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AGAPE DRESSAGE
With the exception of the usual lessons, clinics, schooling shows, workshops and regular chores of daily life, Agape Dressage is enjoying its downtime at the end of the summer. The next big show for everybody isn't until October at CARA when we will attend the Harvest Show, Adult Team Championships, and the Regional Championships. Until then we continue to try and educate our horses and ourselves as much as possible.
To that end, a few of us from Agape and many from TDC attended the Margret Dieckmann clinic held at St. Georg Dressage and Schooling Barn in Sonoita. Margret was a wonderful clinician with a keen eye and many insights for every horse and rider. She rode almost every horse and was able to demonstrate what was wrong and how to fix it within minutes. Margret herself was a clinic in correct riding and position of the seat. I think every rider and auditor had at least a few "A-Ha!" moments (or as Oprah would say, light bulb moments). Many thanks go to Guy and Scarlett for bringing Margret to clinic and for their wonderful hospitality.
A number of students also participated in the August 10th schooling show. Barbara Rector and her Arabian gelding Raine competed in their first show at Training Level. These two have come a long way in a short time and demonstrated that they will be a force to reckon with in the coming season. It was great to
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watch Barbara overcome her show nerves and then begin to focus her energies on the test at hand. Not surprisingly, as she did that, Raine got more relaxed and connected.
Rachel High "cowboyed-up" on a difficult ride but made her horse behave and finish the test. Everybody was proud of Rachel but she didn't seem to know or care what the big fuss was about.
Rachel's mom, Beth, showed China, a five-year-old Hanoverian mare in her debut and earned pretty respectable scores of 65% and 66%. China, who had never been to a dressage show before, acted like she'd been born to do nothing else.
Katharine Cross and Twist, who also ride with Ellie, had yet another excellent showing at First Level with scores in the mid-60's. This pair is hard at work on their Second Level skills and will be competing in their first event at Training Level (those are big jumps!) in Flagstaff this month.
Cassie Price showed her new horse, Gulliver, for the first time to outstanding results. They earned scores of 68% and 69% at Training Level and made it look easy. It was great to see so many juniors competing at the show and I hope that trend continues.
Happy Trails!
Jennifer Parker
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PAT BAKER-HUTTER TRAINING AT AN OASIS
The Zephyr Show hosted by Bliss and John Knight was a delight to be enjoyed by all who attended. The Flying "B" Ranch is located in rolling hills and juniper pines just outside of Prescott, Arizona.
Participants, judges, guests, and horses were all warmly greeted. This show had a refreshment center for the horses with carrots and apples!! And the Knights had a reception and refreshment area in their home for the humans. There was such a beautiful barn and indoor arena. This is a
great opportunity for our horses to get accustomed to an indoor arena. The sand footing was excellent, with plenty of watering and dragging throughout the day. There was a small lake to swim in and plenty of trail riding if you wished. A must for next summer if they decide to continue the tradition.
Thank You, Bliss and John.
Pat Baker-Hutter
DRESSAGE CENTER
OF ORO VALLEY
I would like to take a moment of all of our time and talk about the ZEPHYR I Show in Prescott. John and Bliss Knight took me in after my truck broke down on the way there. I stayed in their guest house and ate every meal with them. They were so gracious and kind to me. They are the most hospitable people I have ever met.
I was thinking: If this situation happened in Tucson, who would help out the stranger?
Shelley Rosenberg
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