Cara Klothe Dressage

04/05/2025

Just keep showing up!

Dressage doesn't demand perfection. It demands perseverance.

This sport will humble you. Confuse you. Occasionally betray you. You’ll ride one day like a future team rider, and the next like someone who just discovered horses exist.

But here’s the thing: the ones who make it aren’t the flashiest or the most naturally gifted. They’re the ones who keep showing up. Who ride through the mental spirals, the sticky transitions, the “why do I do this to myself” days.

The quiet, gritty ones? They’re the real ones.
Because dressage doesn’t w**d out the weak, it builds the strong.

Keep going. You’re probably doing better than you think.

02/20/2025

Come out for a fun day of learning! This will be audience interactive as well!

Show season is fast approaching, and it's time to sharpen our skills and get ready to show!

Please join LVDA and Delaware Valley University as we present an afternoon with Cara Klothe, Mastering the Figures: Unlocking Higher Dressage Scores. Sunday, March 16, 12:30 - 5:15 at Delaware Valley University. Levels addressed in this seminar are Training through Second.

Join Cara Klothe - Grand Prix Dressage Trainer, USDF Gold Medalist, current L* and "r" candidate - as she provides a perspective from the judge's booth for riding for better test scores.

With an emphasis on improving circles, corners, transitions and overall test flow, Klothe will provide insight into the skills riders need to impress judges and enhance their horse's way of going. Whether you are looking to fine tune your movements or build a stronger foundation, this clinic provides expert guidance to maximize your potential in the dressage arena.

Join us to perfect your patterns, sharpen your accuracy, and ride every movement with confidence!

LVDA/ESDCTA/DVCTA Members: $35
Non-members: $50
Delaware Valley University Students: free

Classroom: 12:30 - 1:30
Move to the indoor/snacks: 1:30 - 2:00pm
Ground work: 2:00 - 2:30pm
Demo riders:
- Training Level 2:30 - 3:15pm
- First Level 3:15 - 4:00pm
- Second Level 4:00 - 5:00pm
Final Remarks: 5:00 - 5:15pm

https://forms.gle/Xq3X4UD9M31uLDQA7

01/08/2025

Lower your expectations!

I’m not sure who needs to hear this this week, but it’s ok the lower your expectations; of you and your horse.

It’s ok to ride another day. Winter is hard! It’s ok to give yourself some grace and not ride. Your horse will not forget its job or its training. Sure, they may be a little fresh after a couple days off but that’s what a longe line is for. I find some horses actually feel better after a few days off.

Winters in cold areas are trying times. It’s easy to feel defeated and feel like you’ll never be ready for the show season ahead. Don’t freight, you will be ready! A couple warm days and all the knowledge you’ve been teaching your horses is right there. A bigger barrier to your readiness for show season could be if you get hurt riding in terrible weather and YOU need time off. Your horse will not forget all training with a week off, I repeat, YOUR HORSE WILL BE OK!

It’s a great time to long line or lunge, train ground tricks, desensitize with an obstacle course, etc you do not need to be on your horses back to have a productive day.

If you do choose to ride in the extreme cold or wind, take precautions. Use a sound bonnet, put a neck strap on, play music or wear headphones to dull the sound for your horse but also for you. I find I am very noise sensitive myself, often times I project my anxiety over noise to my horse who may otherwise not care about noises.

Be safe, ride smart, and give yourself grace to lower your expectations!

The Distinguished Rider
Veritas Saddles

10/20/2024

I am so proud of my own Hypnotic today at Bucks County Horse Park for their fall show. This girl marched right in to any ring I told her. Her previous off farm experience has been very quiet, there was a bit more commotion and lots to look at and she never batted an eye. What a lovely young horse she is.

She got a 70% and training 2 and 3 with a qualifying score towards regionals next year.

The icing on the cake was I was able to take her all by myself and she was perfect!

Thank you The Distinguished Rider for keeping me looking my best and Veritas Saddles for me always feeling safe and secure.

08/30/2024

We still have this very special mare available. Bhrilliance is the real deal when it comes to a horse with FEI potential. She’s currently schooling 3rd level with changes developing.

While she’s smaller at 16.1 there is no lack of power here! Her ability to collect is fantastic and I believe she will absolutely shine at the upper levels.

This said she does need the right rider who will not shy away from her power and is balanced enough for her big engine.

Please contact me for more information! I would really love to see this girl find her perfect situation where she can really be brought to her full potential.

Mid 🖐️

Located in Walnutport PA 18088.
Cara Klothe
610-608-6917
[email protected]

🎥 https://youtu.be/j7QZeNKlZyc?si=XNWHZV8hfLprQ6Gc

07/26/2024

If you haven’t had a chance to look at the amazing demo sale going on at The Distinguished Rider you have a couple more days!!! They have some amazing steals going on. Not to mention the Novella shirts (my favorite) and other gear they have in stock.

Use my code “CaraK” for a discount at checkout! (not applicable to custom boots or gift certificates)

Welcome to The Distinguished Rider! Your connection to Kingsley Riding footwear, QHP Boots, Chester Boots, and more! On the website you'll find boots for sale, boot education articles, and more. Connecting equestrians to their dream boots, one boot at a time.

