Announcing Plans for the Renate Lansburgh Dressage Arena

Although she’s been retired for several years, many boarders and friends of Course Brook Farm have worked closely with Renate Lansburgh. Originally from Germany, Renate moved to the US in 1956. She competed in dressage and eventing until she decided to focus exclusively on dressage in 1981. She competed to the FEI levels in dressage, earned USDF bronze and silver medals, and is an “R” judge. She has been a fixture around New England shows and training facilities for many years. 

Photo courtesy of Gretchen Almy Designs www.galmydesigns.com

CBF boarder and student of Renate, Rica Trujillo remarks: “Renate was always very correct in her training. Some of what she taught me I didn't fully appreciate at the time, but with more experience I have come to realize how valuable her lessons were. Her love of horses and concern for their wellbeing was apparent in the way she taught and her approach to training.”

Renate continues to be an integral and valuable member of our community and to honor her Course Brook will be dedicating a new regulation-sized dressage arena as the Renate Lansburgh Dressage Arena. There will be a dedication ceremony and we are working out the details hopefully to arrange for Renate to attend.

CBF is currently launching a fundraiser to support the construction of the arena to honor this exceptional horsewoman and individual. If you are interested in contributing to the effort, you can find more information at http://www.coursebrookfarm.com/images/PDF/renate2013.pdf, or contact CBF’s general manager, Sharon Cora, at info@coursebrookfarm.com.

We are privileged to call Renate a friend of Course Brook and hope that this gesture will express our gratitude for her numerous contributions to our community.

A Water Complex is Born

The final product (just add water)!

Last week was a big one for us at Course Brook. It’s times like these when everyone stands back and appreciates how far we’ve come and we realize that some of the hard work is really paying off! 

On Wednesday and Thursday, jump builder Eric Bull (of ETB Equine Construction)—who you will recall from earlier posts as the man behind our twelve beautiful new training and prelim cross country fences—and Olympic eventer and course designer John Williams descended on CBF to build a fabulous new water complex in the upper jump field. These two wasted no time getting started and with all hands on deck—including our best equipment and operators and some excellent volunteers—the hole was dug, the liners and gravel put down on the base, and four new banks were installed, all within the span of 48 hours!

John and Eric (with some help from Tyler) unload one of the pieces of liner for the base of the water jump

Incredible teamwork unrolling the liner!

Powered by Course Brook (and John and Eric)

Brief break for a photo op...

Then straight back to work, spreading the liner

Eric and John made sure that the liner was perfectly aligned on all sides

John and Eric have worked on courses together on a number of occasions and from talking to them it sounds as though one is always roping the other into one of those projects that starts like this:

“It was 10 days before [insert name of major CCI somewhere in South/Central America] and there were literally no jumps built yet.” Enter Eric and John, a lot of sweat (and probably tears), and miracles apparently happen. John regaled us with a story of one particular course that required a tree to be cut down. Instead of a chainsaw, a guy showed up with a machete and spent the best part of two days trying to saw the limbs off of the tree. You name it, John and Eric have seen it. They collaborated on the Pan Am Games in Guadalajara and John in particular has been working a lot in Mexico and South/Central America, designing new courses in some unlikely locations.

Matt and John talk shop

The guys lean while the ladies do the heavy lifting!

You’ll note from the photos above that Matt spent some time picking John’s brain about the course at CBF. John is designing our prelim course, which we plan to debut in 2014. His vision for the property is to make it as spectator-friendly as possible. That means trimming some of the lower branches of the trees in the back woods (although Matt assures me not too many) and situating our water jump where it is now: right smack in the middle of the upper jump field and next to an ideal spot for spectators. We want to be sure that the course rides well and that people can see as much of it from one place as possible, and John’s plan is to do just that.

 

Still smiling

CBF General Manager Sharon with CBF's very own volunteer/mother/person extaordinaire, Sara!

Meanwhile, Eric was doing a lovely job of mobilizing our volunteer force of teenagers to unroll the liners and spread them evenly across the floor of the water jump… Not as easy as it looks! Everyone was very impressed with the girls’ efforts, with Eric remarking that he’d never had anyone in riding boots come out and help with the installation of a water jump... And he’s built almost 200 of them.

