FEBRUARY 2026 THE RIDER /27


Palm Partnership Training™ Building A Partnership With Your Horse


Thoughts on Trends in Today’s Western Dressage Arena Let’s get ready to show & grow!


ready to advance to the next level! This one is a very often asked question! I am happy to share some simple tips to guide you on this part of the journey.


to address some of the current trends seen in the Western Dres- sage arena from the judge’s point of view. This subject is one that is often asked by riders, trainers and coaches alike. How do I know when I am


By Lynn Palm In this series, I would like


2. Allow yourself to learn the re- quired movements in any level for at least a year of training. The higher the levels the more consis- tent training and conditioning that the horse will need to accom- plish the required movements.


1. First know what the required movements are in each level. Know that each level has more degree of difficulty for the skills of both horse and rider. And within each level, each test has more degree of difficulty as well.


3. Training the elements for the next level should be included in your training program. I take one at a time and learn how to do it correctly. Combining training with the new elements of the next level and the level you are presently riding or competing with is setting you up to advance to the next level!


4. Here is my biggest tip! When your competition scores are AL- WAYS in the 70s, this is above average and should give you the


skills to go the next level. Re- member, going to the next level requires you to practice more, build the fitness of your horse, and truly understanding how to do each movement correctly.


5. When moving to the next level, I also suggest that you compete in one class in the level you do well, and one class in the new level. When your new level test is improving, then eliminate the lower level and concentrate on the new level.


6. As a judge and instructor I see too often that are riders trying to do a more difficult level than their horse or skills are ready to ride successfully. They can do one element fairly well and move to the next level. I see confused


horses and horses that are un- happy with their riders.


7. I have always had success but not asking my horse to compete in something they are not pre- pared to do. I did not want to con- fuse my horse or give him an impression that he could not be confident in the show ring.


8. Always compete with elements that you do best.


9. Horses don’t have the choice to move to a new level. Be smart and give your horse all the re- spect and benefit to learn the new requirements before moving to the next level.


10. Ride Smart to the next level in Dressage. You will never re-


gret if you want to become one with your horse and perform with harmony with a horse that is con- fident and willing! Best of luck negotiating the


training and conditioning of each level as you move up the ladder. Stay tuned for more tips on trends demystified in the Western Dressage arena.


abroad as well as online coach- ing. Join them on their teaching tours or their Palm Equestrian Academy European Journeys.


throughout


generalinfo@lynnpalm.com 352- 362-7847 Cyril and Lynn offer clinics the country and


Palm Equestrian Academy The Oktoberfest Jumper Show Full Results The Oktoberfest Jumper Show October 3-5, 2025, offered


overall championships in all 7 divisions. The top three received medals, trophy coolers, embroidered saddle pads and a Leather Refresher leather care package. These awards and those for the Jumper Development classes, Mini Prixs and Grand Prix were made possible through the continued support of our sponsors. International course designer Volker Schmidt provided


challenging courses to help horse and rider sharpen their skills! Once again, our fundraising efforts allowed us to purchase socks and tuques for several Homeless Shelters in Hamilton.


Visit https://facebook.com/kayjayequinephotos for pictures from this year’s show.


2025 Equicup Oktoberfest Jumper Show Champion Results


.80 M Junior/Amateur Division 1) Stella Ella Ola – Cheyenne Galer 2) SV Northern Gold – Craig Jackson 3) Harley Quinn – Emily Recker


.80 M Training Jumper Division 1) Shelby – Kaylea Friedrich 2) SBS Visenya – Hayley Martin 3) Nortorious Blue – Trista DeCooman


.90 M Junior/Amateur Division 1) Galilea – Marie Denau 2) Exquisite – Alana Ross 3) Thunderstruck – Brayden Baskott


.90 M Training Jumper Division 1) Legendary Lance – Mike Jones 2) Thunderstruck – Brayden Baskott 3) Giant Sunrise – Teha Lepointe


1.0 M Junior/Amateur Division 1) Leggs – Craig Jackson 2) Adaline – Regan Cachia 3) Thunderstruck – Brayden Baskott 1.0 M Training Jumper Division


1) Nightingale Van De Zulu – Robyn Miller 2) Ducati Ghost – Kim Miller 3) Kraemer – Marie Denau


Equicup Jumper Division 1) Balourina – Teha Lapointe 2) Legendary Lance – Mike Jones 3) Domani KG – Dieter Werner


Jumper Development – 5 Year Olds Amazon Forester – Teha Lapointe


Jumper Development – 6 Year Olds Roheryn KVF – Kim McAlister


$500 HEV Mini Prix (.80 M) 1) Shelby – Kaylea Friedich 2) Harley Quinn – Emily Rekker 3) Notorious Blue – Trista DeCooman 4) Heaven GS – Talia Johnstone 5) SBS Visenya – Hayley Martin 6) Luxvell Z – Emma Smith


$1000 Werner Family Mini Prix (.90 M) 1) Giant Sunrise – Teha Lapointe 2) Thunderstruck – Brayden Baskott 3) Galilea – Marie Denau 4) Exquisite – Alanna Ross 5) Felix 67 – Heather Boyko 6) Shaquiri – Erica MacKeen


$1000 Findaway EC Mini Prix (1.0 M) 1) Leggs – Craig Jackson 2) Giant Sunrise – Teha Lapointe 3) Kraemer – Marie Denau 4) Adaline – Regan Cachia 5) Nightingale Van De Zulu – Robyn Miller 6) Thunderstruck – Brayden Baskott


$5000 Skyway Insurance Brokers Grand Prix (1.15 M) 1) Magnolia AS – Holly Jacks 2) Balourina – Teha Lapointe 3)


Josephine – Holly Jacks


4) Amazon Forester – Teha Lapointe 5) Cochise – Dieter Werner 6) Legendary Lance – Mike Jones


Braydon Baskott and Thunderstruck


Teha Lapointe and Balourina


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