The word ‘Dressage’ doesn’t make a lot of people jump up and down with excitement. A certain snooty attitude comes to mind, Dressage ‘divas,’ an overall dreadful affair of riding round and round in circles in a boring arena with no fun what-so-ever, right? To all of you who are even the slightest bit open to rethinking these notions I’d like to say: It can be enjoyable, fruitful and fun! I’m here to help you and your horse to become better partners. So please read on and come for a free trial lesson/training session to the beautiful facility at Valley View Farm in Santa Ynez and see for yourself!
Dressage for young horses
Dressage gives your young horses a super foundation. Regardless of breed or discipline, English or Western, the mental and physical training boosts any horse’s confidence, muscle tone, rhythm and balance. Top trainers such as Lester Buckley and Jane Savoie are promoting the advantages for young horses being started in Dressage, acknowledging the tremendous value it creates for their future.
Dressage for horses at all levels and backgrounds
Dressage is proven to have a great impact on maintaining a healthy horse throughout all stages of his life. More riders with backgrounds in the worlds of Hunters, Jumpers, Eventing, Cutting, Reining, Trail Riding, Pleasure Riding and Driving have discovered the big benefits of cross-training their horses in Dressage. Healthy muscle tone, great balance and athletic ability in all types of disciplines give the competing horse and rider an edge while the pleasure rider may enjoy a safer, more well-balanced horse in uneven terrain or anywhere they may go.
Dressage for aging horses and horses of all breeds
There is no denying it: Dressage helps your horses’ aging process. A well-trained Dressage horse often reaches his athletic peak at the age of 14-19 years before becoming a valuable schoolmaster teaching riders advanced Dressage movements for many more years to come. But Dressage is not just for Warmbloods -- Arabians, Quarterhorses, Thoroughbreds, Mixed Breeds, Iberian Horses, Mustangs, Ponies, you name it, horses of all breeds and ages can improve their health, ridability and general longevity with some basic Dressage training. Believe me, it’s worth a try.
Dressage for riders of all backgrounds and ages
So much talk about the benefits Dressage has to offer to our horses, but what about the riders? Riders of all ages and backgrounds, too, can increase their ability to handle their horses by adding Dressage to their repertoire. People speak multiple languages so why not ride in a different discipline? There are many advantages such as an improved balance in the saddle, a better understanding of your horse’s motion process, a sense of building a trust-based partnership between you and your horse -- and, believe it or not, IT CAN BE FUN for you and your horse!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Katja's New Home Base
Dear Friends,
I am happy to let you know that I accepted Kristina Novak’s offer to move my horse and my training operation to her beautiful facility, SY Valley View Farms, at 4208 Casey Ave., Santa Ynez, CA 93460.
Many of you may be familiar with this great full-service barn that offers a supreme setting for boarders and their horses as well as a variety of training opportunities. Of course I am excited to be part of the VVF team of trainers and to be able to offer my dressage training in a lovely full size dressage court with lights, mirror and excellent footing. Trailer-ins are welcome, just check with me about scheduling and details. During the rainy season we will have access to a covered arena, so we can keep our horses going throughout the whole year. For those of you who may be interested in the boarding details please go to http://www.kristinanovak.com/articles/article/7274217/135135.htm.
I will keep you posted about upcoming clinics and events as the new dates will be laid out. Needless to say that I am thrilled about this move and hope to see you all sometime soon!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Katja
I am happy to let you know that I accepted Kristina Novak’s offer to move my horse and my training operation to her beautiful facility, SY Valley View Farms, at 4208 Casey Ave., Santa Ynez, CA 93460.
Many of you may be familiar with this great full-service barn that offers a supreme setting for boarders and their horses as well as a variety of training opportunities. Of course I am excited to be part of the VVF team of trainers and to be able to offer my dressage training in a lovely full size dressage court with lights, mirror and excellent footing. Trailer-ins are welcome, just check with me about scheduling and details. During the rainy season we will have access to a covered arena, so we can keep our horses going throughout the whole year. For those of you who may be interested in the boarding details please go to http://www.kristinanovak.com/articles/article/7274217/135135.htm.
I will keep you posted about upcoming clinics and events as the new dates will be laid out. Needless to say that I am thrilled about this move and hope to see you all sometime soon!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Katja
Monday, March 1, 2010
Dressage Impressions
Dear Horse Friends,
I started a new page on my website called 'Impressions' where I will regularly share with you some inspiring thoughts, pieces of information and insights that I hope will be as helpful to you as they are to me on my continuous quest to become a better rider, trainer and teacher.
