Today.....

Today was nice- I was able to break out my jump tack and do some work on a track. Leo was amazing and seemed to love seeing some open spaces. He even let me take him back into the dressage arena at the end and was quite lovely (if I might say so myself). 

After being the photographer extraordinaire for Ally's ride we were able to come back to the condo for a while. We were faced with the difficult question of whether to nap or swim...... so we chose napping by the pool. Hopefully the two hours of baking in the sun, with spf 30 on my arms and tanning oil on my legs (horseback rider problems- we always are wearing riding pants...), will have evened out my solid farmers tan. 

Once dinner chores at the barn were all set we went out to dinner with ma g-ma. Yummy chinese- that hit the spot. Now off to some school work, and maybe finishing the night off with some ice cream and a movie (but more than likely I'll be asleep as soon as I finish this post).

Adios (I'm running out of closers for these things....)

           Jenny 

Not so slim shady? whats up?
Yes, I do realize that it has been five days since I posted something (whoops..). With our days spilling into nights and nights packed full there isn't much time to get on the computer- or do anything- so I will likely only be posting weekly. To start that off heres my week in review:
Sunday 1/20
This was the pre-'FEI Trainers Conference' conference. USDF was generous enough to offer us WITees admission for volunteering, a huge thank you to Kathy from USDF for helping us out! I didn't attend that day, however, and to be completely honest I dont really remember what I did do. I had a nice lesson with Lendon and probably did barn chores and school work :) To cap off the day we had a lecture about how to stay positive and not let fear/frustration/anxiety interfere with your riding. ( I found out that my 'calm place' is a vivid image of the sky and fence line at my barn)

Monday 1/21
Monday is usually our off day but this week it was day 1 of the FEI Trainers Conference with Steffen Peters and  Scott Hassler. I wasn't scheduled to work this day either (hint hint, I worked on tuesday). But I did go and watch in the morning. It was more than amazing to watch Steffen ride these phenomenal horses, and his ability to talk- in depth- while riding is amazing and really adds to the experience. And I really liked Scott, he had the football coach kind of vibe that I dont see much in the horse biz, and I miss that. He even suggested to us that we try to be the best coach for our horse, not the best rider but we are coaching them to greatness (pretty cool). One of Steffen's quotes about the conference was "the better each one of us does the better the industry" that sums up what the whole thing was about.  (I have many pages of notes so if you are interested in hearing more about the clinic email or facebook message me so I dont bore all the non-horsey folks reading this).
That night we went to the reception and talk, basically a question and answer, with Steffen and Scott. I'm sure this would have been an amazing experience had I had the energy to be alert at 9 pm (sounds sad but thats about when I check out).

Tuesday 1/22
Yes, I did work tuesday. I was lucky enough to be assigned as Steffen and Scott's personal assistant for the day. While the work wasn't glamorous: getting Steffen millions of water bottles, fetching Scott equal amounts of coffee, finding a rag for Steffen to clean his boots with... but I got to sit next to these guys all day. (well Steffen was riding most of the time, but I think Scott and I really bonded [in my mind]). It was interesting to see Scott and Steffen interacting, I think theres a bit of a bro-mance going on there. We wrapped up the day by moving the hundreds of chairs back into their places-and yes there were over 300 people there so over 300 chairs- all while the most in shape man to ride a horse watches (nothing like that to motivate you).

Quote of the day- "We kept it real"- Steffen Peters

Wednesday 1/23
This day was the FEI education workshop at Hampton Green. I wasn't one of the demo riders so I had a  nice-early-7am lesson with Lendon. I learned that I just need to GO FOR IT!!! I'm not going to blame my 'eh'ness on the fact that it was early, but did I say it was at 7 am (as in morning time). After some, lets call it- inspiration, I had a better ride and was riding for the win, not just riding.

