Spring Down Low Down Newsletter
The newsletter of Spring Down Equestrian Center
Summer 2012
WELCOME
Summer weather began in early April this year, and has teased us ever since. We are ready for warmer weather to take hold and have Spring turn into Summer at Spring Down.—but remember that our lessons take place whether the weather is warm or cold - wet or dry. Our all weather jumping arena and our covered, indoor arena make it possible for us to ride no matter what the weather!!
Please remember that Spring Down is only closed three days in the year: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. All the other 362 days we are up and running with our regular schedule. If your lesson falls on another holiday besides these, then we are planning to carry on our regularly scheduled lessons: we are OPEN on Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day,as well as ALL other holidays besides those aforementioned three.
Coming up this summer, our wonderful and popular SUMMER CAMPS—both regular and intermediate. Sign up NOW to get a spot in one of these fun and educational sessions—spots are limited!
Come to our next horse show—the June show is one of our most spectacular with patriotic decorations and a patriotic theme for our Spring Down Rhythm ‘n Blues Drill Team.
Don’t miss it!!
HORSE SHOW UPDATES
Our most recent horse show was Sunday, June 3rd—and it was a wonderful show! We had a very large contingent of Spring Down riders signed up to participate. Our surrounding horse community also came and continued to support Spring Down’s philosophy of providing fun, family friendly, and affordable horse shows to the local community.
To be in a horse show at Spring Down, you should first discuss with your instructor whether or not you are ready to participate. We have classes from beginner lead line, to more advanced Hunter/Jumper classes—so we do have something for just about everyone. After you discuss it with your instructor, you should then pick a horse, and also an alternate horse who you would like to have as a show partner. Once you sign up for the show, you will most likely be given your show horse in your lessons so that you can practice and become a good team. Sometimes, however, there are two people riding a given show horse who may have a lesson on the same day, in which case you might need to ride a different horse once in a while.
Once you decide on your show horse, you then need to get the application form, from the office or on line from our web site. You then fill that out, and bring it to the office with a $125 show deposit. This deposit will be credited toward the show bill which you will receive after the horse show. This deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE so please make sure this is a date that will work for you.
Closer to the show date, your instructor will make suggestions for your classes. This is important, b/c each horse can be shared, so the instructors collaborate to make sure that each rider gets to do classes that are appropriate for them and their riding ability. The classes need to be chosen fairly and follow the rules of the USEF, from which we base all of our horse show rules at Spring Down.
At the horse show, all of the instructors will be there to help everyone, so you can certainly ask any Srping Down instructors if you don’t see your instructor right away. To help you understand all of the pre-show and show procedures, please ask the office for the Show Information Letter, or look for it on line on our web site at www.springdown.com—under the “Horse Show” link.
CONGRATULATIONS HIGH POINT WINNERS!!!
DECEMBER 2011 SHOW:
- BEGINNER: Avery Van Nata and Sunshine
- RESERVE: Sophia Ronan and Doc
- JUNIOR ADV: Maddy Wolf and Flora
- RESERVE: Justine Efcavitch and Sally
- SENIOR ADV.: Laurel Saldinger and Bennie
- RESERVE: Nicky Elsineitti and Omi
MARCH 2012 SHOW:
- BEGINNER: Emma Reichow and Doc
- RESERVE: Emi Sears and Butterscotch
- JUNIOR ADV.: Rachel Howard and Niles
- RESERVE: Justine Efcavitch and Sunshine
- SENIOR ADV: Emily Ketchen and Party
- RESERVE: Laurel Saldinger and Bennie
HORSE SHOW INS AND OUTS…
So have you wondered why some folks win ribbons in the flat classes and others don’t? A lot depends on the category of class in which you are entered. In any flat class that is an EQUITATION class, the judge is looking primarily at the rider’s position and technique. Some of the things the judge will consider are the following: having your eyes up and looking ahead, having your shoulders back, a good posture with a straight back, elbows at your sides, palms facing each other with thumbs up, fingers closed on the reins, seat in the center of the saddle, heels down, and a straight line from your shoulders to your hips to your heel. Also, it is very important to be on the correct posting diagonal, or the correct canter lead, b/c that is critical for the balance of the horse and rider.
