Farndale Stables

Christopher Chun and Romono: Res. Ch. Children’s Hunters. Winner LAHJA Horsemanship Medal. Congratulations!

Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is that little voice at the end of the day that says: “I’ll try again tomorrow.”
–Anne Hunninghake

A key quality that distinguishes a successful athlete, or a top-notch performer in any field, is the way he responds to his bad days. Everyone has good days and bad days, and the good ones are certainly easier to handle. But do we allow the bad ones to throw us off our course? Are we so shaken by our mistakes or troubles that we lose our focus on our goals?

Adult development is a process; it’s never an end goal that we reach and hold. Our healing and recovery includes preparing ourselves to respond well to the bad days. We can do that by keeping our eye on the big picture, knowing that however bad things may seem at the moment, they will change. We learn to reach deep into our spiritual self for the courage to stay focused in the midst of our hardest days. We don’t have to do it alone. We have the spiritual support of God or a Higher Power and the companionship of our friends to keep us on the path.

“Equestrians are the custodians of a living art, and its survival depends on its uncompromised transmission from generation to generation. It is the duty of each generation of instructors to acquire a thorough knowledge of horsemanship and not to reinvent it or replace it by some trick of the month.” — Charles de Kunffy, Dressage Today – February ’11

Jenny Vanhagen and Summertime Blues

A Time to Think
Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.—The Special Olympics Prayer

We had a great horse show this weekend! And for a change the weather finally cooperated. We were also treated to a special guest International  Cheering Section on Friday and Saturday. Lisa Kursinski and Hugh Savage’s friends from Holland, Ingrid and Peter, had a great time watching and cheering their first American Hunter horse show. As neighbors of Jan Topps they know something about horses, and brought lots of Dutch joy and enthusiasm with them to LAEC.

Heather Collins showed her mare Carmen on Friday, and were wonderful as always.  She then left to spend father’s Day weekend with her husband Tim Kaeding, co-founder of Mother Jeans, and son (and future olympian) Cooper. I hope they had as much fun as we did this weekend!

Christopher Chun had a very successful weekend on his fantastic horse Romono, winning the equitation over fences on Sunday. Chris also showed Annette Peterfy’s horse Summertime Blues for the first time, in the jumper division. They really make a great pair and I am pretty sure we will be seeing them in the ring together again.

Benita Allen and her horse A Zebedee also won a class on Sunday, Rusty Stirrup Hunter’s. This was their first win in a Hunter class and they looked perfect together!

As usual Lisa Kursinski coached all of our riders at this show and she managed to get 110% out of everyone. I think she is one of the most gifted and knowledgeable coaches around and we are lucky to have her with us. And one of the best show riders in California!

Job well done everyone!!!

Zebedee and Benita

CHET FEST!
 

CHET THE MIRACLE HORSE TURNS
25!

COME CELEBRATE WITH
CARROT CAKE AND CHAMPAGNE

SAT., MAY 7TH
2-4 PM

THE LA EQUESTRAIN CENTER
BURBANK
BARN A, STALL 105

APPLES AND CARROTS ACCEPTED

A sample of one of Lisa Kursinski’s techniques to teach a rider correct jumping position.

Joe jumping with one hand on YouTube

Chris jumping with one hand on YouTube