ExtremeMustang
Training Outside the Box
Norco Extreme Mustang
Texan Lorrie
Trail Challenge
Grover could
Outside the Arena, that is!
ADU “Dinner & DVD Nights”
Raises The Bar
hardly believe
her ears when
she heard
Contributed Courtesy
scores of 9.5
Extreme Mustang Makeover
from judges
Mark Lyon and
There has likely never been anything like
Ken McNabb
it. A test of horses with only 90 days training during the Norco
in the controlled environment of an arena
Extreme Mus-
tang Trail Chal-
competition, with the added challenge of a
lenge Finals.
Grand Prix rider Carol Schmickrath
rural and urban trail course. It was, however,
acts as moderator during the “DVD” something that Extreme Mustang Makeover
Contributed by Cean Embrey
part of an ADU Dinner & DVD Night.”
visionary Patti Colbert had in mind when the
Sitting in a cool air-conditioned room, Maybe our horse can barely walk, trot, and Norco Extreme Mustang Trail Challenge
with a full belly, a glass of wine, and a room canter. That is where the subsequent training kicked off on May 15 in Norco, CA.
full of horse friends, watching world-class DVDs come in, starting at the beginning of But these weren't just any horses. These
horse competitions and training. What could training the young horse, to eventually pro- were mustangs, gathered in Nevada and
be better? gressing up to the highest levels of dressage. picked up by 29 trainers in Ridgecrest, CA, in
along with a 360 degree spin or turn to the right
Sometimes you just have to think outside The month after the Olympic tape, the DVD February. A total of 25 horses, all mares, made
and left. Other than that, the trainers could bring
the box. Outside the arena, that is. Granted, was shown called “Schooling a Horse - Basic their way to the competition -- four of them
whatever they thought would showcase their
there is no substitute for getting out there con- Training in the First Year.” The next month with foals by their sides ranging from three
horses talent.
sistently in the heat and humidity this summer was “Lateral Work as a Key to Success” which weeks to two months in age.
Jessie Jane, a four-year-old sorrel mare
and training with your horse. But there are showed the training of exercises such as shoul- For them, in addition to the Trail Chal-
showed the most quiet and graceful routine of
some non-riding things that you can do as der in and half pass. Building on that, the fol- lenge, the Mustang Heritage Foundation
the evening, with a bridleless routine under
well, that will help you advance your knowl- lowing month covered the training of some hosted a $2,000 Mommy and Me class com-
trainer Lorrie Grover of Corpus Christi, TX, that
edge and skills in the riding discipline of your mid-level skills, counter canter, flying changes, plete with baby shower. Taking the win in that
left the crowd breathless. Judges Mark Lyon and
choice. and canter pirouettes. Next is achieving col- class was Mustang Sally and her three-week
Ken McNabb rewarded the duo with near per-
Austin Dressage Unlimited has success- lection, and training the very high level piaffe old filly Delilah, a fiery bay, trained by Bob
fect scores in recognition of the mare's fluid
fully set up a series of monthly “ADU Dinner and passage movements of dressage. Mundy of Norco and winning $800. But the
moves and correctness of gait.
& DVD Nights” for their members and guests. These nights are not meant to just be sit- real test for this working mom was the trail
Drawing up last in the competition, Buzz
This very popular program is both a social ting and watching the DVDs tho. The video- challenge events held May 15 and 16.
Riebschlager finally unveiled the full force of his
event for members to get to know each other, tapes are paused and rewound frequently. Taking a commanding lead early on in the
routine that his fellow citizens had only caught
and an educational event to learn the training Questions are strongly encouraged, and thor- competition was Lanny Leach of Tucson, AZ,
glimpses in the past weeks as he ponied Windy
methods of the best trainers and instructors in ough explanations are given by the ADU mod- riding a three-year-old brown mare he named
through town at first and then began to ride her.
the world. erator, who is a Grand Prix dressage rider. Soso gathered from the Nevada Wild Horse
He did his best to keep the rest of the routine a se-
Each month an ADU member offers to Rider position and aids are demonstrated by Range. The duo was the high scoring pair at
cret. Entering the arena with Windy standing in
host the Dinner & DVD Night in their home. members of the audience. Lively discussions the conclusion of both series and were the
a flat bed trailer and being pulled by a truck.
