Calgary Area Dressage

Great Teams and Systems Build Success

I provide Dressage lessons to clients at Black Whiskey Ranch, Priddis, Alberta. The western lilt of the barn’s name and that our regular clinician is regarded as one of the most renown hunter/jumper equitation coaches in Canada should peak your interest in our program.

We have a team and our team has a system, a program for developing skill sets for horse and rider. We practice correct aids and communication with our horses from Walk/Trot to Grand Prix.

I know this may sound simplistic, but without a basic system of understanding between horse and human, it is difficult to achieve a harmonious progression in Dressage.

I’m fortunate to be able to work with Chris Brand and reinforce the material presented in the bi-monthly clinics. It’s my job to keep the lesson program consistent and clients true to their journey between Chris’s regular visits to Black Whiskey Ranch.

We are taking new clients in at this time. We work with jump riders to improve their skills over fences too. Call Bev 403-616-5771 for information on boarding your horse at our barn.

I’m working with riders and horse out of Black Whiskey Ranch, Priddis Alberta. Don’t let the western lilt of the barn name fool you, or the fact that the resident clinician is hailed as one of the countries greatest hunter/jumper men and horse trainers. We at Black whiskey, are developing a consistent system of training horses and riders from Walk/trot through training Grand Prix level movements.

Chris Brand gives regular clinics. every two weeks, and I keep the lesson program moving forward with consistency, reinforcing the basics. This builds on the success of the regular clinics with Chris.

If you are looking for a team approach to help you achieve success in Dressage and Jumping, consider our barn, Black Whiskey Ranch, Priddis Alberta, 403-616-5771

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Calgary Dressage – Why choose an Equestrian Canada Coach?

As an Equestrian Canada Competition Coach Specialist in Dressage, I am aligned with program development through Sport Canada, the National Coaching Certification Program and the Coaching Association of Canada.

The certifications achieved by accredited coaches exist to provide a level of confidence in the quality of lesson delivery, safety and ability to provide an optimal learning environment.

Certified coaches are coaching professionals evaluated at the highest national standard. We must provide evidence of our own riding ability, clear police record, adherence to the Equestrian Canada code of ethics and hold a current CPR/First Aid certificate.

As a Competition Coach Specialist, I am able to design and implement a year training plan (YTP) for human and equine athletes to prepare students for regional and national level competitions.

Equestrian Canada certified coaches are professionals committed to best practices based on sport science. We continuously upgrade our skills through professional development to maintain our current certification status.

When considering an equestrian coach for yourself or your child, ask them if they are certified by Equestrian Canada.

Barn Best Practices

Here are some best practices for building a dressage barn. The list is based on years of boarding and training at different equestrian facilities.

The indoor arena, in our northern climate, is central to the equestrian community. Years past, show barns boarded a mix of riders of various disciplines. There were few dedicated dressagers and more hunter jumper riders back in the day.

Footing originally was basic. It usually started with a clay base, with local sand, wood chips and perhaps some dust control product added. Watering arenas was part of the maintenance cycle.

The arenas were often insulated and heated as an afterthought, or when it became financially viable to do so. Heat and water created a problem with footing, either exacerbating the dust or causing the clay base to rise. The worst cases of watering and indoor in our climate can cause mold issues and water damage to steel arena supports. Footing continues to evolve into a state of the art all its own.

Now purpose built arenas and barn designs take into account specific disciplines in equestrian sport. Considerable research has gone into the design phase and best practice when implementing an arena build.

Let’s take a look as some other equestrian facility best practice ideas:

Room for trailer and big rig turn around & parking
Plan for having a safety gate at the facility entrance to contain any “run away”
Purchase the correct vehicle and tools for stable management
Consider hvac needs and heat conservation methods in arena planning
LED lighting throughout and special lighting for farriers and veterinary considerations
Safety mirrors and appropriate angle of mirror set for maximum view above kick boards
MP3, blutooth, technology in planning music systems
Sound systems should be accessible both from the viewing area and from the arena floor
Make sure the arena can support a dressage court (20 x 60 metres) with a 5 metre perimeter
Have a “drive through” arena and barn isle
Plan a dedicated storage area for the dressage ring, cavaletti, and jumps
Design a viewing area for spectators that is functional (WiFi), warm (heated), and comfortable
Keep sufficiently large paddocks close to the barn for ease of turnout.
Automatic waterers designed for negative temperatures
Warmblood size stalls, rubber mats, windows in barn
Consider using a method of non slip flooring throughout barn
Blanket bars and halter racks in front of every stall
Wash racks with hot and cold running water
Washer and Dryer for horse laundry
Washrooms in barn and viewing area
Generous sized tack lockers for clients
Organized feed room and feed cart catering to standard and customized feeding protocols
Dedicated area for weekly hay storage onsite, with bulk storage planned for a separate hay shed or building
Dedicated area for show trunks and extra blanket storage
Accessible and copious numbers of brooms, forks and muck buckets to encourage clients to clean up after their horses (make cleanliness user friendly)
Empower a dedicated staff capable of the highest level of care

Feel free to add your own ideas for best practice attributes of an equestrian facility. Together we can raise the bar.

