Spring Bay HT 2009

Spring Bay HT was a huge success for LLET!

To sum things up, Hannah put in a great test to sit 2nd after dressage on a 35.4. We put in a double clear show jump round to be set in 1st place. Sunday was the cross country, being this show was in the beginning of April we hadn't had a chance to get out on the cross country school, so our main goal was to get out, see the fences and run around clean. We ran slow but jumped clean, racking up some time faults we finished in 6th place.

Student Maria Filsinger & her new mount Pete competed in the Beginner Novice division as their first show together, they finished in 1st place on a 23.5! They are more tehn ready to move up to Novice at the next show.

Jen Johnson & Loose Cannon put in a solid weekend to finish 3rd in their Training division.

Kendel Torrel & Badland's Echo had a great weekend too and finished in 7th Place in their Preliminary division!

Show Prep

*As published in the Cross Country Magazine from CSDEA
2009 Show Checklist
By:Liz Lund

The following equipment list can be used for just about any equestrian discipline but is mainly focused around Eventing and Dressage. Depending on the type of show you are going to, the distance you need to travel and the amount of time you will be there will require slightly different supplies. Also depending on your horses needs some will have to bring more and some less. Anyone who has shown before realizes that there can be some stressful times before entering the show ring. Being prepared to go to a show will help reduce these stressors. The following list can be cut out and copied for future use.

* Rider Equipment

-Show Coat
-Dress Shirt
-Breeches (white/tan/light colored depending on type of show)
-Belt
-Stock Tie/Pin or Rat Catchers
-Gloves
-Hair Net
-Helmet/Top Hat
-Bobby pins/hair spray
-First Aid Kit
-Safety vest
-Medical armband
-Dressage whip/jumping crop
-XC Watch

* Horse Equipment
-Grooming Supplies
-Brushes
-Hoof pick
-Coat shine
-Mane/Tail detangler
-Braiding Kit
-Hoof polish
-Bug spray
-Tack cleaner
-Saddles
-Saddle pads
-Girths
-Bridles
-Other extra riding equipment: breast plate/martingale/etc.
-Leg wraps/boots
-Stud Kit
-Bathing Supplies: bucket/sponge/sweat scraper/shampoo/conditioner/etc.
-Coolers/Blankets/Fly Sheet
-First Aid Kit
-Towels

* Stall Equipment
-Buckets
-Hooks & clips
-Stall guard
-Shavings
-Hay, with hay net if necessary
-Feed and supplements
-Salt block or electrolytes
-Twine
-Bridle hooks
-Saddle Rack
-Hose attachment
-Chairs

* Trailer Supplies
-Extra tack: stirrup leathers/reins/etc.
-Tools: needle nose pliers/hammer/wrench/etc.
-Spare light bulbs for trailer lights
-Trailer jack or ‘trailer buddy”
-Tire Iron
-Spare Tire
-WD40
-Duct Tape
-Scissors
-Spare gas can
-Water container for long road trips

Some things that can be done before you leave for a show are things like bathing your horse, clipping stray hairs, cleaning your tack and making sure all of your own show clothes are clean. Packing of the trailer and gear should all be done the day before you plan on leaving to reduce stress or a late leave time. Grooming supplies should be brought in order to keep your horse clean throughout the show, blankets and slinkies/sleazys can be used to prevent manure stains overnight at horse shows. Make sure to have a COGGINS and HEALTH CERTIFICATE when traveling, it is required by law.

Other accessories and necessities can include a rule book, which you should be familiar with to make sure you are using the correct tack and equipment and won’t get eliminated for something silly like wearing bell boots in your dressage test or a standing martingale at an event. Be familiar with the discipline you are showing, but ultimately people learn from mistakes, so take into account that every show you go to is a learning experience. Write down what you forgot or things you had to borrow, take note to new rule changes and always keep yourself updated. After horse shows can almost be just as stressful and everything tends to just get thrown back in the trailer. Make sure when you are done at a show that everything is re-packed and put where you will find it again to make going to your next show a breeze. Re-organize your trailer when you arrive at home and know where everything you will need is, re-stocks anything else you may have used or forgotten.

I wish you all the best of luck this 2009 show season!