The first piece I’d like to share is an article by Franz-Martin Stankus, a German dressage master and former national coach of the German Olympic team of dressage riders with a handicap. Please click on the link below, read, enjoy and, if you like, let me know your thoughts about this article.
http://www.gentlesolutionsdressage.com/Impressions.html
If you would like to stay in the loop of upcoming articles, impressions and inspirations, please sign up as a follower on my blog.
Thank you all for your interest. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
All my best wishes,
Katja Elk
I started a new page on my website called 'Impressions' where I will regularly share with you some inspiring thoughts, pieces of information and insights that I hope will be as helpful to you as they are to me on my continuous quest to become a better rider, trainer and teacher.
The first piece I’d like to share is an article by Franz-Martin Stankus, a German dressage master and former national coach of the German Olympic team of dressage riders with a handicap. Please click on the link below, read, enjoy and, if you like, let me know your thoughts about this article.
http://www.gentlesolutionsdressage.com/Impressions.html
If you would like to stay in the loop of upcoming articles, impressions and inspirations, please sign up as a follower on my blog.
Thank you all for your interest. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
All my best wishes,
Katja Elk
Friday, January 22, 2010
Longlining & Dressage Clinic
Dear Horse Friends,
Have you ever wondered how fun it would be to work your horse on the longlines? Don’t know how? Let me show you! My ‘Introduction to Longlining’ Clinic on March 6 and ‘Longlining & Dressage: Connecting the Dots’ on April 10 at Felicity Farm, Santa Ynez, CA, will be a great opportunity for you and your horse to get started.
First I’ll show you how to work your horse at liberty using nothing but your body language. Then we’ll introduce you and your horse to the longlines. Once you get the basics down, you can use the work on the longlines to break up your horse’s weekly training routine in the most enjoyable and refreshing ways.
Check out this video clip and see how, once you and your horse have mastered longlining in the roundpen, you can use this fun training tool in the big arena and over poles.
Longlining can help you start young horses, increase their sense of rhythm and balance, build and maintain suppleness and strength, introduce collection and lateral work as well as address problems under saddle. Longline your horse over poles and cavaletti, and help improve your horse’s relaxation, balance, straightness and cadence.
For more information on the clinic please take a look at the information under ABOUT – NEWS & EVENTS on this website. If you are interested in hosting a clinic with me at your place please feel free to email me at katja@gentlesolutionsdressage.com.
Happy Trails!
☺
Katja
Have you ever wondered how fun it would be to work your horse on the longlines? Don’t know how? Let me show you! My ‘Introduction to Longlining’ Clinic on March 6 and ‘Longlining & Dressage: Connecting the Dots’ on April 10 at Felicity Farm, Santa Ynez, CA, will be a great opportunity for you and your horse to get started.
First I’ll show you how to work your horse at liberty using nothing but your body language. Then we’ll introduce you and your horse to the longlines. Once you get the basics down, you can use the work on the longlines to break up your horse’s weekly training routine in the most enjoyable and refreshing ways.
Check out this video clip and see how, once you and your horse have mastered longlining in the roundpen, you can use this fun training tool in the big arena and over poles.
Longlining can help you start young horses, increase their sense of rhythm and balance, build and maintain suppleness and strength, introduce collection and lateral work as well as address problems under saddle. Longline your horse over poles and cavaletti, and help improve your horse’s relaxation, balance, straightness and cadence.
For more information on the clinic please take a look at the information under ABOUT – NEWS & EVENTS on this website. If you are interested in hosting a clinic with me at your place please feel free to email me at katja@gentlesolutionsdressage.com.
Happy Trails!
☺
Katja
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Time for Dressage
Dear Horse Friends,
With the card below I am sending a personal shooting star to each and every one of you. Reach for the sky, make a wish and make it come true!
To me, time is one of the most wonderful gifts we can give. I’m thinking about all the precious moments we get to spend with our beloved horses, the treasures we are given each day in the presence of these magnificent beings. One of the most important themes of my riding, training and teaching is the notion “I have time.” For many of us this is not only a useful and effective mantra during each riding session with our horses. It is also a daily, weekly, monthly discipline to actively make time for our pursuit of dressage. Making time for our horses each day, our lessons each week, our preparations for special events, for all the many details and routines that go with this wonderful-yet-time-consuming way of connecting with our horses. It’s more than a hobby. It’s our passion. It’s our life.
