Dressage Professionals ::

Eileen Ostlund

Posted 28 January 2007 by Eileen Ostlund from Graemont, Inc (7221 views)

We had one final day to take a second look at horses. Steve and I reviewed the videotape and discussed the horses we’d seen. I was relieved that I would get a second chance to look at my favorites but was not at all sure which horse was #1. There were different genders, different sizes, different comfort levels and different “first rides”. I decided that I really wanted to look at four of them again: The first rhythmical Hanoverian bay gelding – I had ridden him first and was really nervous about the whole process so it was hard to assess objectively. But he looked very nice on the videotape and I didn’t look as awkward as I had felt. I got along well with the dark bay 4th level mare from the first day so she was definitely on the revisit list. From Day 2, the gray Dutch mare, although we hadn’t had a flawless first ride, was very comfortable, nicely forward, a perfect size for me, and pretty. Also the big chestnut Flying Change Machine – he seemed so very likeable and fun. To say I was perplexed was an understatement and I really hoped this last day would sort things out. So, I steeled my weary body (and mind) for one more day, took some ibuprofen, and rode all 4 again, using the drive time to discuss with Steve. The Hanoverian felt better this time, more uphill, though I seemed to struggle with the saddle - it felt cantle-high. The gelding’s trot was quite lofty, like riding a huge forward moving pogo stick – could I learn to sit this well? I did lots of 2nd level movements on my own and a couple of flying changes with Steve’s coaching. The owner showed us that the horse had medial splints on his front legs – not a problem for me as they didn’t impinge on anything. He was definitely a possibility. The pretty dappled gray mare was still quite comfortable (especially compared to the Hanoverian’s boingy gaits). She was rather fussy with the bit. Something about her felt SO familiar. Actually that was the problem – she had lots of the same traits that were problematic in my mare! This was the only horse that Steve gently cautioned me about. I enjoy a challenge but he advised that this could be more challenge than I could cope with, particularly with my situation at home and the infrequent availability of professional assistance. How much challenge did I want? The dark bay mare was nice again. I could ride her fine and she had a proven show record. She was the most expensive of my Final Four and would need special import testing (more $) owing to her mare status. Her only “figure flaw” of consequence was that she had neck that was not overly lengthy. It suited her body but I felt it made me (at 5’6”, medium build) look slightly top-heavy. Like most women I know, body image can be a source of remorse! By the time we got to the chestnut gelding, around 5 pm, I was extremely tired. We asked about riding the gelding in a double bridle since he had been shown in a snaffle the first time. The current rider never used one. Hmmm. We rode him outdoors and he was every bit the gentleman he had been the first ride. I got fewer random flying changes. Steve rode him a little and declared him both nice and easy. So, after more thought, the second rides that were meant to sort things out did their job for me. All four horses met my initial criteria – this entailed using additional data to rank them. Here’s what I decided – somewhat like “Miss America” one has to be prepared to select a runner up in the event that complications arise in the vet check or other areas. Fourth Runner Up = dappled gray mare. Too challenging for me on my own. (sigh) Third Runner Up = big chestnut gelding. His age (13) and the lack of ability to try him in a double bridle were factors. He seemed “set” in what he knew – would be fun to take now and show but I wanted a horse for long-term learning. I don’t show that much. Second Runner Up = dark bay mare. Her extra quarantine cost, highest purchase price, and my slight reservations about how I looked on her put her second. On the other hand, if she ended up being the purchase, I’d have a high quality mare to ride and perhaps to breed later. And the Winner = The 16.1 hand Hanoverian gelding – amazingly, the first horse I rode in Holland. He had a good work ethic, cool gaits, knew the stuff I wanted to learn. Steve thought this was a horse I could learn to ride as well as learn to influence. The right combination for me, the serious amateur. (I hoped!). Phew. Decision made. I packed my bags, spent a day in Amsterdam and went home to await results of the prepurchase exam. One journey done, another starting….

