In usual style, the Jumping Clinic at Eastern Slope Ranch in Baker City, OR is always a blast. The students, some new and some repeats, were attentive and inquisitive.
Saturday morning session of flat work. One must have effective flat work to jump well!
Percy and Leslie Dickerson always do a nice job hosting the clinic. This year with the help of Kevin Rasmussen and others, they added a cross-country course to the ranch. They did quit a nice job of building fences and will continue to add to the course for seasons to come.
- A zig-zag complex for three different levels, with Lydia Anderson on course.
This fence was built all in fun specifically for long time student, Annika Anderson and her mount this season, Halo. They didn’t jump this obstacle, nor were they suppose to! 🙂
Annika Anderson aboard Halo contemplating tactics to the other side of this giant hay bale.
Saturday afternoon we schooled over a grid of gymnastics on the grass and then headed to the cross country course to school. Each horse and rider combination had an opportunity to practice jumping all the fences of the course, preparing for the following days competition.
Leah Vengley on Chewey, a very green, but willing horse, building confidence going through the grid.
Erin Swanson aboard Red. Red earned the “Most Improved Horse Award” at the clinic.
Sunday morning found me sitting at the judges table, with scribe, Drea Rasmussen for the competitors Dressage Tests. It was the first time for me to see each of these riders actually in a competition. I am very proud of each one!
Marilyn Williams and Blue
To wrap up the days Derby Competition, Leslie presented the awards. She went all out for the winners of each division. Awards for the clinic were also given to Marilyn Williams for The Most Improved Rider and Erin Swanson’s horse “Red” for The Most Improved Horse.
The Award Ceremony
All in all, it was a terrific weekend. I look forward to heading back across the state for another clinic at Eastern Slope Ranch in 2015!