Kim Cox – Competition Coach Specialist Dressage

Kim Cox is awarded her Competition Coach Specialist Dressage through Equine Canada — Kim Cox is awarded her Competition Coach Specialist Dressage accreditation through Equine Canada

I am the first candidate in the province of Alberta, Canada to achieve my Competition Coach Specialist Dressage accreditation. This certification is backed by Equine Canada, the Coaching Association of Canada and administered by the Alberta Equestrian Federation.
The process involves reaching or exceeding all 7 certification outcomes to be mastered. Some of these outcomes are theory based and others are evaluated in person by expert evaluators chosen by Equine Canada. I was evaluated by Dale Irwin and Maureen Walters, both hailing from British Columbia.
My evaluators observed my preparation of a Fourth Level student at the recent CA/ADA Mardi Gras gold show to ride her test. The warm up evaluation includes both the horse and rider. The goal of the warm-up is to achieve suppleness and harmony in both. Some riders need to be pushed in the warm up and some need to be kept calm. Horses need to be ready and in a mind set to listen to the rider’s aids without distraction in a new and sometimes scary environment. The competition coach‘s job is to bring all the training and expertise together to maximize the performance. The coach takes care of all the logistics, making sure the rider is kept free of pre-test distractions and can offer 100% attention on the task at hand. Keeping tabs on contingencies, hydration breaks, medications (asthma), timing of the warm-up and checking with the ring-steward for the order of go are all part of the pre-performance requirements. This is all part of outcome 6, “Supporting the Competitive Experience”.
Hopefully all the pre-test warm-up and training has led to a successful test. I was so very pleased with my student and her horse. This was her debut at Fourth Level and as one of the evaluators exclaimed, “She has launched”. That being said, even a less stellar test has its merits from a learning perspective. This leads to the coach being able to logically debrief the athlete and comment knowledgeably and complete Outcome 3 – Analyze Performance.
After the competition piece of my evaluation, we reconvened the same evening at the facility where I coach. The evaluators were to view Outcome 2 – Support Athletes in Training. I prepared and taught 4 different lessons to 4 horse/rider combinations on topics chosen from the Competition Coach Specialist Dressage protocol. One lesson involves correctly and safely teaching a student to improve the horse through lunging. The other lessons topics I chose were improving the half halt, exercises to improve the half-pass and riding 10m circles.
The evaluators asked me to switch my lesson focus in situ, to improve a rider’s equitation. A good coach can think on her feet, and the evaluators were asking me to show adaptive management. This happens in training lessons frequently. A coach may have a plan, but a horse and rider can enter into a training session with some issue that needs to be addressed before moving forward.
Planning for all training of horses and riders in my care are part of Outcomes 4 and 5, Designing and Managing an Equestrian Sports Program. All equine and human athletes are on a time line of progress. The riders are classified as to their LTED (Long Term Equestrian Development) level and the horses are progressing along the Scale of Training. Improvement in dressage is not linear, nor constant. Coaching identifies areas in both athletes that need remediation and develops exercises that benefits both. YTP (Year Training Plan) is a flexible model that accommodates strengths and weaknesses in athletes. It also includes augmented training, such as weight training, Pilates, yoga and other modalities to improve rider fitness. Horses are also on a competition program of enhanced equine health, including dental and veterinary care, massage, chiropractic adjustments, saddle fit and farriery. The YTP is a time line divided into phases in the competition year, with attention to rest and recovery cycles for both horse and rider. The YTP is part of the written work submitted to the evaluators before the practical examination.
I feel my tenure as a Physical Education Teacher and High School Coach helped me formulate successful year training plans for riders. As an athlete, I can appreciate the importance of planning for progress, and as an equestrian I know what it takes to bring a horse along in training. The end result is a harmonious relationship between horse and rider.

CalgaryDressage.com…Roderick August 11, 2013

Roderick West Calgary Dressage Third Level Test 3 64%

Ride more forward into a steady hand. Why does it take so long to get there? I have a compulsive need to fix things as they happen. My coach, Deanna Cullen, has steadfastly resolved to not allow my disfunctionality to “fiddle” with the reins.