 

John's car. Amazing.

Installing the banks on Thursday

Of the design of the complex, John said that the far ramp was specifically built to be very gently sloping to make it extra inviting to young and green horses. The banks are of varying heights to accommodate different levels. The future plan is to add a mound on one side to create some interesting upper level questions. Of course we'll be adding portables as needed for various events and schooling opportunities. I asked about a Rolex-style duck for a water-to-water, but so far no dice.

Another excuse to include a photo of John's tiny car

Needless to say, we are beyond thrilled with the new water complex and the steady improvement of our cross country course, from upgrading the footing in the softer areas, to our new jumps. It’s truly inspiring to get to meet people like Eric and John, to hear their insights (and war stories); their energy is infectious. Many thanks to them for all their hard work.

So, it’s only up from here! Now we just need the grass around the water complex to grow… And a little water!

-- Casy

A Major Announcement!

We are excited to announce that international advanced-level event rider Stephie Baer is officially joining Course Brook as co-resident instructor. She will work in collaboration with our existing resident instructor Erika (Hawkes) Hendricks to continue to grow the quality of the instruction and training that CBF offers its boarders and the wider eventing and dressage community.

Stephie has competed at Bromont (Canada), Mexico, Rolex Kentucky, and Burghley (England) and was short-listed for the 1998 U.S. World Championship Team. She has been teaching beginners through advanced-level riders for 35 years and has trained countless horses through the levels. She has been a member of the Course Brook Farm family for at least 15 years and has been a huge part of developing the facility into what it is today.

As she has been an invaluable member of our community for years, it is our pleasure to welcome Stephie into a more formal role at the farm. She teaches seven days per week at CBF and her lessons are $95/hour. Anyone interested in scheduling a lesson or simply coming out to see her teach, please contact us at info@coursebrookfarm.com.

In Full Swing

There’s so much going on around the farm that I’m not sure where to start… The summer calendar is full of exciting events and clinics at CBF and I have a feeling that the pace isn’t going to slow until we’re all standing around the inevitable cake to celebrate Erika’s birthday and another successful fall recognized horse trials in October.

Stephie doling out the instructions. Photo by Lauren Murphy.

As usual, everyone had a great time at our annual Stephie Baer Memorial Day clinic and BBQ. Thank you to all the riders who attended and especially to Stephie, who apparently has endless reserves of energy! This is always one of our favorite events and this year’s didn’t disappoint. 

In case you couldn't tell, Jess's schoolmaster used to be an upper-level horse. Photo by Lauren Murphy.

CBF's Jenn and Cherokee on their way to a blue ribbon in our second spring combined test. Photo by Lauren Murphy.

Coming up next weekend is the third and final combined test in our spring series. We’ve got some great prizes for end-of-series champion and reserve champion horse and rider pairs. All you need to do to qualify is to compete in at least two of the three shows (and do well in them, of course). We’ve been really lucky with the weather for the first two, so let’s hope that luck holds for the last. We’ll be celebrating the end of the series with a BBQ down by the pool, so whether you’re competing, spectating, or volunteering (speaking of… contact me at boarders@coursebrookfarm.com if you’re available), please join us. Click here for entry information. 

Ari and AC made the show jumping in our second combined test look easy. Photo by Lauren Murphy.

One of the stipulations of Lauren giving me photos is that I always include a pic of her horse Ami.

In July, we are excited to host our first annual adult riders’ camp, July 5-7. Whether you are a seasoned eventer, have just started eventing, or just want to try something new, you will benefit from the instruction over the course of three days offered by three fantastic instructors: CBF instructors Erika (Hawkes) Hendricks and Stephie Baer, as well as dressage trainer Rachel Markels-Webber. Each instructor will cover one of the three phases of eventing. Daily unmounted lunch and lecture sessions will also be held. To qualify you must be able to jump at least 2’. Entries are open now, so see our shows and clinics page for more info.