In the HUNTER UNDER SADDLE classes, the judge is primarily judging the horse’s movements and manners. The rider’s equitation is important here because it will influence the way the horse goes...but the judge is really judging the movements and manners of the horse related to how well you are riding him.
WELCOME TO NEW HORSES AT SPRING DOWN!
COLORADO—SDEC
CHIQUITA—SDEC
WELCOME TO NEW BARN CATS
Check out our feline friends page for the latest information about Tuffy and Wally, the two kittens we had at Spring Down. There are some new photos up showing how Tuffy helps out around the house—and how much Kris, Tuffy’s owner, loves him!! Also, there are new photos of Caroline’s kitty—see how she has grown into a beautiful, mature cat!! Most recently, we adopted two new cats from Nine Lives, named Sookie and Carson!
SPRING DOWN STARS
We’ve launched it here on the web site! Go look at the STARS of Spring Down who work tirelessly, patiently and lovingly to teach our riders how to ride. We couldn’t do what we do without our horses! They are trained to do a special job here, keeping new or experienced riders safe, as well as patiently guiding us to new challenges in the arena. Spring Down trading cards are now available for Gifts: 2 for $5, and a complete horse set for $120—since we now have many more horses in the set. Please check in the office for more information about these new and exciting cards.
DRILL TEAM UPDATES
The Spring Down Drill Team, "Spring Down Rhythm `N Blues" A team performed an outstanding routine at our horse show in March! The A team did an outstanding job—even given the fact that one of the members wes in the ER for the performance—and Caroline Warde stepped up and filled in for her in a very professional and expert manner.
Riding in a drill team teaches you many riding skills, and you are having so much fun "dancing" with your horse, that you are not even aware how much you are learning!! Come to our June 3rd Horse Show to see our wonderful Drill Team, and you will experience all of this first hand. Also, there are some great drill team videos up on the Spring Down channel on You Tube—so you can check them out there as well!
The current members of the Saturday advanced drill team are the following: Diane Allison, Britta Buehneman, Kore Chan, Kris Clark -Hahn, Deb Lyons, Laurel Saldinger, Dani Schneider, Kelcy Senz, Caroline Warde, and Julia Wetterston.
The current members of the Sunday team are as follows: Sarah Chinn, Grant Doran, Lori Doran,Taylor Ford, Emily Ketchen, Megan Nichols, Robyn Ogilivie, and Emi Sears.
NICK KARAZISSIS CLINICS!
Nick Karazissis is one of the most successful trainers on the West Coast. For the last 30 years, Far West Farms, Nick’s barn, has been synonymous with quality, tradition and blue ribbons. Nick’s consistent success in the show ring throughout the last few decades has made him one of the most sought after judges and clinicians in the United States. We are very, very fortunate to have Nick come to Spring Down Equestrian Center three times a year to share all of his expertise with folks who sign up for his clinics.
Nick came to Spring Down in March to do one of his famous and wonderful clinics—even after sustaining an injury and having major surgery. All of us at Spring Down were extremely happy that Nick is doing so very well and is able to continue on with his tradition of visiting Spring Down and sharing his expertise with us! We love you, Nick, and hope that you continue to come to Spring Down for many years to come.
To sign up for one of Nick’s clinics, go to our Nick's Clinic to download the application. Nick’s next clinic is soon—July 3rd, 4th, and 5th, 2012.
TACK - UP LESSONS
Spring Down will be continuing to offer group tack-up lessons on a monthly basis. The lessons are scheduled every Sunday, at noon, for one hour.
"Why take this lesson?," you may ask. At Spring Down, we teach comprehensive horsemanship, not just horseback riding. A very important component of horsemanship is understanding the equipment you are using on any given horse: both how it is put on, and how and why it works. The group tack-up lessons will allow time both for demonstration of the equipment that we use, and hands on practice with someone standing by for instruction and assistance.
General grooming and equipment used for grooming will also be taught in the tack-up lesson. And, of course, as we are very safety conscious here at Spring Down, techniques for keeping both you and your horse safe will be taught so that everyone is safe and comfortable during the grooming and tacking-up procedures
Please see the office to schedule yourself into one of these tack up lessons. If you are unable to make the group lessons, a private lesson may be arranged. The group lessons are preferable, because the hour time will allow you to become familiar with more different types of equipment and also allows for more time to practice. A private lesson is the next best thing, however, if that is what your schedule will allow.