2009 has been a very blessed year for me because many of you have shared with me so many precious moments. I am looking forward to many more in 2010. Thank you all.
All my very best wishes for a blissful New Year to all of you and your loved ones!
Katja
PS: In case you wondered, the horse in the card is Tux, and the photo used for the art was taken by Tom Baldwin -- many thanks to both of them!
With the card below I am sending a personal shooting star to each and every one of you. Reach for the sky, make a wish and make it come true!
To me, time is one of the most wonderful gifts we can give. I’m thinking about all the precious moments we get to spend with our beloved horses, the treasures we are given each day in the presence of these magnificent beings. One of the most important themes of my riding, training and teaching is the notion “I have time.” For many of us this is not only a useful and effective mantra during each riding session with our horses. It is also a daily, weekly, monthly discipline to actively make time for our pursuit of dressage. Making time for our horses each day, our lessons each week, our preparations for special events, for all the many details and routines that go with this wonderful-yet-time-consuming way of connecting with our horses. It’s more than a hobby. It’s our passion. It’s our life.
2009 has been a very blessed year for me because many of you have shared with me so many precious moments. I am looking forward to many more in 2010. Thank you all.
All my very best wishes for a blissful New Year to all of you and your loved ones!
Katja
PS: In case you wondered, the horse in the card is Tux, and the photo used for the art was taken by Tom Baldwin -- many thanks to both of them!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Katja Elk Dressage & Groundwork / Gentle Solutions / Blog
Dear Horse Friends,
This is my first blog, and I’m just going to share with you some things that I’m really excited about. On June 27, some friends of mine and I put on our first CPR Class/Safety For Horse People Clinic, and it was so much fun!
Suz Roehl and Janet Nelson, two very well-versed horse women and medical professionals, conducted the CPR class. Their hands-on knowledge of the horse world gave everyone great insights into what to do (and what not to do) in situations of accidents typically occurring in the various fields of riding and horse handling.
We had participants with various horse-related backgrounds attending, therapeutic riding instructors, hunt riders, dressage and 3-day eventers, endurance as well as pleasure/trail riders, and horse people who just wanted to broaden their horizon to be able to help their loved ones if/when needed. Everyone seemed to agree that this was one of the most fun and educational CPR classes they had attended. Everyone got their certification and went home with the good feeling of being a bit better equipped in case of a medical emergency.
Please check out some of the nice emails I received from participants after the event:
“I just wanted to say thanks again for all your work in putting together a great program on Saturday. Not only was the location fabulous, but all of the information presented was informative, extremely useful and presented in a really fun format.”
~ Wendy Wergeles, Trainer/Competitor, 3-Day-Eventing
“If I had attended your CPR/safety clinic before the worst fall of my life, I would have benefited on two counts. First, I would have known that when my horse stopped dead in his tracks, frightened by a dun-colored heifer that suddenly rose to her feet from behind a bush, I should have allowed him to look at her for just a short while. After that, I should have distracted him, let him know that I am the leader, and asked him to move. Instead, I stayed very still myself, thinking, "What a beautiful cow!" He read my stillness as fright, spun, bolted, and bucked, and I hit the ground hard.
Second, I would have known that when you have a very bad accident, you should stay still, call 911, and let experienced people get you to the hospital. Instead, I bluffed my way through the pain, got up, started leading my horse back the 3/4 mile to the barn, and suddenly felt all the hairline fractures in my knee give way to the pressure. The result was a major surgery, installation of many screws and an L-bracket to repair my shattered tibial plateau, and many more weeks on crutches than would have been the case otherwise.”
~ Lindsey Reed, Hunt-, Trail- and Dressage-Rider
“Thank you again for taking time out of your busy schedule to share your experiences. Although I had seen similar demonstrations and way back in mind somewhere I stored some of this information I don't always apply or relate my experiences with what I have heard. Being able to sit and listen to your analysis of the cause and affect of our horse's actions helped me understand some of the situations I've enountered or seen in other horses. It all makes so much sense! Everyone should take time out of their busy riding schedule to learn how to communicate and understand their horses and make more their riding time more enjoyable. Adding the CPR First aid part of your clinic was way overdue for me. It had been well over 15 years since I had taken course and I can't tell you how much more comfortable I feel now knowing that I might be able to help my fellow riders in an emergency situation. I hope to attend future clinics you have to offer.”
