Sunrise Farms Sport Horses, Inc.

"What I do for a living....?"

2011-10-23T20:22:00.002-04:00

I went to a holloween party, last night and didn't know very many people there. A man asked me (with his wife standing next to him), "what do you do (for a living)?"

I gave my standard answer, " I have a horse training facility and train horses". That said, he launches into a story of his brother who has race horses, and how many he had and how he buys them, races them and sells them...and on the story went. Fifteen minutes later I had heard about every rank, mean, ugly horse that his brother had, and he started to launch into a horror horse loading story (into a trailer).

I politely interrupted him and said, "I train DRESSAGE horses". Blank stares from both of them. I continued "it's an Olympic sport , believe it or not". More blank staring from both of them. "You know, its when the horse goes sideways, and twirls around in a circle and trots in place?".

The woman came out of her coma and smiled and said excitedly "yah yah, I 'seen that!"

The man continued his blank staring. I addressed him taking a different angle on the subject "Have you ever seen the Lipizzan Stallions - the white stallions?" (normally when I encounter these folks when I bring up the Lipizzans they snap back to our reality).

"Ya my neighbor had a white horse, used to come up to the fence so I could pet it!"

I gave up and changed the subject to what SHE did for a living, which was house cleaning!

New York Students Clean up this weekend!

2011-08-08T17:47:00.002-04:00

Caity and Chester were Jr HIgh point Chmapions and Julie and Marvin took the Senior high point honors. Both girls trained very hard the past 5 weeks and Chester finished his season at summer camp to become Caity's exclusive show horse. Way to go girls!

What I learned during my time with Lipizzan Show.

2011-05-03T07:54:00.003-04:00

Pictured is Neopolitano Primavera during one of the first shows that he was learning the Levade. This is a very balanced movement where the horse takes all the weight on the hind legs and balances there, ideally taking the soldier out of the enemy swords way. It takes a tremendous amount of strength and heart on the horses part, and I am trying to stay in perfect balance - not giving the rein or taking more tension on the rein, to help Neo maintain the levade.

This is a useful movement for body building the hind end muscles of the horse, but must not be used out of fear or anger for the horse. If the horse gets confused during half step excercises, he may rock back on the hind legs if he feels trapped in he bridle. The trick is to give the rein and push the horse forward a step or two, to regain his confidence through balance once again.

Fresians are Fun, Too!

2011-03-22T15:13:00.003-04:00

Elvis performing the bow in the lipizzan show!

Sunrise Farms Sport Horses, Inc.: World Famous Lipizzaner Stallion Show

2011-02-16T10:40:00.000-05:00

Sunrise Farms Sport Horses, Inc.: World Famous Lipizzaner Stallion Show: "Lipizzaner"

World Famous Lipizzaner Stallion Show

2011-02-16T10:28:00.002-05:00

The past 6 weeks has been an unbelievable experience. The schedule is grueling but the horses are stoic and wonderful and it is immediately evident that they are truly 'war horses'. They frequently have 15 hour work days, many hours of which are schooling on a concrete floor, or standing tied to a hay string on a tie line back stage, standing in their tack during the 1.5 hour show doing whatever is asked of them at the moment - and everything is in collection. This collection is asked of them with out a warmup. The warmup is walking in a 10 meter circle , all 8 stallions back stage for (maybe) 8 minutes.

When the curtain opens, even the most scared horse on the squad lifts his shoulders as if to say silently "I am here and this is my job!" Yes, the rider still has to ride the stallion through the show and stay straight, engaged and on the aids, but the good riders always make it look to the audience as if this is the easiest job in the world.

Arabian Horses are FUN!