It has always been a SD rule that, if you are 12 years old or over, and you are capable of tacking up your horse, then you need to take a tack up lessons to learn how to do it safely. If you fit these requirements, but you chooses not to tack up for whatever reason, then you will be charged an additional $10 for tacking and also untacking your horse.
NEWS FROM THE OFFICE
Remember that Spring Down has a strict 24 hour cancellation policy. If you do not cancel with 24 hours notice, you will be charged for your lesson. This means if you have a lesson at 12 noon on Wednesday, you need to cancel your lesson by 12 noon on Tuesday by phone or in person. We do not except any cancellations via email. If you call to cancel at 4PM on Tuesday, you will still be charged a late cancel fee of $10. This policy exists because we need to plan our instructors/horses schedules in advance. We have reserved your teacher's time for you, your horse's time for you, and very often the horse has been tacked up by one of our grooms. Making an appointment for a lesson is a firm obligation, so please consider it as such, and give us a minimum of 24 hours notice if you are not able to attend your lesson.
When requesting a horse for a lesson, everyone needs to understand that it is just that: a request. The office will make every effort to honor that request, but sometimes we have ten requests for the same horse in a given day. Also, all the horses at Spring Down need to get exercise each and every day, so it is our responsibility to make sure that each horse gets ridden by someone (and that one horse doesn't get ridden too much). We try to match the horses and riders as best as possible, but please remember that each horse can teach you some new and different skills. Be flexible, and you'll be surprised at how many new horse friends you will acquire by branching out a bit...and at how much you will learn.
MINI CAMPS - Our new monthly program "Crazy About Horses" has been quite successful for those that only have a day to spend with horses and get their "boots wet." It is a perfect option for the parent, friend, or grandparent to ride along with their horse crazy kid. The camp is from 10 AM - 2PM covering many aspects of horsemanship: safety around horses, horse management and care, grooming, understanding how to put on special epqupment, a live demonstartion, and of course, RIDING! Be sure to sign up early as this program is very popular!
Next 2012 DATES:
TBD Fall 2012
GIRL SCOUT "HORSE RIDER" BADGE PROGRAMS- We've been working with the Girl Scouts of Northern California as an approved vendor. The standard Horse Rider badge is $40 per rider. We currently offer the Horse Rider and now Horse Fan badge to all troops. Each troop can earn 2 badges in one visit for a special price of $65 per rider. For the Brownies, we are offering the Horse and Pony Try It patch for those young scouts! Learn more on our site here...
15 FOR 15- Do you finally get in the groove after the first half of your lesson, and need just a little more time to figure out how to get things right? We are offering, during the slower times of the day (Mon - Fri, 9AM - 2PM) 15 extra minutes of lesson time for $15 dollars. If your instructor is availlable, the extra time can be just the ticket to boost your confidence. Contact the office within 24 hours of your lesson to see if the 15 for 15 is available for your next lesson!
MOMMY AND ME:
This program has turned out to be a smashing success. It is a series of 3 classes designed to introduce the smallest member of your family to horses while spending some quality time with Mom or Dad. As a group, you'll be introduced to safety, horse's ground manners, and you will get comfortable around horses. We'll teach you all about their special equipment, grooming and tacking up, and learning to ride. Each class may include the use of a vaulting horse, grooming, a riding lesson, and a special lesson about some aspect of horsemanship, geared to the little ones.. The series is a scheduled class, so look for upcoming dates!
Please see the office for more info.
Fall 2012 TBD
SDEC times for this class are scheduled from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. If you have capability for registering through Park and Rec, there may be availablitiy to sign up for the earlier group from 10:00AM - 11:30 PM. You must register through Park and Rec to get into this time slot.
HORSE SHOW DATES: (2012)
June 3
October 7th
December 9th
SUMMER CAMP IS HERE!! (2012)
June 11—15
June 18—29
July 9—20
July 23—Aug 3
Aug 6—17
Aug 20—31
INTERMEDIATE CAMPS:
June 11—14
Aug 6—9
NICK CLINICS: (2012)
July 3,4,5
October 23,24,25
SD BARN PARTY:
Sunday, September 2, 2012
SPRING DOWN TRIBUTES
TRIBUTE TO NINA GENISMAN:
A celebration of the life of Kyrina “Nina” Genisman was held at Spring Down Equestrian Center on Sunday, May 20, 2012. Nina died April 25th, 2012, at the age of 78.
