http://yuccavalleyequestriancenter.com/

Yucca Valley Equestrian Center, 7429 Avalon Avenue, Yucca Valley, CA (2024)

08/02/2024

Sadly both Dr Reiner Klimke and Susan Hayes Woods are no longer with us, but this edited interview from 1995 is a pignant reminder that modern dressage started to go wrong over 20 years ago...

SUSAN’S INTERVIEW WITH DR. REINER KLIMKE AT THE AACHEN CHIO JULY 1995

Susan: I was watching you as you schooled Biotop in the indoor arena this morning, and it was wonderful. I noticed you were working him in a fat snaffle, and I wondered if you could talk about the importance of working in the snaffle for upper level horses.

Klimke: I ride at home only once a week on the double bridle.

Susan: Do you mean for most of your Grand Prix horses, or for this one especially?

Klimke: All. I want to have them very light in my hand. It is easier when they are really “through”, and they take the bit and take your hands. Then they are not afraid to come out to the double bridle.

Susan: Biotop seems to be very “out” to the bridle–there is not a lot of overflexing.

Klimke: And when he goes in extensions, the neck and frame extend too. And yet there are horses who make their extensions with overflexed necks and they score just as well…

Susan: Can you explain that?

Klimke: Well, when I tell you this, I don’t want to sound jealous, but I live for classical riding. Classical riding means that the horse must go: that is, the energy must come through and the horse reaches forward. But the judges don’t always mark accordingly. I don’t mind; I know what is right. I have been in this sport for nearly 40 years.

Susan: I also saw today that you were doing a lot of work on the basic paces, and simple transitions.

Klimke: Yes. The horse must go forward and he must be happy. If the horse is happy and he trusts you, then you can teach him. If you punish him, that is wrong.

Susan: They never forget. Is there any place for punishment in riding?

Klimke: I hate to punish a horse. It must not be. It can happen to anybody. Sometimes you lose your patience, you try to make the horse a slave. But it is not right. Sometimes you see riders blowing up, even here, with top riders. I say to myself, “Poor horse, I wouldn’t like to be in your stable.”

Susan: Why does it happen? A lot of these riders will teach and talk about riding classically, and mean to do it, but then it is different here. Is it the pressure?

Klimke: I think everybody wants to win. Perhaps they think if they make a horse tired it will be submissive. Sometimes it may work, but if you really look you can see what is wrong. Some judges don’t have a really good eye, and they judge by punishing mistakes, like too many or too few strides in a pirouette, for example.

Susan: Too much counting and not enough…

Klimke: Yes. The principle is: how is the walk, how is the trot, how is the canter, how is the acceptance of the bridle, how does the back work–all of these things. And in addition, the figures. But they deduct too much if a figure is not 100% okay. You see? If you make a pirouette and the horse really uses his hindquarters, and maybe the pirouette is a little big, you should not be given a 5.

Susan: That’s a little extreme.

Klimke: Yes. It can be at least a 6, can also be a 7, when the horse really canters classically. Even if the circle was too large, remember that you must deduct from 10. The judge must be able to see the main achievement of a horse and rider, in a movement.

Susan: This brings up another question, and that is–there are some amazing equine athletes here, and some of them get a lot of points because of that. Where are the places in the Grand Prix test where the talent can’t cover up the problems with the training?

Klimke: I look only at the way that the horse moves, in all three gaits. He must come from behind, with a swinging back. The head and neck must seek the bit. I hate it if the horse comes behind the vertical and stays there. When the horse is really “through”, you must be able to open and close the frame, and keep him reaching into the bit. And right now, in the judging, in my opinion, this doesn’t count for enough. But sooner or later, good riding will be rewarded. You must not lose your patience, you see. And don’t give up.

https://woodsdressage.com/ for the full interview and about Susan Hayes Woods

Concordia Equestrians.
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06/25/2024

When a horse walks, trots and canters its body throws off waves of motion. Some riders get flung around by these concussive forces, some can pretty well be in rhythm with the horse, while the best riders have become so integrated into the motion of the horse that they become almost one flowing entity, like the Centaur of myth and fable.

Having this blending seat and body more than any other skill defines the better riders, so much so that the former multi-gold medal winning USET 3-day coach Jack LeGoff phrased it like this---

“What are the three things that you must have in order to become a good rider?”
1. A good seat
2. A good seat
3. A good seat

Jack wasn’t big on listening to riders in self-praise mode. I have heard him say more than once, “Don’t tell us how good you are. Get on that horse and show us.”

