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Callum Park Horses Shine at Dressage with the Stars 2012

05/01/2012 12:18:00

As we loaded up for a big week away with our two homebred horses Callum Park Leodacaprio and Don Rubin we were quietly optimistic that we'd do ok, but we'd never imagined how well we ended up!

The horses travelled well and we stopped off at Albury to let them stretch and have a pick at lovely Albury Equestrian Centre then we were away again. After the long trip we allowed our some recovery time and then had a gentle ride to keep the stiffness at bay before hitting the arena familiarisation in the indoor on Wednesday.

The arena familiarisation is an ‘exciting’ time to say the least with everyone trying to get horses used to the spooky big indoor with flapping flags everywhere, strange objects and noises, and tons of horses from 4 year olds (some of whom I wasn’t convinced had actually competed the breaking in process!) right through to the Grand Prix horses (some of whose riders don’t believe they need to give way any more at that level – we dispelled them of this notion).

Just qualifying for this event had been hard enough, one Sunday we had to get up at 2.30am and drive to Sydney to compete at SIEC at 8am, but the 6 year olds really have to show very solid work at this level – the tests basically being a quite difficult medium level lest. Half pass, flying and simple changes, medium and true extended paces have to be in place and congratulations to all who have successfully reached this level at this age. Of course not every horse fits neatly into a ‘timeframe’. Don Rubin (Toby) was a tragic 4 year old – all gangly legs and inattention, at 5 still hopeless, then this year he’s finally come into his own.

I didn’t get to see much as I was kept busy riding 4 year old Callum Park Leodacaprio that morning in the material class. This class is judged a little differently from the other young horse ones with three horses going in at once doing a commanded test, then being stripped of their saddles and having their conformation assessed.

Little Leo was a perfect gentleman and didn’t batt an eyelid at anything in the scary arena, and although he lacks a bit of strength and topline at the moment he really shows great potential for the future once he develops a bit more. He was bang in the middle of the field with a very tidy 6.9 score and we couldn’t have asked for more. When they are this young its potluck at what growth stage they will be at and whether it will coincide with the comps you have entered!

Then it was time for our Toby to show his stuff and he delivered a stunning test that felt wonderful. We’d been preparing for this event for a long time and he is an amazing, willing and talented horse, but even I couldn’t believe his beautiful test would be awarded with 2 place! Rodney Martin had pipped us on the ever amazing (and previous DWTS winner) SS Sonata Hit.

I had told Katina Smith the night before the second round to ‘stop moping around – You’ve driven 10 hours to be here! Get up early and ride the sod if he’s going to be a rat and show them what you can do!” My pep talk worked a bit too well with her taking my advice and pipping me for 2nd place – my reward for sportsmanship - but at least I know I’m not a bad coach;) Rodney 1st again despite some wild moments.

It was also wonderful to see our Callum Park Freya, Toby’s half sister by Falsterbo do so well – awarded 4 place in the 5 year old second round with outstanding scores, just missing out on being in the top three and Emile Faurie was heard to lament that the “best 5 year old was not in the final!” Freya was bred, broken and campaigned by us and was sold at the Auction of the Stars last July to Liza Carver. Michelle Baker has the ride and has formed such an exquisite partnership it’s lovely to watch.

The highlight for us was the that Toby had gotten into the top three who would be ridden by Emile Faurie to determine the top three placings, awarding a rideability score that would combine with the second round score.

Toby was first to go and gave him a superb ride, very easy and willing, Emile really getting Toby to be more and more expressive as he went along. We’ve always known it was in there but have been focussing on letting him mature, develop strength and doing accurate tests. Now we now he’s ready for the next level! Emile awarded him a brilliant 7.8 score, saying he was a lovely, elegant, naturally uphill horse that’s very light on his feet and has terrific elasticity through his body. We also got good comments from the judges for the excellent schooling Toby has received, though a lot of his success has come because he’s such a brilliant student.

We didn’t think for a second we’d have a chance at pipping Rodney, but had hoped to regain 2 place and when Emile awarded Katina’s Just Dance R a 7.2 we had it!

What a great show! As usual the trade shows were super and took care of all the ‘extra’ cash us horse owners have (not) and it was super to catch up with our fellow riders and mates. I’m told also by mates Steve and Nina Boyd that the after party was awesome but as I went to bed at 8.30pm on the Saturday night I can’t comment! We’d worked so hard in the lead up that I just crashed like a Nanna!