A native of Oakland, Nina competed as a young woman in riding events at Madison Square Garden. She first met her future husband, Robert Genisman, at a New Jersey riding academy in 1950 and they rode in competition against each other, “with Nina always winning” says Mr. Genisman.
When her family returned to Oakland, she worked at St. Francis Riding Academy in San Francisco. She and Robert met again after he completed four years in the U.S. Navy—and they were married in 1956.
Throughout her life, Nina worked with horses: teaching, judging, training, mentoring, and directing riding academies, including the direction of the early stages of Spring Down Equestrian Center.
Donations may be made to DreamPower Horsemanship, at dreampowerhorsemanship.com - or mail to: 12425 Foothill Ave., #8, San Martin, CA 95046.
TRIBUTE TO ATASCA, NILES, AND SMOKEY
Atasca came from a barn in Sunol where he was used for trail riding in the East Bay Park District. After coming to Spring Down, he learned to jump, do lead changes, drill team, and became one of our biggest, safest, and most honest school horses. After being on and off again sound for over a year and having surgery to hopefully correct the problem, he continued to be sore and uncomfortable. We did extensive corrective shoeing, but to no avail. Most recently, an ultrasound revealed a tendon that was about to rupture, for which, unfortunately, there was no treatment.
Niles came to SDEC in May 2004 to be resold. SDEC trained him to be a Hunter. Then he went down South to be sold. Well, one after another sale fell through, so we brought him back and decided to keep him here for our own. Niles was one of SDEC’s most beloved school horses. He developed a severe and irreversible type of colic where his intestines became displaced causing extreme pain and discomfort. This condition could not be corrected, at which time it was necessary to end his suffering.
Smokey came to SDEC in February 2007, with the name ‘Mac’. He was started western, but had a hard time staying sound. He had surgery on his left front pastern, in which he had a screw inserted. He was going to be retired, when Carol bought him and took him in. She had x-rays done and worked with the vet to get him sound again. However, most recently, Smokey developed an irreversible neurological problem from which he would not be able to ever recover and live a normal equine life.
~~~
Don't cry for the horses
That life has set free
A million white horses
Forever to be
Don't cry for the horses
Now in God's hands
As they dance and they prance
To a heavenly band
They were ours as a gift
But never to keep
As they close their eyes
Forever to sleep
Their spirits unbound
On silver wings they fly
A million white horses
Against the blue sky
Look up into heaven
You'll see them above
The horses we lost
The horses we loved
Manes and tails flowing
They Gallop through time
They were never yours
They were never mine
Don't cry for the horses
They will be back someday
When our time has come
They will show us the way
On silver wings they will lift us
To the warmth of the sun
When our life is over
And eternity has begun
We will jump the sun
And dance over the moon
A Ballet of horses and riders
on the winds
to a heavenly tune
Do you hear that soft nicker
Close to your ear?
Don't cry for the horses
Love the ones that are here
Don't cry for the horses
Lift up your sad eyes
Can't you see them
As they fly by?
A million white horses
Free from hunger and pain
Their spirits set free
Until we ride again.
~~~
UNDERSTANDING HORSES
Understanding the way a horse thinks is a big part of what we try to teach people at Spring Down. Horses have a reactive side and a thinking side of their brain. When they are on the thinking side of their brain, they blink their eyes and lick their lips—two very good signs. Look for these signs of submission and paying attention to their rider the next time you are riding your horse.
For horses to become willing partners and followers they must have a natural leader in us, so walk tall and walk strong both when you are riding your horse, and when you are handling him on the ground.
FIGHT OR FLIGHT RESPONSE
Horses have an inherent fight or flight response mechanism. A horse will always try to flee what he perceives as a dangerous or scary situation. However, if backed into a corner, or if he sees no other way out, he will fight. In cases where flight is untenable, such as when a foal is threatened, a horse will also stand their ground and defend themselves.
Horses are prey animals, and their instinct is to flee from predators. Humans are considered predators by equines, so it is imperative to gain their trust—through knowledge and mutual respect.
Are you ready to join a group?