Nici and Stephie were trying out the new xc jumps before they were all even unloaded

Those of you who follow us on Facebook will already know that we recently received a shipment of twelve new training and prelim-level cross country jumps from jump builder Eric Bull out of Virginia. I can’t tell you how excited we are to upgrade our course with these jumps so that we can continue to improve what we have to offer our boarders as well as those who come for shows and clinics. If you haven’t had a chance to see (jump!) them in person, they are not to be missed.

Our twelve new jumps arrive

Finally, speaking of cross country, there will be a special feature blog post later this month covering a major improvement to our cross country course. I don’t want to jinx us, so you’ll just have to wait until then…

-- Casy

Stephie Baer on Burghley, Victorian literature, and overindulging in bridles

Stephie and Roo tackle the monster elephant trap at Plantation

Today I’m reviving the getting-to-know-you questionnaire, turning the spotlight on Stephie Baer, one of CBF’s two primary trainers/instructors. For most people who have been involved in eventing for more than ten minutes, Stephie requires little introduction, but here are some of the essential facts about her career:

Stephie is an advanced-level international event rider. She has competed at Bromont (Canada), Mexico, Rolex Kentucky, and Burghley (England).  She was short-listed for the 1998 U.S. World Championship Team. She has been teaching beginners through advanced-level riders for 35 years and has trained countless horses through the levels. She has been a member of the Course Brook Farm family for at least 15 years and has been a huge part of developing the facility into what it is today. She teaches seven days per week at CBF and her lessons are $95/hour. 

 

Dreyfus

For any of you who are interested in riding with Stephie, she will be teaching her annual Memorial Day cross country clinic at CBF on May 27. More information can be found here.

Stephie was kind enough to answer my hybrid horse-person/Proust questionnaire for this post.

1. How old were you when you first started riding? Five. My grandfather said to my mother, “Here’s some money, get that kid some riding lessons.” He was in the cavalry.

2. What is your greatest extravagance? Bridles.

3. What other talent besides riding would you most like to have? More athleticism.

4. What do you consider your greatest achievement (riding or otherwise)? Being short-listed for the World Championships in 1998. 

5. If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what would it be? A spoiled house cat that can go in or out.

6. What is your most treasured possession? My horses Dreyfus and Prudential.

Dreyfus at Rolex Kentucky

7. Who are your favorite writers/artists/riders? Writers: the historical novels of Anthony Trollope (probably because I had a great teacher in Victorian lit.) and Tolstoy. Artists: Michelangelo, Degas. Musicians:  Joan Baez, Pete Seeger. Riders: Bruce Davidson, Buck Davidson, Phillip Dutton, Lucinda Green.

8. What is your motto? Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

9. Have you ever ridden sidesaddle? Yes, as a kid without a sidesaddle.

10. What is your favorite riding moment (competition or anything else)? Going to England for five weeks with Dreyfus.

11. If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Right now, here. Probably in England if all my family and friends could be there too.

12. If you could do any job besides teaching/training, what would it be (doesn't need to be realistic). Be an architect or an engineer.

Thank you to Stephie for her insights, her incredible contributions to Course Brook Farm, and for the fabulous photos that she contributed for this post, including the one below of the infamous ditch and brush at Burghley. No big deal...

--Casy

April Combined Test Wrap-up

Photo by Lauren Murphy.

Sunday, April 21 we hosted the first in our spring series of three combined tests. The day started chilly, but by mid-morning the sun was out and it began to feel like spring. The show had thirty-two entries from training level to pre-elementary and featured adorable kids and ponies as well as lovely green horses beginning their eventing careers.

First of all, a huge thanks must go out to our wonderful volunteers! We are so lucky to have such committed boarders and friends and truly couldn't do it without you. A BIG thank you also to Lauren Murphy, who provided all of these wonderful photos!

Jan Conlon (R) was the dressage judge. The show jumping course was designed by CBF resident instructor Erika (Hawkes) Hendricks, who made an appearance despite having had her appendix removed last week! Erika said, "I try to design the courses with the parameters of recognized events in mind while keeping the courses flowing and easily adaptable to all levels."

Allie and Chloe finished second in the training division. Photo by Lauren Murphy.

