Barefoot Performance Horse | My Spanish Mustang

July 1, 2015January 30, 2021

Ditches, Banks, Water and a Few Jumps

By Jennifer Klitzke

It’s been a rather rainy show season. Every show my Spanish Mustang Indian’s Legend and I have entered, it has rained. Storms cut us short at the last Pig Pond Classic schooling show and we had to take a rain check on the cross country, so this time we skipped dressage to make sure we’d have time for cross country before the rain moved in. Birchbury Farms who hosts the Pig Pond Classic just completed their water complex, and I didn’t want Indy to miss out on his favorite thing to do. After our 2′ and 2′-3″ stadium course rides, that’s where we were headed.

jumping the 2'3" stadium course — Jumping the 2’3″ stadium course.

Due to our rainy summer, Indy and I haven’t had much practice over fences, yet I was very happy with how well he jumped his 2′-3″ hunter course. He took every canter lead on cue and jumped the first six fences with beautiful form until we reached the seventh fence. It was a very tight turn into an oxer and Indy unexpectedly put on the breaks. I struck the oxer like a bowling ball on its way to a perfect 300 game—it sounded like it too! Indy stood over me wondering what I was doing on the ground. Thankfully I landed between the rails and walked off the course with only a scraped arm. After a short break we were on to the cross country field.

Indy and I jumped a couple new fences we hadn’t tried before, practiced the banks and the ditch before heading to the water complex.

Indy loves the water and entertained a couple onlookers.

While riding the cross country course I recognized the horse/rider team we met at Three Ring Circus, Megan and the Mustang who changed her life. Wow, not only is their story inspiring, but that Mustang jumps with great form and Megan is a lovely rider.

Megan and the Mustang that changed her life.

We squeezed in the stadium and cross country just in the nick of time. As soon as we trailered up the skies grew dark and the clouds let loose another dose of rain to fuel the bug population. Indy and I had a wonderful time and were glad that we squeezed it all in before the rain. Special thanks to Birchbury Farms and to all of the volunteers for putting on the Pig Pond Classic.

Video: Ditches, Banks, Water (and a Few Jumps)

June 23, 2015January 30, 2021

Reconnections

By Jennifer Klitzke

Beginning in 1988, I took regular dressage lessons under my first riding instructor for 12 years. She helped me train my Trakehner/Thoroughbred gelding through Second Level until he retired. Then my instructor sensed God’s call into Seminary where she became a Pastor, and my husband and I moved North and bought a hobby farm. My riding consisted of trail riding and hacking in the arena. I had no intentions of showing dressage again—that is until I bought my Spanish Mustang, Indian’s Legend in 2012.

I have made many connections with interesting people thanks to Indy. Last weekend, he reconnected me to my first riding instructor. She was between ministry opportunities and was asked to judge the schooling show I rode in. What an honor to ride for her again and to introduce her to Indy.

She loved Indy’s relaxed attitude yet forward and balanced gaits. And she LOVED his free walk and stretchy trot—noting that they were the best she had seen all day. Areas we need to improve include more lateral bending, more lengthening in the trot and canter, and more roundness in his frame, but she said we are on the right track.

Me and my first riding instructor, reconnected after 19 years. — Me and my first riding instructor, reconnected after 15 years.

It was so great to see her after 15 years! It’s hard to believe it has been that many years as it only seemed like yesterday.

Indy took home two blue ribbons and his best scores in First Level yet. In First Level Test One we received 66.3% out of three riders and in First Level Test Three we were the only entry and scored 65.5%.

Video: First Level Test One

Video: First Level Test Three

May 27, 2015January 30, 2021

2015 Three Ring Circus

By Jennifer Klitzke

“Is that a Norwegian Fjord?” This questions pops up everywhere I take my Spanish Mustang. This time it led to an inspiring story…

The weatherman guaranteed rain and he was right. This was the third time showing my Spanish Mustang, Indian’s Legend, at the Three Ring Circus dressage and hunter/jumper show, and the first time showing in the rain. It wasn’t cold. It wasn’t a down pour, and it wasn’t windy. Plus it kept the bugs away and the arena dust-free, so it wasn’t that bad.

