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Thoughts on the concept of Learned Helplessness I think that in my mind, the training of the horse and the rider are two separate matters. I often hear people say that the novice rider and the novice horse "will learn together" but isn't this a case the blind leading the blind (usually at the expense of the horse)? Unless a great deal of professional help is sought, progress is likely to be slow and often confusing for the horse. An established rider with independent hands, legs and seat will be more adept at teaching a young horse as they will be less likely to give accidentally conflicting aids. i.e. catching a horse in the mouth unexpectedly and so giving conflicting cues. Similarly, a schoolmaster can teach the rider an enormous amount, as in general, they can tolerate more mistakes due to a longer experience of being ridden, they often already know what is expected of them. |
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Horse Poo Paper! Nestling in the foothills of Snowdonia in neighbouring Corris lies a little rural industry making paper out of sheep poo. A sheep only digests 50% of what it eats. The rest is reusable fibre and that can be made into paper. Very attractive and very individual paper. |
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Roger Clementino riding Nilo VO |
Historic Lusitano Dressage Performance in Brazil São Paulo, April 1 – During the Grand Prix B test at the CDI3* in São Paulo, Brazil, Rogério Clementino rode the pure-bred Lusitano Nilo VO into the record books by achieving a historic score of 65.38% – one step on the road to Olympic qualification. Asked how he felt during the test, Clementino admitted, "Expectations were very high, the pressure from the press, everybody´s hopes, and everything ... so I tried to do what I have been doing in training, I forgot for a while the percentage, prayed to God, asking for peace and tranquility and that He would allow me to do my best." Although Brazil earned a dressage place to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games thanks to their team's Pan American Games bronze medal in Rio de Janeiro last August, riders still need to record a percentage score of 64.00+, awarded by two foreign FEI judges, in two separate Grand Prix tests in order to secure their individual places. In São Paulo, the foreign judges who unequivocally gave their nod of approval were Canada's Elizabeth McMullen and Axel Steiner from the USA, respectively awarding 66.250% and 68.542%. The latter score is the highest ever recorded in an international CDI3* dressage Grand Prix in Brazil...... Click here to read the full story
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Carreg News Update March 2008 The year started in January with a display for 50, quite a challenge given the wet winter we have been having here in Wales! I have to say that Paul and Annette excelled themselves and produced five sparkling horses despite the all the mud Our two new youngsters both behaved impeccably on finding quite a daunting audience in the indoor school ( with lots of small children). Zafira, every inch as confident as her sire Nilo, did not bat an eyelid, she is now broken in and progressing quickly. Aigre Doux (Vinagre) also went beautifully, this was particularly pleasing as he had only arrived on the yard just before Christmas. Heroi, Cordero and Nilo showed more advanced work, Cordero displayed the courage and confidence of the Iberian with a demonstration of how to carry a burning fire torch. Aigre Doux sired by Noitibo is another Casal Branco bred horse, at 16 hands 2 inches he stands taller than Nilo. Aigre Doux is showing lots of ability and promise and will hopefully make his debut at Warrington Show in May. The interest in the breed appears to still be growing with lots of enquiries and invitations to show the horses working as far a field as Cumbria and Pembrokeshire. Equilibre will not be creating a Masked Ball this year (images of The Ball can be seen on our web site) but possibly a unique interpretation of Mardi Gras in 2009 |
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The Global Dressage Forum 29th-30th October Holland We were welcomed to the Global Dressage Forum at the end of October by our host Dr. Joep Bartels, Chairman of the programme The programme was purposefully designed to be provocative and The focus for 2007 was training methods, scientific results on learned helplessness, the marketing of dressage and the evaluation of judging. The main goal being an open discussion with representatives of trainers, judges, horse owners, organisers and media representatives...... |
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British Equestrian National Convention - Hubertus Schmidt Clinic Olympic Gold Medallist, five times German Professional Riders Champion and World Cup Winner, Hubertus Schmidt is one of the most successful dressage trainers in the world today. Even in the sub zero temperatures that existed on the 24th of November it was a great privilege to listen to and watch this unassuming master at work. While there were no Lusitanos at the clinic members may still be interested in the straightforward and uncomplicated training advice that was offered. Hubertus Schmidt is known for his delicacy in riding highly strung horses and as such his advice is very applicable to hot blooded horses. There were he said a foundation of four very important elements and that relaxation is fundamental to everything...... |
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Collaboration with Award Winning Photographer Tim Flach It is actually quite a while since Tim Flach made a three day visit to Carreg, photographing for his new book Equus. I have to say working with Tim was a good deal more about hard work and less about the glamour I had imagined! The work at Carreg involved one of the stables being transformed into a studio, complete with flappy backdrops and studio lights, the horses had to stand motionless on their mark and cope with being doused with water, foam and occasionally mud to create the desired effects.They were very proffessional models! Typically in the end some of the most exciting shots came from natural light, created while the sun set to the west of the building! Tim is absolutley dedicated to his craft, we worked from 7.00 am to 3.00 am the following morning! Tim seems to survive quite easily on no food and no sleep, a bit of a problem for the rest of us who enjoy quite a lot of both. This dedication is evident in the extraodinary images that Tim has captured from all over the world, they are mesmerising,challenging and unique observations. This body of work is destined to become an important testimony of a world class photographer both in the Art World and in the Equine World. Please visit www.timflach.com to see a preview of Equus.
