By Ryan Garza December is a wonderful time of year here at KYB Dressage. With clinics, Christmas shows and the holidays, KYB team keeps busy during this month of winter wonderland. As I begin to write this, I sit back and reflect on how fast this season has gone! It feels like it was summer yesterday. In more recent news, our Christmas show and party were a success, with unbelievable costuming and stage set up thanks to our very talented Jessica Starck and Jessica Lawton. The story was an original production written by Yvonne Barteau and brought to life by many members of our KYB team, including working students and clients. Some of the show included beautiful performances by many including the leading star, Yvonne Barteau, as the snow queen and an incredible toy soldier routine by Jean Dempsey. The crowd was kept on their toes by our very own villain, Ian Swayne, as well as touched by our breath taking fairy quadrille which was composed of Erika Sentz, Violetta Talley, Rachel High and Keegan Obrien. Overall, the show was an inspiration and success that no one will ever forget. |
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While taking a break from the shows on our off-season, we have been very fortunate to have some very educational clinic here at Grand Prix Equestrian. Our Clinicians included Albrecht Hiddeman, Cathy Morelli and Rolf Grebe from Germany. Both Rolf and Albrecht provided fantastic clinics on the German Training system, reminding us the importance of the training scale and how to achieve a better foundation. Rolf really helped riders to find their rhythm and relaxation while giving very positive encouragement and instruction. In addition, clinician Cathy Morelli delivered an excellent clinic helping riders to really get the most out of their horses while riding forward, up and out in harmony. Many of our clinic participants included KYB trainers, working students and clients. Kassie, Yvonne and Kim Barteau rode many of their horses going to Florida this season, showing a great winter's worth of meticulous training and progress. Altogether, we are very fortunate to have such great help from our clinicians here at KYB and GPE. As for the Florida season, the departure date is now less than two weeks away. The horses are looking very fit and ready to take on the upcoming season. The horses going to Florida this season include GP Raymeister, GP Delano, Eclipse BR, Solitaire, Sarasanna GP, Thalia Interagro as well as several others. We are very excited for our two Young Riders coming down with us this season! Marah Gaudet from Canada will be taking some time from her studies to come down and show her very own Leo. Keegan O'Brien will be making the trip this season to show her own horse Willy after having a very successful debut performance in the JR division at Devon this fall. Additionally, Kassie Barteau will be bringing three horses down to work extensively with Cathy Morelli for the winter season. Yvonne and the rest of the KYB team will be based out of Lady Jean Ranch, a beautiful state of the art facility located in Jupiter. As for packing, the trailer is half way there and my own suitcase has not even been touched yet. But I'm looking forward to a very exciting and successful winter down in Florida. Stay tuned for more updates from Florida.
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