Normally we ride stadium and dressage at this wonderfully organized show, but I didn’t want Indy to take the risk of slipping on the wet grass, so we stuck to the two dressage tests we had pre-entered: First Level Tests One and Three.

I was extremely pleased with Indy’s ride through First Level Test One which felt improved over the last show. We received a score of 59.26% placing us sixth of nine.

Video: First Level Test One

We headed back to our trailer for a break and a gentleman approached us with THE QUESTION: “What kind of horse is that? Is that a Norwegian Fjord?” Giggling, I said, “No, he is a Spanish Mustang. But no worries, I get that a lot.”

Elated, he said, “A Spanish Mustang? Really?!” He couldn’t wait to tell me about the BLM horses he and his wife have adopted and trained. When he described their qualities: intelligent, friendly and trainable, I thought he was talking about Indy! In fact, one of his Mustangs was competing in the hunter classes by a teen who began riding at his place several years ago. Back then this young girl was very despondent, rather anti-social, and failing in school. Her concerned parents tried everything to help her. As a last resort the parents saw an ad for riding lessons. At first the young girl wasn’t that interested until she met “the Mustang.”

Over the course of a few months and many lessons the Mustang broke this nine-year-old out of her shell. Instead of failing classes, she became a straight A student and has made lots of friends. Years later, that’s the horse she continues to show—the Mustang who broke her. She calls him her first love.

The gentleman said that she has her own horse now, but still favors to compete with the Mustang. She doesn’t often win against the thoroughbreds and warmbloods, but it makes her work twice as hard, and when she places it means even more.

Delighted with our conversation, I retacked Indy for our next Test: First Level Test Three which consists of 10-meter trot circles, 15-meter canter circles, counter canter, trot and canter lengthenings, and a zig-zag leg yield at the trot. This was the first time we had shown this test.

Indy was a bit distracted watching a man walking around in blaze orange (which really stands out on a gray rainy day). Even though First Level Test Three felt less solid than our first test, we receive a score of 62.06%, placing third of four. Judges from both shows made comments to work on improving impulsion, bending, and developing the trot lengthening, so with a little more practice, we will enter a couple recognized dressage shows this summer to begin working on our USDF Bronze Medal.

Video: First Level Test Three

Sponsored by St. Croix Saddlery, the Three Ring Circus schooling dressage and hunter/jumper show is well organized with dozens of volunteers and hundreds of entries between the dressage and jumping rings. It is the largest schooling show in Minnesota which is held at Carriage House Farms in Hugo, Minnesota. The facility is top notch and the atmosphere is always low-key and friendly. Special thanks to everyone who made this show possible.

May 1, 2015January 30, 2021

2015 Minnesota Horse Expo

By Jennifer Klitzke

For decades it’s been a tradition to come to the Minnesota Horse Expo and soak in all things horses. This year instead of being a spectator, I took my Spanish Mustang Indian’s Legend (Indy) and joined the Spanish Mustang demonstration team Thursday-Sunday, April 23-26, 2015. We were one of the three horse/rider teams for the American Heritage Horse Association. Words cannot express how great of an experience it was for me (and I’m pretty sure Indy had a good time, too). His curiosity kept him entertained with all there was to see and do.

spanish mustang demonstration team — Gwen riding Hota, Erika riding Jetla and Jennifer riding Indy.

Not only are Spanish Mustangs a unique and rare breed, but they attract a unique and rare group of people: down to earth, kindhearted, and fun. My Spanish Mustang team mates were strangers to me on Thursday and quickly became good friends through the four days. Indy bonded quickly with the other horses and did terrific through the two exhibitions we rode each day.

Gwen was a last-minute substitute when one of the horses was unable to come. The owner of that horse was who I had bought Indy from and the Expo would have been the first time we would have seen each other since that snowy February day I brought Indy home in 2012. Although I was sad that it didn’t work out for her to be there, Gwen and her white Spanish Mustang mare Hota made for a wonderful team member.

