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Spanish Mustang: Three Phases in Five Hours

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By Jennifer Klitzke

The weather was perfect beginning in the 60s and warming to 75 and sunny for the 2013 Fall Rocking R schooling show. Last month my Spanish Mustang Indian’s Legend (Indy) and I rode a three phase event over two days (three days if you included the course walk). The Rocking R three phase event would be accomplished in four hours (five hours if you counted the course walk). Granted this was only a schooling show, yet just as challenging.

Rocking R Farm’s course is easier in the way that there are no hills, but there were 15 spooky obstacles decorated with cob webs, spiders, pumpkins, and other Halloween decor to negotiate. Indy and I got quite the workout galloping and jumping non stop for five-and-a-half minutes. I was more tired than he was crossing the finish line, but we did it with no refusals and just 20 second over the optimal time which put us in second place out of seven horse/rider teams.

After cross country we had four hours before stadium jumping and dressage, enough time to enjoy listening to the Vikings actually win a football game! A scheduling mixup had us competing in two rings at the same time! I volunteered to go first in stadium jumping, and they moved  my dressage ride to the end of the Training Level Test Three group which gave me 10 minutes between stadium jumping and dressage to switch saddles and warm up.

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Indy reminded me that he would jump every fence as long as I could remember the course. He did his part and I let him down by forgetting one of the fences. I guess I was so excited that we cleared the new dragon double oxer that I forgot the zebra fence was next. In any case, we had a great ride even though we received a “no score.”

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I think in all of the dressage tests I’ve ridden, this was Indy’s best. And I was thankful that I remembered the test! The judge provided helpful feedback on our score sheet such as slowing down Indy’s rhythm for better engagement. We placed fourth out of seven with a score of 61%.

We couldn’t have asked for better weather for our last show of the season. Indy reminded me to write this one down before I forgot. Thanks pal!

 My Spanish Mustang at Rocking R photo gallery>

Video: Spanish Mustang: Cross Country

 Video: Spanish Mustang: Stadium Jumping 

Video: Spanish Mustang: Training Level Test Three

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Spanish Mustang at Steepleview Horse Trials

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By Jennifer Klitzke

Nearly 130 horses competed at the 2013 Steepleview Horse Trials held Labor Day weekend in Starter, Beginner Novice, Novice, and Training levels. Each of horse/rider team competed in three phases: Dressage, Cross Country and Stadium jumping.  This was Indian’s Legend (Indy), my Spanish Mustang’s first recognized show and my first three phase event.

Dressage was the first phase and boy-oh-boy was it hot! Ninety-three degrees with humidity. The judge graciously waved coats, but I toughed it out for the camera. Indy and I were in first place after the dressage phase.

Next we had an hour to change into our cross country attire and prepare for the second phase. The goal was to negotiate and jump twelve stationary obstacles along rolling hills, woods, and water in five-and-a-half minutes without double refusals or falling off. Indy hesitated the first obstacle but I nudged him on and he jumped it in slow motion. The next fence he refused and I prodded him over, then Indy exuberantly galloped down the hill. I just prayed to God that he didn’t stumble! Thankfully, God answered that prayer. We completed the course with two refusals, a time fault, and slipped into third place.

Stadium jumping was the final phase and held the next day. It was nearly 30 degrees cooler than the first day. The goal was to jump all fences clean and in order within the allotted time. Several of the two foot fences were double oxers. Indy jumped the course clean without refusals. We would have made time if I didn’t lose my stirrup, but we managed to maintain our third place standing. Not only that, but our team took second place in the team challenge. We came home with the most beautiful ribbons I have ever seen, winnings that paid most of the entry fees, a few more friends, and lifetime memories to replace lifetime dreams.

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A huge “thank you” to Steepleview Farm for opening their scenic and well equipped facility, for instructor Len Danielson who gave us the coaching and encouragement to give cross country a try, for the hundreds of friendly people who participated and spectated the event, and for the show organizers and volunteers who made it possible. I will never forget this milestone for as long as I live.