2010-09-29T08:21:00.002-04:00

Sunrise Farms South (in Jupiter Florida) has bred some nice arabians and half-arabians that have come to Sunrise Farms Sport Horses for some mileage. This video is from the first day of galloping in the 'back forty' in Newberry. Check out this video! I forgot how fun these hardy horses can be!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRO0wdF9R2w

International Dreams become Reality for Marquis and Lily

2010-08-11T22:01:00.003-04:00

Marquis de Matcho and Lily Zilo are pictured here moments after winning the Prix St. George with a score of 67% at the White Fences Dressage show on June 12, 2010. The winning score also completed her certificate of competency to compete in the 16th Asian Games in China this coming November. Lily and 'Paco', (owned by Jillian Costello of Gainesville Florida) will travel to China to compete for team Hong Kong. The two qualifying scores were earned in less than two months after Lily and Paco joined up as a team. I am very proud of their progress, thus far, and look forward to coaching them through the next few months.

My Summer at Camp

2010-08-11T21:45:00.002-04:00

The summer went by quickly for me as I taught 38 kids how to ride at a beautiful facility on Raquette Lake in the middle of the Adirondack Mountains in NY. More than half of the little ones had never ridden a horse, but by the end of July they were at least trotting on their own. Much thanks is owed to the gentle creature pictured here. He is a 21 year old purebred Arabian ( Skusic ++/)gelding with my 6 yr old granddaughter, Arienne, astride. I also had my niece, Alivia, with me who rode every day and was quite comfortable in the saddle by the third week. I will treasure the memories and photos of these two for some time to come, as they live more than 4 hours away from me and I almost never get to teach them to ride, and pass along the passion that I share for horses.

US Para Equestrian Competitors Need Funding

2010-05-28T07:13:00.005-04:00

I am writing this from the CPEDI3* Para Equestrian Competition in Ashburn, Ontario. This is the largest Para Equestrian Competition ever held and there are 40 horses here and 7 nations being represented. By far, the Canadians have the best team of horses and also the most organized and professional looking Team. They are well funded, and each athlete has a team of helpers.

It is amazing to see how much effort it takes each athlete to prepare, and mount their horse. Imagine sitting in a wheelchair and leading, tacking, cleaning feeding and watering your horse. Now imagine getting to and from the show office over gravel, dirt and grass terrain. It is all such an effort!

The American team (there are about 10 athletes) are all self funded it really becomes a struggle to keep up with the other countries. Most are riding borrowed horses and some do not get to test out that horse until the day before the competition. What bravery.

Some of the Athletes are born with disabilities and some develop them through life (accidents, illnesses). All of them have a great positive attitude and super friendly.

In this photo is Kim, my student, riding Windsor's Mira. What the photo does not show is that it takes two people to get her on the horse- One to hold the horse and one to spot Kim as she transfers from the wheelchair and onto the block and then hops up to the top step and then a final push gets her on the the horse.

For more information about Para Equestrian Sports in the USA go to www.uspea.org.

Have some fun with IT!

2010-03-22T17:21:00.002-04:00

My sister was having some trouble with her horse 'Florian's' desire to go forward in the 'big giant sandbox' at her facility in Wellington so Kismo and I joined her for some Pas de Deux fun. At first Florian was a little wary of this horse keeping pace with him but it is evident in this photo that he joined right in the dance!

Sometimes you have to be creative with your horses and take a risk and have some fun for goodness sake. Here we had the music up full blast to something latin (I think).

Photo credit: Erol Pinto

Hard Work Pays Off in Piaffe

2010-03-07T20:34:00.003-05:00

Marquis de Matcho performing the Piaffe after working a great excercise (thanks Juan Matute) with his owner Jillian. His hind leg is active while he remains softly on the contact.

It is important to recognize that even trainers need a trainer or ground coach to help develop the sport horse.

I got some great coaching this week in Wellington and was able to pass some of the lesson along to Jill on 'Paco'. It is tiring for the horse to travel and exhausting for all concerned and thank GOD my other clients are patient for my return.