Gwen and Hota2 — What a precious moment for this little horse lover!

After our Friday demonstration, we passed a mother with her two-year-old daughter who was carrying a white plastic pony that looked exactly like Hota. The spellbound little girl realized that her dream horse was walking right towards her!

fjords and spanish mustang7 — Can you tell the difference between the Spanish Mustang and the Norwegian Fjord?

Another fun memory was warming up with the Norwegian Fjords (another really nice group of horse people). Every event I bring Indy to, people ask if he is a Norwegian Fjord. Seeing him side-by-side with the Fjords, people were commenting, “I’ve never seen a long-haired Fjord before.”

Later that day when all of the Spanish Mustangs arrived, we took them to the outdoor practice arena and played on the trail obstacles before walking through our demonstration. Indy’s curiosity lead him over the teeter totter bridge and the raised platform again and again. Even the Expo videographer captured footage of his enthusiasm!

Jetla and Erika riding bareback, barefoot and brideless — Jetla and Erika riding bareback, barefoot and bitless.

We met so many wonderful people at the Expo including a dressage judge and a seasoned fox hunter. Both were intrigued with the Spanish Mustangs. The dressage judge commented, “What an uncomplicated back this breed has.” And looking at Jetla he said, “I could take this one home with me!” Jetla certainly has the gaits for dressage! The fox hunter dressed in his formal red attire looked like someone who just walked out of a history book. He invited me and Indy to give fox hunting a try this season. I will definitely work this into our riding schedule.

Friday through Sunday we rode in the Parade of Breeds, on Friday and Saturday we performed a breed demonstration, and on Sunday the American Heritage Horse Spanish Mustangs lead the parade down main street. We had unseasonably sunny weather three out of the four days which made the Expo even more enjoyable.

The American Heritage Horse Spanish Mustangs led the parade — The American Heritage Horse Spanish Mustangs led the Expo parade.

When Indy and I got home I called my Mom and she said she saw us on the news. (Turns out it was one of the Norwegian Fjords!)

Video: 2015 MN Horse Expo AHHA Spanish Mustangs

Photo gallery: Spanish Mustang demonstration
Photo gallery: Spanish Mustang practice
Photo gallery: Spanish Mustang leading the parade
Photo gallery: Spanish Mustang with the Norwegian Fjords

Special thanks to the American Heritage Horse Association for sponsoring the Spanish Mustangs and to Jane and Wes of Zen Cowboys Spanish Mustangs for coordinating our booth.

September 24, 2014January 30, 2021

Indy Connections

By Jennifer Klitzke

Adventures with my Spanish Mustang Indian’s Legend have aligned my path to many cool people. One of which is a woman I mentioned in my last blog post who shouted, “Hey, Mustang Lady!”

Well, that connection led me to the North Shore a couple weeks ago to Aspen Ridge Stable for a stadium jumping lesson, cross country schooling, and a trail ride through some of the most beautiful forest I’ve seen.

Upon arrival, my new friend introduced me to the Aspen Ridge owner/instructor and I had one of those funny feelings like I had been here before. Then I looked down the barn aisle and asked, “Did you have a peacock here about 15 years ago?” The instructor replies, “Yes.”

Then I asked, “Did you have a 42 year old while horse?” She said, “Yes, but I have to tell you that it was more like 25 years ago, and that white horse lived to be 44 years old!”

Turns out I had taken one of my first jumping lessons from her a quarter of a century ago while I was on vacation in Two Harbors. I hadn’t made the connection that it had been the same stable since I was coming from the South instead of from the North.

So here I was 25 years later taking a jumping lesson from the same instructor who helped me get started. How cool is that! Below are photos of our schooling session.

What a beautiful fence! It even matches my shirt!

Indy baulked at this obstacle the first pass and jumped it beautifully the next time.

Indy jumped the pseudo ditch without a care.

Indy had no trouble over this little obstacle.

Indy jumped the oxer in good form.

Indy cleared this solid object by three feet the first time and then came to his senses thereafter.