A frequently asked question is " When will I (or my child) be able to join a group?" There is no one answer to that question, because every person, no matter how young or old, learns skills at a different rate. In my experience as an instructor, the time may vary from just a few months, to over a year or more. But, there are a few key criteria from which we instructors judge whether or not joining a group is feasible:
- Can you get your horse out of the stall to the arena, and back again after the lesson SAFELY AND CORRECTLY? Parents, a hint to expedite this process for your smaller child is to learn how to do this too so that you can assist your child. There can sometimes be 6 or 7 folks in a group, and one instructor can not help everyone in the group to and from the stall.
- You must be able to check and tighten your girth, and also adjust your stirrups MOSTLY BY YOURSELF. This does not mean that your instructor will not help you at all, but it DOES mean that you must make a good effort to get as much done by yourself as you can.
- You must have good skills at mounting the horse safely.
- You must be able to do a posting trot ON THE RAIL BY YOURSELF WITHOUT MUCH ASSISTANCE. This includes being able to start, stop, and steer by yourself.
- Do you know how close you can safely get to the horse in front of you? Do you know what to do if you think you will get too close, i.e. pass safely, cut across the arena, or circle safely? Your instructors can assist with your refining these skills, but the basic knowledge and ability must be there.
- A basic understanding of posting diagonals is necessary. Of course, your instructor will continue to help you with this skill, but it must be understood by the rider.
- Do you know how to dismount safely by yourself? Your instructor can not assist everyone in a group without taking too much time away from the lesson.
There are, to recap, lots of requirements for being able to join a group. The bottom line for the necessity of these requirements is to ensure the safety of all the riders. Remember, there is only one instructor in a group, so each rider must posess the basic riding skills to ride responsibly and safely.
Do You Want To Jump?
Our goal at Spring Down is to help people to acquire the skills to do whatever type of riding interests them. Jumping is one part of the equestrian experience, and although it can be very exciting, it is also very demanding and challenging.
It is essential that you have mastered your flat work before you start jumping. After all, jumping is really advanced flat work with obstacles. Having solid flat skills is vital for your safety and security.
The following guidelines provide the minimum essentials that are required before you are able to safely and securely start jumping:
- Must be able to maintain good balance, steering, and control of the horse at all gaits: walk, trot, and canter.
- Must be able to walk and trot without stirrups. The instructor should not notice any difference in leg position or effectiveness with or without stirrups.
- Two-point seat must be strong and balanced, with the ability to do poles at the trot and canter.
- Must be able to stay in two-point seat at the canter three times around the indoor arena, or one time around the big, jumping arena.
- Must be able to execute circles at the canter effectively.
- Must be able to drop and regain stirrups at all gaits.
- Must know diagonals and leads.
- Must have a basic knowledge of simple and flying lead changes.
NEWS ABOUT PAINT
Fresh Paint is a wonderful horse who has been at Spring Down for about ten years. Carol got Paint from one of her farriers. Even though he was originally trained as a Western horse, he learned the English style very easily. and became quite the hunter/jumper! Paint sustained a very unusual injury to his tendon about 8 months ago, and he is now truly on the mend. He has been getting training rides by Caroline and Robyn O. every day, and has progressed to being able to trot all the way around the arena several times. This is all very good news, and we hope Paint will continue to progress in his rehabilitation so that he can be ridden again by all the Spring Down folks who love him so very, very much.
CAROLS 10 COMMANDMENTS OF RIDING AND JUMPING:
- Always check the tack-up book and your tack before you ride.
- One rein can stop a horse. If you don’t learn anything else, this is one very useful thing to learn!!
- Make the wrong thing difficult and the right thing easy for the horse.
- Have a plan, stick to it, and don’t give up.
- Every horse has its five issues. Understand those issues and plan to ride accordingly.
- Learn to think like a horse.
- Look up...don’t look down unless you want to go there.
- Regarding the number of strides in a line, the horse can’t count. That’s your job.
- Turn late to change your lead, and turn early to keep it.
- When jumping, the rider’s four jobs are to find a pace and rhythm, steering, balancing the horse, and keeping the horse straight so they can see the jump and find a distance.
"Make the wrong thing difficult, and the right thing easy for the horse." - Carol Goodstein
WE GET LETTERS
Dear Carol—
I love Spring Down! It is the greatest horse back riding place ever!!
Good Luck—
Appoline Verdiell
Read the previous issue of the Spring Down Low Down: Winter 2011
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