Preparation

After a long cold winter of putting in our time, we are finally starting to see the payoffs of the dreadful winter. Spring is right around the corner which means shows are just around the bend!

A week from now I will be on the road with some close friends and clients heading south to Lexington, Kentucky for our first show of the season, Spring Bay Horse Trials. This will be the earliest I have shown in the show season, so I hope all of my preparation and training will pay off. Since this is the earliest show I have done, we had to begin conditioning work earlier in the indoor arena. Trot sets started early and I am now up to where I would like to be and have done a few gallop sets, weather permitting. We are hoping to have seen the last of the snow but you never know in the unpredictable midwest!

I will be debuting the 2009 season atop Lady Hannah B in the Open Preliminary division. This weekend the 28th & 29th I will be doing some last minute preparation with Eric Dierks as he will be at Trophy Hill Farm for an eventing clinic. We hope that Spring Bay will be a friendly opener for us and allow us to get out off of the farm and out on the cross country in order to help prepare for our CIC* at Otter Creek Farm at the end of May.

Traveling with me to KY will be my long time student Maria Filsinger and her new mount Peter. This will be their first recognized event together and they will be starting out at the Beginner Novice level. They have put in countless hours of training and preparation all winter also. Also attending and debuting her 2009 season will be long time friend, client and vet Jen Johnson and her horse Loose Cannon. Cannon had tie back surgery last fall and recovered well, this will be his first test out on the cross country. Kendall Torrell will also be joining us on our long journey to KY and riding in the Preliminary Rider division in order to prepare her for her first CIC* at Otter Creek Spring HT at the end of May.

Not only will it be a great kick off to the 2009 show season but I also look forward to seeing my coach Philippa Humphreys (formerly Richards) and some of her students that I had a chance to grow close with while training in Michigan with her in 2008.

So far we have no set in stone plans for the season but hope to attempt the move up to the Intermediate level later this fall. I am in no hurry as I am a full time student at UW-Stout and still have 2 years to finish out my degree. I want to learn and get as much experience as I can a top my mount Lady Hannah B while she is still in the prime of her career.

I have been accepted into the American Horse Trial Foundation and look forward to finding support from clients and fans from all over. I am also proud to say that County Saddlery has picked me up as a sponsored rider and have held on to my long term sponsorship with Kaesen Farms out of Bastrop, Texas.

I look forward to seeing everyone as the weather warms and we all crawl out from underneathe the blankets. Pleaes check in periodically as I will be updating my blog more consitantly with the warm weather and exciting prospect of a new show season. I wish you all the best of luck this show season.

Untill next time. Ride on.
Liz Lund

thoughts, pictures & Happy Turkey Day!

Kelso at Midsummer Dressage Show -- Lake Elmo, MN

Liz's student Maria Filsinger riding Hannah in a dressage lesson.

Maria Filsinger having a jumping lesson from Liz on Hannah.

Liz & Kelso :)

Here comes the cold season!

Although we have had some nice warm weather late in the year, I don't think it is going to warm-up until spring now!

As I focus on school for the rest of the semester, Kelso is planning on going home on December 1st. I will just have Hannah for the winter, it will be a nice break from working at the farm so that I can focus on my school. There is a cold winter forecasted ahead of us too!

I would like to say Happy Thanksgiving a little earlier to everyone! I know that I have a lot to be thankful for myself.

Of course, most importantly I am thankful for my loving family and all of their support and love they give me. My direct family being my mom, Sarah Bergstrom, my two sisters; Kiki Lund (23) and Maggie Lund (16), my step-dad John Bergstrom, and my two step-sibllings Michael Bergstrom (18) and Lauren Bergstrom (21).

It is so nice to know that I am surrounded by a wonderful horse community. People in my career have been so kind and helpful, I have learned life-long lessons and made never-ending friendships.

I am lucky enough to experience college and start to venture out into the world on my own, while still having some support from home.

And I am even more lucky to have my horse, Hannah banana, with me here at school.

I am greatful to have had opportunities to have had a lot of different endeavours and adventures and been able to try new things to help figure out where I want to be in my life.