Tim Flachs images of Icelandic Ponies In Their Own Environment an example of what can be seen in his new booK Equus. Click the photographs to enlarge.
The photographs immediately above and to the left are of Heroi, Unico, Nilo owned by Carreg Dressage and Rouxinal owned by Elizabeth Cope. Click the photographs to enlarge. |
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Pupils win the Regional Rounds
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Bristish Horse Society interviews Jane The British Horse society recently interviewed Jane lloyd Francis on Classical Dressage and Carreg Dressage for it's January 2007 Newsletter. |
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Bordering Art Project Ruth Jones has collaborated with Equilibre Horse Theatre and Jane Lloyd Francis to create an unique equine display focusing on the exchange of energy that occurs when two cultures meet, collide and are altered as a result. The project is also planning to conduct a workshop open to people in and around the Oswestry area in which participants will work with body movement in conjunction with a horse. The performance will take place on October 7th 2006 at the Oswestry Racecouse. The workshop will take place at the end of September. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT rUTH jONES AND THE PROJECT. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PRESS RELEASE / 12th July 2006 |
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Classical Riding, Who Cares ? In response to an article titled "Classical Riding, Who Cares ?" published in Horse & Hound, Georges Dewez wrote an article published in the spring issue of Classical Riding Magazine. CLICK HERE TO READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE. |
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Carreg horses find new homes. Bailina has been sold to the Stevens family in Surrey where she is very much adored, Jackie Stevens used to work for Lord Loch and consequently is very familiar with Lusitanos. Esther Garnes now has Brilliant D'or who is finding a new lease of life going for gallops along the beach, making lots of new friends and even going to local shows! |
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Dancing with Horses Jane Lloyd Francis and Georges Dewez performed at the "Dancing with Horses" show on the 1st of April 2006 to help raise funds for the new Riding for the Disabled complex. For More Information on the show, please visit the website of Perry Riding and Driving Group : http://www.perry-rda.org/ To learn more about Riding with Disabilities, please visit the RDA website: http://www.riding-for-disabled.org.uk/ |
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 Unico II, Golega Horse Fair. |
News from Carreg Dressage In January we completed the long awaited extended Outdoor School , which is now 60 metres x 25metres – with seemingly endless horizons! The new school has a wonderfull surface supplied by Equine Direct and is riding beautifully in all weathers. It is now known as the Sacred Space; hopefully it will not stay white for ever! There is also a new drying room, heating in the tack room, warm water horse shower and hopefully new client accommodation by the end of the year. With three young stallions arriving from Portugal last November, together with the usual client's horses it has been a hectic winter. Look out for Sultao (sired by Heroi), Universo and the outstanding UnicoII this summer. Nilo's yearlings are looking very promising, growing up in Portugal , in true lusitano style and mares are already arriving here to be covered this year. Baillina, a filly by Heroi, is now working well under saddle and will soon be joining Ourico in Shropshire is for sale. Unico at Golega horse Fair, where he came second in his class. Unico is progressing well as a potential competition dressage horse. |
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| Carreg Dressage gains Soil Association approval. Carreg Dressage land has been certified by the Soil Association, a very rigorous process, and now has recognised organic status. This also means that all of our horses and visiting horses are fed on non GM products and that all medicines including wormers do not leave harmful traces in the soil and of course all our horses feed on the best welsh organic grass.As a result of existing woodland and pasture management schemes over the last 10 years we are beginning to see new wild flowers emerging and a wonderfull and varied return of wildlife including otters, pine martins and red kites.In 2003 Carreg Dressage also developed an environmental policy for the business and the running of the yard and Carreg Dressage were runners up in The 2003 Wales Environment Awards. |
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Carreg Sculpture Trail As a result of the work of Artist in Residence Dick Renshaw during Equilibre, Carreg now has a sculpture trail leading to the yard. The trail is loosely themed on travel and is made up of large pieces of carved and engraved local slate.photo left: Dick Renshaw, sculptor in residence Health and Safety |
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| Carreg wins Silver Award Carreg Dressage completed Welcome Host training sponsored by The Wales Tourist Board and gained a silver award. |
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Equilibre Horse Theatre Equilibre Horse Theatre was nominated for The Greatest Show in Wales-Event of the Year run by The Wales Tourist Board and was presented with a commemorative plaque. We were short-listed to the final four and only beaten by The Bryn Terfel Opera Festival Equilibre. Equilibre horse theatre were winners of The Small Business category of the Arts and Business Awards in 2002. |
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