This photo shows that hard work does pay off! -SVdN

-SVdN

Adult Clinic retreat weekend

2010-03-02T08:11:00.004-05:00

Marquis de Matcho -working piaffe

The weather was spectacular-finally a break in the cold snap! Donna learned to long line Charlie and Gift and then rode each after the long line work. This work is so important to supple all the muscles in the horses top line and bending through the neck and poll.

Martha learned piaffe and passage on Dancer, after riding her own Icaro XXIV who is just 5 and has not learned this yet.

Jill rode her own Susquehanna and we worked on the tempos for the new musical freestyle and the music that was selected for the 11 yr old Hannoverian mare.

Alexia rode Karona who is working all third level work (half-passes and counter canter and wald-canter transitions) and she is still confirming that the mare is in front of the leg in all movements. Alexia warmed up Dancer for Martha and was a great help in getting all the horses ready for work.

Jill also rode Marquis de Matcho (pictured above) and we worked on transitioning from collected trot to Piaffe and out. It was fun to watch the trot change after this work and get livelier and more animated. I also explained how this work puts the horse in the stress zone for moments and it is important when to know to go back to the comfort zone to calm the nerves of the horse who now has his adrenaline up.

Everyone worked very hard and I think all were exhausted but entertained.

Thanks to Jillian and Terry for the wonderful photos!

Marquis de Matcho Montage 2/16/10 at OneTrueMedia.com

2010-02-17T21:26:00.001-05:00

Super reliable FEI horse for sale for an amateur, JR or YR!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Gladiator's Montage at OneTrueMedia.com

2010-02-17T21:12:00.001-05:00

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Ezmarelde sale video at OneTrueMedia.com

2010-02-17T20:38:00.001-05:00

This is your chance to own a great mare at a nice price. Nice bloodlines with huge ground covering gaits and a super mind- this mare can be your new dance partner.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Sunrise Farm Sport Horses Commercial

2010-02-16T19:15:00.001-05:00

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Adult Weekend Retreat Clinic February 20-21, 2010

2010-01-20T09:33:00.003-05:00

Sunrise Farms will be conducting a clinic the weekend of February 20-21, at the facility in Newberry Florida. Riders can bring their horse for one lesson each day and also ride one of the resident school horses at the training facility. This is a rare opportunity to learn the feel of a finished FEI horse and get balanced seat coaching to better achieve the timing and feel required to be a more successful rider.

Lunch is provided each day, and we will host a dinner Saturday night and topics of discussion will include saddle fit, chiropractic care and the use (and overuse) of supplements.

Stalls and overnight camping are available (at nominal charge) if arrangements are made in advance.

Price for weekend activities is 350.00.

Contact Shelley at 561-906-8910 or at srfsporthorses@gmail.com

It takes a Team

2009-10-31T07:36:00.003-04:00

GAIG Region Three Championshps at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, West Palm Beach Florida

It was such a high to be showing three wonderful horses at this horse park that I was proud to be a part of for the first 3 years. When I started the job as Equestrian Facility Manager at Jim Brandon, the horse park was just 800 plus acres of dirt. The facility was not named yet, and the County comissioners had very little faith that the Park would ever be used except by the local horse club.

So to be showing at the Championshps at Jim Brandon was extra special for me.

Here is my daughter Alexia putting the final touches on Ezmarelde la Biladora before her first level championship test. It takes a team to make a champion and I couldn't have done this show without Lexi, Christine, Jill, Mom, and my husband Karel there supporting me and the wonderful horses Ezmarelde, Latin Lover V and Susquehanna.

MARTHA LOTT'S FIRST SHOW

2009-10-02T21:26:00.003-04:00

PICTURED IS MARTHA LOTT AND KARONA (OWNED BY JILLIAN COSTELLO) AFTER THE PAIRS FIRST HORSE SHOW AT HORSE SHOWS IN THE PARK IN SEPTEMBER AT CANTERBURY.

