I'm not sure where to start, really.  Some interesting things happened recently that were oddly inspiring but for the wrong reasons.  A dressage trainer contacted me recently to say that they liked my blog and gave me lots of compliments.  They said that they had been "bashed" online by a person who seemed to attack them for no reason.  After doing a bit of research into the situation I did think that the trainer was being unreasonably harangued. I told them so in an email and also "liked" some of the photos of them riding. There were some decent photos of moments on horseback that I felt ok about commenting on. 

However, because of the bashing the trainer had formed a private Facebook page for their students that one had to be invited to in order to view posts. I joined and perused the photos and videos I was now privy to.  One short clip showed the trainer riding and they didn't ride well.  They couldn't sit the trot and there were some other positional problems.  They said they supported Baucher and yet in most photos they were still heavy-handed as in the German system (which opposes Baucherism).

I dug some more.  The trainer admitted to being "self-taught".  This was surprising to me because most of us serious riders crave lessons and want to find the "One" who can enlighten us yet this trainer only read books.  Still, they were doing amazingly well all things considered.  I reflected on the amount of time I've spent riding and working alone, trying out different theories and methods and know that this was also me - the book-learned trainer.  Still, I'd much rather have someone in person to look at me and correct me on the spot. 

Back to the trainer.  I felt badly for them and I was tempted to do as they asked - write a post dedicated to them.  Something didn't sit right though, so I waited.  I noticed that this person never commented or interacted with me other than to ask if I'd written about them.  I looked up what the trainer basher had to say, and some of it was just plain mean and unfounded.  Some of it was true, though, as in what she said about their riding ability.  I wrote to the trainer again, saying that my support was questionable since I write an unknown blog to a small number of followers (who are all valuable to ME, of course) but I have no pull in the dressage world. Why would I write a blog entry about someone who lives quite far away that I've never met and never seen in person? Would my readers care? I haven't even written that much about those that really matter to me like Oliveira or Baucher!

I think I was kind, but suggested that they take lessons to help themselves and to give them an ally in the dressage world.  I suggested that they be really careful in posting angry retorts to comments made on their Facebook page, and I suggested they be professional in everything they do because they are trying to BE a professional trainer.  I have yet to hear back after several days.  

I believe I dodged a bullet in a sense.  If I had written a blog about that person (in the positive) I would have regretted it because I believe they are unprofessional at the very least.  I also see that the person was only interested in getting something from me that would help THEM, not honest give and take.  They also don't care enough about themselves professionally to improve in every way possible. Some of us are restricted by money, it's true, however one MUST be able to look closely at themselves if they are going to put the shingle out.  You also need some kind of credentials.  This person doesn't show (neither do I, and I don't necessarily think this is the best form of credential), doesn't take lessons and doesn't seem to critique their own riding at the very least. They do not have any teaching certificates from any known associations or schools.  None of the horse they've trained have won anything, that I could tell. 

In fact, the more posts I saw, the more I disagreed with this trainer. The methods they said they support and use were a mish-mash of things that had no business being mentioned in the same sentence.  To me, the fact that they mentioned using two very different training techniques in conjunction with each other shows that they understood neither.  To protect them I of course have not mentioned their name or gender or where they live. I guess I felt disappointed  because it's always great to meet someone who is really interested in dressage and likes to discuss it.  I had hoped to find someone willing to exchange theories and experiences at the very least.  I feel that they tried to dupe me into supporting them instead. 

And the inspiration that I mentioned 27 paragraphs ago? In an odd way, this trainer inspired my too-long dormant love of dressage and teaching.  Perhaps now that we are on the Front Range again I may give some lessons.  We'll see. First I need to get my horses over here!

Some links on my favorite dressage learning sources:

On Baucher

On Nuno Oliveira

Manolo Mendez

Imke Spilker

Taking Stock

I started this blog three years ago in January 2011. I was looking back over my blog posts to see what I'd written about and what folks had read.  I try to make each post interesting but the ultimate goal is an outlet for writing about my beliefs and thoughts about horse training.  I've sometimes stagnated and run out of things to write about, and many posts are few and far between.  One of my goals is more consistency, but the horses are still living in Rifle, which is 350 miles away. Without them, my progress and inspiration has faded.  I do go to see them, but it's never for long enough. 

That said, here are some statistics:

Total pageviews - 4780

Most viewed posts, in order of highest to lowest:

1. Why Do Horses Eat Tree Bark?  
2. On "Lightness" and the Master...Nuno Oliveira
3. Goodbye, BJ
4. Flood Irrigation
5. Michael Richardson on RFD
6. A Cowboy's Love for His Horse
7. What Does Cesar Milan Have to do With Horse Training?

I found this information interesting because the one post that people read was about a common problem with horses. Also, many folks read about flood irrigation, a subject which I found little information on anywhere.  Michael Richardson, a disabled horse trainer I discovered on RFD was high on the list, but interestingly I haven't seen any more of his shows on there.  He also never responded to an email I sent, so I wonder what became of him. 

Much to my delight, the post on Nuno Oliveira comes up third when you search his name and "lightness".   I guess not many people have written about him, which surprises me. 

After three years of blogging I'm thankful that anyone reads it at all.  I'm also thankful to have such an outlet for my opinions.  Those that have responded have been very positive, which makes me feel good.  There is so much negativity out there that one of my fears was that people would put down my blog, but so far they haven't.  

So, if you are reading this - thank you!  If you have something to add, or have a different thought, feel free to speak up.  I like civilized discussion and dissent.  

And of course a special thank you to my friend and most faithful supporter, Leigh Ann Wilder.


Happy Trails!