Indy and I had a terrific time riding beautiful scenery with really cool people. Next summer I am planning to take Indy to Aspen Ridge for a week’s vacation. In addition to the local instruction, Aspen Ridge hosts Olympic-level eventing clinicians several times a year such as Jim Graham. The facility offers miles of wooded trails, a large indoor riding arena with mirrors and cushy, rubberized footing, lots of eventing obstacles and standards for jumping, plus unbelievable views of Lake Superior.

For more information visit, Aspen Ridge Stable.

September 10, 2014January 30, 2021

Steepleview Horse Trials: The-Begin-Again-ers

By Jennifer Klitzke

The 2014 Steepleview Horse Trials came a week earlier than years past so that combined training events could be spaced apart better. However, the timing moved it to the same weekend of my husband’s annual golf tournament which meant he couldn’t be there to offer his support. So my Spanish Mustang Indian’s Legend and I were preparing to show solo—until I had a last minute idea.

A week before the event, I put the word out via the TCCTlist and formed a Starter Beginner Novice Team. Three people I hadn’t met before were game for the idea. We called ourselves “The-Begin-Again-ers.” It seemed appropriate since all of us were giving eventing a try after having pursued other horse-related interests. We had exchanged photos of each other and our horses to help us find each other among the 111 horses competing at Steepleview.

I arrived at the event and had coincidentally parked next to one of my team mates who also happened to be the horse/rider team competing just ahead of us in all three phases of dressage, cross country and stadium jumping. In fact, her friends and family kept me company, too. So I didn’t feel like I was showing solo at all.

Shortly after meeting Sarah, I met Harvey and Sasha. What a neat team ranging in ages from 27 to 60 and their horses: Two off-the-track thoroughbreds, a bay and a dapple gray, a roan appaloosa, and my pale-yellow, buckskin-dun Spanish Mustang. We were the most colorful team of the predominately bay horses competing that weekend.

Indy did very well in dressage which was the first of three phases. We were tied for first place in our division and had the second best score of 24 horses in the Starter Beginner Novice category.

Next was the cross-country phase. Indy was off to a great start. We jumped the first four obstacles perfectly and happily trotted through the water obstacle.

After clearing the water, Indy seemed confused. We had ridden the course three times from the other direction. It was like Indy was trying to tell me that we were going the wrong direction. So jumps five, six, seven and eight were a struggle. After the eighth jump Indy decided to take a right when I was preparing to take a left. That’s when I came off. Thankfully I didn’t get hurt, but we were eliminated from the competition. I was bummed.

While walking Indy back to the barn, one of the obstacle judges told me that I could ask to be added to the list of stadium jumping courtesy rides. Was I ever thankful that this man came out of the woodwork and offered this tip. A few hours later I was granted a courtesy ride. So even though we were out of the ribbons, I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to ride the stadium course.

While I was walking to the stadium course I heard a voice call out, “Hey, Mustang Lady!” I turned and recognized a woman I had met last year. I was so happy to have been re-acquainted with her again.

The kindness continued. The time arrived for stadium jumping. I was walking with Indy at my right side and carrying my video camera, tripod and mounting block in the other hand to set it up for our ride. Out of no where this kind woman asked, “Can I give you a hand?” and then she volunteered to record our ride!

Into the arena we went and over the ten-fence course with oxers. Indy jumped very well with no refusals. It was a great ending to the three-phase event, and our team took second place.

Each of us on The-Begin-Again-er’s team returned home with a beautiful second place ribbon. Every time I look at it, I remember the faces of the new friends I made and how they and the other kind people saved me from a lonely show experience. I was so blessed by the kindness of others that getting eliminated in cross country seemed to lose its sting.

Photo Gallery>

Thank you to Steepleview Farm for hosting the event, to the dozens of friendly volunteers who make this possible, to my team mates “The-Begin-Again-ers”, the kindness of strangers, and to D & G Photography who captured terrific lasting memories I will enjoy for years to come.