~ Judy Ramos, Hunt- and Trail Rider
“Thanks for a wonderful day. I really enjoyed the horsemanship clinic and am applying some of the things you shared about horse psychology to my own horse with good results. I think we will become a much better team. The CPR/1st Aid class was great & should be mandatory for all riders. I hope to attend more of your clinics.”
~ Carol Abeloe, 3-day event rider
OK, so that was so much fun that I will follow up with another safety-oriented event, a 2-part Dressage & Groundwork clinic addressing “The Nervous Rider” (Sat., October 10) and “The Spooky Horse” (Sat., October 17). For more information please go to ‘NEWS/EVENTS’ on my website and check for details.
Also, I wanted to let you know who helped me put together my lovely website: Sue Krauer, founder/owner of the webdesign firm The Art Department, www.artdepartmentsb.com, an incredibly fun, creative, open-minded, smart and talented designer and horse woman, built and started the site up with a great sense for my specific vision, philosophy and goals. If you need some help with your website design, Sue is not only brilliant in her technical and creative versatility, she is also a lot of fun and a fountain of ‘hey, how about doing it this way?” type of ideas and great suggestions.
I also want to thank Tom Baldwin, a very talented rider, friend and client of mine, who continuously supports my efforts in the horse world by artfully taking and supplying me with a wonderful range of professional-level quality photography. A lot of the photography you see on my website and promotional pieces show Tom’s great eye for horses in motion and his sense to catch those very special moments we get to share with our equine friends.
I thank you all for your interest and support. I hope to inspire more and more horse people to think and ride along the principles of “Gentle Solutions for Horses and People.” Please let me know your thoughts, questions and suggestions. I am here to share my knowledge, but I am also here to continue my lifelong journey to learn more so I can ride, train and teach better.
All my very best wishes, be well and ride with a smile!
☺
Katja Elk
www.gentlesolutionsdressage.com
katja@gentlesolutionsdressage.com
This is my first blog, and I’m just going to share with you some things that I’m really excited about. On June 27, some friends of mine and I put on our first CPR Class/Safety For Horse People Clinic, and it was so much fun!
Janet and John Wilczak hosted the event at their beautiful Double J Ranch in Santa Ynez. In the morning, I had the pleasure to open the event with a horse demo/lecture addressing safety issues around horses and the different natural response systems in humans and equines. The horse in the pictures (
Photos: Jim McKeagan) is Sunny, Janet’s beautiful, 4-year-old quarter horse mare, who helped me illustrate some of the principles of predatorial and flight animal behaviors and interactions. I tried to make everyone look at things from the horse’s point of view so that we can look ahead, recognize and deal with potentially scary and dangerous situations in a more responsible and trustworthy manner. Great questions and interesting feed-back turned this session into a fun and insightful matter for all participants including myself.
We then had a wonderful group luncheon al fresco out on Janet’s and John’s lovely terrace where we enjoyed Janet’s delicious, home-made panini and lunch buffet. Everyone had a chance to get to know some of the other participants, the sun was shining and the freshly made lemonade and ice tea kept everyone one in good spirits for the afternoon part of the event, the Medic CPR & First Aid Class.
Photos: Jim McKeagan) is Sunny, Janet’s beautiful, 4-year-old quarter horse mare, who helped me illustrate some of the principles of predatorial and flight animal behaviors and interactions. I tried to make everyone look at things from the horse’s point of view so that we can look ahead, recognize and deal with potentially scary and dangerous situations in a more responsible and trustworthy manner. Great questions and interesting feed-back turned this session into a fun and insightful matter for all participants including myself.
We then had a wonderful group luncheon al fresco out on Janet’s and John’s lovely terrace where we enjoyed Janet’s delicious, home-made panini and lunch buffet. Everyone had a chance to get to know some of the other participants, the sun was shining and the freshly made lemonade and ice tea kept everyone one in good spirits for the afternoon part of the event, the Medic CPR & First Aid Class.
Suz Roehl and Janet Nelson, two very well-versed horse women and medical professionals, conducted the CPR class. Their hands-on knowledge of the horse world gave everyone great insights into what to do (and what not to do) in situations of accidents typically occurring in the various fields of riding and horse handling.