In the Training level division, CBF’s own Allie Kohlberg and her elegant mare Clover Hill put in a polished test to score a 29 in dressage. A clean stadium added no penalties and she placed second, just behind Debbie Carlson and Carlingford Knight, who finished on their dressage score of 24.

Novice was the largest division of the day with eight competitors. Sandy Niles and her eye-catching Black Tie Affair led from start to finish with a score of 30. Daun DeFrance riding Quite the Casanova held onto second place with no jumping penalties, finishing on a score of 34. Victoria Wilson and Quarter Note jumped clean to finish third on their dressage score of 36.5.

Organizer Nici Hornblower sets the novice course. Photo by Lauren Murphy.

In Beginner Novice A, a junior division of two, Katie Santin and Finnegan pulled two rails in show jumping, but won the class with a score of 41.33 after Catherine Grenier and Dancin’ suffered an unfortunate elimination in show jumping after scoring a 33.33 in dressage.

Alyssa Carpenter and Future Perfekt led Beginner Novice B (the senior division with four competitors) from wire to wire, finishing with a score of 37.14. Both Amanda Teft (riding Lacy Lu) and Michelle Fotev (on Urioso) ended on a score of 42.38, but the tie was broken by collective marks in the dressage and Amanda took home the red ribbon.

 CBF trainer/instructor Stephie Baer walks the BN course with Ari Cora. Photo by Lauren Murphy.

The junior division Elementary A featured seven riders. The class was won by Hannah Donovan and Big Time Rush, who were in second place after dressage on a 37, but moved up to first when Dorothea Callen and High Tide pulled a rail in show jumping to add four penalties to their dressage score of 35. Third went to Carlie Cichocki riding Sillygoose with a score of 41.5.

The senior division Elementary B was won by CBF’s own Jennifer Harrison and the lovely paint Cherry, who finished on a 30.5. Second place went to Laura Tracy and Olive Grove, who jumped clean to score a 32. In third was Brenda Casey and Killian’s Irish Red, who scored a 41.

Pre-elementary was split into two divisions, junior and senior, each with one rider. CBF’s Elizabeth Gill and her adorable pony Sweet Dream earned their blue ribbon in Pre-Elementary A with a 38.13 and senior rider Melissa Restifo scored a 47.5 in Pre-Elementary B riding Norma Jean.

 Elizabeth Gill and her pony Sweet Dream won PE-A, as well as the spectators' hearts! Photo by Lauren Murphy.

The full results from the show can be found here. 

The next combined test in the series is May 19 and entries are now open. We are also accepting entries for our annual Memorial Day clinic with Stephie Baer. More information can be found at CBF's Shows and Clinics page. As always, we could use some volunteers for the May 19 show, so if you're interested please contact us at info@coursebrookfarm.com. See you there!

-- Casy

Finally... Spring!

The back barn in bloom!

I'm happy to report that Spring arrived in Sherborn around 1 pm yesterday! By 4, there were horses in and out of the wash stall for their first baths of the year. There were a lot of sparkling faces looking over their stall doors this morning. You know it's a good sign when the indoor is a ghost town during the day! I just hope I haven't jinxed us all by putting my snow shovel away. New England weather can be full of surprises...

Spring has everyone seriously thinking about their show schedules. As one boarder replied when I asked when her first horse trial was, "Thirty two days!" But who's counting?

Course Brook's first combined test of the season is right around the corner on April 21. It's the first in a series of three, so if you're interested in winning some excellent prizes at the end (and who isn't??), get your entry in. The closing date is April 14. We're offering combined tests from pre-elementry (18" jumps and USDF intro test A, aka walk/trot) through prelim. You can also do a la carte dressage tests, so no matter if you're ready to tackle the brick wall or not, come on over for a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and work out your kinks before you arrive at your first recognized horse shows.

Everyone around here is pretty excited about the fact that Will Faudree will definitely be coming to CBF August 17 & 18 to do a cross country/show jumping clinic! Keep your eyes on our shows and clinics page for a registration form later this summer as well as all of the good stuff that's happening around here before then. 

That's it for now. Looking forward to seeing you on April 21! And, if you're like me, you'll need to remember to apply sunscreen to those oh-so-pale arms as they make their springtime debut...

--Casy