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Steepleview Horse Trial Photo gallery>

Spanish Mustang: Dressage Phase

Spanish Mustang: Cross Country Phase

Spanish Mustang: Stadium Phase

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Spanish Mustang at a Gaited Horse Clinic?

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By Jennifer Klitzke

What?! A non-gaited horse at a gaited horse clinic?

Well, kinda. I brought my gaited horse and my Spanish Mustang Indian’s Legend to a Larry Whitesell-Jennifer Bauer natural gaited horsemanship clinic. My gaited horse was there for the clinic and Indy was there to enjoy the exquisite trail system on the property. Indy participated in some of the clinic ground work exercises since my gaited horse has been to a few of these clinics already.

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Spanish Mustang at St. George

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By Jennifer Klitzke

My Spanish Mustang Indian’s Legend (Indy) and I made our first venture to St. George Dressage Academy for a schooling dressage show held July 20, 2013. Perfect weather, friendly people, and a top-knotch facility made for a terrific experience. I loved riding in the enormous well lit indoor arena with fantastic footing and mirrors along the wall as well as riding in the beautifully groomed standard-sized outdoor arena nested between rolling hills and trees. Best of all, dressage judge Jodi Eli provided helpful feedback to riders after each test. She gave specific examples of what was working well and areas that can be improved upon as we move to the next level. Now that’s what I call a schooling show!

Knowing that we would be riding with warmbloods, I came with the attitude of riding our best despite the outcome in the ribbons. Indy and I rode through Training Level tests 1-3 with respectable scores ranging from 64.2% to 66.429%. To my amazement we even placed a first, second and third! Indy piqued peoples’ curiosity as to what kind of horse he is. All of which said, “What a cute horse!”

Judge Jodi commented on how much Indy appears to love his job and what a great team we make. She said he is right where he needs to be for Training Level, and she loves his forwardness. Jodi’s suggestions include working on ways to strengthen Indy’s top line, improve his balance to carry himself more up in the shoulders instead of rushing onto the forehand, and for me to maintain a consistent contact to prevent Indy from getting strung out. She suggested lots of transitions within each gait.

A huge thank you to judge Jodi Ely of Trista Farms and to St George Dressage Academy for hosting and organizing the event.

Photo gallery>

Video: Training Level Test One

Video: Training Level Test Two

Video: Training Level Test Three

 

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Spanish Mustang at Sunborn Schooling Show

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By Jennifer Klitzke

Every time I drive to a show, I seem to under estimate how long it takes me to get there. This time I was prepared with MapQuest, my GPS, and I left two-and-a-half hours before our first class to take the 39-mile trip. Although it was dark and rainy, the weatherman promised clear skies by the time of our first class.

A half hour into my drive I knew I was in trouble when MapQuest sent me 25 miles North instead of East. Then my GPS told me I was in another state as the storm winds pushed my trailer side to side. Was I really meant to be at this show? Or was this just some test in perseverance?

I resorted back to MapQuest which took me too far West and then too far South. After two-and-a-half hours of white-knuckle driving in wind and rain I was about to give up. Then I phoned the facility, and they got me back on track.

My poor Spanish Mustang Indian’s Legend (Indy) took a three-hour trailer ride before we tacked up with only five minutes to warm up and memorize our courses.  The people were gracious, kind and understanding. The judge let me school Indy over a few jumps before we took our turn, and just as the weatherman promised, the sun broke through the clouds.

Last year at Sunborn Stables, Indy and I rode our first jumping course over ground rails. This year we were jumping 18″ cross rails and two-foot verticals. Plus moving from Intro Level to Training Level Test Three.

