By Sally Burton with Photos by Patty Keim
This article received an honorable mention in the 2024 GMO Newsletter Awards for first person experience articles for GMOs with 175-499 members. It appeared in the Northern Ohio Dressage Association newsletter, NODA News, 2024 Issue 4.
This year we were so excited about our Adventures and More, and as usual, the excitement was warranted! We had fantastic weather (right before the heat wave), a lovely group of riders, and fantastic clinicians.
On Thursday night, we arrived and moved in and let the horses settle in. A potluck dinner was shared along with some meet and greet fun activities to get to know one another. Of course there were prizes! After dinner a number of riders set out and explored the trails of Brecksville.
2024 NODA Adventures and More Friday arrived with much anticipation. Our weekend clinicians were Barb Soukup or Carrie Woost who are both L Graduates with Distinction. Dressage lessons occurred all day and everyone enjoyed their 45 minute dressage lessons! Both clinicians teach in similar fashion but discovered different areas to focus on for each rider. On Saturday the riders switched clinicians so that everyone got a chance to ride with both instructors. After their lessons riders were excited to share what they learned.
Also on Friday, Emily Gill , USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medalist and US Working Equitation Master’s Rider arrived and set up her obstacles for a Working Equitation Clinic. Riders spent just shy of two hours learning about Working equitation and practicing a variety of obstacles all of which focus on skills required in traditional dressage. The fan favorite was probably the BULL as most horses have never seen anything like it- and some even tried to bite it (my horse!). Many horses were challenged by the wooden bridge- on trail they all walked over it- but the bridge looked different in the middle of the ring. Goals were set and achievements were celebrated.
Friday evening we invaded the local Mexican Restaurant for dinner and laughs. Tired but happy and ready for those lessons on Saturday. During lunch each day we had a “question and answer” session with our clinicians. It was a time for everyone to ask whatever pressing questions they might have- it was interesting to hear it from the L program graduate perspective as both Barb and Carrie have earned their with distinction cards and judge at many local schooling shows.
Saturday night we had a fun pizza party and a chance to ask Lauren Wade, DVM, questions all about the vet world. And of course there was cake!
Finally, on Sunday, it was time to put what we learned to the test. Another amazing local instructor and also a card carrying L graduate with distinction, Danielle O’Donnell, came to do a ride-a-test or a mini lesson reviewing what was learned over the weekend. It was a wonderful way to end the our 2024 NODA Adventures and More.
In my personal opinion, the best thing about this adventure is the time spent with our horses, with other horse crazy gals along with learning, talking, laughing and building confidence! Many thanks to everyone who attended, to CADS for the lease of Brecksville Stables for the weekend and to Emily Gill, Barb Soukup, Lauren Wade and Carrie Woost for the lectures and instruction!
and Mercedes
Russell
