In Motion Sport Horses, LLC
Dressage Training , Instruction and Campaigning | Starting Sport Horses with Balance and Forward Movement | Horse Training Granit Bay, Orangevale, Fair Oaks CA | Hand Made Lead Ropes

I ordered new business cards this year.  I was coaxed into changing up the design of my previous cards.  I think it was a good decision to make.

The Front of New Cards

The Back of the New Cards

I recently read an article in which the author interviewed Robert Dover. Dover is a 1996 Bronze medal winner in Dressage. This statement stuck out to me: “art (of dressage) ends where violence begins”.

Horses are such incredible athletes and do amazing things for humans. If each discipline would embrace this statement, so many horses would be happier in their jobs.  Watching harmony between a horse and it’s rider is a beautiful picture, no matter what the discipline.

I really missed my annual horse camping trip this year. I guess the season isn’t over yet, but the group of wonderful ladies I usually go with aren’t available for such fun this summer.

A bit of a damp last day at Gates Horse Camp, 2009

In spite of the work the trip entails; packing and loading camping equipment for both horses and humans, I REALLY like going! Perhaps I’m just so accustom to working so many hours a day, I don’t see it as extra work!

Resting and eating between rides.

I generally use the trip to introduce young horses to the experience.  Trail riding is so very good for all horses, but especially those who are at the beginning stages of their training or busy training and competing.

A youngster learning to open a gate.

I love listening to the horses as they chew their hay and move around. I really enjoy the camp fire, smoke and all! The rides through my beautiful state are a bonus.  Did I mention the incredible food? This is one camper that does not bring hot dogs and pork and beans!  Gourmet only!  We generally bar-b-q, have incredible salads, veggies and tons of amazing deserts! The comradory among good friends is priceless.  This is the reason I especially miss going horse camping this year!

No horse camping trip is complete without a game of “Whoa Trivia”!

I got the biggest surprise when I put my gloves on today. There was something squishy inside of one of them. I quickly drew back my fingers and glanced inside. There, staying cool I presume, was a tiny frog! Smiling, I released him to go catch bugs. The gloves then slipped right onto my hands and off I went to continue my work day.

You never know what you will find inside a glove!

Frog in a Blog!

Take life’s hurdles in stride. Loosen the reins. Spur yourself on to greatness. Be free spirited. Keep the burrs from under your saddle. Carry your friends when they need it. Keep stable. Gallop to greatness.

A Quick Glace

As Tinkerbell prepares for her show debut, she asks herself  “Are my ears really that long?  I hope the judge will like me anyway.”

For many, many years I enjoyed the work of exercising and training horses at various race tracks.    Here are a few pictures of those days gone by in my horsey life.

A Morning Gallop

I do have to say, I was very fit back then.  It was like doing three hours of aerobics each morning.

In The Winner’s Circle

The horses were always such a pleasure,  the speed thrilling.

  On occasion, I still enjoy a day at the track.

There once was a Dutch immigrant during the Second World War. He came to America with his wife and very little money. His skill set: horses.  His name is Harry de Leyer.  For many years Harry worked as an instructor and trainer for a prominent girls school in New York.  He happened upon a horse while looking for a prospect for the school.  The horse was heavy boned, very thin and unhealthy and happened to be on a meat wagon headed for slaughter.  Harry bought the horse for $80.  With years of training, this horse Snowman and Harry, won several National Jumping titles.  The following paragraph is a quote from Harry during an interview.

“If you work hard and believe in yourself you can make your own luck.  When I went through Ellis Island and landed in Hoboken I wasn’t sure what the future held, but I knew that I was willing to do what I needed to get ahead.  I did not expect to be able to work with horses, but just by doing what I loved I was able to find a way to succeed and work in a job that I loved.  But for young people just starting out, its important to remember that there is a lot of hard work doing things that are not very glamorous or interesting before you ever get near a spotlight.  Still, if you do each task right everyday, even the humble jobs, you will make steady progress toward your goals.  When times are tough, its easy to get discouraged, but if you imagine what you want and keep going after it you will be amazed at what you can achieve.”

Harry de Leyer, The Flying Dutchman, the Galloping Grandfather

You can enjoy the story of Harry and Snowman by reading for yourself Snowman, the Eighty Dollar Champion.  It’s an inspiring story!

Esmerelda and Santa

Not every horse is so fortunate to have Santa stop by and feed her carrots! Esmerelda, however, this year got a visit from the red and white clad Santa! She seemed most intrigued by the white curls that encompassed Santa’s face!  I wonder what is on her wish list…..

Are there carrots hiding in here?

How does a human who is leading a horse after a 25 minute ride, in an instant, find themselves forcefully pulled through the air and thrown to the ground, but while quickly standing up, finds the horse on the ground too?

Sure wish I had video of this.  I imagine we would all watch it over and over and over in awe and laughter!