The host provides the tasty main course of the often occur. Most attendees go home with a heavy favorites going into the finals May 16.
Riebschlager twirled an American flag around
meal, which this year has featured smoked better understanding of the dressage move- "Soso has one of the biggest hearts I've
Windy's head before guiding her to leap from the
brisket, pasta, BBQ ribs, and homemade deep ments and the training of the horse and the ever seen in a horse," said Leach, who along
trailer to the arena floor. Windy worked the arena
dish pizza. There is always a vegetarian dish rider. And they go home inspired to improve with his son, Logan, operates a training center
like a pro, performing a relaxed and smooth rein-
offered as well. Each attendee then brings a their own riding and advance the training of in Tucson and had competed in the 2008 Ex-
ing pattern, with large circles and several easy
side dish or drink to contribute to the pot luck their horse. Riders of all levels, beginners to treme Mustang Makeover in Fort Worth.
flying lead changes, Then it was on to play a few
dinner. No one goes away hungry. Most peo- FEI riders, including amateurs, professionals, "She'll make a good horse for someone and
games, as she picked up her knees to move a
ple practically have to be rolled out they are so and junior riders are taking advantage of these already shows a lot of potential."
large ball across the arena floor and then acted
stuffed with tasty food by the end of the meal! fun and very educational ADU Dinner & DVD With a crowd of 2,000, of mostly Norco-
totally nonplussed as Riebschlager rode her
This is a great chance for attendees to social- Nights. nians, looking on May 16, the top 10 finalists
through the colorful, waving arms of an inflat-
ize, network, and enjoy each other’s company. Eat hearty, then watch, analyze, discuss, brought their best game, which required com-
able balloon.
Any club business, activities, or announce- and learn. And all of this is done in the comfort pulsory moves of a walk, jog, lope or canter,
Riebchlager tied with Grover to end up shar-
ments can also be made briefly to the captive
of someone’s home – outside the box.
as well as circles to the right and left lead
ing the championship with both receiving a
w
audience. And some lucky attendees go home
$3,000 check.
with one of several door prizes given.
Training Outside the Box
"This was an outstanding competition with
ADU’s “Education Committee” provides
just the right mix of trainers," said MHF event
National Wild Horse
the training videotapes to be shown at each of
coordinator Randi Blasienz, "but, of course, the
the DVD Nights. They have planned out a se-
ultimate goal of the events are to get horses
Adoption Day
ries of tapes to be shown over several month’s
placed for adoption and these horses really
Launches Web Site
time that will organize a path of learning for
showed they were highly marketable animals."
The National Wild Horse Adoption
attendees in a logical manner. For our dressage
All 25 mustangs were adopted for an aver-
Day web site is now live. Located at
discipline, the series began by showing a DVD
age price of $1,910 per head. The high-adopting
nationalwildhorseadoptionday.org or
of the recent Olympic dressage competition.
horse was She's Country, a four-year-old brown
adoptawildhorse.com, wild horse enthusi-
Attendees were able to see the best horses and
mare trained by Logan Leach of Tuscon, AZ,
asts and supporters will be able to keep pace
Grover and
riders in the world perform, and really see
Jessie Jane who placed third and adopted for $4,700. Windy
with the activities slated for September 26
performed a
what the highest levels of dressage should look
was adopted for $3,750.
and fine out how they can get involved. A bridleless
like. These kind of performances and execu-
Visit www.extrememustangmakeover.com
goal of 1,000 adoptions has been set for the
routine that
tion of the movements are our ultimate goal.
left the crowd for full results, other challenges and to learn
first National Wild Horse Adoption Day. w
breathless.
But how do we get there from here?
more about the mustang horse. w
July 2009 SouthWest Horse Trader 7
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