Day 2 of Shopping in Holland

Posted 07 January 2007 by Eileen Ostlund from Graemont, Inc (7414 views)

Today started with a drive after breakfast to try a very pretty dappled gray mare at a large boarding barn. She was 10 years old, about 16.0 hands, KWPN. She’d had had a couple of foals already but was back in work. She was a bit feisty but I felt comfortable on her once I got over some nerves about several people, including the owner, watching me ride. Once again, Steve gave me some pointers and taped the ride. We went on to try another flea-bitten gray mare that was related to the horse Metallic. This one was half thoroughbred. I rode her in an outdoor arena in a drizzle and she was very steady, and fairly uncomplicated, including her flying changes. We got back in the car and Steve commented that he thought the ride went well. However, there wasn’t instant chemistry for me – I thought the mare was a little lazy and sluggish and I was not enthralled with her appearance. On to try a large, 16.3 hand chestnut Dutch gelding. He was big, generous, and kind and was presented in a snaffle. This was the proverbial flying change machine –he knew his job very well. Fun to ride, especially those changes! He was 13 years old, kind of at the upper limit of things I was considering. But it would be expedient to get to know him well enough to “go places and do things”. The last horse I tried in Holland was an 8 year old gelding, He was about 16.1 hands and chunky with a compact build-I'd describe him as "very cute". The cresty neck/rounded butt type. He was the Second Level Champion in Northern Holland. He was just learning flying changes and was already doing some nice collection. So, now was DECISION TIME. I had only ONE more day to re-try any of the horses that I was interested in seeing again. My body ached from more riding than normal, compounded with lots of car time. My mind was excited at so many prospects - no wonder people shopped this way! I was SO glad I had taken some notes in the car – so many horses in such a short time! Steve and I watched the videotape back at the hotel and I thought very hard about all the horses…I dwindled it to a Final Four. Guess which ones? (I promise to write again soon and let you know!)

Shopping in Holland - Day 1

Posted 01 December 2006 by Eileen Ostlund from Graemont, Inc (7708 views)

After breakfast, we went back to the Reesink farm where Steve looked at a 4 year old gelding that had been under tack for 2 weeks. His canter under saddle was not yet confirmed and the young male rider fell off twice during the demo ride! Everyone’s laughter helped alleviate my anxiety a bit! The farm was a hub of activity with several working students riding, grooming, walking horses, cleaning stalls, sweeping aisles. It was all very organized and tidy. On to another barn and my first ride. The arena had ivy covered walls! A bay gelding was awaiting, gleaming, braided, and saddled in the grooming stall. A tall, blond young woman put a double bridle on him and proceeded to the arena. The horse was rhythmical and had a good work ethic. We saw nice lateral work and some flying changes. I wanted to ride him! Steve had advised that one always feels awkward on the first horse, just get on and start with 20M circles of rising trot, no fancy stuff. I put on my helmet, spurs, and gloves. Unlike most American dressage riders, the Dutch typically mount from the ground! I managed to clamber aboard (thank goodness I didn’t bring the cast-like tall boots!) and set off. Steve was right, everything felt strange, including the saddle. I was really glad I had experience using a full bridle. Steve talked me through some basic second-level work and taped the ride. The gelding’s gaits felt unlike any I had ever ridden but the horse was willing and cooperative. Steve hopped on and did more advanced work, a few flying changes and some canter pirouettes. We thanked the barn owner over coffee and cookies and headed on to the next farm. We next visited a quaint farm with a quaint farmer – he even wore wooden clogs! Here Steve looked at some New Forest Ponies. Very cute. After a quick lunch, we went to a new barn with a lovely sunlit indoor arena. Saw a 6 year old horse that wasn’t far enough along in his training to meet my criteria. I was glad to have Steve along to help assess, as every horse we had seen so far was quite nice. We went on to a large boarding facility where a man showed us an 8 year old chestnut gelding. Neither Steve nor I liked the chestnut’s movement or his attitude so I didn’t ride him. No sense wasting energy. At the next stop (stop #6 if one is counting!), Steve looked at some Dutch foals, 10 days – 2 months old. Amazing trots already! On to farm #7 where I tried a very nice dark bay Dutch mare. Also waiting gleaming and braided for our arrival. The mare was about 15.3 hands and had been cleaning up at 4th level. Her owner asked if I preferred a snaffle or double bridle and then did the demonstration ride in their outdoor arena. I rode the mare with Steve’s coaching. We got along well; she had easy medium and extended gaits. She was fun to ride! At the next farm, a young rider showed us an attractive bright bay 9 year old gelding. The rider chased the horse a bit during the demonstration ride so it looked kind of rushed. Steve and I both rode the horse and he was not too difficult to balance. Steve tried a few flying changes – rather “expressive” as they were green. After day 1, I was certain I had made the right decision to come on this trip. We saw more in one day than I could have seen in two months at home. I was excited and exhausted and eager for tomorrow.

