There is nothing more rewarding than after teaching a year of flat work with a student watching them thrive over their first set of combined jumps at the canter. This is what progress looks like.. there’s no fast track way to learn how to ride over fences you must first learn to ride between fences. It takes lots of consistent dressage training. Now Kate & I get to watch her blossom as she learns how to ride the distance to and over the fence properly. What an amazing first combination. Way to go Kate!
As a child I was taught this thought process of flat work being the ultimate foundation no matter what your trying to accomplish with your horse. Thank you Manuel for teaching me well. I’m so grateful to now pass it on to our riders.
#birchbendfarm #overfences #ilovethishorse #waytogokate #proudmoment
Tori has been with riding with us almost 10 months. She started out in group lessons on Ghator and quickly picked up how to cruise through patterns at the trot learning to use her cues to guide Ghator. Last night she decided she wanted to challenge herself. She said what about canter Ms Shannon. I said well that’s a whole new gate we have to learn. Her eyes were sparkling as she said can we do that today ✨ I love it when our young ones build up the courage to try something new. I said well absolutely! This is her first try at cantering folks ❤️ she was beaming so proud of herself and Ghator. There is nothing that brings me more joy than seeing kids grow. Tori you are our student of the week! So very proud of you!!! #birchbendfarm #tori #studentoftheweek #yougogirl #nextgenerationofriders #ghatorboy #lovehimsomuch
This week Kendyl is learning in her equitation class how to collect, refine and properly use cues to ask Izzy to move forward into the bridle rather than asking him just to lower his head. This requires riders to complete multiple cues (asks) at once to bring the horse into collection while riding him forward thru the seat into the bridle. This forward motion takes time to find your rhythm especially on a bouncy Warmblood cross like Izzy. As soon as you press him forward with your legs he sends a burst of energy through his hind end up the middle of his back shooting the rider forward. Kendyl has to learn how to properly collect that energy using her cues and ask at the appropriate time for him to round himself into corners, straighten back on the rail and create the motion of dancing as they move along. Much of what we teach at this phase in riding is more complicated that what you would imagine from the ground. Luckily for our students Izzy is a patient teacher with miles of good instruction behind him. Great job Kendyl! We know just how hard this ride was. You two look amazing! #birchbendfarm #waytogo #dancinghorses #dressage #trainingday #equitation #learningtocollect #trotitout #gogirl
No matter where you are in your riding career keep pushing, keep training and keep learning. Parents ask me all the time why are consistent lessons so important? Here’s my own daughters progress over the last 8 years. From her first horse show on her lease pony Wendi, to graduating up to Izzy, showing Perry and now training her own baby Violet. If you stick with it, you’ll be amazed what can happen. Happy National Horse Day to all the horse girls and guys out there ❤️ #birchbendfarm #lessonswork #keepriding #yougotthis #stayhumble #trainhard #welovetoride #horses
Today we continued our training with violet as we teach her to build her top line and carry herself through her stride. As a young horse, it takes time to build muscle through consistent workouts and guided training sessions to be prepared for Training Level I next season. Emma is committed to her horses advancement. Look for more exciting clinics from our junior trainer Emma in 2022 ❤️❤️❤️ #birchbendfarm #alwaysbetraining #offseasonwork #letsdothis #dressage
Congratulations to our Charleigh girl on the purchase today of Mr. Frank! Oh my goodness we are SO over the moon excited to see these two soar on the show team in 2022 🎉🎉 Look out world this team is going to be unstoppable 😍 #birchbendfarm #frankandcharleigh #thesetwo #howcute #gogirl #whatateam #letstrot #congratulations #ohtheplacesyoullgo #showteam2022
Kendyl & Izzy built trust strengthening their relationship as they worked to establish collection and pace through their patterns this afternoon. Much of what we learn under saddle is to properly communicate with our horses through soft cues along with steady leadership Kendyl exhibits both wonderful qualities. It has been a JOY to watch her grow through her lessons. We are so excited to see what her journey will hold next year on the show team. Kendyl is our student highlight of the week! Well done for all your hard work 🎉 #birchbendfarm #studenthighlight #kendylandizzy #whatateam #dressage #letsride #studentoftheweek #yougogirl
Happy Thursday Friends 😂 last night during the rain storm I found this runaway feasting on hay in the indoor. At 25 years young he thinks he deserves it and honestly anyone that knows how truly incredible this horse is would agree with me. You go for it Ghator. Have another bale on us 😍 #hesthebest #ghatorboy #omgthatface #hessocute #birchbendfarm #busted
Sweet & Sassy this pair has blossomed over the summer and into our latest fall session. Cowboy came to us in July; he is owned the the Atwell family and has one of biggest personalities we’ve ever seen. Leighton has been rocking her lessons teaching their new horse to bend, form a collected line while learning to balance her seat. She has grown so much since coming into our program earlier this year. Way to go Leighton 🎉 you are our featured student of the week. We are so proud of you and all that you are accomplishing with Cowboy! #studentoftheweek #birchbendfarm #waytogogirl #proudshowcoach #cowboy #weridedressage
Cyanne came to us last winter as a quiet 10 year old who loved animals and wanted to try something new. She quickly learned to look forward to her weekly lesson on the farm. Over time we encouraged her to participate on the show team and she leveled up to one of our favs Izzy! It’s amazing to see how far Cy has come this year. She has been a joy to watch as she’s grown to master a new sport, create new friends and challenge herself that she truly can do anything! ❤️ Cyanne is our featured student of the week 🎉🎉 #birchbendfarm #yougogirl #studenthighlight #teamwork #equestrianlife #justagirlandherhorse #showkid #weridedressage #waytogo
Less than 30 days ago we started Thor on his dressage journey. It was apparent from my initial ride that he needed a confident rider who could be loving, kind and encouraging while also firm with clear cues. He had no idea what leg yielding was so we started out slow and steady from the ground up. This was his first time being ridden by Lilly; as his confidence grew with her we decided to give him a new task… figure eights. We were so excited to watch his progress, even when it started to sprinkle again as rain rolled in Thor stayed consistent. It is a beautiful masterpiece to see his journey unfold ❤️ #birchbendfarm #thoroughbred #restart #dressagelife #trainingday #practicemakesprogress #thor #hesgorgeous
