OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — October is a time of year Elaine Olsen can expect to reminisce on her Vermont roots, but not for the autumn leaves — it’s the Morgan Horses. The American Morgan Horse Association assembles its finest each year for the eight-day AMHA World Championship and Grand National Horse Show, and for Olsen, a New England transplant who along with husband Ted settled in Coto De Caza in 1985, it’s a bit of a homecoming.

DEL MAR — The International Friesian Show Horse Association returned to California for its 2012 World and Grand National Championship Show, and homestate Friesians made their winning marks at the event, held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds Oct. 10-14.

Seven-year-old stallion Sjoerd, named USET Horse of the Year last Jan. 13, was profoundly successful, winning nine classes and getting reserves in 13 others en route to being the overall Reserve High Point Purebred Friesian behind Debie Stuart’s Jilke fan de Koarndyk. His get also finished on top of a variety of classes.

WOODSIDE — James Alliston galloped to victory in the CIC3* at the Woodside International Horse Trials, presented by Equine Insurance of California and Professional’s Choice, for the second straight year, and this year he also galloped to victory in the CIC2*. On Tivoli (52.6) he claimed the CIC3*, and on Mojo (51.4) he claimed the CIC2*.

Jolie Wentworth finished second in both the CIC3*, aboard GoodKnight (58.9), and in the CIC2*, aboard Man On A Mission II (55.7). McKenna Shea rode Landioso to third place (69.6) in the CIC3*.

PEQUANNOCK, N.J. – It always creates excitement when Breyer Animal Creations announces new horses in its collection, and fans of reined cow horses will cheer one of the featured additions for 2013: Topsail Rien Maker.

Also known as “Slider”, the 13-year old sorrel stallion this year became the only horse in history to win the National Reined Cow Horse Association World’s Greatest Horseman event three times. With trainer Russell Dilday, their “never-quit” attitude has won $340,000 in lifetime earnings – and the hearts of spectators who witnessed a string of remarkable, winning performances.

HEY RAY: I found out that when you train really hard at home in preparation for your first horse show, and you load up your champion hopeful, on your way to the show, something magical happens. When you arrive and you unload your trailer, the horse that comes out isn’t yours. What is that all about? Everything we worked on, everything we achieved and everything I expected went out the window. What happened?
—Ann Hutchison, Norco

HEY ANN: The phenomenon you experienced is not exclusive to you and your horse. Actually, it is the norm for most horses going to a show for the first time. It’s amazing what stress, pressure and a new environment can do to the fragile mind of an inexperienced horse. The surprises you learn at your horse’s first show usually only happen once if you pay attention. It’s not so much what you did at the show that counts, it’s more about the preparation and all that you simulate about the show at home that really makes the difference.

Here’s a special gift idea for someone on your list looking to improve their dressage score or move up a level: Eventer Gina Miles, Olympic individual silver medalist, is currently offering a Winter Training Special to one of the region’s top training programs. Send your horse to college — a luxury stay at the beautiful Templeton Farms, featuring a 32,000 square foot arena, miles of perimeter trails, irrigated turnouts and much more. Gold Medal Equestrian is the premier training program on the central coast of California. Gina and assistant trainer Rebecca Braitling tailor each training program to the horse and rider’s individual needs. Call (805) 610-0879 for more details and info, or see the ad on page 42.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The United States Dressage Federation announced Oct. 29 the approval and release of the official USDF Training Level Freestyle.

Approved by the USDF Dressage Committee and the respective USDF Judges and Freestyle Committees, this freestyle is designed to encourage development of rhythm, regularity, and consistency of tempo in a horse’s gaits through the use of music and to improve harmony between horses and riders, a spokesperson said.

DEL MAR — Ashlee Bond was on fire during the opening week at the Del Mar Fall Equestrian Festival, winning every class and continuing to show the promise of her new, young grand prix horse, Wistful.

DEL MAR — The ponies were also in the spotlight during week one at the Del Mar Fall Equestrian Festival. Renowned pony Buffalo Soldier made a special guest appearance Oct. 21 as the ghost ride in the Buffalo Soldier Pony Hunter Derby, sponsored by the Gabler Family.

30th in a series
Last issue, Les outlined in detail the art of overcoming resistance. Now we’ll open more doors by learning to control the shoulders.

Up until this point we’ve primarily focused on influencing the horse’s head and neck through lateral and vertical flexion. In this lesson you’re going to move back a zone and learn to control the shoulders. Once you can do that it opens the door for many of the maneuvers that you’ll be working on in the future.