Remmer

Dear Friends,

I had a super week with Remmer and Walter Zettl last week! On the second day, I got a bit concerned because I thought Remmer felt heavy. When I told Walter, though, he had this bewildered look on his face. We watched the video that evening, and I could see why Walter had been so confused…Remmer looked fantastic!

Dear Friends,

Walter Zettl has just concluded another visit with us here in Ocala, and my lesson on day four was a huge breakthrough! All of a sudden it all came together, everything Walter had been trying to get me to feel. As he said, it's like watching grass grow – it seems like nothing is going on and then suddenly the green tips shoot out of the ground!

Dear Friends,

Had a GREAT ride on Rem today. As many of you know I'm really exploring dressage this past couple of years and learning a lot from our master, Walter Zettl. Talk about love for the horse, dignity, a careful pathway and never blaming the horse! Fits right in with our program.

I'm finally getting to write the follow up to my ride the other day. Keeping it slow only lasted for a little time, Remmer ended up getting really motivated so we did a lot more.  But in the beginning going slowly with some leg yields, shoulder-in and haunches-in was great.   

It helped me get more specific about my position and realize my inequalities. The right haunches-in is harder for us, so I could slowly improve that without it being annoying for Remmer.

Hello Friends,

Wow, I can't tell you how much I appreciate all of your well wishes and words of encouragement about Remmer. He is much, much better. He is just a tiny bit tender on hard surfaces, but he's full of energy and fun and whinnies to me every time I come out of the house! I think he missed me and got quite bored not being able to move around for a couple of weeks.

Hmmm, today was a little tough.  Taking the time it takes is a difficult discipline when you know the show is in 2 days!  But under the careful guidance of Walter we are taking the time for Goyani to trust my hands and start to come more over his back as he moves.  It's so hard to keep my hands still and wait for the hindquarters, but it's a good discipline.

Just came in from my first session with Goyani here in cold and stormy England!  Carmen first of all showed me what she has got going with him and it was very, very good.  She's done a super job in developing herself and her horse beyond Level 4 and beginning more focused collection, engagement and dressage maneuvers.  I was very impressed :)

Dear Friends,

I had an awful decision to make on the weekend.  Right before needing to ship Remmer and Magic to England for our Celebration there on the 21st and 22nd of November, Remmer came up with a sudden extreme lameness which turned out to be an abscess.

Everyday I am reminded in some way that Remmer is phenomenal! He is such a great partner and teacher. We’ve been together for 11 years now; he was almost 4 when I got him. Remmer was brought to a clinic that one of our instructors was doing at our Center in Colorado. I took one look at him jumping around, rearing and misbehaving and fell in love! He’s playful and opinionated, and he’s taught me a lot about really using psychology. He is a Left-Brain Introvert with a medium-high spirit.