I remember reading about Courtney King-Dye's accident.  The picture of her running along side the small dog in her show cloths, her fiancee standing blurred in the distance, both with big smiles on their faces stayed with me.  The last I remember was that she was still in a coma and all prayer were with her and her loved ones.  It was at that point I put wore my helmet more often but I am guilty of not wearing it on occasions.  
Then yesterday, July 31st, I was thrilled to pick up Dressage today and see an update to her recovery, what an amazing story. 

How I Came Back
By Courtney King-Dye

In the summer of 2008, Courtney King-Dye rode down the Olympic centerline at the age of 30.  The youngest member of the United States dressage team she was considered one of the country's rising international stars with a bright future as a competitor and trainer.  Less than tow years later, these plans came to a screeching halt.  During a day of training, the horse Courtney was riding tripped, and the pair fell.  Courtney hit her head and suffered a traumatic brain injury. As she lay in a coma, many wondered how long she would be out of the saddle while others worried that she would not wake up at all.  A month passed, and fears turned to hope as Courtney awoke and headed to rehabilitation.  It is now four years since the last Olympics, two years since her injury, and this indomitable athlete is writing her own story.  She is back in the saddle with her eye on the competition ring, but with a few changes to her original plans.  Because all four lobes of her brain were injured and she has limited use of her body, Courtney's goal is still to ride down centerline for team USA, but this time as a Paralympian.

Read more of this amazing story in Dressage Today, July 2012, page 29-33


Here are some video's of Courtney's journey since 2008: 

Idocus and Courtney score 75.40 and took 5th place in the Grand Prix Freestyle 

at the 2008 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of the Horse

Courtney's first show back riding Para 1A Freestyle.

Courtney opens the 2nd Rider4Helmets Helmet Safety Symposium. 

I agree that all riders are inspiration to someone.  For me a trainer in the small town of Altoona my students look to me and when I don't put on my helmet it sends a message.  

My new routine: Brush out, tack up, buckle up, mount :)

GoodLuck Courtney! 

Happy Riding! 

Mucking

For those of us who muckout on a daily basis you can relate to this cartoon, I always say "I literally  shovel shit on a daily bases".  But all joking aside my morning chores are the favorite part of the day.   It is my time the horse(s), to care for them, it builds on their respect for me on the ground and in their space, I know their routine and personality and if there is a change I sense it immediately (if they haven't pooped enough during the night, their stall is messier than usual, they are resting their leg differently, eye issues etc) and it allows you time to look over your horses body for any bumps or cuts they may have received through the night.  The routine of the barn is a comfort to the horse and the relationship I develop with the horses by not just being the trainer but the handler as well is priceless. 

When horses come in for training that is generally pastured their owners are often concerned about their horses being stabled and are relieved to find that their concern were not necessary, as the horses always settle into the routine nicely.  All of the horses at MEC love their pasture time but they are always willing to come back to their stables. 

 There is no better feeling when the stalls are clean and the barn is organized.  

So to my fellow shovelers Good Luck!

Quadrille Information

Originally known as horse ballets, the quadrille developed in France from a dance of the same name. Quadrilles historically numbered in multiples of four that performed complicated patterns and maneuvers, and were accompanied by music often written specifically for these gala performances. Eventually these horse ballets evolved into the elaborate equestrian festivals known as carrousels. One can only imagine the impact of such events in the days before the technological revolution.

The tradition now continues in riding clubs and schools all over the world. The value of quadrille riding is very well recognized. It gives the riders a way to have fun with their horses in the company of fellow riders, the M&M's have Wine and Cheese Night once a month after our ride, we use this time to catch up with teammates lives outside the horse world, discuss problems and upcoming events. The very nature of quadrille riding requires that riders sit up, look and ride. In addition, the challenge of being part of a group performing intricate figures provides a very special exhilaration and enjoyment to individual participant. If you are new to the competitive dressage arena or an accomplished competitor or anywhere in between riding as a team takes the pressure of you as an individual, as the tests are judged on spacing, alignment and synchrony of all four riders, this leave you to gain confidence and experience in the arena. USDF has quadrille tests available on their website at : http://www.usdf.org/downloads/forms/index.asp?TypePass=Tests.

The horses in the quadrille have to learn say in line at various paces, as well as balance and rate themselves. They learn to pass other horses and to be passed without protest, to go at the speed their riders choose regardless of what the horses around them are doing, and to leave the group promptly on command. This is sometimes a challenge for dressage horses who are use to performing alone and only have to deal with other horses in the warm up arena.

Find four or more individuals who would like to start riding as a quadrille and order Why Do Quadrille?, where I gathered most of my information for this post, off the USDF website.

If you have any question or would like any help with your team please call me: 352-267-0082

New Dressage whip

Reading my usdf Connection cover to cover I saw that there is a new style of dressage whip. Called Easy Cue, it is ergonomicly design to curve around the riders leg and with its more flexible shaft is whippier and easier to apply than ever before without signicantly altering your hand position. It is USDF/USEF show legal. Check out this new dressage whip at www.dcueproducts.com.

HV-1 neurological disease

This is one of the articles my vet emailed to me after I asked her about the new virus that had conerned horse owners in FL. Thanks to Dr. Rusin of DragonFly Equine.

Equine Herpes Virus type 1
There is currently an EHV-1 neurological disease outbreak occurring in several Western states and Western Canada. Currently, we do not have any horses in Florida known to be exposed to the virus related to that particular outbreak and we do not have any increased intra or interstate movement requirements. There are some states, however, that are adding additional requirements so we recommend that all those leaving Florida transporting horses contact the state of destination to ensure full compliance.
In a separate incident we have one farm in Alachua County, which is under state quarantine, that has had two horses euthanized due to complications of EHV-1 infection (one case suspected and one confirmed). We believe that the index case occurred on the quarantined farm due to reemergence of a latent infection and that no exposure has occurred off the affected premises.
We will continue to monitor the situation in our western states and plan to post information on our Web site weekly, or more frequently, if needed.
Additional information about the disease as well as a national summary can be found at the following link:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/ehv/

General Of Legends

Legendary Lusitano's (www.legendarylusitano.com) have 5 stallions: Xisto, Zola, Alfachina, Valente and James standing at stud at McKie Equine Center. Trained by Capt. Barry and ridden by Barry, Philipa and owners Kathy and DC Cook.

We are proud to present our first foal: General Of Legends a Lusitano colt, born May 4th 2011. Dam: Conga, Lusitano, bay, mare, 15.2 hands. Sire: Xisto, Lusitano, dark bay, stallion, 16.2 hands.

Welcome

Welcome to our blog, it is a work in progress. We are looking forward to sharing our adventures, knowledge and tips with you. Please take this journey with us and see where we go.