Paul and I just finished up our first November weekday dressage workshop program here at Willowview Hill Farm, Stamford, NY.
The weather was temperamental this 'sticks' month of November. Temperatures ranging between 60 degrees and below freezing with snow, and the workshop program was subject to some flexibility on the schedule as a result. Perhaps starting at 8am at this time of year was a bit ambitious given the season.
The weekday factor also was perhaps not such as good idea either as some clinic students told us they would love to have participated if it had been over weekends rather than weekdays.
The majority of those pre-registered showed up but the numbers were lower than we anticipated overall. I think perhaps winter dressage workshops in Upstate NY are not the best idea.
Having said that, the students that did participate seemed to enjoy a fun time and hopefully learned a lot.
" It was a lot of fun as lessons with Paul and Nikki always are. My horse was a bit difficult the first few days of the week, but after that he settled down nicely. It was helpful to have their expertise to work with issues we've been having most of the summer season. Short backed, my horse is a PRE with a lot of tension. This has been a problem since I've owned him, especially at shows. Paul worked with me on how to develop more relaxation with my stallion with exercises on cadence and transitions. He {Paul} worked to help me establish a better throughness with my horse so the trot was so much easier for me to sit. I didn't realize how much I was holding with my legs and left hand. There were warm nibbles and coffee to keep us going and both my horse and I enjoyed it. I'll be back next year," said Susan S. who drove up from the Hudson Valley to participate.
" There was a lot of improvement from every horse/rider combination. It was beneficial to be able to work on a consistent basis over several days with the riders because this way they were able to build their understanding. This certainly helped build trust from the horse too. I would like to offer this type of workshop on multiple days with a stable in option again in the Spring. I think it is a good format but agree that long weekends might work better as so many people are busy with kids and jobs in the week although working consecutive days is important," explained Paul.
Paul and I are well-used to giving clinics over 1/2/3 day periods but the full week of dressage work has proven itself successful with our intensive retreat program here at Willowview Hill Farm. Riders and horses both seem to settle down to learning faster when they are immersed for longer periods of training without distractions. I think offering the weekly stabling was a good idea altogether.
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| WVH offer training programs designed specifically for Iberian breeds ANCCE/PRE and Lusitanos |
" I especially enjoyed the low stress atmosphere and not having to worry about a formal clinic format," Lisa M. explained. " I've been busy with college and getting down early in the morning fit my schedule. To have this level of expert help just 25 miles away from the college is amazing."
As winter approaches, WVH will not be offering more clinics in Stamford until Spring 2022. But Paul and I will be in FL to work with regular students and give a clinic or two before then with stops in MD and Aiken, SC to work with some eventing clients.
If you are interested on 'first dibs' on Spring schedule for either hosting or attending a clinic please sign up for our newsletter here.
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