Indy is such a good sport. He jumped every fence placed before him including our first double oxer. We placed fourth and fifth in our jumping classes and hustled off to the trail obstacle course. We weaved through the cones, rode up to the rain jacket, traveled toward the hill when Indy abruptly stopped. He had to go potty. Spectators got a chuckle out of that, but the poor boy had been cooped up in the trailer for three hours and he never had a chance!

Back to the course we climbed the hill, deposited the rain jacket, descended a rather steep hill, walked through the lilly pad, frog hoppin’ pond, and over to a broom and ball. We had to bat the ball from one station to another and concluded our course by walking across a flapping plastic tarp. Indy took first place.

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Now a three hour wait until our Training Level Test Three class. I put Indy in the trailer for a break and watched a few Training Level tests. Several Friesians, warmbloods, and a Lipizzaner were ridden by well-schooled riders in consistent and well-connected frames. I listened to how the judge scored each movement.

Then it was our turn. I tacked Indy up 30 minutes before our ride. The storm had left the outdoor exercise arena under water, so we were given four minutes before our test to warm up in the indoor arena. Indy and I gave it our all and scored a 60% for sixth place. I’m just glad we toughed it out and made it to the show after all.

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Now if I could only find my way home in an hour of sunshine instead of three windy hours in a storm!

 

Video: Spanish Mustang jumps two-foot vertical

 

Video: Spanish Mustang hammin’ it up in the water obstacle

 

Video: Spanish Mustang riding Training Level Test Three

 

 

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Spanish Mustang: Three Ring Circus Schooling Dressage and Hunter Show

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By Jennifer Klitzke

Last year I had entered my Spanish Mustang Indian’s Legend (Indy) in the Three Ring Circus Schooling Dressage & Hunter Show, but a last minute injury to his lower jaw made it impossible to fasten his bridle, so Indy had to sit the show out. Not this year!

Oh my, just when I think I’ve had the most possible fun time with Indy, we have yet another that surpasses it! Indy and I rode our first Training Level Tests 2 and 3, two hunter courses over 18″ cross rails, and I couldn’t stop. After seeing how beautiful the 20″ vertical hunter course was, we had to give it a go. Flower boxes with white lattice back drops and vertical posts. Oh, Carriage House Farm is such a fantastic facility to ride at. The footing was perfect indoors and out, with plenty of warm up space to hold all of the horses. At last count there were 177 dressage tests ridden and well over 300 hunter and jumper courses ridden.

I was super proud of how bold, consistent, and steady Indy was over the hunter courses. He took the fear out of jumping for me. We have some homework to do before our next schooling show, like establishing, maintaining, and changing to the correct lead. I need to shorten my stirrups, bring my heels down, and provide a better release so that Indy can stretch and round over the jumps.

Later in the day we rode our first of two dressage tests. By this time, Indy was getting tired and began to lean on the reins. My grandma body had a hard time holding him up. We rode Training Level Test Three in the superb indoor arena with rubberized footing. Indy calmly adjusted to the concept of indoor riding. He earned 5th place of 8 rides with a score of 64.2%. Not bad riding with the warmbloods.

Our second ride, Training Level Test Two, was in a standard-sized outdoor ring. Aside from that his spook at the entrance and stumble coming down from canter, I am pleased with how Indy did. He earned 7th place of 14 riders with a score of 61.96%. We could have stretched more in his 20-meter trot on a long rein, and have been more responsive when I asked for a canter transition. Again, more homework.

Thank you to St. Croix Saddlery for sponsoring such a well-run show and for Carriage House Farm for hosting the Three Ring Circus Schooling Show. Thanks to all of the super friendly volunteers.

Spanish Mustang: Three Ring Circus Photo Gallery>

Video: Spanish Mustang: 18″ Hunter Course over Cross-rails

Video: Spanish Mustang: 20″ Hunter Course over Verticals

Video: Spanish Mustang-Training Level Test Two

Video: Spanish Mustang-Training Level Test Three

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Spanish Mustang: No Oops Baby!