Future plans are all unknown right now as I am living in the moment. I plan on finishing school within the next two years and then seeing where my life will take me, a lot can happen in two years!

I hope to venture to Florida for a month with my trainer, Philippa Richards, and groom for her while she shows her competition horses. Those plans are not final, as I need to figure out my online classes and expenses for the next 6 months.

I hope all is well with everyone reading and please if feel free to contact me if you have any questions or just to say hi!

eventrider@lizlund.com

I am also starting to go into web-design part time, so if anyone wants a webpage built, designed, and maintained please contact me or send people my way.

View my own websites at:
www.lizlund.com
www.pheventing.com
and one coming soon www.phflyfishing.com

Thanks! Happy early Thanksgiving everyone!

The Road the the CSDEA Dressage Festival

TEXT:

I must give credit to Ellen Hoffman, owner of Worth the Wait, for
persuading me to compete in recognized dressage shows this
season. In August of 2006, when I received a call from Ellen asking
if I would start her 3-year-old Oldenburg,Worthy, I jumped at the
opportunity, and began working with Worthy immediately.
Worthy turned out to be a very quick learner, a great mover, and
a smart horse. I worked on a lot of training basics with him, from
longing, to in-hand work, trail rides, jumping, bareback rides and
more.There wasn’t anything the horse was spooked by.We would
ride next to the road as big trucks and motorcycles zoomed by,
and he would stay focused and working hard. He is a type of
horse that really loves to work. He is sensitive, and willing to
work for you, and as long as you don’t pick a fight with him, he
will give you his all.
Ellen wanted me to make Worthy into a good fit for her, so I did
my best and put him to the test.We dipped our feet into the
event world a little in the spring, but soon realized he preferred
strictly dressage.This was perfect for Ellen, as she wants to show
in dressage. So we switched gears, and began to really focus on
Worthy’s dressage career.
Although I have been an event rider for most of my riding career,
I love dressage.This year at the Maui Jim Horse Trials, there was
a vendor selling simple t-shirts with quotes on them, one of them
being: "Eventing - Making bad dressage look good." Yes, it is true,
there are a lot of eventers out there who compete in the sport
primarily for the cross country phase. Without the dressage
scores, however, it is hard to win consistently. Dressage is
important. I find that a horse with a solid dressage base will jump
better on the cross country and in the show jump ring, and will
use its body more correctly in general.
My goals for the year included getting my USDF Performance
medals at Training and First levels, and also receiving my Bronze
Medal. I began the dressage show season with Otter Creek's
spring show, the May Flower I & II.
I made my dressage debut on my own horse, Lady Hannah B, at
2nd and 3rd level. I also debuted Worth the Wait (aka Worthy,
owned by Ellen Hoffman) at his first show at Training and First
levels. I was hooked! The horses brought home a variety of
different scores and ribbons, and I had a blast.
At the end of May,my training horses and Hannah came home for
the summer from where they had wintered (Otter Creek Farm,
and Hay River Equestrian). Ellen Hoffman was able to relocate
Worthy to Kathy Theissen’s training barn, Brightonwood Farm. I
continued to ride Worthy when I wasn’t in Grand Rapids, MI,
working with my trainer, Philippa Richards, or away at horse
shows. Kathy Theissen took over training Worthy, and Ellen took
lessons with Kathy.When I was able, I also brought my horse,
Hannah, over to Brightonwood Farm for lessons with Kathy.
My next dressage show was the St. Croix Dressage Classic, held
at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Lake Elmo, MN. I opted
to only show Worthy this time. It was a rainy,muggy weekend, but
