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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 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: Indy’s First Endurance Ride

My Spanish Mustang MNDRA ride

By Jennifer Klitzke

Spanish Mustang Indian’s Legend (Indy) and I were encouraged to give endurance riding a try last weekend. We had received gift certificates at the Minnesota Horse Expo from Minnesota Distance Riding Association (MNDRA) who organized a competitive trail ride through the scenic Sand Dunes State Forest. Although we had been riding all winter, I had no idea how strenuous eight miles of brisk trotting would be. It is no wonder endurance riders are so fit!

My Spanish Mustang MNDRA ride

After our pre-ride vet check, each horse received a number. Now Indy has a new nickname “57.”

My Spanish Mustang MNDRA ride

We were given a map and followed colored markers and pie plates. The newbie novice groups were blessed to have experienced endurance leaders who helped us stay safe, on course, and at pace to arrive at the finish line as rested as possible within our two hour time limit. All but the last two miles of our ten-mile ride was at a brisk trot. Reaching the eight-mile marker with 20 minutes to spare, allowed all of us to cool down and pulse down to the finish line.

My Spanish Mustang MNDRA ride

Approaching the finish line were we received our times and ten minutes to the final vet check.

My Spanish Mustang MNDRA ride

The horse’s pre- and post-ride vet checks are a very important part of the scoring system for endurance riding. Indy did very well recovering from the brisk trotting. Unfortunately he decided he was done with trotting when he reached the finish line. We were unable to show a trot at the post-vet check which resulted in a 20-point deduction. Nevertheless, I am extremely proud of how well he did. And I can honestly say that in 30 years of riding horses, I have never ridden that hard.

An enormous “thank you” to all of the volunteers and organizers of the MNDRA endurance ride at Sand Dunes State Forest. We will likely try it again!

Photo gallery with commentary>

 

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Spanish Mustang: Who’s Chasing Who?

My Spanish Mustang cow clinic

By Jennifer Klitzke

“Dressage, trail riding, obstacles, jumping fences…hmmm…what else could I try with Indy?” I asked my friend. She encouraged us to give team penning a try. “You mean, working with COWS?” I asked. I would never have imagined that this devoted dressage rider would be working with cows, but I thought I’d give it a try.

Naturally I expected my bold little Spanish Mustang to take to cows no problem. Well, not so. When Indy saw the little black calf running towards him, he spun around and bolted the other way, much like an Andalusian in a bullfight. I was about ready to give up the thought of working cows until Hi Circle Vee Ranch in St. Francis, MN offered an “Introducing Your Horse to Cows” Clinic.

This low-key, confidence-building cow clinic was just what Indy needed. Twenty-two horse/rider teams began by walking along the outside of two round pens that contained three cows each. After a few laps, the horses relaxed to the smells and movement of those strange alien creatures. Then each of us were given five minutes inside of the round pen with the cows as an experienced cow wrangler coached us on how to move the cows around.

Once Indy realized that he was empowered to push the youngsters around, his first fearful encounter with cows was replaced with fearlessness. Within a few minutes of coaching, Indy was staying right on the hip of the calf and cutting it off to move it the other way, walk, trot and canter.

Now this devoted dressage rider has joined a cow sorting league, and it turns out that our dressage training has met practical application.

Video: Spanish Mustang: Introducing Your Horse to Cows Clinic>

My Spanish Mustang cow clinic

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Spanish Mustang: A Cure for SAD

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By Jennifer Klitzke 

Winter’s dark and cold envelops my world for up to six months each year. Along with it I’m plagued with a condition known as SAD (seasonal affective disorder) that lives up to its name. It is the body’s physical reaction to the lack of sunlight (vitamin D) and is very common in the North. Sadness, lack of energy, and a longing for warm, sunny and green are the main symptoms that I experience. There could be another reason for SAD. Winter’s dark and cold keeps me from what I love—riding my Spanish Mustang Indian’s Legend, SMR 3801 (aka, Indy).

Each morning on my way to the barn I mutter, “Dark and cold, dark and cold. Oh, how I hate dark and cold.” My husband said, “Jennifer, just find something fun to do and winter will be far more enjoyable.”

Hmmm, great idea! My two favorite pass times are riding horses and taking pictures of them. So this year instead of giving Indy the winter off, I discovered how much fun it is to ride in the snow! If it’s cold, I just add more layers. So far -5 degrees F led to my record of two pairs of pants, long johns, snowmobile overalls, two sweatshirts, two winter jackets, a pair of choppers, two hats and my riding helmet resulting in something that resembled the Michelin Man.

Riding trails during daylight or moonlight hours of winter is pristine. Winter’s quiet is met with crunching footsteps. The snow sparkles like crystals along the ground and fireflies dancing in the air. During daylight, the black and white landscape meets a backdrop of evergreen and blue sky, and at night a canopy of stars surrounds me.

After each ride I return home with a sense of awe and joy that replaces my once SAD expression. Plus photos captured along the way remind me of how much fun we actually had. (Not to forget the photos I’ve taken of Indy’s exuberance as he plays with his friends in the snow.)

So this show season, Indy and I will already be in shape by the time the last snowflake melts, which I hope is soon. After all, it is Spring! And as long as I take my vitamin D and a dose of Indy, SAD is cured.

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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