We had participants with various horse-related backgrounds attending, therapeutic riding instructors, hunt riders, dressage and 3-day eventers, endurance as well as pleasure/trail riders, and horse people who just wanted to broaden their horizon to be able to help their loved ones if/when needed. Everyone seemed to agree that this was one of the most fun and educational CPR classes they had attended. Everyone got their certification and went home with the good feeling of being a bit better equipped in case of a medical emergency.
Please check out some of the nice emails I received from participants after the event:
“I just wanted to say thanks again for all your work in putting together a great program on Saturday. Not only was the location fabulous, but all of the information presented was informative, extremely useful and presented in a really fun format.”
~ Wendy Wergeles, Trainer/Competitor, 3-Day-Eventing
“If I had attended your CPR/safety clinic before the worst fall of my life, I would have benefited on two counts. First, I would have known that when my horse stopped dead in his tracks, frightened by a dun-colored heifer that suddenly rose to her feet from behind a bush, I should have allowed him to look at her for just a short while. After that, I should have distracted him, let him know that I am the leader, and asked him to move. Instead, I stayed very still myself, thinking, "What a beautiful cow!" He read my stillness as fright, spun, bolted, and bucked, and I hit the ground hard.
Second, I would have known that when you have a very bad accident, you should stay still, call 911, and let experienced people get you to the hospital. Instead, I bluffed my way through the pain, got up, started leading my horse back the 3/4 mile to the barn, and suddenly felt all the hairline fractures in my knee give way to the pressure. The result was a major surgery, installation of many screws and an L-bracket to repair my shattered tibial plateau, and many more weeks on crutches than would have been the case otherwise.”
~ Lindsey Reed, Hunt-, Trail- and Dressage-Rider
“Thank you again for taking time out of your busy schedule to share your experiences. Although I had seen similar demonstrations and way back in mind somewhere I stored some of this information I don't always apply or relate my experiences with what I have heard. Being able to sit and listen to your analysis of the cause and affect of our horse's actions helped me understand some of the situations I've enountered or seen in other horses. It all makes so much sense! Everyone should take time out of their busy riding schedule to learn how to communicate and understand their horses and make more their riding time more enjoyable. Adding the CPR First aid part of your clinic was way overdue for me. It had been well over 15 years since I had taken course and I can't tell you how much more comfortable I feel now knowing that I might be able to help my fellow riders in an emergency situation. I hope to attend future clinics you have to offer.”
~ Judy Ramos, Hunt- and Trail Rider
“Thanks for a wonderful day. I really enjoyed the horsemanship clinic and am applying some of the things you shared about horse psychology to my own horse with good results. I think we will become a much better team. The CPR/1st Aid class was great & should be mandatory for all riders. I hope to attend more of your clinics.”
~ Carol Abeloe, 3-day event rider
OK, so that was so much fun that I will follow up with another safety-oriented event, a 2-part Dressage & Groundwork clinic addressing “The Nervous Rider” (Sat., October 10) and “The Spooky Horse” (Sat., October 17). For more information please go to ‘NEWS/EVENTS’ on my website and check for details.
Also, I wanted to let you know who helped me put together my lovely website: Sue Krauer, founder/owner of the webdesign firm The Art Department, www.artdepartmentsb.com, an incredibly fun, creative, open-minded, smart and talented designer and horse woman, built and started the site up with a great sense for my specific vision, philosophy and goals. If you need some help with your website design, Sue is not only brilliant in her technical and creative versatility, she is also a lot of fun and a fountain of ‘hey, how about doing it this way?” type of ideas and great suggestions.
I also want to thank Tom Baldwin, a very talented rider, friend and client of mine, who continuously supports my efforts in the horse world by artfully taking and supplying me with a wonderful range of professional-level quality photography. A lot of the photography you see on my website and promotional pieces show Tom’s great eye for horses in motion and his sense to catch those very special moments we get to share with our equine friends.
I thank you all for your interest and support. I hope to inspire more and more horse people to think and ride along the principles of “Gentle Solutions for Horses and People.” Please let me know your thoughts, questions and suggestions. I am here to share my knowledge, but I am also here to continue my lifelong journey to learn more so I can ride, train and teach better.
All my very best wishes, be well and ride with a smile!
☺
Katja Elk
www.gentlesolutionsdressage.com
katja@gentlesolutionsdressage.com
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