AUGUST SDCTA SUNBURN CLASSIC RESULTS

2009-10-02T14:33:00.003-04:00

SUSQUEHANNA THIRD LEVEL RESERVE HIGH SCORE 67%

EZMARELDE LA BILADORA FIRST LEVEL HIGH SCORE( (SATURDAY 73%)

LATIN LOVER V FIRST LEVEL HIGH SCORE (SUNDAY 74.9%)

Change it up a Bit!

2009-08-30T18:24:00.003-04:00

This is Jillian with Kismo and Shelley with Marquis de Matcho practicing movements for a future Pas de Deux. In this movement we were to pass at 'A' and perform a flying change at the same moment. The horses are new to each other, but I love the expression on our faces and on the horses (tail flipped up and ears!)

Choosing the Right Horse

2009-06-03T16:46:00.003-04:00

There are many articles published about choosing the right mount. Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. This is 5 yr old Arienne and Yeagar, a Multi-National Champion Shetland Pony (and also GCDA dressage champion pony) coming to the arena for their riding lesson last Saturday.

The Value Of Turnout

2009-05-30T14:26:00.002-04:00

Arabians in Dressage- Aragorn Strikes (again)

2009-05-28T14:40:00.003-04:00

Aragorn Strikes, an 18 yr old Arabian gelding winning the Prix St. George and Fourth Level championship at the Region 12 Arabian and Half-Arabian Championships in May 2009. Aragorn came to me for training as a 12 yr old stallion that had 'issues' with the show ring. Basically, he lacked the confidence to deal with the outside world, including anything on a trail and especially the center line of the dressage arena (and the scary judges booth at 'C'). I used a lot of cross training , and spent a lot of hours conditioning him outside the rectangle resulting in him winning the Reserve National Championship at the Arabian and Half-Arabian Sport Horse Nationals. He is shown here with Debbie Hill in the irons and his proud owner, Stefanie Martinelli , who recently won her silver medal aboard Aragorn competing against warmbloods in South Florida.

Cross Training the Show Horse

2009-05-28T14:06:00.004-04:00

When new clients visit my training facility, they are often dismayed by the trek they make up our wide lime rock road, especially after a heavy rain. Karel and I sometimes complain about the road, too, but today's training sessions reminded me why I love living and training (these beautiful, expensive show horses)in the country.

Sometimes it is drudgery for the horse to go day after day into the rectangle (aka the dressage arena). I have a weekly training schedule, but I know when it is time to bypass the arena and head out onto the wide lime rock road and hack (long trot or gallop on a long rein). We can go straight ahead for 1.5 miles without stopping. I let the horse decide how fast he wants to go, and when the energy is there, maybe I collect him and do some lateral work. There are little detours along the way, shooting off into the woods where there may be a log to jump or a grass easement to ride down, and now and then there are new baby calves to spot on a spring morning. There is also traffic, trucks and cars that pass and once in a while a farming machine. We ride past a vast watermelon field where dozens of workers are busy picking and throwing the fruit into old school busses.

I use trail riding for training, conditioning and building the horse's confidence. The training includes mastering all paces (working collected and extended), leg yielding, negotiating obstacles and backing up. The conditioning gained improves the horses fitness level so he can meet the rigors of showing. The horse also gains confidence by accepting unfamiliar surroundings and all types of terrain and other horses.

Horses have to be trained to be confident in the great outdoors. It is not possible to expose the horse to every situation he may encounter at a show or on the trail, but I try and do a lot of preparation in advance by taking him over cavelettis, jumping gymnastics and going into the back forty ( a large pasture where he can see no other horses) and gallop.

This training is not limited to the young or training level horses. I take the FEI horses that I compete out more frequently than the others. I try and limit there 'schooling sessions' to twice a week in the dressage arena. Even those sessions may be short, beginning or ending with a trail ride. For instance, if the lesson is pirouettes that day, and the horse gives me an exceptional effort, I may leave the arena on a long rein and go out to the big world to do something else. This way the horse leaves that lesson on a positive note, and trusts that the next training session will not be grueling.

