In order to correct the energy and rhythm of the walk, trot and canter I pick up the rhythm that the horse gives me and then adjust it... imagine running alongside your horse and then slowing your run down to control his gait.

When the horse is too hard to follow, set the pace without them by moving as though you are riding a quality gait already. In this case, it is better to picture sitting in a swing that has been pushed from below and sideways. The only way to correct the motion is to steady yourself and move purposefully in the direction and tempo that you are looking for (forward and steady).

Remember to carry this over to your tests. When I ride the walk, trot and canter in my tests, I think of every stride as being the energy and tempo that I have chosen.

In the test, remember:

"This is MY trot... this is MY canter. The horse is not the leader, I am."

We are off to a running start with the show season this year. After training all winter, Several of the horses and clients have already been out to 3 schoolings shows in preparation for the recognized show season.

Not only did Ferrero debut at Third Level this past weekend with a 67%, but Jennifer took him out and got a 72% on him!

High Score and Reserve, in both the Senior and Junior Divisions all went to our students - Congratulations, Nancy, Norma Lynn and Jennifer!

Let the season up north begin!

The PVDA Sugarloaf Chapter's Book Club visited Francie Daugherty's on April 9, for a vaulting clinic. Hilary Moore, Julie Kingsbury, Gail Joyce, Jennifer Foulon and Ginger Dietsch rode Goldie after being walked through the basic movements on the barrel.