Dressage Training, Lessons & Sales
The Stables at Iron Horse was excited to host a clinic Nov 9-10 with JJ Tate. We had 12 rides per day ranging from Training Level through Grand Prix. JJ was humorous, meticulous, engaging and educational for the riders and the auditors. We had over 30 auditors attend from as far as 2 hours away. We enjoyed the beautiful weather and equine comradery. Looking forward to having her back in 2025!
The Dressage Foundation (TDF) is pleased to announce that the 2024 Karen Skvarla Fund Grants for Emerging Professionals have been awarded to Sarah Sharpe (SC) who will receive a $1,500 grant to pursue training or educational opportunities.
To Read Full Article Click on the Link Below:
https://horsesdaily.com/article/sarah-sharpe-awarded-the-dressage-foundation-2024-karen-skvarla-fund/: Sarah Sharpe Awarded The Dressage Foundation 2024 Karen Skvarla FundThe Karen Skvarla Fund provides grants enabling dressage professionals, at the beginning stages of their careers, to receive education that will enhance their knowledge and teaching abilities. The Karen Skvarla Fund selection committee especially looks for applicants who are eager to grow and improve, and who are fair and respectful to both students and horses.
Winter Wonderland Dressage Show at Stableview in Aiken, SC! Alhambra got a 65% at Intermediate A! I’m so pleased with our first attempt together at a rated show and we are solidly on our way up! Hayley completed her first freestyle ever (is now hooked) and got a qualifying score for Second Level Open Freestyle – it’s super cute and fun! Theresa and Sudi successfully completed their tour at Intro Level at her first “real” dressage show ever and only second dressage show ever! Looking better and better each round. Amelia was consistently mid-60s at Training Level with her first show on Francesca and promising pair for the upcoming year! Her family came out to cheer her on. Kindred and Bucky the Champ cleaned up with Training Level at their first show together looking like little pros. Ava and Oksana also had their first show together in Intro and Training 1 with a promising start, looking beautiful together and lots to build on. Matt and Frankie got a qualifying score for First Level Test 3 and their partnership is growing!
Thanks to everyone who supported and helped including Amy McElroy for schooling me, Lynn Cobb for beautiful pictures, and Lauren Read for joining us for the weekend!
I can’t say enough wonderful things about this horse! He qualified for the 6yo Test which requires a minimum average of 75% and top 15 placement in the US. The test is similar to a third level test with changes and half passes, so the horses have to be mature and advanced enough in their training.
We had a great time at Made in the Shade! It was hot but it was worth it! Ritz debuted his 4th Level Freestyle in Style! Matt and Hayley rehearsed their Training-2nd Level Tests for Regionals. Ava won the Junior Scholarship and attended her first rated horse show with her new lease horse! Amelia and Bucky moved up to Training 2 and competed in the Jovee Pony Championships! Maddie and Happy moved up to Third Level and got two scores towards her Bronze Medal!
Tryon Summer Dressage was on point! Maddie qualified for Second Level at her first time out at Second! You go girl! Terri pulled out the stops and cleaned up in Training and the Pony classes on the “B” Team – go Bucky! Ritz qualified for Fourth Level on his first time out at 4-3 and got a 73% in the 6yo Test!
Best of all we had a lot of friends and family come up to support us! Go Team!
Maddie and Happy cleaned up at First and Training winning High Score Junior and High Score TIP and many firsts! Judging did not give away either!
Ritz moved up to 4-2 and pulled off two clean tests and also did the FEI 6yo Test with a 78%!
Recap from February: The Lowcountry Classic was a success! We showcased what we’ve been working towards. It’s great that we have a rated show in our “backyard”. Ritz (Dreamliner) won High Point Open both days in his 4-1 debut with a 70%. Chaska qualified for Regionals at Second Level in the Open division. This was his first time at 2-3. Amelia won all of her classes and the National Pony Cup on Saturday with a high of 73%. Abby achieved her personal goal of getting in the 70% at First-2 both days and got two scores towards her bronze medal. Kairos competed in his first show ever and was a total rockstar like he’s been to a million dressage shows and had a high of a 70% and qualified for Regionals in Training Level. Carol brought Stella for the weekend as a guest horse to get experience in a weekend show environment and Stella loved it and took every new thing in stride. We also had friends and family come out to support us and we thank you!
Lots of takeaways from the USDF Trainers Conference and had the pleasure of meeting Lendon Gray who stopped by Laura Ashley Killian’s farm to watch a young rider. Lendon heads https://dressage4kids.org/programs/ which has a lot of opportunities for young riders to get a leg up!
One of the takeaways as a general rule of thumb for when you are training a horse is to “do the opposite”. If your horse is tense, go for relaxation. If your horse is dull, get more reaction. If your horse is too high, go low. If your horse is too low, bring the frame up. If your horse is too long, then compress the energy. If your horse is too tight, then lengthen the topline.
This was a perfect show to top of the year and simultaneously kick off the new show season. On Saturday, Ritz showed Third Level Test 3 and got a 72% first time out and won his division. Amber performed an Intermediate 1 “Christmas Special” Freestyle with a 66.5% which is a both a qualifying score for Regionals and our first score towards a Gold Freestyle Bar. She also won the high score Freestyle award donated by Shang-ri La Equestrian. On Sunday, we did the regular division Intermediate 1 and received a 64.8%, which is also a qualifying score for Regionals and our second score (with a different judge) towards a Gold Medal.
Sharpe Dressage