July 20, 2014January 30, 2021

2014 Steepleview Schooling Days

By Jennifer Klitzke

Last year Steepleview Schooling Days introduced me to my first experience with cross country and from that point it gave me and my horse the confidence to pursue the Starter competition division level. I’ve been hooked ever since. I couldn’t wait for this year’s Steepleview Schooling Days, and even more with Len Danielson of North Run Farm as my coach. I love this guy! Not only has he been-there-and-done-that, but he never over faces me or my horse and he knows when we are ready to take on the next challenge.

This year our group of some familiar faces and some new, advanced our skills from last year to string several cross country obstacles together with strategy and fun. Our group encountered logs, ditches, and jumped up and down banks, and, of course, ended with Indy’s favorite, the water obstacle!

Photo gallergy>

May 28, 2014January 30, 2021

Bravo!

By Jennifer Klitzke

Bravo! is the best word to describe the Three Ring Circus hunter/jumper and dressage schooling show, our first show of the 2014 season.

It didn’t begin that way though. Last year there were 32 entries in our hunter cross rail classes and the two-foot hunter classes didn’t start until around noon, so I thought getting to the show grounds by 9AM would be in plenty of time. Well, it would have been if the turnout were the same. However, this year, there were two shows and two major clinics going on that day which lessened the number of entries by about a third. So me and my Spanish Mustang Indian’s Legend arrived to the show grounds as they were calling our hunter class!

I literally ran to check in, took a mental snapshot of the course layout, and hustled back to the trailer. David Ramsden the equine massage therapist and farrier who volunteered that day to help direct trailer parking, provided encouraging words to calm my anxiety as I tacked up for our two-foot vertical hunter courses. Indy and I hopped over a couple schooling fences and headed to our first ride just in the nick of time! (Thank you David, you are a God send!)

The grass course was laid out with beautiful two-foot oxers and double oxers, Indy jumped clean with no refusals. He was evenly paced, found his spot, rounded nicely over the jumps, didn’t rush, get strong, or break his canter. He jumped like a champ. In one of his three classes he was on the correct canter lead throughout and even took a flying change when needed versus a simple change through trot. His form for most of the fences was as good as he gets.

I had to chuckle at the end of our best ride. I was so flabbergasted with the flying change that I gave Indy a really big pat, and he dropped from a canter into a walk, so we did our courtesy circle at a long and low walk!

This year, the show divided the ribbons between junior and senior riders. (Many more junior riders than grandma-aged folks like me!) We took fourth of four and fifth of eight in the judged classes. The third class was a non-judged warm up class. In any case, it was a personal best for Indy and I and rides I will never forget.

We headed back to the trailer for a little rest before our Training Level Three dressage test and took a short cut through the water obstacle. Indy LOVES the water!

Every where we go Indy draws attention. People remember us from years past and new people stop by to ask, “What breed is your horse?” I had great conversations with several people about the history of the Spanish Mustang and how intelligent, hardy, versatile, friendly, and athletic the breed is.

We had a couple hours to rest between hunter and dressage and enjoyed conversation with our Steepleview Horse Trial beginner novice team mate Karen who was parked nearby. We encouraged each other to try it again this year. It’s so fun to reconnect with people at these venues.

We tacked up and rode our best dressage test ever. Indy was soft, round, forward, balance, and responsive.

20 meter canter circles and a transition to trot at “X”.

Freewalk on a long rein.

20 meter trot circle allowing the horse to stretch.

Working trot.

Centerline, halt, salute.

Indy and I were in sync and on point through our Training Level Three Test. It felt amazing, and when the judge hopped out of the judging booth shouting, “bravo!” I knew we must have done pretty well! Indy and I placed first among 18 Training Level Three riders and received a 72.8%, the highest score of the day from this judge. Words cannot describe how proud I am of my boy! What a way to end a terrific day.

I love showing at Three Ring Circus sponsored by St. Croix Saddlery. It is well organized, the Carriage House Farm facility is top notch, the people are very friendly, and the last three years I’ve been showing at this venue the weather has been exceptional. Thank you to show organizers, the facility host, and for all who volunteer to make it possible. I appreciate all that you do for us!

