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Aigre Doux Goes to the Sea Side Great weather for mid October so we are making the most of it! |
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The First International Dressage Forum for the Pure bred Lusitano |
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TV Cameras at Carreg At the end of July Telescop came to film for S4C
Shan Cothi, well known musical star and personality was great fun and really enjoyed singing to the horses - she sang an extract from Carmen while Georges and Cordero executed a pretty perfect piaffe on a dance floor.
Zoe Pettinger kindly travelled up to create a dance with Heroi and Romey Shovelton and Bernie Lewis made up the gypsy audience in the especially created set. Footage of this years Equilibre Ball will be shown on November 3rd at 5.30 pm on S4C to the section on Moscito.
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The Lusitano Breed Show 2009 Accompanied by Equilibre musicians Nadine, Sylvie and Olivier. "Aigre Doux in the Ridden Stallion Class. Placed 3rd. The class was won by Uivador ridden by Jose Correio Lopes, they also won at the Lusitano Festival in Lisbon in 2008 Photograph. Risto Altonen |
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Aigre Doux (Vinagre) At the Dyffryn Paith Show in Llanilar. We were quite supprised to see how quickly Aigre Doux ( Bitter - Sweet) settled back to his work, taking everything in his quite large stride and behaving impeccably in the ring. I have to apologise to the organisers and other riders for not being correctly turned out, the opportunity to try him in his first class at the last minute meant we did not have time to change tack. The show is always well organised, at a lovely venue and being early in the season its a great opportunity to get new horses out.Thanks again to the organisers. Oh! and we came third in the large riding horse class against some pretty experienced show horses not bad for an exuberant young stallion! |
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Interview with heads of APSL Participants: Eng. Manuel Maria de Souza e Holstein Campilho, Chairman of APSL (MMC). Dr. Emidio Pinto, Vice President of APSL, responsible person for judges and judgement regulations (EP). Eng. João Ralão Duarte, General Secretary of APSL, APSL – judge / technical secretary (JRD). Dr. med. vet. Mathias Weis, Chairman of Cavalo Lusitano Switzerland CLS (MW). Translation (french to english): Dr. med. vet. Mathias Weis Introduction by Dr. med. vet. Mathias Weis (MW): Eng. Manuel Campilho, Dr. Emidio Pinto and Eng. João Ralão Duarte, I think that a lot of people among the „Lusitano Community“ worldwide would be interested about your statements. And in addition, I think, that this interview will be another step to establish and maintain the good contact between APSL, foreign PSL - associations, PSL – breeders and - not to forget - PSL – enthusiasts in general. |
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Lusitanos on the world stage Lisa Wilcox and Que Ba Deliver Two Grand Prix Wins as Birthday Gift to Ingred Lin "I'm over the moon," Lin said of how she felt about the Grand Prix wins. "It was Que Ba's first Grand Prix and just look at his scores." Wilcox and Que Ba scored a 68.936 in Saturday's Grand Prix and a 69.10 on Sunday. Wilcox was just as excited noting that Saturday's score was earned despite some mistakes in the test. "We fixed the mistakes on Sunday, but he was tired and had much less energy and we had a bit of trouble with the frame. Sill, our score went up and we're just brushing that 70 percent mark. We are definitely thrilled to be getting those scores. " "He was up against a lot of good horses," Lin said. "He had some mistakes on Saturday, but both days, he had some brilliant moments and I think this is just the beginning of his Grand Prix career." Lin, herself a Grand Prix rider, handed the ride over to Wilcox in March after deciding that she didn't quite have the energy for competing as she recovers from cancer treatment. And Que Ba, she said, is a great representative of what the Lusitano breed can do in the show ring. "It just didn't seem right not to have him in the ring," Lin said. |
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Hannah's back in the saddle! Kensington Wolf is now thoroughly recovered after his escapade with an iron gate last autumn which resulted in 3 months off work. |
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Carreg Dressage Sponsors Welsh International Young Rider Hannah Stephens is now training with Georges Dewez at Carreg Dressage on her horse Kensington.Hannah will also compete welsh cob/tb Trigger, who has been trained entirely at Carreg Dressage. Watch this space for updates of our progress.
