Rijkens is moving to Twinwood Equestrian Center

September 27, 2013 Rijkens will be moving to Twinwood Equestrian Center in Simonton, Texas where he will be in training with USDF silver medalist and British Horse Society graduate Andrea Seaman Attard, and Rijkens and I will begin clinics at Twinwwod this month with olympian Jan Ebeling.

Twinwood has a beautiful indoor dressage arena with premium shredded rubber footing, full length mirrors and a complete sound system for freestyles.  Rijkens will enjoy being turned out all night with a quiet buddy in a large grassy paddock.  There is a groomed outdoor dressage court as well as dozens of acres of mature pecan and live oak trees for trail riding.

Opportunities to learn abound at Twinwood, including clinics with Jan Ebeling, Janet Foy, David Blake and Lendon Gray, and Freestyle seminars with Karen Robinson.  There is an active show team that maintains a vigorous USEF/USDF show schedule.  Of course Rijkens and I will maintain our friendship with our remarkable trainer Karen Brown, and continue with Lurena Bell and Jeff Moore. 

 Outdoor dressage court:

 Lots of space for turnout and trail rides:

 Rijkens' stall:

 Rijkens' barn exterior:

 
Twinwood is a pretty spiffy place, and Rijkens and I are looking forward to continuing our journey toward balance and harmony together here.

Rijkens' Prix St Georges and Third Level Highlights

Karen Brown riding Prix St Georges at the HDS Labor Day show.  Note the lowered croup:

 Rijkens and me at third level in extended trot:

 The moment I won my USDF bronze medal.  A tear actually squeezed out.  Of me.  Rijkens was wondering when lunch is.

Goals

When looking forward toward developing a goal, we obviously believe it is do-able or we may not have set the goal to begin with.  Looking back at a goal once it has been accomplished, it seems relatively simple in the rear-view mirror.  But during a goal, while in the trenches actually churning out the work, the goal can feel so difficult and at times even un-attainable.

Reaching my bronze medal has been such a journey, but looking back on the cold hard stats puts it in perspective:

• Total of five weekend shows with Delphi
• Total of three weekend shows with Rijkens
• Total of thirty-two months from start to finish

I've always considered the adage "a level per year" and thought that I was falling so short.  However when viewed from show-ring-ready as the endpoint of interest, the actual data support that oft quoted time frame: to learn to compete at a satisfactory level in first, second and third level it took me a little over two and a half years.

If it takes the great masters decades to learn to ride, what makes me think I can do it in any less time?  I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn real dressage, no shortcuts.  Regardless of how many years (or decades!) it takes, I'm committed for the long haul.

 He doesn't stay up nights calculating goals and worrying about shows!  Rijkens playing with a buddy in the rain earlier this week:

To commemorate my USDF bronze medal, I've ordered these high waist Pikeur breeches from London.  In color "bronze" of course!

Bronze Medal!

Rijkens completed our final score requirement at third level at this weekend's HDS labor day show.

Accolades also go to Delphinia, my Trakehner mare (who has a wonderful new mom in Dallas).  Delphi and I went to our first USEF recognized show in October 2010 where judge General Burton gave us our initial qualifying score at first level.  From there Delphi earned three of the six legs required in first and second level.  Delphi and I went to a total of five weekend shows together.

Rijkens took over in the spring of 2013 to finish the final three scores at second and third level, and did it within the three weekend shows we've been to as a team.  So after two and a half years of hard work and striving, I've earned my USDF bronze medal!

Importantly, my trainer Karen Brown has been with me in the trenches schooling my horses, teaching me to train and ride; being mentor, coach and guide.  Karen has been my trainer for eight years, and these last two years I've been at her side almost daily.  I owe a debt of gratitude to Karen, and always will.

Medal threesome: Rijkens, Delphi and me in July 2012
Here's the photo I want to use for the USDF Yearbook; not another froufrou dressage pose, rather just a girl on a farm having fun with her horses!

Karen, Rijkens and me at Windy Knoll Spring 2013

Karen showing Rijkens at Prix St Georges Summer 2013