we didn't let the weather put a damper on our spirits.Worthy
worked the dressage ring like he had been doing it his whole life.
By the end of the weekend, we were 6-for-6 in blue ribbons -
quite an accomplishment for a young horse in his first show
season! At this point,Worthy was well on his way to earning his
USDF Training Level Performance Award.
Our next show was the Parkside Dressage Show, held at Alpine
Farms in Long Lake, MN. I rode both Worthy and Hannah at this
show, riding in classes from Training to Third levels. As usual, in
July, it was a very hot weekend, but all the competitors kept
pressing on. I have ridden at Alpine Farms for their hunter/
jumper horse shows. CSDEA's Parkside Dressage show there
was just as fun, and very well organized.
Two weeks later, we were off to the Washington County
Fairgrounds for the Midsummer Dressage Show. I rode Worthy,
Hannah, and a new one, Cover Story (aka Kelso), owned by
The Road to the CSDEA Dressage Festival by Liz Lund
The author and Worth the Wait, aka “Worthy” achieved many
goals in 2008.
Jennifer Johnson DVM. All the horses were great, and I had
received my final scores needed for my USDF Bronze Medal.
My next dressage show was the USDF Region 4/Midwest
Championships. This was my first dressage championship show.
Worthy put in a stellar warm up class, only to be a completely
different horse for the Midwest Championship class. Horses are
horses, and you have to ride what you have. In that class, I had
what Worthy probably should be most of the time: a young,
spooky, green horse. He made up for it the next day by maturing
overnight, and receiving second place in his warm up class, and
eighth place in the USDF Region 4/Great American Insurance
Championship class. Overall, a great experience, and, as is usual
with the Brightonwood Team, a fun time!
As the end of the season closed in, my final dressage show was
the CSDEA Dressage Festival. I rode on a team with Kathy
Theissen and Sarah Travis. The week before Dressage Festival,
both Kathy and Sarah had put some serious training rides in on
Worthy to prepare for the show, as I was now at school full-time,
and traveling every weekend. With some nice tests, and scores
staying in the upper sixties, we received 3rd Place in the Team
Championships. Kathy and Sarah’s help over the season has been
tremendous, both in Worthy’s training, and my riding.
It was such a wonderful experience at Festival this year. The
Festival Under the Stars rides were amazing, creative, and so
much fun to watch! There were a variety of rides, from musical
kurs, to bull fighting, dancing and vaulting. Not only was it a fun
weekend, but we actually had nice weather. For anyone that
knows me, every single event that I have been to this year, it has
rained.Two even cancelled the cross country due to the volume
of rain. This year hasn’t been my year in the event world, but I
sure had a blast meeting all of my goals in the dressage ring.
By the end of the dressage show season,Worthy had received his
USDF Training Level Performance Award, I had received my
Training and First Level Rider Performance Awards, and also
achieved the USDF Bronze Medal.
I would like to thank everyone who has helped me in my dressage
endeavors this year. I will not name anyone as I feel I would most
likely leave someone’s name out, but a big thanks to my
supporters, family, friends, clients, students and most of all my
horses.
At each dressage show, the Brightonwood Team made me feel a
part of a team. It was fun to have friends cheering you on at
ringside,willing to read a test at the last minute, or helping polish
your boots after you have gotten on your horse. I have had such
a fun time this year at the dressage shows, I just might be back
next year!
My goals for next year are to continue showing Worthy at
Training and First level, focusing on getting the high scores he is
capable of on a consistent basis, moving my mare up to Fourth
level, and working on getting some of my scores for my USDF
Silver Medal - and hopefully having as much fun as I did this
season!