Almost instantly he could spot the fakes from the real deals just by whether or not they were part of the motion or apart from the motion. The seat doesn’t lie. You either bounce or you don’t bounce.

If your body isn’t supple enough and trained enough to merge with those waves of motion thrown off by the moving horse, you are not, by LeGoff’s high standards, a good rider, nor will you be until or unless you learn to blend.

If this seems harsh, too demanding, that’s not LeGoff’s intent. He wasn’t a coddler, rather he was telling a truth as he saw it. You either can sit the gaits or you can’t sit the gaits. Pretty basic and simple as he saw it.

02/24/2024

02/24/2024

02/09/2024

So true

❤

01/08/2024

01/05/2024

Circles are hard!!

12/18/2023

Good advice.

The warmup is not just lollygagging around until the horse’s muscles are warm. Being disciplined about your horse’s reactions to the aids and self-carriage from minute one means it’s not a shock when you require that responsiveness in your second set of work; I don’t think it’s unfair to ask even the greenest of horses to be reasonably straight, patient and on the aids from the second I put my foot in the stirrup. Of course they need time to loosen up, but I’ll make tremendous use of my walk time, using walk-halt transitions without needing my hand to organize strong or too-forward horses, and focusing on halt-walk transitions without using my leg to inspire dull or lazy ones. Your warmup sets the tone for the ride.

11/21/2023

Good information. We work on internal rotation of the thigh on every ride every discipline.

10/07/2023

Estate and Tack sale
Everything priced to sell
Sat and Sun 8-12
7429 Avalon Ave. YV

03/29/2023

17.5" Saddle =/= 17.5"

[For those not understanding why 2 completely different saddles were used. Both saddles are marked at 17.5", however, the area for the rider and tree size varies greatly. This highlights a common issue we see when riders are searching for a new saddle, assuming that since they rode in a 17.5", they will need a 17.5" in any other saddle they purchase. The space for the rider is not just where a rider sits, but also the area over which they post. Tree size =/= Seat size.]

Both saddles pictured are 17.5" as per the standard method of measurement from the seat nail to the center of the cantle. However, you can see that the blue line indicating the amount of space for the rider varies greatly between the two saddles. Seat size is a bit of a misnomer as it doesn't accurately identify the amount of space there is for the rider with zero consideration on pommel style and size at the very least. When it comes to fitting the rider, seat size is just one aspect of fit that must be considered to ensure the rider is comfortable and supported, but not "stuck" in their position or held in place.

The seat size is the most common way of identifying whether a saddle is the right size for you, despite the fact that it inaccurately depicts the true size of the saddle. To better determine the actual amount of space you'd have in any saddle, measuring from pommel to cantle (much like in Western) will provide more accurate information on if it'd be suitable. The seat size can vary greatly and simply by moving the seat nail, with the manufacturer able to stamp an 18" tree with a 15.5" seat based solely on where that seal nail is. The tree size (pommel to cantle) is the most accurate in finding a saddle that provides adequate room for the rider and is applicable to all makes, models and styles.

For those not understanding this post, the ENTIRE POINT was to show that 17.5" is not 17.5" across different styles and disciplines. That does not change the fact that many riders when buying a saddle assume since they rode in a 17.5", whatever next saddle they're looking for, regardless of style, also needs to be a 17.5". This simply highlights the importance of measuring the TREE (pommel to cantle). This post also does not delve into the other dozen + points that are considered when fitting a saddle to a rider.

03/11/2023

Hold on. Spring is right around the corner. We got this!

02/10/2023

PLEASE SHARE!

It’s time to do your SPRING CLEANING at your home, yard, barn, tack room, trailer and ranch!

Your non-refundable Venmo donation of $40 is your RSVP to sell. Feel free to bring an easy up, chairs, sell out of your truckbed, etc. whatever works best for you!

Proceeds raised will be donated to Wine Country Trails and the Temecula Cowgirls. Leftover items may be donated to the GAIT Therapy Program at Green Acres Ranch. Additional donations happily accepted at the event.

There will be a DELICIOUS food truck selling breakfast burritos, carne asada fries, tacos, burritos and more!

The beautiful ranch is located along the De Portola Wine Trail and our SALE always attracts lots of Wine Country Visitors as well as locals!