A big thanks to all our friends and supporters, especially Di Jenkyn who is the best coach in the world, Nat Van Den Bogeart who spotted Toby's potential when only a dorky 4 year old, and of course hubby Russ whose often confronting (!) approximation of my riding drives me on toward training better.

I can’t wait to bring out our imported colt Starbucks (Sarkozy/Rubinstein) next year and see how little Leo fares in the 5 year old…and so the planning and preparations begin again…

The year just keeps getting better!

02/20/2012 21:50:00

Well it seems that young 6 year old Toby has been reading the last few blogs, where his little 4 year old 'brother' Callum Park Leodacaprio (by Dacaprio) has been starring due to his super recent performances and has not been content to be anything but number one son!

This weekend we travelled to the most beautiful Bradgate Park, home of the most generous John and Bev Healy, for the now annual fantastic CDI ably run by the champions of the Central West Dressage Group. The grounds are completely breathtaking with world class facilities, but the best aspect of the show (and I'm sure most of my riding colleagues would agree) is the fact that its just the friendliest comp, where everyone gets to rub shoulders with each other and catch up as well as compete. The place lends itself to this but the CDWG always ensure that everyone is approachable and everything is easy and no stress.

We took both Don Frederik (Teddy) and his son Don Rubin (Toby) along but Teddy just came along for a training run as he's a bit intimidated by indoors and we thought we'd take off the pressure off the big guy. We know he can do everything, we just want to ensure we take the time with him as he's so big (with such a chicken heart!)

So Toby was the competitor this time and it was great to give him the attention he deserves. Like school kids in class, its always the naughty kids that get the attention and time and Toby is most definitely a good kid!

Being able to focus on him really yielded top results with an amazing 3rd place in the hotly contested Medium 4B class. I knew it was an amazing test, just so spot on the markers and with Toby offering cherries, whipped cream, even chocolate sprinkles on top of his usual lovely work, but even I couldn't have guessed how well we did.

I had a bit a of a jump up at the score board when I realised we'd held 3rd, (so unprofessional but I'm excited every time I do well - its not yet old hat!) with Heath Ryan and State squad horse Johnny Depp in first place, Matthew Dowsley with Don Desandro (by Don Frederico -Toby's grandad!) 2nd, me and Heath again tied in 3rd (him on Figo Deluxe by Fuerst Heinrich), then the gorgeous Sonata HIt and Rodney Martin and Debbie Oliver on her Flash Dance in 6th. Wow!! We even got a 69% from Jilli Cobcroft! There were a few happy tears shed and many more champers drunk that night!

We weren't sure if we could back up and do it all again but with the help of supergroom Courtney Schmitzer doing most of the heavy lifting we did the same work as the day before. Which sadly consisted of us getting up at 5ish for arena familiarisation (ouch three days in a row) then ride Teddy, then take Toby again at lunch time after he's had a break (the humans don't get one!) and then finally out again before his test.

Toby surprised and delighted Courtney by rolling and getting lots of sawdust in his plaits, but also surprised and delighted us by producing a super test yet again. Picture perfect and spot on the marker. Again a good score and had managed to hold 5th against a huge top quality field. I love him as you can see by the picture left!

We could then relax and watch some of the best combinations you're likely to see contest the Advanced, Inter 1 and then Grand Prix freestyle. What a super night with some top International level dressage. Its amazing to see how much Aussie dressage has improved in even the last 3 or 4 years.

Anyway we were glad to be home though sorry to leave our mates, we'll see them again at CDI time and that's not too far away though.

We're off to Sydney next Sunday with the young ones again to do a young horse comp as about 3 got cancelled this season due to rain, so we'll see how we go with Toby (right getting a bum rub courtesy from the amazing team at Equissage, that stuff is gold!) and Leo, and hoping to get a run also with beautiful baby girl 4 yo Kinnordy Gazala (pic below). If Toby and Leo's 'sibling' rivalry keeps them overachieving like this who knows!

Until next time happy riding to all and extra kisses to your horses from us this week!

2012 off to a flying start

02/08/2012 22:37:00

What a great start to the new year for our youngsters at Callum Park. Fresh with super training from the great clinic we had with Natasja Van Den Bogaert, our 6 year old Don Rubin and 4 year old Callum Park Leodacaprio put their best feet forward at their first competition of the year, held at the beautiful grounds here in Canberra at the ACT dressage association's first competition for 2012.