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By Jennifer Klitzke

My heart stopped when I saw him. Indian’s Legend (Indy), SMR 3801. He was posted on craigslist for sale last year, and I knew at that moment he would be mine. It didn’t matter to me that he was conceived by two frolicking yearlings (Indian Scout and Going To Thunder) playing in the pasture with their dams at side. He may not have been planned, but Indy has a destiny, a story, and a “legend” to live out.

Indy isn’t my first horse but he is my first Spanish Mustang. I’ve been a horse owner since 1988 and an avid dressage rider. I can honestly say that Indy is the most versatile, intelligent, bold, trainable, and personable horse I have ever ridden. In the last year, this rather conservative dressage rider broke beyond the four corners of a finely groomed arena to take up endurance riding, trail obstacles, cow sorting, team penning, and even jumping. And Indy has made this possible. I actually think he is having as much fun with all this adventure as I am.

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Not only is Indy game for anything, but he excels in the unexpected. He has placed at every schooling dressage and hunter show we have entered and even placed at his first 10 mile endurance ride. In 2012 Indy competed at six shows and ate up 77 miles of countryside on the trail.

Adding up all of our exploits in 2012, Indy has earned 2012 Spanish Mustang Performance Horse of the Year and 2012 Spanish Mustang Conquistador of Performance award by the Spanish Mustang Registry. I am so proud of my Super Star!

Nope, Indy is no oops baby!

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Spanish Mustang: Better than a Gym Membership

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By Jennifer Klitzke

February’s dark and cold was getting the best of me, and respite came in the form of daily perusing of horses for sale on craigslist. My heart stopped when I saw him: Indian’s Legend, Spanish Mustang. He’s the American-born colt out of Indian Scout before she was exported to becoming Australia’s first Spanish Mustang. Indy would be the closest thing to owning my dream horse, an Andalusian. I HAD to see him. Only, how would I convince my husband that I needed just one more horse? After all we had four.

I had many great reasons for another horse: Nearing 50, I wasn’t getting any younger, and neither were our three senior horses. And poor Makana, my seven-year-old Walking horse. She needed a friend closer to her age. I needed to lose weight and monthly horse expenses would be equivalent to that of a gym membership, yet I’d enjoy riding far more than pumping iron and riding a stationary bike going nowhere. Not to forget the empty stall just waiting for him.

It took two weeks of prodding when my husband finally buckled to meet Indy and make the five-hour drive North to the coldest spot in the United States. Seeing Indy in person made me love him even more. We should have just brought the trailer with us to save another trip through the ice and snow!

Since February 2012, I have had more fun than ever in my 25 years of horse ownership. Indy is the most intelligent, friendly, bold, athletic and versatile horse I have ever met. Dressage has been enhanced with over fifty miles of trail riding at state and local parks, navigating trail obstacles, jumping stadium courses, and even chasing cows at a team penning practice! And that’s not all‒I’ve lost 20 pounds in the process!

Just for kicks I took Indy to six schooling shows last summer. We rode at Walker’s Triple R, Rocking R, North Run, Lakewood, and Sanborn schooling shows, and Indy was a standout at every one‒many times winning the class!

Up until owning Indy, I had never ridden through a hunter or stadium course, and we took first place in our first stadium course over ground rails, our first three-gait hunter equitation class, and our first nail-biting hunter course over two-feet-three-inches! Plus, we placed in all of our Intro and Training Level dressage tests with respectable scores as high as 69%.

Next show season, I’m planning on blending the dressage, trails, obstacles and jumping together by attending a combined training event. I will have to get fitted for one of those safety vests, but I better wait because I might just lose another 20 lbs. by then!

 

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Riding with Mary Wanless

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By Jennifer Klitzke

My favorite super hero came to life when international bio-mechanics author Mary Wanless traveled to my State November 2012 to coach riders into an effective riding position. I have been a decades-long book student since she published “The Natural Rider.” This book helped me find balance and relaxation through Mary’s unique metaphors which helped me overcome riding fears sustained after a few bad falls. I was elated to take my Spanish Mustang Indian’s Legend (Indy) to this clinic.