Quarter Horses in the Sport of Dressage

2009-05-13T20:05:00.003-04:00

A year ago a client sent me a few mares that she had bred at her facility, Vision Farms in El Paso TX, by way of another trainer here in Florida. They had been sent to me emaciated, injured and the youngest one had an unknown vitamin deficiancy that had not allowed her hair coat to shed even though it was approaching summer. My client had not seen them in a few months and was appalled to learn of their condition. I had sent her photos and she almost cried when she saw them.

Of course I set straight out to rehabilitate them and she was happy to support the cause. We worked on their health, feet, coats and finally started to condition them by long walks up the country roads, and eventually hacks. Their stamina increased and their dispositions brightened up.

Around Christmas time we started to work on figures in the dressage arena as a means to improve their gaits and otherwise 'downhill' frames. It was a different ball game for me, as I am used to riding warmbloods or Arabian crosses. But after a while the downhill battle showed glimpses of becoming at least level and before long we advanced to shoulder in and counter canter excercises for balance.

This past weekend I took two of them, Dali's Artful Legacy (Dali) and Barpasser's Vision (Ziggy) to the May Days Qualifier at Canterbury Showplace and they were shining stars! Dali was second in all lower first level tests with a high score of 69% and Ziggy won all four lower training level tests with a high score of 70%. They quite possible were the only representatives from the AQHA but they held their own.

I just looked back at the photos from last year when they arrived looking like rescues and feel quite proud of them both. They are sweet mares and give 100% of their hearts in everything they do!

Riding Consistently Builds Trust

2009-05-08T19:55:00.003-04:00

I was recently reminded by a long time friend and colleague that 'you cannot change your warm-up with your horse no matter what the arena'. As I have made known in my website and teachings, I am a huge proponent of cross training. I take my horses out on long hacks in the dewey misty mornings here in Newberry, or hack down fields, or in work over gymnastics in a huge jump field. No matter what the horses mood or temperament at the start, I try and give him the benefit of the doubt and let the reins long so he can find his rythym, balance and schwung. Sometimes this is hard to do as the horse may be fresh or fractious, or may even break into a canter and give a happy buck. If I start to alter the warm-up and take the reins or punish this happy behavior, I usually lose the whole continuity or the work out.

In the case of my friends horse, he starts out stiff and almost 'off' as he is a teenager with a history of lameness. We have his hoof angles perfect, his hocks and stifles well greased, and all the best supplements that are on the market on board. I know that in 60 meters or so he will warm out of it, and I have to just stay steady with heels low, and back strong and wait for the gentleman to get his kinks out. Almost always he comes into the work with enthusiasm and collection in a light, kind manner.

At the horse show today my horse came out a little hot and I almost changed my warm up to put him into collection from the start (cuz he was 'up'). His mouth was busy and I could hear the bits clanking around and his neck was up. But, this little voice inside me reminded me to pretend that we were on the dirt road on our morning hack and to warm up with a low poll (or wherever it wanted to be) and a strong back and a low heel. Then when the time was right we re-created the relaxed workout that we have at home and in the end the tension was gone.

I may not win the blue ribbon tomorrow but I will know that it wasn't because I took a short cut and compromised the trust that I have built in this horse.

Viva Las Vegas!

2009-05-08T19:47:00.003-04:00

I had the great pleasure of witnessing history in the sport of dressage at the World Cup in Las Vegas last month. To see Steffen Peters win was such a pleasure and truly remarkable how much of a team he was with his horse after only 14 months. The ride was the epitome of harmony, self carriage and truly exhibited a happy responsive Grand Prix horse. Thanks to Johnny Robb for being a great traveling companion!