Jounal Entry #5 Across the Pond

Posted 26 November 2006 by Eileen Ostlund from Graemont, Inc (7746 views)

My trip to Holland would consist of three days of shopping. We were looking for “my” horse and Steve was doing some horse shopping for other clients in the US. As a one-horse owner, I was actually relieved that we wouldn’t spend all the time looking for me. I thought it would be too much pressure and wasn’t sure how many horses I could ride effectively in one day. I tried to get ready for the trip by doing some extra riding at home on friends’ horses before or after work. Steve and I coordinated arrival times at Amsterdam and made plans to meet at the airport. I’d lived for a year in England but this was my first trip to a country where English was not the official language. Even so, I tacked on a few days at the end of the trip to do a bit of solo sightseeing. The travel worried me much less than the purpose of the trip. Such a big decision in such a short time! I’d chosen my other horses on my own. How would it work to have a professional involved? Would I ride well enough? I didn’t want to embarrass myself (or Steve). Would there be good horses to try or was this a dumb idea? Would I be able to decide? Packing was another issue. The instructions were to limit luggage to a carry-on size bag. Taking a riding helmet was a given. I’ve been known as the “helmet police” at several barns--after 12 years of college, I protect my brain! I stuffed my Troxel full of underwear but it still seemed like it took up much the allotted space. Tall boots or short ones with half chaps? My stiff tall boots weren’t exactly my “friends” so I opted for the all day comfort of short boots. Stuffed socks inside. Two pairs of breeches, a pair of jeans, shirts, a riding vest, half chaps, spurs, gloves, and the minimal toiletries filled the bag. I brought a small notebook, a disposable camera and a pair of good walking shoes. Steve assured me he was bringing a video camera. Had a mid-day flight from Des Moines to Atlanta and an evening/overnight flight from Atlanta to Amsterdam. (As rural as Iowa seems at times, one can get almost anywhere in 2 plane rides.) I managed to sleep a little during the abbreviated night and enjoyed the view at sunrise flying over Ireland and England. Met Steve at the airport as planned and after getting some Euros, we traveled by train and car, stopping at Annabeth and Eugene Reesink’s farm, before arriving at our hotel in Winterswijk. We walked through the town, stopped in at the local tack shop, and had dinner before retiring. Tomorrow would be a big day!

Journal Episode #4 –Searching for the “fuzzy Third Level SUV”

Posted 05 November 2006 by Eileen Ostlund from Graemont, Inc (7896 views)

Armed with my list of prerequisites, I began the search for my next horse in earnest the February before my mare was due to foal. I let all my horsey friends know I was looking for a horse and searched through advertisements in many different formats. There were no candidates of interest locally, but I did learn about a potential horse in the Chicago area. So, I drove 300 miles in an ice storm to try this mare. She was pretty and talented but had a bit of a checkered past – the trainer showed her at FEI but the owner only showed her at Training level. This seemed quite odd to me. I liked the mare but was not confident I could get the FEI ride out of her. It was difficult to assess, as I rode her on a blizzard day when the high temperature was about 10 degrees. My video camera froze after the first 15 seconds of taping. I had a chance to ride the same horse in a dressage clinic a couple of weeks later so, another 600 mile round trip to Chicago to see if this was the horse for me. I had a good lesson, dealt with the mare’s quirky personality OK, but a little voice in the back of my brain was emitting warning signals. After tucking away my ego and conducting an honest personal inventory, I was not sure that I could deal with this mare on my own. In the end, I listened to the little voice, and decided not to buy her. It was too much money to risk. So, two months from the onset of the Great Horse Search, I’ve tried a whopping one horse and the only other current prospect was a horse $5K over my upper limit in Florida. Still determined, but a bit discouraged at how long the search would take and how much my precious savings would dwindle in the quest, I started checking into plane fares to Florida. I also visited with Steve Wolgemuth, whom I knew from clinicing with him in Missouri. I recanted my frustrations at horse shopping from my home base in Iowa. Steve didn’t have anything in his PA barn for me to try but mentioned that he had trips planned to go to Holland in May and June and why didn’t I come along? We talked about my criteria, my budget, the shopping-in-Holland process, the costs, and the expectations. I’m not sure which of us was more surprised when I agreed to go on the June trip! All my horse friends, my boss (who has trail horses), and even my relatively new “significant other” were very supportive of my decision. To my non-horsey family, it was just confirmation of incurable horse-craziness. Oh well, nothing new! I bought the ticket to Amsterdam. And, you know, it was not that much more than the ticket I almost bought to look at one horse in Florida! The anticipation (and the anxiety) began to build…