I quickly realized that book study and hands-on learning can bring about entirely different results. While I had grasped some aspects of Mary’s riding bio-mechanics, there were a few that I had misinterpreted in regards to riding position. Was I ever glad that Mary’s keen eye picked up on them immediately as she addressed them in our sessions.

Mary began by helping me establish a solid riding position. While most dressage instruction I’ve received over the last 20 years has taught me to ride with the longest stirrup length possible, keep my heels down with weight in them, keep my weight back, and thighs light against the saddle, Mary took the opposite approach. She shortened my stirrups so that my knees were like the point of an arrowhead and my thighs were at 90-degree angles. Instead of keeping my weight back, Mary asked me to press forward as if I am resisting a push at my sternum. Also involved are the engagement of the core muscles of my midsection which felt like I was lowering my center of gravity and expanding my inner anatomy forward, sideways, and back to fill up all sides while breathing deep into my stomach.

Mary noticed that my seat bones were getting propped up by my seat muscles. She asked me to relax these muscles in order to lower my seat bones in contact with the saddle. Then she asked for me to increase my seat coverage along the saddle. When my seat bones are nearer to the saddle it aids in my communication with my horse. Mary also asked me to pull the bulk of my thigh flesh behind my thigh and snug my thighs along the saddle where I hold 80% of my weight (only 20% of my weight on my seat). This allows my seat bones to remain close to the saddle without creating pressure points on my horse’s back. Riding in this position feels a little bit like kneeling even though I was vertically aligned: shoulder, hip, and heel.

After my riding position was established, we practiced this position at a walk, trot and canter. Mary coached me in becoming aware of my energy and directing focused energy downward to my bikini line (not that I wear one) and discharging this focused energy forward through a small hose to the place on the horse’s neck just under my hands. My hands maintain a light contact with the reins, and I imagine pushing my fists towards my horse’s neck. That’s where I aim to push the wrinkles out of my horse’s neck. This helps our energy travel from the hindquarters through the back to the bit.

When traveling in a rising trot, the balls of my feet only hold 20% of my weight and 80% of my weight remains in my thighs. Riding this way takes a lot of isokinetic effort, yet it produces great results: stillness and balance in the rider and balance in the horse, (plus burns more calories)!

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Words do not describe how much it meant to me to ride with Mary and have her set me on the right course with her hands-on riding bio-mechanics. She is an articulate, polished, highly observant and educated instructor. She quickly assessed we were at and immediately provided understandable corrections that build on each other in metaphors that were easy to remember. In two days I felt that I had grasped A, B, and C of Mary’s riding bio-mechanics and hope she comes back to my State again so that I can learn more of her alphabet.

It was an honor to ride for someone who has helped me overcome my riding fear and has re-inspired me to ride dressage after a 15 year break. The 2012 Mary Wanless riding bio-mechanics clinic was a lifelong dream come true!

For more about Mary Wanless, visit www.mary-wanless.com

Photo Gallery: 2012 Mary Wanless Biomechanics Clinic

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Spanish Mustang: Dressage and Jumping

By Jennifer Klitzke

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Jumping an 18″-cross-rail course of 12 jumps.

It’s been a dream of mine to be an event rider but fear has always stopped me. Now I think I have the horse that can make this dream a reality. Indy is so bold about obstacles and jumps, has the gaits for dressage, and the endurance for cross country.

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Trot stretch on a 20-meter circle.

I took Indy to the ASTRIDE benefit show at Rocking R Farms in Foley, MN on Sunday, August 19. We had perfect weather for our three-gait equitation, Training Level Test One, and three jumping course classes. He took home three seconds, a third and fourth and received a dressage score of 66%. I’m so proud of my Spanish Mustang!