Across the Pond to a Brighter Future

Across the Pond to a Brighter Future

Author: Emily Daily

07.24.2008

By Liz Lund

Meet Philippa Richards - a talented young lady who’s quickly making a name for herself in the U.S. after arriving from England in 2005. Keep your eye on her, we’ll be seeing lots of great results from this talented rider in the future!

(Left: Philippa competing Gentleman Jack, owned by Kate Dernocoeur, at Otter Creek Horse Trials.)

Photos courtesy of Philippa Richards & Liz Lund

Philippa Richards, born 11/16/1982 in Chester, England, sat on her first pony at only two years of age and began taking lessons at age four. She grew up around horses and was in love with them (editor’s note - the name Philip means "friend of horses" and her nickname is "Philly"….I think fate had a hand in Philippa’s future!). Tuesday, Philly’s first pony, was an 18-year-old Highland pony that was given to her as a gift that she used in Pony Club and rode with her hunter trainer. When it was time to get a new horse, Philly advertised as needing a horse in the local paper, and received a phone call about a pony named Pen Pal. He was nine-years-old, stood at 12.2 hands, and had competed in show jumping. She competed in working hunter ponies with him which led to her discovery of hunting and eventing, and she found her true equestrian sport.

(Right: Philly as a youngster learning to ride. Below Left: Philippa & her husband, Peter Humphries, after Richland Park HT 2007.)

After Pen Pal, Philly went three years without owning a horse but she rode anybody else’s horses that she could. She met good friend and trainer Tuffy Tilly who offered to find Philly a horse that she would be able to compete. Then she found her angel, Christian. He was a nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse. By the time she was 14-years-old she was winning at Preliminary and rode him to her best dressage score yet of a 17.0 at that level.

After high school, Philly went to University of Leeds, England. She survived the first year of school without a horse but needed one to keep her motivated to continue her education towards earning a degree in Physical Education. Philippa purchased Daisy. Daisy was young, scruffy, and nothing special to look at when Philly first acquired her. Philly started working with Daisy, whom at the time was an unbroken six-year-old ½ Irish Draft and ½ Thoroughbred. Before she came to the United States, Philly competed Daisy through Intermediate and another horse she owned she competed at the one star level. When Philippa moved across the pond to the States, she sold her one-star horse but brought Daisy along because she couldn’t sell her as no one else could ride her.

(Right: Philippa & Whoops A Daisy on their first Advanced course at Richland Park HT 2007, earning 6th place.)

In October of 2005, Philly decided to move to the United States to live with fiancé Pete Humphreys who had lived in the U.S. for twelve years. 2006 was Philippa’s first competition season in the U.S. She ran around a handful of Preliminaries at various shows and jumped double-clear in the one-star at Maui Jim Horse Trials at Lamplight Equestrian Center before Philly moved Daisy back up to Intermediate at Champagne Run held at the Kentucky Horse Park. After Maui Jim in 2006, she began working with Robin Walker, who is from Grass Lake, MI.

Spring 2007 at Otter Creek Horse Trials was the first time that I met Philly. She is young, spunky, knowledgeable and I was instantly intrigued by her background. It was impressive to watch her atop her mare, Whoops A Daisy, as they won the Open Intermediate division at Otter Creek Farm.

(Above Left: Philippa & Whoops A Daisy won the Open Intermediate division at Otter Creek Spring HT 2007.)

Philippa made her Advanced debut at Richland Park Horse Trials in 2007 earning a solid sixth place amongst top four-star competitors and horses like Karen O’Connor on Hugh Knows and Mandiba, Missy Rasenhousen on Critical Decision, Clark Montgomery on Up Spirit, and Jonathan Holling on Tinkatoo, and her trainer, Robin Walker, on Amazing Odyssey. She was on Daisy, the horse that many had believed would never go above Preliminary.

Philly aimed to compete Daisy in a three-star this year but with the ups come the downs of the horse world, and disappointing news hit Philippa in early June of 2008. Sadly, Daisy injured herself and is out of work for the rest of the year. With the mentality of the utmost respected top event riders, Philly wisely decided to give Daisy a full year to recover. Philly understands that her horses must be in top physical and mental condition to compete at the upper levels. Although her three-star dreams have been put on hold for the year, she presses on with her Training horses to further their experience and is currently campaigning for more clients and horses to bring up the levels.

(Right: Philippa riding Atticus, owned by Sarah Hughes, in competition.Left: Philippa riding For the Top, also owned by Sarah Hughes.)

Sarah Hughes is her main client, providing Philly with four mounts. Sarah’s eight-year-old Oldenburg gelding, For the Top, aka Alfie, is currently competing in the Preliminary division aiming for his first one-star this fall. Atticus, a seven year old Thoroughbred is also competing at Preliminary looking to do the one-star in the fall as well. Hot Prospect, aka William, is a seventeen-year-old Thoroughbred who Philippa currently competes in the Intermediate division. Viraldi is a KWPN Registered six-year-old dressage prospect. With miles of legs underneath him, he stands around eighteen hands high! He is young and Philly is looking forward to getting her feet wet with him in the dressage world.
Kate Dernocoeur is owner of Gentleman Jack, a Thoroughbred whom Philly has competed through Intermediate.

Philippa’s groom, Sarah Raby, works hard to keep Philippa’s horses groomed to perfection both at home and at horse shows.

