Report on the June 2010 Dressage Clinics

Given by Mette in Canada from Marci Brown at Ark Equestrian (the organizer of the Clinics):

It is an exciting time for Dressage in Canada right now. That very enthusiasm could be seen in each rider and auditor that participated in the series of clinics that Mette gave across Ontario in June 2010! From the first rider to the fortieth, Mette greeted each with dynamic encouragement, great analogies and a simple way to approach any "holes" in their work. For those watching the days progress, an easy to follow theme emerged of what to expect from your horses as well as yourselves. Always working to strengthen your horse, always moving towards correctness, straightness, and not avoiding the tough stuff! No one was let off the hook, and no one walked away without a much clearer understanding of how to ride better. While the message was a serious one of hard work and dedication, the way it was delivered, with so much laughter and stories that were understood by all, it was impossible to feel anything but invigorated about the future ! Mette has a great way of teaching the auditors just as much as the riders. It was fantastic learning and fun for everyone.

I know we are all counting down the days until we are fortunate enough to work with Mette in Canada again (unless of course, we can convince her to move here). Until then, we will all keep up the hard work, and be sure to keep watching that drifting shoulder, keep our hands soft and pay attention to geometry! Thanks Mette. We promise to make you proud!

Below are some testimonials from some of the students at the clinics:

Vera Bowman: Day 1 of the clinic in Niagara. A wonderful opportunity to ride with a true master. She was extremely tactful and patient. Great chance to have a clinician of her calibre here! Thank you Mette

Jenn B: It was a wonderful opportunity !!!!! Mette was awesome and SOOOO funny !!! I really enjoyed my lesson !!! Thank you Mette

Ashley Ayres: Great Day ! So nice to be given the chance to ride with Mette.

Julie Cudmore: Awesome clinic Sebastian and I had, and I was thrilled to finially meet Mette and take in all she had to share. She really is very down to earth and very knowledgeable, and what a sense of humor !! I love it ! Sebastian and I will work really hard so she can see the difference by next time.

Life in the Fast Lane!

The last two months have gone by so fast, that I don't really know where they went! One thing is for sure: I have had a great time and have done a lot of fun things.

Taison and Finally have been to one CDI and one High Performance show. They were both good even if we didn't win. I think they are very happy to stay home for awhile and sleep in their "own beds" and get out of the fast lane. They have become very close and Finally is always looking for his older brother. He feels very safe when Taison is around and misses him when he leaves. When they are home Finally acts like he couldn’t care less, but I'm glad Taison takes care of him when he feels alone!

Since Debbie McDonald has been traveling the world, I have gotten very good help from Steffen Peters. I have to trailer my horses down to his place, ride for two days and then go back home and take care of all the other horses and riders. I have brought both Taison and Finally and we have gotten a lot done. Very fun and inspiring! Steffen is great!

I also got the opportunity to ride in the USEF clinic with Kyra Kyrklund. The clinic was three days long and this time it was held at the beautiful Epona Farm, owned by Linda Fowler here in L.A. area. The clinic was super and I got so much out of it. Finally was doing great and Kyra is so fantastic and inspiring. She gave me a lot to work on! I was so happy to be a part of this clinic, even if the timing was not so good: a lot of fun, but in too short of a time! When it rains it pours!

Now my horses are home and are getting some time off. I am off to Canada for a clinic this week and I think I will be teaching at four different barns. I'm looking forward to going and the Canadians are always so eager and fun to work with. I will tell you all about it in my next letter.

So as always...take care and have fun!!!

~Mette