It’s a rainy Sunday morning, so what could be a better activity than updating the CBF blog? Claude Boulard is teaching here all day today, as he usually does every other Sunday. Sadly, the lessons are in the indoor so far today, but maybe the weather will clear up before the day is over (or at least before my lesson at 11!). Claude is one of our most popular instructors, and has a background in international-level show jumping and dressage. I’ve been working with him for a couple of months, and I’ve been impressed with his quiet, positive attitude with horses and riders. Even when he’s been here in the heat, teaching six or seven lessons in a row, he’s always kind and patient. The horses understand this, and he has helped many of us get some of the best work out of them, especially in encouraging them to use themselves correctly on the flat and over fences. Hopefully, today will be no exception, although I’ve missed a couple of Claude lessons for other pressing activities such as going to ride on the beach with Laura, so I have a feeling I’ve got some hard work ahead of me today.
For those of you who missed it, the Memorial Day Stephie Baer clinic and BBQ was a great success. We had fantastic weather, and the farm was looking its springtime best. Stephie started with the beginner novice riders and finished the day with the training level group. By then, everyone had decided that it was time for some eating and drinking, so the last group had a large audience. There’s aren’t many better activities than eating hamburgers, drinking a little wine, and watching cross country, except actually riding cross country! Stephie was really creative with setting up standards in addition to the permanent cross country jumps, and had the riders tackling various corners, complex bank questions, coffins, and, of course, the water jump. Many thanks to everyone who came, and especially to those who brought food. I didn’t realize how many of our boarders knew how to cook, but now their secret is out and has been duly noted.
We’re all looking forward to our two-phase (“combined test” where I come from) on June 20th. We’re offering pre-elementary through prelim, so there’s something for everyone. I know I covered this last time, so check the website for more details, and make sure you register by June 14.
I also promised a sneak peek into our Jim Wofford clinic that is scheduled for July 24th and 25th. For those of you who haven’t heard the name, Jim is one of the top riders and trainers ever produced by the United States, and represented his country at numerous World Championships and Olympic Games. Since he retired from competition, he’s become best known as a coach and talent scout, and you’d be hard pressed to find anyone at the top of the USEA’s leader board that hasn’t worked with Jim. He’s based in Virginia and doesn’t come up this way very often, so this clinic is a rare opportunity to ride with a true legend. The clinic is sure to fill up, so contact Laura at info@coursebrookfarm.com to register, or check our website for more information, under the calendar tab.
It’s almost time for my lesson, so I’m signing off for today. I’ll be posting photos from the Memorial Day clinic soon so those of you who didn’t make it can see what you missed!
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