Journal Episode #3 – Eileen’s steps to buying a new dressage horse:

Posted 05 October 2006 by Eileen Ostlund from Graemont, Inc (8119 views)

Step 1) Do something appropriate with current (i.e. “old”) dressage horse. I bred Kaleidoscope to a mellow Dutch Warmblood with a high rideability score in the 100 day test. My goal was to preserve the conformation, the beauty, the soundness and athleticism. Add a pinch (or a heap) of mellow genes and ensure a non-racetrack early education for the offspring. Got a filly (darn!) and embarked on raising a tractable youngster – her ultimate career to be determined as her attributes unfold. I am not patient enough to wait for her to grow up for my next horse. Need something to ride now! Step 2) Decide what kind of horse you want. After much soul searching and a personal inventory of my strengths and weaknesses as a rider/owner, I decided that I wanted a horse purpose-built for dressage, not a “diamond in the rough”. I’ve done this dressage stuff for decades now, always with a horse leftover from another discipline. I don’t want to struggle with conformation, movement or abilities that are far removed from the ideal. Time for the real thing. Step 3) Decide what features and accessories should be standard equipment on the next model. Some people love the phase of green horses, bringing along a youngster. Not me. I don’t have children and don’t want an equine equivalent of a toddler. Having owned a couple of horses that were working at/near Third Level, I really wanted a horse that would enable me to get some experience at that level, and hopefully beyond. As a veterinarian and a person who tends to keep my horses a long time, soundness is numero uno on the list of requirements. I live in Iowa. There is a paucity of local dressage professionals and the visiting clinicians can vary in both frequency and usefulness. So, this better be a horse that I can work with most of the time on my own. Step 4) Optional equipment I want all the usual things in a life partner (and a horse)– not too old, not too young, not too short or too tall. I want him civilized and mannerly. I want a horse that has a good work ethic. The horse should have a limited “Rolodex of resistances”. Thanks to Kaleidoscope, I have a decent seat, am not unsettled by the occasional spook or buck, but have an aversion to significant rearing. When riding, I want to feel neither bored, nor anxious. I don’t want my arms pulled out of their sockets or be required to recreate forward intent with every third stride. Good looks don’t hurt, either! Step 5) Have money (or at least a non-criminal plan to get some). Bad news: I’d saved some money but not enough for the kind of horse I wanted. Friends (including a dressage professional I trusted) advised waiting to shop until I could afford the purchase. Good news: I had a decent, fairly secure professional position, not too many other spending habits, and a bit of equity in my townhouse. The bank lady said “Go for it”. Even when she knew it was for a horse! So, as the daughter of a CPA, I thought and thought and finally said to myself, “Lots of people buy SUVs. For me, a horse purchase is about the same cost and as easily justified as a fancy SUV.” And with that thought, the search for the “fuzzy Third Level SUV” began in earnest.

Journal Episode #2 – Dressage viewed through a Kaleidoscope

Posted 24 September 2006 by Eileen Ostlund from Graemont, Inc (8214 views)