Thursday 1/24 (hey thats yesterday!) 
Rachel Savaadra was our guest trainer today-- thank you Rachel for taking the time to work with us! My lesson with her was really good. Leopold was super steady and a ton better in the bridle. Rachel was able to give me a sort of cycle to move through as I ride, she used the visual of lunging to help me out. My inside rein was the lunge line, inside leg=whip, outside leg/rein=round pen wall. So I would bend him with the lunge line -> move him out with the whip -> block and send forward with leg-wall-> and rock back and lift up with rein-wall. This pattern was nice for me to think about, to keep me from getting stuck. The lesson was very steady and Rachel's different way of looking at things clicked well with me.
Last night Megan Davis and her family through a party for the WIT program at their home. I unfortunately had to stay home and take my last final! but I was able to get out there for the end. When I arrived most people were heading out, but the Davis's were nice enough to let a few of us stay and play some sand volleyball (which they had set up in their outdoor-genius). It was a lot of fun! and I definitely needed a break.

Today--- Friday 1/25
Hack day, not a whole lot to say here. Bareback ride around Wellington (survived encounter with gigantor dogs). Cleaned the condo. Got $1 sunglasses (get jealous). Two strappin my snazzy new WIT backpack. Writin this post.
-Chaka Khan-
       Jenny
(today's theme- 21 jump street, if you dont understand the header and closer)

A little time traveling required. (Saturday Jan 19th)
I apologize for not posting last night, especially after I teased that it would be a good post, the day's festivities got away from me. Yesterday some of us WITees (winter intensive training+ees) got the amazing opportunity to be videoed by the United States Dressage Federation as demo riders for the new Rider Tests coming out this year. The tests are designed for the rider who might not have the flashiest moving horse but still demonstrates a good knowledge of position and execution of the movements (or the naughty horse with a rider that is riding her pants off). Two other girls and myself were selected as the Training level demos. After coordinating our white pants and navy polo shirts we braided up our horses and got to it. Kim from the USDF was great, she has me ride through the test (that I had to memorize... i was a bit nervous) twice. The first time she wanted Leo too slow with his neck too far down, then the second time through she had me ride fast and his head high. Leo was an amazing guy for putting up with all the different things I asked for and it was a fun ride.
After the filming some of the girls were nice enough to take care of my Leo while I ran over to the Jim Brandon center for day two of being a runner. It's a good thing Florida rain is warm because I got a soaked driving the polaris back and forth, each time I came back I got a funny look from the judges (you know they should really invent windshield wipers for your sunglasses...).
Once we were done judging I was lucky enough to have time to see my friend Jaana R ride in the College Preparatory Invitational at the Global Dressage show grounds. I hadn't seen her since she moved from IL a while back and it was awesome to get to hang out and catch up, plus see her ride. For the college shows you do not ride your own horse but you pull a name at random then ride that horse, without any warmup, in the show. Jaana got an adorable four year old paint. They cruised around the course all the way to a first place finish!!
After all that fun it was time to hunker down on some homework and besides feeding the dude thats what I've been doing all day today.... Just cause I'm in Florida doesn't make finals stink any less (well the palm trees and studying outside helps :) Good luck to yall back home- take those tests!!

Well this whole post has basically been me procrastinating from studying (if any of my teachers are reading this- skip that last part). I guess I better go.
A reluctant goodbye from yours truly- Jenny Salinger

(Photo creds to the amazing and talented Jaana R)

   

Run Forest RUNNNNN!

We spent the day at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center as volunteer scribes and runners for the Judges' Forum at the CDI. These are judges who are working towards being certified for the next level of judging (that makes it sound complicated. Basically they are practicing for a test that gives them the ability to judge higher level dressage.) I would have loved to scribe but as anyone who has seen my handwriting knows, that wouldn't have worked well. Instead I was the runner, picking up tests from the scribes and taking them to the scorers to tabulate. Thankfully Lisa, our 'boss' for the job, brought her Polaris for me to drive back and forth, it was a long ways from the arena to the back of the property where the scorers were. After every ride I collected the tests from the 12 scribes, (quietly) sprinting down the flight of stairs, sprinting across the parking lot to the Polaris, driving (swiftly, but safely) down the road to the scorers, then all the way back BEFORE the next rider goes in the ring. Needless to say there was a lot of moving around, and it was a bit chilly this morning, I shouldn't be saying anything Im in Florida.
No lessons today but once we got back from the show I had a nice bareback ride in the field with one of my barnmates.
Well it's off to do night check for me... keep checking back- I've got some exciting news tomorrow!!!