We'd entered for the young horse competition up at Clarendon for the Saturday but sadly they had to cancel due to bad weather so we had Saturday off. This was super, and enabled me to properly plait up all horses for once - yes hackie mates - I sewed all my plaits in can you believe? They do look super, luckily I practised at the hack show a couple weeks ago (see left with champion hack Leo!) but geez they're really hard to take out - so I made others do it!

First up to go was lovely little Leo, as usual "Mr Perfect" did his test beautifully, although he spooked in a corner, which was really quite surprising to me as he never does anything wrong... anyway, whatever he's 4 and gets a leave pass!

We happily settled for 2nd place to the awesome Megan Bryant, herself no slouch, Leo achieving a super percentage of 70% regardless. What a nice little mate he has grown into, so confident in his work and just ticks every box. Its lovely to see how the little guys come along when you've seen them since their first day in the world.

As we're heading to the gorgeous Bradgate Park in Orange next week and have to do a medium test with Don Rubin we thought we'd cut our teeth on the 4B at ACTDA. We were aiming to just run around the test and find our sore spots to work on.

As usual the beautiful, talented little superstar Toby had other ideas. He warmed up like a champ, of course as every dressage rider knows - this means your test will turn to poo, but in this case no! Toby just rocks and the harder work really suits him. I could go on for ever (what rider doesn't when they finally nail a test?) but long story short, despite stupid rider forgetting an entire movement...he won the test in a hugely classy field against super sonic horses with 69.8%!

Toby (left as a 4 year old) also won his elementary with 67% and all the horses were worshipped as the little Gods they were that night, and much champagne was drunk!

Thanks so much for all the help from our friends and supporters on the day, super groom and team (horses and people!) psychologist Courtney Schmitzer as usual providing services above and beyond, Russell Jarrett uber husband and VIP catering manager (because you ALWAYS need champagne - win, lose or draw), and good mate Rachel Regan, super owner and mate Pip Mitton, and champion Kyla Williams, and gorgeous Phoebe (yes you'll get to groom soon mate!), thanks for all the help champs.

So all in all a super start to the year with our little Callum Park team.

It's really super to bring out horses we have bred (see Leo as a foal above) and trained from the start, and watched them grow into lovely horses and the lovely people they've become.

Good luck in the new year everyone and happy riding,

Cheers,

Suz

Dressage Clinic with Natasja Van Den Bogeart

01/20/2012 07:42:00

What better way to spend the few days between Christmas and New Years than at Callum Park near Canberra at a clinic with the delightful Natasja Van Den Bogeart? Many fellow keen dressage riders agreed and the clinic was absolutely full to the rafters.

We were really pleased with the response, as although Natasja has represented her country of Belgium several times, she is not one of the “big names” instantly recognised by the majority of Australian dressage riders…yet. But what she does bring is an unrelenting commitment to the basics, the ability to work out each horse as an individual, and to produce happy, forward, and supple horses.

Natasja is a professional rider, trainer and coach who has represented her home country of Belgium several times in both dressage and eventing, and was also a top National level showjumper. She was Stefan Van Ingelgems bereiter for 5 years, then was the Head Rider at the prestigious QC Stables, training with the likes of Anky Van Grunsven, Andreas Helgstraad and Anne Van Olst, basically the Dutch A Team. She represented her country at World Young Horse Championships last year with not one but three horses and is aiming to take one or two this year. With young horse qualifying scores of 8.7 or 87% with her delightful mare Athena below it would seem she’s on the right track.

Working with a diverse range of horses and riders, Natasja focussed firstly on getting the horses soft and over the back by spending a lot of time in the walk and then a gentle warming up trot using many transitions until the horses listened to the seat and gave softly to a light connection and flexion. When the horse was soft and responsive she then requested a more forward warming up canter whilst seeking a good inside flexion, this made it clear to the horse that they needed to push with the hind legs into a contact and relax and give the neck, hence better using their back.

Once the horses softened they were taken back to the outside rein and very quickly all that was required to ‘unlock’ the horses backs was a subtle inside flexion. Riders found that once the blockages disappeared the horses worked truly from back to front, without stiffness and with a correct, living contact to the bit. Once the horse understood to soften immediately, lots of transitions were a key theme here, with emphasis on changes in gait as well as within the gait to engage the hind legs.

A really interesting aspect of Nat’s training method was that it worked with horses that were at the opposite ends of the divide in that both sticky, lazy types as well as the sharp and spooky horses quickly improved, the riders gaining submission and obedience from the horses through transitions and gymnastic exercises, without force, keeping them thinking and active, but also giving them lots to think about and do, instead of worrying about monsters!