Roderick, my long suffering partner, has much to teach me yet. Bless our horses and our children, for they are the consumate teacher.

Your in good riding,

Kim

CalgaryDressage.com…Dressage Code of Conduct

Dressage Code:

Understand the results you achieve in training are only a step in the process.

Let your horse be the primary source of instant feedback for your purpose and progress.

Focus on joy, celebration and an inner sense of calm purposeful determination.

Know that each result achieved correctly will occur perfectly on purpose.

Prepare to acknowledge what is. Emphasize your appreciation of your horse and what it can do.

Complaints are shared only with someone who can initiate change.

Yours in good riding,

Kim Cox

CalgaryDressage.com….Spring has sprung, Clinics are here

Clinic Reminder

Gina Smith at Trakehner Glen April 26 – 28, 2013. Auditing is free. May and June dates will be announced soon. Please contact Gill at Trakehner Glen if you need more info gill@trakehnerglen.com

Pia Fortmuller at Twin Valley Equestrian May 9^th and 10^th. Auditing is free. More information about Pia can be found at http://piavirginia.blogspot.com

Please contact Leah Southward or Patty Hambling for more info south_leah@hotmail.com (there is an underscore _ between south and leah) or jaypat@platinum.ca

CalgaryDressage.com….Clinic updates from the C/A/A/D/A

NEW CLINIC INFORMATION

April 6 & 7 – Half Steps is hosting a clinic with Verina Mahin of California at Chupik Farms. There are a few rider spots available and auditing is free. Verina’s bio can be found on the Half Steps website www.halfsteps.ca

For more information please contact Joely Mann at halfsteps@telus.blackberry.net

April 13 – 14 – Horizon is hosting a clinic with Tom Dvorak. Tom is also the clinician at this year’s Mane Event in Red Deer. There is one riding spot available and auditing is free. Please contact Sheri Dumonceaux at kadans@telusplanet.net

for more information.

SCRIBE CLINIC – The scribe clinic scheduled for April 13^th has been cancelled due to lack of interest.

***********

SCHOOLING DAY – Don’t forget about the schooling date May 26^th at Anderson Ranch. If you are planning to take advantage of this opportunity please send in your registration as soon as possible. For convenience, I have attached the registration form. It is also available on the website. For questions or more information, please contact Erin James at encanny@hotmail.com

CalgaryDressage.com…..Showing in the USA #3

Kim Cox and Roderick training in San Diego — Training in San Diego

In a perfect world, I would like to show every 2 to 3 weeks during the season. In this part of the world you can do that. Showing this often adds to a rider’s mental toughness and psychological edge. There is a long off season at home and shows are far apart in the regular schedule at home.I learned a lot about myself showing in California. When I began my dressage career after leaving the jumper ring, my coach asked me about my goals. I thought third level was “safe”, and not wanting to be brash, chimed out third level as my goal. She was German. She looked at me and replied “Das ist M”. I had no idea what M was and wondered about how long it would take. She waved her hand and said, “All riders take 5 years to learn”.

It has been 5 years and I have met my goal to ride third level. I won 2 first and a fourth placenat Del-Mar. Now I realize how much I don’t know. Riding here in the same warm-up as Jewels, Stephen and Shannon Peters and Guenter Seidel has been an amazing and very humbling experience. There is such a gap between good horses and great horses. Good riders and great riders, and I know I can ride better. I personalized the experience…it’s not the score or the ribbon, it’s the ride that counts. I can’t believe it has taken me this long or coming this far to figure out.

Every coach/athlete team needs to set goals for training. Jewels asked me that question when I came to train with her. I want to ride Prix St. George. This ups my game. I need several things to achieve this. The most fundamental thing for me, is to understand my flaws as a rider/competitor. I must work hard to overcome them. I also need a dance partner that will take me to the upper levels. I have a great coach that has gone to the WEG and has her sites set on re-entering the ring on the international stage. I’m fortunate that my family supports my efforts and my clients at home are in my corner too.

The whole package, the mental toughness, the training, the horse, the show, the score, the ride etc. is a journey. Dressage is a pursuit of perfect harmony with the horse. I saw it in Del-Mar, and it was motivating.

CA/ADA Fall 2012 Newsletter…..Local Dressage News from the Calgary Area

Calgary Area of the Alberta Dressage Association

This newsletter is an important resource for local dressage riders and those new to our sport.

There is information on shows and clinics past and future. It would be wise to join this organization and support local Dressage if you haven’t done so. There is contact information in the copy.