04/23/2024

We had a great time at Loch Moy for the Spring Fling. The weather was great for April and the facility is really nice.

⭐️ Ryleigh Koch had an awesome first NAYC qualifier with a 67% and 68% in the Jr tests. She also put in great 3rd level tests with scores to 72% getting qualified for regionals 🥳

⭐️ Lindsey Martell did a great job piloting her young horse Pico in their first recognized show together. Learning a new horse in a new environment is tricky and their communication improved each test and earned a qualifying score for regionals!

⭐️Sabrina Wetzel showed Louie and made some definite improvements in her tests. We have really started to change this horses balance and I think once he gets stronger he will be great 💪🏻

Lots of season to go but always nice to have the first show under our belts to know what we need to work on!

The Distinguished Rider
Veritas Saddles

04/09/2024

✨Hypnotic ASH ✨
2020 Oldenburg mare
(Hennessy x Rubinus)
15.3 but growing (should finish 16.1)

This young mare has it all! Beauty, brains and 3 excellent, balanced gaits. She bad been easy to start and train, never putting a foot wrong. Her gaits are very comfortable and easy to ride.

For a young horse she is extremely well balanced and you can feel the adjustability in her gaits and body to make a top FEI horse.

Scoop her up and hit the show ring. You’ll have a great show partner for years to come.

An easy keeper, she’s currently barefoot with good feet. While she lives in a field with other mares she is also perfectly happy coming into a stall and stands quietly in the stall.

Located in Walnutport PA 18088
Contact Cara Klothe 610-608-6917 or [email protected]

🎥 https://youtu.be/zWW4Gya1E_s?si=LMUOzrdr1F9wptOZ

04/03/2024

This should sound very familiar to many of my students 🤔

: When you memorize your tests, don’t just memorize the movements, and the letters at which they are performed. Memorize how you go through corners, how you prepare those movements. Memorize what you’ll be doing the five strides before a transition in order to make that transition the most beautiful and effortless it can be. Memorize breathing, staying present, and how you’ll use your body to help your horse do the best work he can do. It’s not just about the pattern! ♾️⁣
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Tribute Equine Nutrition
Horse By Horse
Bow Horse USA
Advanced Saddle Fit
Mrs. Pastures Cookies for Horses
Novella Equestrian
Finesse Bridles
Esprit Equestrian Wear
Misty View Equestrian
Lifeforce Horse
Roeckl Equestrian
Spectra Therapy

02/10/2024

Elizabeth M. Hart and Gholdie looking 🔥 🔥🔥!

Very proud of the work Beth has put in to this mare. She has not always been the easiest but Beth has always persevered. Gholdie really struggled with passage but recently had a light bulb moment💡. They are knocking on the door of Grand Prix. Kudos to Beth for her great riding and raising this mare from a foal all the way to a GP horse 🙌🏻

The light was beautiful tonight. Gholdie rocking her cheeta print saddle pad and Beth with her stunning Kingsley Riding USA boots from The Distinguished Rider. They are London’s with old rose sued, brown paxson and rose gold 😍😍😍

02/06/2024

Do not fear the chestnut mare!

I hear so often “anything but a chestnut mare” which just blows my mind! First I think a good horse has no color, but chestnut mares have been absolutely some of my best horses. Do they tend to be sensitive? Sometimes. However I think if you develop a relationship with them they will give you 120%

I certainly may be bias as almost half of the horses on my property are chestnut mares. One new horse to us is Trixie owned by Amy Blair Balliet. I am so proud of how Amy has been learning to ride this girl. Amy has worked so hard to overcome after a very bad fall not too long ago. She has fully embraced the “chestnut mare” (an OTTB no less 😉) and is definitely reaping the rewards.

Great job, Amy!! Keep up the great work!

02/03/2024

Looking for shipping for one well behaved pony from Knoxville, TN to Walnutport, PA 18088

The sooner the better. Shipper must be insured and with DOT number.

Please PM or text 610-068-6917 with anything.

*picture for attention

01/21/2024

It was a great night at Lehigh Valley Dressage Association’s awards banquet last night. Huge congratulations to my students who earned achievements this year. Here’s a few of us below!

🌟Lindsey Martell on “I’ll Have Another Cosmo” Chamipon second level AA and Reserve champion musical freestyle

🌟Ryleigh Koch on “Ruben” was champion First and Second level youth rider and an intro achievement ribbon with “London KIS”

🌟 Beth Waselus on “Luke No Hands” for earning their bronze medal 🥉

🌟Jennifer Symons Pass on earning her well deserved Silver medal! 🥈

🌟I was champion training level open on Lindsey Martell’s wonderful young horse “Picasso Af Midgard” in his first year out showing

Congratulations to everyone on a great year!! I am looking forward to the upcoming 2024 season 🥳

12/30/2023

I finally got around to updating my website! Have a look and see what sales horses we have offered, it's a great group!!

Cara Klothe Dressage - USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold medalist offering training and lessons.

12/27/2023

Thanks Eliza Sydnor Dressage for these great pictures and building on my bread analogy I shared a while back.