It was great to see that by the last day the majority of horses and riders had mastered these techniques well and could then work on movements with a much improved ability to quickly ‘adjust’ the horse, whether it was softening them, making them sit more, improving the frame or enhancing the forward button with often astonishing results. Nat would then take everyone back to revisit the basics, reiterating the importance of correctly warming up the horse, using flexions to soften and ensuring the contact was soft but definitely consistent.

“When you get the horse soft but flexing and then taking back to the outside rein you MUST keep the contact, otherwise how can the horse draw into your hand and then channel the power you’ve created?” says Natasja, “you need a soft living contact that the horse can rely on, and then using transitions, mainly ridden from your seat, without a backward hand, the horse develops strength to push as well as to sit, and also learns to wait for his rider.”

As is often to be expected when a European trainer comes to visit us Aussies, the words “RIDE FORWARD!!!” was heard quite often throughout the clinic, we seem to like to set our horses on cruise control a little (though it was that sleepy time between Christmas and New Years ..!) and Nat was having none of it. “He needs to learn to push a little, then come back, then push again, always stretching the hindleg under then coming back and asking to sit, then GO again!” With the spooky horses she was adamant about them going from the riders leg, “make him pay more attention to your leg than the monster behind the mirror, giving him something to think about so he gets on with his job instead of you waiting for him to settle. Then transition, and then go again! He needs your leadership, how do you think I got some of those scared to death and opinionated young stallions into the arena at Verden? They didn’t get a chance to see the monsters!”

It was interesting to discuss different systems with someone who has studied and trained both the German as well as Dutch systems. “There is much controversy about the Dutch way of riding and there was a lot of negativity about it a while back but we need to look at the good points of the system when doneproperly instead of when its done badly, and realise that the kind of training that produced Totilas when he broke the world record with his incredible scores under Edward Gal can hardly be called forced or cruel. On the contrary, it produces arguably some of the most beautiful dressage performances ever seen.”

“The systems have the same basic premises anyway and I just weave together what works from my experiences with a range of styles and horses, even the Spanish horses I train. The system I use prioritises suppling and gymnasticing the horses, making them responsive to the lightest of aids, as well as keeping true to the basics of the training scale. An added bonus is that it helps keep the horses sounder for longer and very positive in their work attitude.” All the horses she rode seemed to agree with the simple methodology. They were very clear on what was required and Nat just waited for them to come along with her program, then they were rewarded and it was made obvious they’d done the right thing.

Nat’s final words were positive and reminded us of Edward Gal’s recent comments at Equitana of keeping it simple, “Whatever system you want to call it just keep it simple: forward, stretch, come back, sit, contact, suppleness, rhythm… just keep adjusting and keep it clear for the horse. I find it easier to keep it simple because I’m too blonde to make it complex!” Although as she’s finishing her Masters degree this year and is fluent in 5 languages, her claims of being a dizzy blonde may not be quite accurate.

Callum Park is aiming to get Natasja back in June (after she hopefully qualifies for the World Young Horse Championships) and again at the end of the year with the aim of her regularly returning to our shores every year.

Callum Park is a small dressage focussed stud and training establishment that coaches riders and trains horses near Canberra. For more information on services as well as upcoming events see www.callumpark.com.au

Masterclass with Nat Van Den B postponed

12/26/2011 12:28:00

Just letting everyone know we are postponing the Masterclass with Natasja Van Den Bogeart, we are hoping to get her back three or four times a year (after she competes at the World Championships at Verden!) and will book one for later in 2012.

Back from Dressage Festival and Nat Van Den Bogaert Clinic

12/17/2011 13:41:00

Well we made it to Werribee and back, and the gruelling 9 hour travel was well worth it in the end! All our horses showed great form and behaved very well for top ten finishes across the board.

Big Teddy got a 9th place in the freestyle after losing it a bit in the big atmosphere but he hung on and stayed with me and I was very proud of him, considering he's 18 hands high you'd think he would have some courage but no, his nickname at home is actually chicken heart! Very good job from him though and all good experience for the future.

His son Don Rubin (left) also got to do his 6 year old in the indoor and got a super 6th place! We love our little Toby. He's got so much potential and was a lot braver than his Dad!

Littllie 4 year old Leodacaprio also excelled, gaining 8th place in his class with a small mistake in canter transition and subsequent error of course (tractor went past!) pulling down his average of 7.3 + for all paces and general impression! Again he really showed super form.