This photograph was taken at Keysoe where Sophia was riding for the Welsh Team. Georges is helping Sophia train her her new pony Ollie who will hopefully also make the Welsh Team. |
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Thoughts on Jaw Flexions I surmise that it is because of my expérience of training with Nuno Oliveira and subsequent experience of training many horses that Sylvia asked me to write about my thoughts on the process of jaw flexions. I was fortunate enough to spend four months with the great master of equitation Nuno Oliveira, training at his school in Portugal, just before his untimely death. At that time NunoOliveira was probably in his most Baucherist period. This Baucherist methodology generated a lot of discussion amongst his pupils and created heated debate between Nuno Oliveira and his son Joao. Nuno Oliveira would advocate Baucher’s concept of lightness whereas Joao maintained that lightness did not require the process of jaw flexions. During the numerous clinics he gave in Germany Joao Oliveira had ridden many horses which were light whilst being trained more conventionnally.... |
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To create a gymnast and thoughts on global dressage Notes from the Global Dressage Forum 2008 I was motivated to write this article in response to seeing a number horses in the prime of their lives, who, instead of having really muscled and athletic backs are quite the contary. Of course we all know that our horses have a disarming way of changing colour dramatically over the years but this lack of recognition had more to do with a change of shape and of energy. I am talking about horses in their teens who should have displayed a full maturity by way of sound muscle definition, and a rounded top line but instead were thin, un muscled, lacking a top line and markedly hollow over the back. |
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Jane at the Opening of Equus, an exhibition of photographs by Tim Flach. | |||||||||||
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Leonie and Ourico Leonie Pryor came to Carreg as a trainee from the University Equine Department at Aberystwyth. The following year she came back as yard manager as well as performing in Equilibre and was a very popular member of the team. Having left to start her own business in Scotland she has now returned South and is travelling the country working for Dengie Feeds. So if you catch her ask her for some samples! Ourico, a pure bred Lusitano stallion from the Casal Branco stud in Portugal re-trained at Carreg Dressage and was taken on by Leonie in 2005, the pair have been a great success, two dynamos together - they create a stir and a smile where ever they go. Ourico is very well bred and we are looking forward to seeing his offspring |
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Hebraico Moves to France Hebraico who was imported from Portugal in 1995 has found a new home in France, lucky he already knows the language! Julie Plet, Hebraico's new owner, worked as yard manager at Carreg Dressage for a brief period some time ago but was lured away by the glamour of Camelot! Camelot the theme park that is! Julie gave regular ridden performances as as Lady Guinevere. Originationg from Swansea Julie has the warmth and friendliness associated with that area of Wales and we have always kept in touch and a very intuitive way with horses. It was clear when Julie came back from France to try Hebraico that their rapport had endured the years and he went very sweetly for her and despite being 20 years old now he is still very fit! |
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FEI rider Hannah Stevens now training at Carreg Dressage Hannah is 16 years old and has been competing at BD Affiliated competitions since she was 10 years old. Hannah is a BYRDS WALES/CYMRU Individual and National Team member and graded "A" Squad team and individual rider. She has represented Wales in teams and as an individual rider at FEI competition in the u21 Championships at Marlton Stud, Wicklow in 2005/2006/2007/2008 helping Wales teams to be in the top three places each time, also acheiving Individual Junior Elementary Champion in 2006 Also in 2006 she represented Wales as an individual rider at FEI u21s Necarne N.Ireland, the only rider selected to go and the first rider to represent Wales at the competition, her best place was a 6th. in 2006 and 2007 Hannah also represented Wales as an "A" squad rider in BYRDS regional competition at The College, Bedfordshire and qualified for BYRDS National Championships Sheepgate, Lincolnshire. 2006 was also the year that Hannah won the elementary at Pet plan Area dressage, Pencoed College which qualified her for the National Winter Championships at Solihull Riding School where she was placed 11th. Hannah has also qualifed for BD Regional Competitions several times. Hannah was also selected to represent Wales at the first BYRDS FEI Championships at Myerscough College, Peston. Lancs where she acheived 4th place in the FEI Junior tests. |
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Thoughts on the concept of Learned Helplessness I think that in my mind, the training of the horse and the rider are two separate matters. I often hear people say that the novice rider and the novice horse "will learn together" but isn't this a case the blind leading the blind (usually at the expense of the horse)? Unless a great deal of professional help is sought, progress is likely to be slow and often confusing for the horse. An established rider with independent hands, legs and seat will be more adept at teaching a young horse as they will be less likely to give accidentally conflicting aids. i.e. catching a horse in the mouth unexpectedly and so giving conflicting cues. Similarly, a schoolmaster can teach the rider an enormous amount, as in general, they can tolerate more mistakes due to a longer experience of being ridden, they often already know what is expected of them. |