Just another day...

Today we were on our regular schedule: am feeding, lessons, ect..

In my lesson with Lendon we worked on centering myself. Not necessarily balance or sitting wise but really collecting my thoughts and riding in a clear and focused manner, I will be doing some yoga to help with that. A very helpful part of my lesson today were some images Lendon had me think of as I was riding. The first one is for straightness and power: think of water running down a chute. The power of the water is contained by the walls and therefore all of its force is exerted in the direction you point it. If you want the water to turn you dont open one side of the shoot but rather you turn both sides the same. When I was thinking of my aids being the walls of the chute, my legs and hands pushing him straight out in front of me I was able to produce a trot with more thrust and power. Then when it came time to turn him I would take the whole system and turn it, kind of like a ship. This was the other visual, "you must think of turning your horse sort of like a ship". There is no wobbliness in a ship, some parts dont turn without others (if there were it would sink!). It all just pivots. Aside from thinking nautically we also worked on keeping my hands much more stable in order for me to give Leo clear aids. This one will definitely go on my mental checklist, I have a feeling its going to be a tough habit to stop. But it is crucial to me riding my horse in a way that is fair and productive. Overall I think that this was a breakthrough lesson, I got a real grasp on what I need to be working towards and am excited to apply it and see how my next ride goes. 

In honor of scrifi tomorrow (some of you know what I'm talking about) I didn't forget ..http://www.insidescience.org/content/human-activity-changing-ocean-salt-levels/890 I will be sure to think about this next time I am at the beach.

Thanks for checking in... now I'm checkin out (5:30 comes quick).

Here We GO!!

Hey guys! A little bit about me and my blog...
This summer I, on a whim, submitted an application to Lendon Gray's Winter Intensive Training Program. I had been to her HUGEly amazing Youth Dressage Festival for two years and last winter was accepted into her Emerging Dressage Athlete Program. Weeks go by and I hear nothing so bracing for the worst I email Lendon to see if perhaps I just didn't get put on the correct email list. But then IT happened, that familiar "You've got mail" rang in my ears as I opened my acceptance letter!!
Since then it's been a bit of a blur. Between getting schooling arranged, finding housing, and all that other stuff there was a lot going on. When the time came to pack up and ship out I could hardly believe it, Me... yes ME... going to Wellington for the winter (for hard-core dressage training) I still cant believe it! I want to thank everyone who supported me and helped me get here, you guys were great and it wouldn't have been possible without you. [If you are ever in need of a jewel brow band Janet Quinn's Crown Jewels Design is amazing. http://www.crownjewelsdesign.com/] For more information about the WIT program or Lendon Gray's Dressage 4 Kids check out her website, its worth it http://dressage4kids.com/
Anyways, I'm here and have been in the program since the 4th (I know I know, I've been slacking on these blog posts but from now on you'll be hearing a lot more).

To give you a little feel for what a day is like as a WITtee (Lendon's pet name for us):
5:30 wake up
6:30 at the barn for morning feeding and chores
7:00 stretching
8:00- 1:30 lessons (when not lessoning there are more chores or watching lessons)
4:00 feeding and chores
5:00 lecture or demo (lectures are also at 2 some days)
9:00 night check (on rotation)
 So you see it's not all fun and games down here, although we do try to have some fun every now and again. When I get back to Chicago I will definitely be an expert in boot shining, tack cleaning, stall cleaning, and my aisle sweeping skills will be superb :) (I'm sure the Stonehedge Farm crew will be happy http://www.stonehedgefarm.net/)
Leopold has been adjusting well and is handling the heat better now that we got him fully clipped (that was an experience). Our rides are progressing and working with Lendon has been amazing. We also go the opportunity to ride with Courtney King, that was one of the best lessons I have ever had. She is an amazing trainer and person and I am honored to have worked with her.
Well thats all for now folks. Keep checking back and I promise you will be hearing much more from me. And please feel free to leave comments I'd love to hear from you, especially y'all back home.
(a quick shout out to my chem class that special requested this blog. Expect the occasional scifri :)

All Photo Creds go to my roomy Ally B