and ready to roll!
Excited to be heading to Eagle View Equestrian Center for Dressage/Cavaletti Camp this weekend 🐴💃🏻

Edit: Private Lessons run from 5:00-8:00 !

02/18/2023

Great day at Holly Hill Equestrian Center ! 🐴💃🏻

02/04/2023

My pizza socks and I have assumed the teaching position!
Ready for a great weekend of teaching LNJ Ranch 🍕🐴

02/02/2023

UPDATE: thank you all for the countless shares. Keep spreading the word so EVERYONE knows about this creep!
If you have any additional information please DM me.
ALSO! That Horse Podcast is live with our scam ep.

________________

If my life were the TV show Friends, this episode would be called “The One Where They All Got Scammed"

Many of you have reached out to me on behalf of Monarch Equine Group, as I was offered the position of Head Dressage Trainer.
I am absolutely blown away by the amount of love and support regarding what we all THOUGHT was going to be an amazing career move.

Many of us have seen the extravagant show facility mock-ups, heard about the youth training programs, and were ecstatic that a hot-new program was heading to the East Texas area. I know I was.
Many of you have even reached about about board, training, and hosting shows at this facility.

Let me say, for the record, that I am now putting as much space between myself/my business and this sham of a 'business' as possible.
I am not in any way associated with Monarch Equine Group.

To make a long story short: A man by the name of Shane Darcy (also goes by Shawn, Gregory, etc) approached me and offered what was seemingly my dream job. This was met with moderate skepticism; however, after touring the "future facility" in Athens, I was confident in the legitimacy of the business and job proposal.
However, it is now abundantly clear that this is, in fact, a scam.

This man has no intention of purchasing the horse facility, paying his staff, constructing a show facility- any of it. YET, he does have intentions of requesting down payments for future horse shows at a show facility that simply does not exist.
If you or anyone you know are approached by a British man with the name "Shane, Shawn, Gregory, etc" by all means steer clear.

So, here are the facts:
- Monarch Equine Group is a fallacy
- There are no current plans for a horse show facility to be introduced to Athens, TX
- I AM STILL AVAILABLE TO TEACH LESSONS IN ATHENS AND THE SURROUNDING AREA
- I am not out any money, personal information, etc. I'm just wiping egg off my face and moving full steam ahead with Dark Horse Dressage LLC.
- If you think you have been approached by this man, please feel free to reach out to me personally.
- If you are nosey (like I am) and want the full story- stay tuned. The brilliant Kelly, Michele, and I are going to do a podcast episode (That Horse Podcast) regarding the story and it's going to be HILARIOUS

Much love to you all. Stay safe, people are sh*tty
-Lauren Fisher

01/14/2023

It started off cold, but we’re heating things up in Little Rock, Arkansas today! 🔥

01/08/2023

Pulling out one of my favorites for the first time in ✨2023✨ come pole dance with me!

01/06/2023

Looking forward to spending the first weekend of ✨ 2023 ✨ with Tri-state Dressage Society at the lovely Holly Hill Equestrian Center 🐴🤘🏻

12/18/2022

So pleased with this weekend’s piaffe and passage clinic with Claudio Oliveira!
12-15 steps of piaffe are still a few miles away, but thankfully no longer a few hundred miles away 🤪

Looking forward to our winter homework 🤓

11/14/2022

We’re so excited!

We are excited to have Claudio Oliveira at Bona B Ranch for a Piaffe & Passage Clinic on December 17 & 18th! This clinic is currently full but if you would like to be added to the waitlist, comment below or text Nanni Baker at 210-240-0378! auditors are welcome at $25 a day or $40 for both days.

09/01/2022

Princess is putting in the work 💪🥇

08/02/2022

*screams this from a rooftop* 😂

06/08/2022

⁉️ Question time! ⁉️

When was the last time you groomed your horse? 🤔

We all suffer from it….lack of time, lack of energy, only brushing the muddy bits (if at all!), prioritising riding, easier to bath…….you name it, I’ve heard it and said it myself!

Grooming is by far the undersung hero of our equine care practices! It is absolutely fantastic for so many reasons, physical and emotional:

🤕 Showing subtle and sometimes major signs of pain in the body where your horse might flinch away, or show behavioural signs
☠️ Highlighting areas your horse is less happy to have touched
🤲🏻 Feeling areas that are harder or softer than they should be
💪🏻 Allowing you to notice larger or smaller areas of their musculature which could be suggesting something isn’t functioning the way it should
💆🏼‍♀️ Massage and stimulation of the muscles to boost blood supply and reduce pain levels
🤲🏻 Assessing for any lumps, bumps and cuts
❤️ Building a better connection and bond
🦄 Boosting your horses well-being as mostly they love to be groomed! And if they don’t, then it may be time to take a look at that
🧹 Truly cleaning their coat and lifting dust

It’s an art that seems to be lost these days in our busy modern lives, and one of my favourite homework exercises! You can take this further by adding in a more fascia based groom using different brushes.

Whatever your reason, please please do your four legged besties a big favour and start giving them a regular deep groom 🙌🏻💕

05/15/2022

Sunday-Funday continues tomorrow at Turning Point Equestrian!