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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 Rocking R

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By Jennifer Klitzke

Perfect weather, no bugs, and friendly fans cheered me and my Spanish Mustang Indian’s Legend (Indy) at the Rocking R Farm schooling show held August 4, 2013. This show was our first time competing at cross country. Beginning with seven standard fences in the hunter course ranging from two feet to two feet, three inches, we made our way out to the jumping field over logs, flower boxes, culverts, ditches, banks, and benches. It was one of the most exhilarating rides of my life! I felt like I was riding the fantasy in my mind that has replayed for 20 years when I had longed to ride cross country but was too afraid to give it a try.

Well, my Spanish Mustang Indy has changed all that for me. He seems to enjoy the cross country as much as I do. We placed second of six horse/rider teams.

In addition to the cross country, we rode two hunter courses. Our form is improving each time, as long as I can remember to keep my weight back so that Indy can jump up from under me instead of falling onto the forehand.

Despite Indy having one refusal in the first course, knocking down two rails in the second course. and my grandma memory having trouble memorizing the three courses, we placed third of six in each hunter course.

A huge “thank you” to Rocking R Farm for opening up their wonderful dressage arenas, hunt course, and cross country course and a “thank you” to all of the friendly volunteers who help make this show possible. Thank you also to my saintly husband who gave up a pristine day of golf to capture these videos. What a wonderful man!

Photo gallery>

Video: Spanish Mustang riding cross country over fences

 

Video: Spanish Mustang two foot hunter course

 

Video: Spanish Mustang two-foot-three-inches hunter course

 

 

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Spanish Mustang at Steepleview

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By Jennifer Klitzke

Steepleview Cross-Country Schooling Days, my trusty Spanish Mustang Indian’s Legend, and coach Len Danielson of North Run Farm helped me reach one of my lifelong dreams! I have always aspired to be an event rider, but paralyzing fear had held me back.

Twenty-five years ago I fell off a few too many times which resulted in debilitating panic attacks any time I felt out of control on a horse. The fear crippled me so much that I could only ride in a 20-meter circle at a walk going to the left in an indoor arena on a calm day with no distraction. That’s when I faced a cross roads: quit riding horses, the very thing I loved most, or face the fear in hopes of overcoming it. The latter won out as I pressed on for over two decades. And praise God, irrational fear no longer controls my life! And it helps to have a bold and sensible horse like Indy.

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Indy and I had the best possible summer weather for Steepleview Schooling Days. About a dozen cross-country coaches donated their time on Friday-Sunday, July 19-20,2013 to instruct dozens of riders from starting to advanced levels. Len Danielson of North Run Farm coached Indy and I along with three other riders and their horses. We rotated around Steepleview’s superior cross country course through rolling hills and forest over obstacles, ditches, banks, and water obstacles. Had I been given a preview of what we would be encountering, I probably would have chickened out. But I trusted Len that he wouldn’t over face me or my horse and I am so happy we did it!

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We warmed up by cantering up and down hills and jumping over cross rails and then a vertical before moving to fixed obstacles like logs, tree trunks, banks, ditches, and water structures. I loved it all! No doubt Indy’s favorite was the water. It was a nice way to cool off after a couple hours of riding.

At the end of our two-hour session, Coach Danielson looked at Indy and said, “Now that’s what I call an all-terraine vehicle. I love his attitude!”

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A special “thank you” to my little friend Andrea for taking video of our special day!

Cross Country Photo Gallery>

Video: My Spanish Mustang at Steepleview

 

 

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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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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!

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Spanish Mustang: Our First Hunter Show

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By Jennifer Klitzke

I love before’s and after’s. I love progress, setting goals and meeting them. I love challenging myself and seeing how far we’ve grown. Writing about our experiences is a terrific way for me to look back and see where we’ve been and how far we have come.

I’m amazed with what Indy is capable of. In less than six months of owning my Spanish Mustang Indy, we’ve done so much together: two dressage shows, two jumping courses, two riding clinics, a trail obstacle course, many trail rides through beautiful wilderness settings, and even a shot at team penning. Indy is so versatile, so friendly, so calm, and he takes everything  in stride. I’m learning that these wonderful qualities are quite typical of the Spanish Mustang.

Week Twenty-Two ended on another high. I took Indy to North Run Farm’s hunter schooling show. A terrific turnout, friendly people, perfect weather, and no bugs. I had only planned on riding Indy in the ground rail course and 12″ x-jump course until we had been waiting for nearly five hours for our first class to begin.

I decided to add Indy to the equitation walk, trot, and canter class because it would be a great way for him to check out the arena, dozens of people and lawn chairs parked along the fence line with umbrellas, children running around, and crinkling chip bags.

There were ten in our class, mainly the sleek bay thoroughbred-type horses and one stocky buckskin dun mustang ridden by a grandma with an unmanufacturered grin. I was amazed with how well Indy took in all the distractions.

I was even more amazed with how well he did in the class. The judge called for a walk, sitting trot, posting trot, and walk to canter to walk. Indy immediately took the correct leads from a walk and settled quickly from each canter to walk. He didn’t speed up along the straight-away, and he stood quietly in the line up when the judge announced Indy as the winner!

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Before the class, Indy’s uniqueness stood out, and after the class, many people became a fan of the Spanish Mustang.

Then we rode our eight-fence course over ground rails and the 12″ x-jump course. There were 16-plus riders in each class. I had planned on cantering the ground rail course and trotting the x-jump course but Indy took his canter lead along the fence line and I went with him. He calmly cantered the fences without rushing, refusing, shying or over-jumping. I am so proud of Indy. What a good boy!

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Spanish Mustang: What a Versatile Horse!

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By Jennifer Klitzke

What a versatile horse! I love my Spanish Mustang!  Indy is enthusiastic about everything he’s been faced with: trail riding, obstacles, jumping, dressage and all in the same week!

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Our jumping is coming along. We will been entering our first hunter schooling show at North Run Farm in Delano, MN this coming weekend and showing a course of ground rails and 12-inch x-fences. Both can be ridden at a trot or controlled canter. I hope to ride the ground rail course at a canter and the x-fence course at a trot.

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