Students of all ages ride with Philly from near and far. One student, Kyleigh Klaasen, 19, has been riding with Philly since the winter of 2005. She says, “Philippa makes riding challenging yet fun and there is never a dull moment.”

Philippa found Oliver, a “Prince Charming” for young student Sarah Chiazza from England and created a match made in heaven. Sarah is thirteen years old and competing at the Novice level.

(Right: Philippa competing Gentleman Jack owned by Kate Dernocoeur.)

Philippa’s students love to be around her, help her at every chance they get, and share the same love for horses that Philippa does. One student, Courtney Ainsworth, third place winner at the 2007 AEC at Training level, says, “Philly pours her heart and soul into not only her own riding, but also her students. I know she cares so much about how we do - it is really an inspiration. I want to do well for her AND myself.”

It takes special talent to be able to bring a horse from nothing, up the levels and to Advanced. Philippa’s favorite horses are the ones that people have given up on, the un-rideable, the ones that people said will never be any good.

Philippa purchased a new horse this summer from Sheridan, Wyoming. Rockstar is a 5 year old Dutch Warmblood/Thoroughbred that Philly hopes will be a great event horse.

I went to Michigan in June to work with Philippa and value everything I learned during the experience. I can’t wait to return at the end of July for a month until I return to college in the fall.

Visit Philippa’s website at www.pheventing.com - it will be up and running shortly!

summer time updates

Sorry guys, it has been awhile! I have been really busy this summer!

The ups and downs of the non-stop round the clock sport never end!

Latest news: Addition to training, Cover Story aka Kelso, owned by Jennifer Johnson DVM. He is a 5 year old Warmblood cross who had been in training with local dressage trainer Lindsay Fuchs. Lindsay did a phenomenal job with Kelso and he came to me early June to start his eventing career! With a great base that Lindsay put on Kelso he has been pretty easy going, minus his "I want to be in charge" and clumsy trip over his own feet on occasion moments he has been coming along well. I hope to aim him at Trott Brook Horse Trials as his first event outing.

Miss Hannah B has turned into quite the dressage horse! We have attended two more dressage shows in July. Parkside Dressage was the weekend of the 4th of July, we competed in second and third level receiving various ribbons and qualifying scores. Next was Midsummer Dressage at the WA Cty Fair Grounds. We competed again in second and third level receiving even better scores then at Parkside Dressage.

Also, Midsummer Dressage was Kelso's first outing to a show. After quite a display of stubbornness on Saturday he stepped up to the plate on Sunday to put in a great test receiving 6s & 7s on most movements!
Currently Kelso & Hannah are in Michigan at Ford Creek Farm in training with Philippa Richards for two weeks until I return back to Michigan on August 11th to continue working with the horses. I had (so torturous! wink wink) to stay back in MN because of family obligations and a camping/concert trip with friends in early August.

I have been working hard on writing for other articles (see my CSDEA post about Otter Creek) and also see my following post which was published on the USEA Blog website.

check out my article on Philippa Richards: USEA Blog-Philippa Richards

I began creating a website for Philippa Richards also, which can be viewed here: PHEVENTING.COM

I have cut back on training and lessons for the month of August as I will be heading off to Michigan and then returning to UW-Stout on September 1st.

September is full of fun horsey plans.
5-7: USDF Regional Dressage Championships/Midwest Dressage Championships-Mason City-IO on Worth the Wait competing in the Training Level Championships
11-14: American Eventing Championships on Hannah in the JYR-Prelim Division Championships
20-21: Dressage Festival Under the Stars on Worth the Wait at Training Level and 1st Level
26-28: Otter Creek Fall HT & Area IV Championships on Hannah competing in the Preliminary Championships

Here are some attached pictures from my summer adventures!!!

Stall card at Lost Hounds Horse Trials in PA. Withdrew b/c they cancelled XC due to heavy amounts of rain.

Jordynn Sahagian and I buzzing around on the mini-bike at Lost Hounds Horse Trials.

Hannah trying to steal Alfie's hay on our way to XC Schooling in Michigan.

Riding one of Philippa's sale horses, Sylish Tuxx.