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Horse Poo Paper! Nestling in the foothills of Snowdonia in neighbouring Corris lies a little rural industry making paper out of sheep poo. A sheep only digests 50% of what it eats. The rest is reusable fibre and that can be made into paper. Very attractive and very individual paper. |
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Roger Clementino riding Nilo VO |
Historic Lusitano Dressage Performance in Brazil São Paulo, April 1 – During the Grand Prix B test at the CDI3* in São Paulo, Brazil, Rogério Clementino rode the pure-bred Lusitano Nilo VO into the record books by achieving a historic score of 65.38% – one step on the road to Olympic qualification. Asked how he felt during the test, Clementino admitted, "Expectations were very high, the pressure from the press, everybody´s hopes, and everything ... so I tried to do what I have been doing in training, I forgot for a while the percentage, prayed to God, asking for peace and tranquility and that He would allow me to do my best." Although Brazil earned a dressage place to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games thanks to their team's Pan American Games bronze medal in Rio de Janeiro last August, riders still need to record a percentage score of 64.00+, awarded by two foreign FEI judges, in two separate Grand Prix tests in order to secure their individual places. In São Paulo, the foreign judges who unequivocally gave their nod of approval were Canada's Elizabeth McMullen and Axel Steiner from the USA, respectively awarding 66.250% and 68.542%. The latter score is the highest ever recorded in an international CDI3* dressage Grand Prix in Brazil...... Click here to read the full story
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Carreg News Update March 2008 The year started in January with a display for 50, quite a challenge given the wet winter we have been having here in Wales! I have to say that Paul and Annette excelled themselves and produced five sparkling horses despite the all the mud Our two new youngsters both behaved impeccably on finding quite a daunting audience in the indoor school ( with lots of small children). Zafira, every inch as confident as her sire Nilo, did not bat an eyelid, she is now broken in and progressing quickly. Aigre Doux (Vinagre) also went beautifully, this was particularly pleasing as he had only arrived on the yard just before Christmas. Heroi, Cordero and Nilo showed more advanced work, Cordero displayed the courage and confidence of the Iberian with a demonstration of how to carry a burning fire torch. Aigre Doux sired by Noitibo is another Casal Branco bred horse, at 16 hands 2 inches he stands taller than Nilo. Aigre Doux is showing lots of ability and promise and will hopefully make his debut at Warrington Show in May. The interest in the breed appears to still be growing with lots of enquiries and invitations to show the horses working as far a field as Cumbria and Pembrokeshire. Equilibre will not be creating a Masked Ball this year (images of The Ball can be seen on our web site) but possibly a unique interpretation of Mardi Gras in 2009 |
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The Global Dressage Forum 29th-30th October Holland We were welcomed to the Global Dressage Forum at the end of October by our host Dr. Joep Bartels, Chairman of the programme The programme was purposefully designed to be provocative and The focus for 2007 was training methods, scientific results on learned helplessness, the marketing of dressage and the evaluation of judging. The main goal being an open discussion with representatives of trainers, judges, horse owners, organisers and media representatives...... |
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British Equestrian National Convention - Hubertus Schmidt Clinic Olympic Gold Medallist, five times German Professional Riders Champion and World Cup Winner, Hubertus Schmidt is one of the most successful dressage trainers in the world today. Even in the sub zero temperatures that existed on the 24th of November it was a great privilege to listen to and watch this unassuming master at work. While there were no Lusitanos at the clinic members may still be interested in the straightforward and uncomplicated training advice that was offered. Hubertus Schmidt is known for his delicacy in riding highly strung horses and as such his advice is very applicable to hot blooded horses. There were he said a foundation of four very important elements and that relaxation is fundamental to everything...... |
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Collaboration with Award Winning Photographer Tim Flach It is actually quite a while since Tim Flach made a three day visit to Carreg, photographing for his new book Equus. I have to say working with Tim was a good deal more about hard work and less about the glamour I had imagined! The work at Carreg involved one of the stables being transformed into a studio, complete with flappy backdrops and studio lights, the horses had to stand motionless on their mark and cope with being doused with water, foam and occasionally mud to create the desired effects.They were very proffessional models! Typically in the end some of the most exciting shots came from natural light, created while the sun set to the west of the building! Tim is absolutley dedicated to his craft, we worked from 7.00 am to 3.00 am the following morning! Tim seems to survive quite easily on no food and no sleep, a bit of a problem for the rest of us who enjoy quite a lot of both. This dedication is evident in the extraodinary images that Tim has captured from all over the world, they are mesmerising,challenging and unique observations. This body of work is destined to become an important testimony of a world class photographer both in the Art World and in the Equine World. Please visit www.timflach.com to see a preview of Equus.