Pendragon, the horse I acquired during my last year of veterinary school, accompanied me through a couple of relocations – from Illinois to Indiana while I was an equine practitioner for several years, and then to Kentucky where I completed my PhD in equine infectious diseases. It was awesome to compete at the nearby Kentucky Horse Park. Our “local” horses got used to the tourist hubbub at the park but visiting horses were often a bit taken back by the carriages, etc. I had the opportunity to spend a year in Newmarket, England, continuing my research. Taking the now 15 year-old Pendragon “across the pond” wasn’t feasible so I sold him to be a confidence builder for a young pony-clubber. When I delivered him to her barn, she met the trailer with a bag of carrots. I knew he was in good hands. I loved my year in England, rode when I could, including a pony trek in Wales. They assigned my US friend and I ponies and maps and set us off to navigate our own way to the B & B. The ponies were the smarter duo and convinced us to get off and hand walk them up most of the hills! We only got truly lost once and tried to get directions from a Welsh farmer. We learned that we are, indeed, countries separated by a common language. After the England sojourn, I went back to Kentucky to look for a “real job”. I decided that completing my PhD was sufficient justification to purchase another horse. So, what’s available in KY to a person with much education but little money? Ex-racehorses, of course! I had an appointment to look at several at a local stable and the owner had her students ride the three sale horses at the same time. One gorgeous bright bay mare stood out as far as class and movement. I bought her and named her Kaleidoscope, which translates from the Greek into “an ever changing beautiful thing”. Or something like that. She was pretty. And sound. And athletic (won 24K on the track). And had hard-wired anxiety “issues” that made her variably fun, frustrating, and always entertaining in public. We sought assistance from dressage instructors in KY, in MD where I lived for 2 years doing a post-doc at NIH, in MO where I was on the faculty of the veterinary school, and in IA my present home. We tried local instructors and visiting clinicians, including some pretty famous ones. Some would just say “20 M Circle, That’s Nice, Turn Left at B…” for the whole lesson. Others would not be happy until they had picked a fight – not hard to do - and we were literally climbing the walls. Memorable quotes form instructors who shall remain nameless were “If she were mine, I’d shoot her” and “Is there anything she likes to do?” and “Audit at your own risk”. A couple of instructors wanted to ride Kaleidoscope themselves during my lesson and, without fail, they recognized that she was complex. As one might imagine, some handled this discovery with more aplomb than others! I had more time and patience than money so we struggled on. When you have a horse that is difficult, one leans to appreciate small accomplishments and there were many over the years. For a while I tried to compete Kaleidoscope but the typical ringside comments were: “Wow, you stayed on!” and “How did you remember the test through all of that?” Poor Kaleidoscope, she just couldn’t handle a succession of movements and none of the USDF tests permitted a circle between each one. Eventually we abandoned the showing and I focused on just learning everything I could on her. Towards the end of our riding partnership, she was frequently mistaken for a warmblood due to good dressage muscling. She did get me one First Level score towards that elusive Bronze Medal but it became clear that my education was going to be limited with this horse. She’s now happy, hopefully pregnant, making TB/QH racehorse babies in OK. I realized that I was a middle-aged adult with a fairly stable job and life in the Midwest, needing a good dressage horse. What’s an amateur to do?

Finding dressage by the circuitous route

Posted 23 September 2006 by Eileen Ostlund from Graemont, Inc (8246 views)

Like many dressage epics, mine began with genetic predisposition which my non-horsey parents never really understood. I baby-sat to earn money to pay for my group riding lessons starting at age 12 which also served to demonstrate to my doubting parents that I meant business. Understanding that they either help me buy a horse or I’d be forced to beg on the streets of the Midwest, they permitted a budget of $400 (which was not a high price tag even back then when Hanoverians weren’t invented yet). My first horse was a Missouri Fox Trotter mare named Lady Guenevere; and while she couldn't trace her family back to anyone famous (or probably anything unfamous or even heard of) she was a great first friend. Everyone needs a good first horse to get them truly hooked.

Fortunately for me, the closest boarding barn happened to be where the Chicago Pony Club was based and it came complete with a German dressage instructor. He was quite perplexed with the smooth fox-trot gait that my mare did every time she felt me bouncing and I recall hearing “Vas are you Doo-ink?” (“What are you doing?”) booming from center arena. Unfortunately the mare was unsound for jumping so she was supplanted with an ex-foxhunter, cream colored grade gelding, Camelot. He was a great buddy through high school. Most memorable moment with Camelot was competing in a hunter hack class – I didn’t realize that we would be asked to HALT after the “hand gallop” so we lapped everyone in the ring once! Camelot felt that he had won the race (but I'm afraid instead he may have earned the name "the flying creamsickle")

I decided to pursue veterinary school and graduated with a DVM from University of Illinois in 1980. During my last year of veterinary school, I was able to rescue a TB racehorse reject that I named Pendragon (yes, I was on a theme). I branched out to a new venue; eventing. My friends thought I was crazy because I actually liked the dressage phase of the competition best while to them it was the necessary torture that was the required ticket to get to run and jump cross-country. I, on the other hand, only liked cross-country after it was over. Pendragon was sweet and kind with gaits that a good friend described as “like a mixmaster on puree” (there was a reason he didn’t race!). Still, we made progress over the 11 years of ownership and managed to puree our way up to Third Level…at least once. I got my first score for the USDF Bronze medal – a second level test – in the late 1980’s. (From a cute little 90 year old judge with a white cane, you're probably thinking...) It took me another 17 years to finish it. …to be continued…