April 26, 2014January 30, 2021

Wanna Carrot with That?

By Jennifer Klitzke

We all know how intelligent Spanish Mustangs are as a breed, right?

Well, my 2006 Spanish Mustang Indian’s Legend (Indy) is no exception. He is the only Spanish Mustang of our five horses, and the only one smart enough to figure out how to get from the pasture and into the vegetable garden and back. If that isn’t impressive, Indy discovered that carrots grow underground. So row by row, Indy began uprooting the carrots, having a snack, and leaving the carrot tops behind before returning to the pasture! (I caught him red handed with that “as-if-nothing-ever-happened” expression on his face.)

Adding to Indy’s antics, 108.5 trail miles, 507 training miles, eight Training Level dressage tests ridden, and 14 stadium jumping courses ridden, our 2013 milestones include a cow clinic, a novice endurance race, a cow sorting league, a competitive trail challenge, three rounds of cross country jumping over solid obstacles, an orienteering event, and learning how to speak French.

Ever since I began riding in 1982, I have longed for the courage to ride cross country over obstacles. This year, my bold and adventurous Spanish Mustang drug me to Steepleview Schooling Days. Seasoned event rider Len Danielson instructed us through ditches, banks, water obstacles, and fixed jumping obstacles with objective and systematic coaching which instilled confidence in both me and Indy. We left that day sparked with a desire for more. Indy and I rode Starter level cross country at two schooling shows and the Steepleview three-day recognized horse trial. We placed second or third at all three events!

Right after I had bought Indy last year, a co-worker purchased her first horse. She and I began to challenge each other and try new things with our horses. At work we became known as the “Dasco Duo.” Adding to last year’s trail rides and schooling dressage shows, the Dasco Duo entered our first novice Minnesota Distance Riders Association (MNDRA) sponsored endurance ride. What a great way for horse and rider to get in shape! One-and-a-half hours of brisk posting trot through the beautiful Sand Dunes State Forest. Of 16 entries, we took fourth place. It was also where I met Bethany Borchert, Spanish Mustang owner of Dun Adoby Fox who has done very well in competitive endurance races.

In April, my fellow Dasconian encouraged me to take Indy to an “Introducing Your Horse to Cows” Clinic held a Hi Circle Vee to help him overcome his cow phobia. Once Indy figured out that cows were easy to push around, he seemed to enjoy it, so in May, we joined a cow sorting league. Each week, Indy and I rode with three different partners and we had 90 seconds to transfer 10 cows in numbered order from one round pen to the other without letting one of the two blank cows sneak in. It is a lot harder than it looks. While one horse/rider team locates and negotiates the next numbered cow to the other round pen, the other horse/rider team guards the “hole” so that no other cows escape or sneak through the hole. Once the other horse/team member retrieves their numbered cow, they take over the “hole” while the other retrieves the numbered cow.

Then in October, the Dasco Duo entered a National Association of Competitive Mounted Orienteering (NACMO) event at Crow Hassan Park Preserve where followed a map, deciphered two clues that led us to two compass point reading that pointed to the hidden target. The six targets took us three-and-a-half hours of searching and cantering to our next clue. Our team took fourth place.

Also in 2013, Indy and I traveled to RNR Ranch in St. Croix Falls for a competitive trail ride. We rode two glorious hours through perfectly groomed trails and negotiated six obstacles for points. Out of 30 riders, Indy and I had the second best score.

Ending the year I took Indy to a “Riding in Lightness” Clinic with Susan Norman which introduced us to French classical dressage. Susan coached us in ways that promote balance, elegance, and harmony between horse and rider.

What will 2014 hold for us? Well, topping the list is figuring out a way to keep Indy out of the carrot patch!

Story published in the 2013 Spanish Mustang Annual, official publication of the Spanish Mustang Registry.

March 9, 2014January 30, 2021

Scenes from 2013

By Jennifer Klitzke

This was both my and my Spanish Mustang Indian’s Legend’s first recognized horse trial. We competed in dressage, stadium jumping, and cross country over Labor Day weekend 2013.

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