Tim Flachs images of Icelandic Ponies In Their Own Environment an example of what can be seen in his new booK Equus. Click the photographs to enlarge.
The photographs immediately above and to the left are of Heroi, Unico, Nilo owned by Carreg Dressage and Rouxinal owned by Elizabeth Cope. Click the photographs to enlarge. |
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Pupils win the Regional Rounds
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Bristish Horse Society interviews Jane The British Horse society recently interviewed Jane lloyd Francis on Classical Dressage and Carreg Dressage for it's January 2007 Newsletter. |
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Bordering Art Project Ruth Jones has collaborated with Equilibre Horse Theatre and Jane Lloyd Francis to create an unique equine display focusing on the exchange of energy that occurs when two cultures meet, collide and are altered as a result. The project is also planning to conduct a workshop open to people in and around the Oswestry area in which participants will work with body movement in conjunction with a horse. The performance will take place on October 7th 2006 at the Oswestry Racecouse. The workshop will take place at the end of September. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT rUTH jONES AND THE PROJECT. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PRESS RELEASE / 12th July 2006 |
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Classical Riding, Who Cares ? In response to an article titled "Classical Riding, Who Cares ?" published in Horse & Hound, Georges Dewez wrote an article published in the spring issue of Classical Riding Magazine. CLICK HERE TO READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE. |
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Carreg horses find new homes. Bailina has been sold to the Stevens family in Surrey where she is very much adored, Jackie Stevens used to work for Lord Loch and consequently is very familiar with Lusitanos. Esther Garnes now has Brilliant D'or who is finding a new lease of life going for gallops along the beach, making lots of new friends and even going to local shows! |
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Dancing with Horses Jane Lloyd Francis and Georges Dewez performed at the "Dancing with Horses" show on the 1st of April 2006 to help raise funds for the new Riding for the Disabled complex. For More Information on the show, please visit the website of Perry Riding and Driving Group : http://www.perry-rda.org/ To learn more about Riding with Disabilities, please visit the RDA website: http://www.riding-for-disabled.org.uk/ |
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 Unico II, Golega Horse Fair. |
News from Carreg Dressage In January we completed the long awaited extended Outdoor School , which is now 60 metres x 25metres – with seemingly endless horizons! The new school has a wonderfull surface supplied by Equine Direct and is riding beautifully in all weathers. It is now known as the Sacred Space; hopefully it will not stay white for ever! There is also a new drying room, heating in the tack room, warm water horse shower and hopefully new client accommodation by the end of the year. With three young stallions arriving from Portugal last November, together with the usual client's horses it has been a hectic winter. Look out for Sultao (sired by Heroi), Universo and the outstanding UnicoII this summer. Nilo's yearlings are looking very promising, growing up in Portugal , in true lusitano style and mares are already arriving here to be covered this year. Baillina, a filly by Heroi, is now working well under saddle and will soon be joining Ourico in Shropshire is for sale. Unico at Golega horse Fair, where he came second in his class. Unico is progressing well as a potential competition dressage horse. |
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| Carreg Dressage gains Soil Association approval. Carreg Dressage land has been certified by the Soil Association, a very rigorous process, and now has recognised organic status. This also means that all of our horses and visiting horses are fed on non GM products and that all medicines including wormers do not leave harmful traces in the soil and of course all our horses feed on the best welsh organic grass.As a result of existing woodland and pasture management schemes over the last 10 years we are beginning to see new wild flowers emerging and a wonderfull and varied return of wildlife including otters, pine martins and red kites.In 2003 Carreg Dressage also developed an environmental policy for the business and the running of the yard and Carreg Dressage were runners up in The 2003 Wales Environment Awards. |
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Carreg Sculpture Trail As a result of the work of Artist in Residence Dick Renshaw during Equilibre, Carreg now has a sculpture trail leading to the yard. The trail is loosely themed on travel and is made up of large pieces of carved and engraved local slate.photo left: Dick Renshaw, sculptor in residence Health and Safety |
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| Carreg wins Silver Award Carreg Dressage completed Welcome Host training sponsored by The Wales Tourist Board and gained a silver award. |
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Equilibre Horse Theatre Equilibre Horse Theatre was nominated for The Greatest Show in Wales-Event of the Year run by The Wales Tourist Board and was presented with a commemorative plaque. We were short-listed to the final four and only beaten by The Bryn Terfel Opera Festival Equilibre. Equilibre horse theatre were winners of The Small Business category of the Arts and Business Awards in 2002. |
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