NatVanDenBClinic Sheet1.pdf (PDF — 29 KB)

No time to slow down though with Nat Van Den Bogaert arriving in Oz Monday the 19th! Clinic times attached for Callum Park clinic, call me for further details.

1st young horse classes of the season - run and won!

11/29/2011 19:07:00

Well the first young horse qualifier of the season has been run at the super grounds at ACTDA (which held up superbly after 50mm of rain the day before and a hugely soggy week - well done ACTDA) with super results for our young horses.

Our favourite first born foal Callum Park Don Rubin (by Don Frederik, pic below) kicked off the day with a win in the elementary (his second elementary, he won his first start at this level too - good lad!), and then produced a beautiful, soft and expressive 6 year old test with a 3rd place and a good score of 7.1, room to improve but he's really showing form with beautiful changes and extensions, and becoming a very rideable little competition horse. We love our Toby :)

After such a promising start to the day the real baby of the team, 4 year old Callum Park Leodacaprio (by Dacaprio) really blew us away with his super attitude at only his second outing (he came 2nd at his first competition two weeks before) and produced a beautiful flowing test winning his 4 year old class! So proud of him, and his uncle Grand Prix horse Versailles would have been too.

In the 5 year old test Callum Park Klaus, now proudly owned by Rachel Regan, did a fine job, showing some lovely forward and elastic work. A few communication glitches from the new partnership at only their 2nd outing brought their marks down a little, but it was super to see this horse go on from a solid 4 year old to showing consolidated work at the much harder 5 year old level, especially for such a big boy. Onward and upward Sammie and Rach!

What a great day at the beautiful ACTDA grounds, and Russ and I were really proud to have a young horse successfully representing Callum Park at each of the young horse levels. Next Saturday Sydney, let's hope it doesn't pour all week...

Breeding news - Callum Park's imported colt Starbucks

11/15/2011 08:02:00

We're so proud of our lovely rising 3 year old imported colt Starbucks, on Sunday Susan had her first ever sit on him and he was perfect! He had done a little work last Christmas with Russell (4 rides!) but has just come in beautifully after time off to grow and mature a bit more and behaves like an old hand!

Calm, forward but quiet, and giving a very good back feel under saddle, "Bucky" then had to go off to Canberra Vets after his ride as our two mares decided they needed his services RIGHT NOW!

So Bucky served (by AI) his first two mares of the season as well!

His first two brides are Show Promise (sister to super Grand Prix horse Versailles and dam of Callum Park Leodacaprio), and maiden mare Callum Park Whisper Gold, a black, beautiful, extreme moving Belcam Graphic/Contact mare.

Starbucks will be available to a limited number of mares this season and next at this stage, with our focus firmly on his performance career. Though he's such a calm and lovely young stallion, at this stage there seems to be no reason he can't do both!

Starbucks as a foal in Europe (pic left). He is by World Young Horse Champion Sarkozy (Sandro Hit/Weltmeyer/Bolero) out of imported mare Vedette De Feiner Stern (Feiner Stern/Rubinstein, her dam boasting the same damline as Anky Van Grunsven's Bonfire). Vedette has produced numerous Premium classified foals, including, of course, Starbucks!

Starbucks year older brother by Sir Donnerhall (Sandro Hit/Donnerhall), Sir Dior pictured below is being campaigned by Natasja Van Den Bogeart in Belgium and is being aimed at the Dutch stallion licencing as well as for the young horse classes and is showing super temperament and amazing movement.

New website, first competition news and December clinic and Masterclass

11/09/2011 12:22:00

Welcome all to our new web site! I will endeavour to keep everyone up to date with the latest news and information on Callum Park here.

Please have a look at our events page to check out our upcoming clinics and masterclass with top International rider Natasja Van Den Bogaert, there's only a couple places in the clinics left so be quick! And get all your friends along to the Masterclass, it will be the usual fun with training sessions of fancy and beautiful youngsters to Grand Prix horses, freestyles and a stallion parade. There will be flash horses, wine and friends, what more can you ask for around Xmas time?!

FIRST COMPETITION NEWS!

Our beautiful little mate Callum Park Leodacaprio (Decaprio/Show Promise - TB sister to GP horse Versailles) had his first ever comp on the weekend at lovely Young Dressage grounds. He turned out a picture perfect performance, ignoring the flapping signs, lous speakers, leaping horses in the warm up etc to gain 2nd place with 66.8%! Good lad Leo, we're all very proud, especially of his wonderful nature and unflappable temperament. Our "breeding for brains first" program is going well! His Uncle Finn (Versailles) would have been proud!