If you do not have a cavesson, the USDF recommends that you attach the lunge line to the bride like so:
Step 1: Put the line through the bottom part of the inside bit ring.
Step 2 + 3: Put the line under the bottom of the bit ring and over again.
Step 4: Put the line through the top of the bottom part of the ring again.
Step 5: Continue under the horse's chin to the outside bit ring.
Step 6: Clip the lunge line to the outside bit ring.

*This prevents the line from tightening when pressure is applied. If the line is put over the horse's head, it creates a severe gag-like quality in the bit. If the bit is not looped around the inside bit loop or a Y attachment is used, the bit has a nutcracker-like action when pressure is applied.

A cavesson is the best choice, while using this method of attaching the lunge line to the bit is the second best option.

All the horses need a little down time, so many of our horses/students are having a low key couple of weeks... however, some of them are working away and I am very proud to report a few huge milestones:
Congratulations to:
Ellen, for her first canter on her new horse Midas!
Jill, for working without stirrups for 2 days in a row - in 74% humidity - and still wanting a third lesson this week :)
Jennifer S. for moving her horse up to solid First Level work in record time!
Jennifer F. for venturing far beyond the farm, perfecting the trotting poles and bravely cantering up those hills, on a horse that might get 76% in the show ring... but isn't so much a schoolmaster on the cross country ;)
Janice for taking that extra step of going to Pilates and improving her riding beyond lessons in the saddle.
Norma Lynn, for running through the entire test in sitting trot.
... and Barb. For putting up with us all, when it is 150 degrees out :)

Barb, Nicole and I are busy with upcoming clinics!
Starting this weekend, Barb is teaching a goal setting clinic up at Dona Ruth's Ships Quarters Farm.
Next weekend, Barb will be teaching a dressage clinic at Potomac Riverside in Dickerson, MD.
The last week in August, Nicole Uphoff-Selke will be teaching a 3-day clinic at Dominion with us.
... and I just confirmed a September 28 Lungeing Clinic with Great and Small in Boyds, MD.

Contact me for more information about any of these great opportunities. There is still room in many of the clinics and ALWAYS room for auditors.

Happy learning!

 

Finally back from a marathon weekend at the Lendon Gray Youth Festival. We left at 5:45 a.m. on Thursday morning and returned by 7 p.m. on Sunday evening.
At first, I was a little jealous of everyone that did not have to drive 14 hours this week... until I got home and realized it was not 70 degrees and drizzling, like it was in upstate New York! Whatever the actual temperature is here in Maryland, it is a LOT hotter than it was in New York.
Needless to say, I am happy to be home (and I think everyone else is happy to be home or have us back).
Jennifer (aboard Ferrero) earned high scores in the Written, Equitation and Dressage portions of her Festival.
Her final standings included an overall Fourth in Training Level  and Seventh in First Level for her division of 15-17 year olds.
An amazing showing for her first time out. Some girls did not bring home any ribbons... Jennifer brought home a ribbon in every portion and overall standing she participated in! She also won a great travel bag, polos and book.
Also a big congrats to Anecia Hoffield, Nora, Lauren and the Pennsylvania group on their successes in all of their divisions. Many thanks to Amy Hoffield and Krysta Tycho-Noone for including us in weekend activities.

See everyone next year!
(Pictures to follow shortly)

It has come to my attention that some of the people I teach read my blog. Isn't it funny when you realize that people actually read your blog AND you know them? I guess you all just can't get enough of me at the barn ;)
So here is a little shout out to my blog "fans" that also see me regularly for lessons:
Love you guys, see you soon, give your horses a hug for me!

In a little over a day from now, we will be heading north for Lendon Gray's Youth Festival.

I thought the USDF Instructor's Workshop at Mount Holyoke was "old school", but heading to Saugerties for a young rider event up in Region 8 really brings back memories...

mostly, memories of how doing FEI Young Riders really throws you in the deep end and hopes you learn to swim.

Poor Shannon Deuck, waiting behind me so I could jog out my horse at Westchester-Fairfield. I am pretty sure I wore my riding clothes :/

Poor Axel Steiner, watching my first freestyle with canter music that only matched my horses gait if you were drunk and had your eyes closed.

Most of all, poor Jane and Stephi. I have nightmares about students like how I was as a young rider:
I found a video the other day of a lesson I had with Jane. I don't think I listened to a thing she said. Somehow, I ended up with a darn good canter zig-zag while she was talking to someone and then couldn't explain what I did.
Found another video of me jumping my first Preliminary stadium and if you turn the volume up loud enough, Stephi is telling my mom, "I don't know how she stayed on for that".

Bless those who love and support us when we are young. (No, I didn't forget my family... they are still behind me 100%).