Journeys are made better with friends

Journeys are Made Better with Friends

After a trip to the Canadian Nationals in Brandon Manitoba, I drove down to meet up with Karen Meyers. We had met through the Western Dressage Association of America in 2011, and have kept in touch, meeting at least once a year; 2011 at Denver, 2012 in NewYork, and now this year at her house in Tyler, Minnesota. 

The 10 hour drive was not so bad with my mare, and I forgot my geography, and thought it's only a couple of hours south of Fargo, North Dakota. I soon realized after looking at my 18 year old Rand McNally Truckers' atlas, that I had to go into South Dakota, and then head due east at Brookings. 

Some pretty nice range land out that way, and drove 40 miles across the State line into Minnesota, and I was soon at Tyler. 

After dropping Allie off at Karen's stable where she keeps Brannigan and Snazzy we tucked into some well deserved dinner and great conversation.

The next morning we went to the stable to see the horses, and worked with Karen and her horses. 

Brannigan is a HUGE 16.1 hand Gypsy Vanner gelding. Sweet as pie, and quite the personality. 

As luck would have it (I swear this was not planned), Karen had her first show in South Dakota on Saturday. Even if I needed to get home, it could wait. I did not want to miss it, and give her some extra confidence and some friendly advice on how to ride at her first show. 

I ended up driving her rig to South Dakota (only 70 miles away). This would have been Karens first trip driving the new truck and trailer and it was mutually agreed that she did not need the extra stress of driving to the show. 

We arrived at the show, and were met by Karen's regular coach Jim Hatch. We hit it off immediately sharing our views and concepts. It's so refreshing to find other coaches out there that share the kindred spirit of dressage in the same way. He even brought me some Mint Oreo Cookies. My favorites! You can't get them in Canada! 

Karen was soon mounted on Brannigan and schooling in the warm up ring. A few panicked comments like "He's not stopping" from Karen were soon solved by my "Just wait, get his attention, then you will get relaxation" Sure enough, Bran was soon focused on the task at hand. A few other relaxing comments and Karen was beginning to think about what needed to be achieved in the schooling warm-up and they were back to looking like they were schooling at home. 

A few more nudges and pieces of advice got Karen down the center line into her first ride. "You have time", "Think about your balance line"I said to keep her mind active to the task at hand. 

Well, to even my surprise, Karen nailed it! What a great ride. They were poetry in motion. Bran went into that arena relaxed, forward and happy. She received a resounding applause from the crowd standing around purposely watching her ride on Brannigan. 

The judge for the show was a Dutch rider who had ridden FEI level. He loved her ride, and was rewarded with a 66% and placed her first in her class. It was not about the scores or the placings. It was about the partnership and the journey with Brannigan. It was Karen's first show ever with her horse, and a personal victory. 

Karen, a very jubilant rider coming out to the ring.  A journey with Brannigan that had started in 2011 with some not--so  great instruction and training. A fearful horse that has risen to the whole purpose of Western Dressage and has become a partner with his rider.

The second ride was just as good.  And even though Karen and Bran have lots to learn, the journey has begun. 

Karen by the way, drove her truck and trailer home like a pro and even backed it up into the parking spot. She passes the truck/trailer driving test in my opinion. :)

We spent the next couple of days hanging out, and visited with some wonderful people near Minneapolis, but I'll leave that story for another day.

Jim Hatch, Karen and Brannigan

Some extra pats and attention after the rides.