Photo is of Debbie McDonald and I. (photo credit Johnny Robb)

Shelley Van den Neste and Ezmarelde Win Big at Wellington Dressage Again

2009-04-29T14:55:00.000-04:00

West Palm Beach, FL – After earning High score honors in at the Wellington Classic show in December, Shelley Van den Neste and Ezmarelde La Biladora returned and gave a repeat performance not only winning top honors at the recent Wellington Classic Dressage III Show, but also qualifying for the Regional 3 Championships in Training and First Level. Van den Neste, owner of Sunrise Farms Sport Horses Inc. in Newberry, Florida, competed Ezmarelde for owner Brooke Horan of Vertu Sport Horses in Park City, Utah.

“Ezmarelde has the greatest attitude about everything,” Van den Neste said. “After she was imported she had two foals, the last of which chewed her tail off to the end of the bone and so we had to wait a year after starting her under saddle to show her. Thanks to TailRX it grew out long and healthy and the first time I showed her it was like she was born for the show ring.

Van den Neste said Ezmarelde’s training has consisted of lots of miles of cross training on trails, work over small gymnastics and once a week in the dressage arena. “She never looks twice at anything that would ordinarily spook a green horse,” Van den Neste said. She is a Westfalian out of Ehrentanz and a Florestan dam line. She’s a 16.1 hand plain bay mare, but she has a long, graceful catlike walk and a ground-covering trot. She received two 9’s on her test, one of which was in her stretch down circle which confirms her basic training is correct.”

Van den Neste, a USDF Bronze and Silver medalist and an L graduate who currently competes two horses at the FEI level, is also an accomplished clinician who regularly holds clinics at her Sunrise Farms Sport Horses Inc. Van den Neste holds a variety of clinics including adult dressage retreat weekends where students can bring their horses to her facility and learn to cross train their dressage horses. “This is an intense learning weekend with a group dinner on Saturday night in the ranch house,” Van den Neste said. “I also recently hosted a clinic for the University of Florida Dressage Team to help them prepare for the Intercollegiate Dressage Association National Championships.”

Sunrise Farms Sport Horses Inc., located in Newberry, Florida, offers quality training services and specializes in clinics. They also offer rehab services for show horses that are having problems returning to the show ring. For more information on the farm, contact Van den Neste at srfsporthorses@aol.com.

MDC Intelligent Stirrups®

2009-04-21T16:23:00.002-04:00

MDC Intelligent Stirrups® Endorses Dressage Rider and Trainer Shelley Van den Neste

Seaside, California – Dressage rider and trainer Shelley Van den Neste will be riding in style and comfort from now on, thanks to an endorsement by MDC Intelligent Stirrups®. Van den Neste, a multiple National Champion and a USDF Silver medalist, is thrilled to begin a partnership with MDC Intelligent Stirrups, the revolutionary new stirrup that positions your stirrups where you want them.

Van den Neste, who is a USDF L graduate with distinction and is working toward earning her "r" judge license, currently competes two horses at the FEI level and owns and operates Sunrise Farms Sport Horses in Newberry, Florida. "I am so impressed with the comfort and safety features of the MDC stirrup. I recommend them to all my students and even fellow professionals," Van den Neste said. “It is easy to see why the top professionals in our sport insist on MDC stirrups.”

Top riders depend on MDC Intelligent Stirrups as they allow the rider to select any of three preset stirrup positions: traditional, 45 degrees or 90 degrees. Riders can also customize their stirrups to the setting that best suits them, their horse and their riding application. The MDC Intelligent Stirrups are also easily retrievable, making a rider’s performance more precise and much safer.

Van den Neste will not only ride with the MDC Intelligent Stirrups, but will also share the story of the stirrups at the many clinics she holds at her Sunrise Farms Sport Horses. In addition to weekend clinics, Van den Neste also offers quality training services. Over the past decade she has served as a director for several prestigious equestrian facilities including The Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, Promontory Equestrian Center and the O'Connor signature equestrian center at The Oaks of Lake City.

For more information on the MDC Intelligent Stirrups, visit their website at www.mdccorporation.us/. For more information on Van den Neste and Sunrise Farms Sport Horses email srfsporthorses@aol.com or visit http://www.sunrisefarms.com/.