PO Box 297, Pine Lake, GA 30072-02997  l  404-289-9328 cell l FAX 404-288-3500 l e-mail: goodhorseman 

NEXT EVENT:

USDF Instructor Certification Teaching Workshop
with Examiner Cindy Sydnor
Post Oak Farm, Gainesville, GA
(see application posted on Calendar page)

Oktober Feest Symposium       Dutch Secrets Revealed       From Training Level       Through Grand Prix A 20-acre field of sunflowers in full bloom thrives near the beautiful After the Fox Farm in historic Madison, GA, where the Oktober Feest (that's how it is spelled in Dutch!) Symposium was held Oct. 3, conducted by Dutch-born and licensed dressage trainer Roel Theunissen.  The event, organized by The Good Horseman Foundation, was a USDF University-accredited program and was sponsored in part by the Württemberg Association and Hans and Ann Beyersdorff.  Holland and top dressage were the themes of the day with demonstrations by riders (from left in group picture) Karen McGoldrick, Allison Faso, Adam Lastowka, Sandy Osborn and Vlada Lvova, who are seated behind farm mascot, Cannon.  Behind them are Ann Genovese (Beyersdorff), Hans Beyersdorff, trainer Roel Theunissen with farm owner/hostess Barbara Friedman, and (at end) Susanne Lauda of the German Württemberg Association which co-sponsored the "Beer and Bratworst" party and kept the Dutch beer kegs flowing. Our very helpful and clever announcer, USDF Gold Medalist Judith Fiorentino (below, left), had to leave for her Madison (near Huntsville,  AL) farm before pictures were taken--that's a four-hour drive. But Sherry got a good shot of her at work! Judith was one of a good number of participants who drove from neighboring states. The event included talks by Nancy Bardy from Custom Saddlery, Dr. Robin Barrow discussing problems facing the dressage horse, and chiropractor Dr. Jim Lindell who talked about alignment  in the dressage horse.  Adam Lastowka (center/right photo) demonstrated his long-lining skills, explaning how they worked on Dr. Nancy Ferebee's German Riding Pony breeding stallion Chicco B.  More than 100 dressage afficianados gave their full attention throughout the information-packed day.  Afterward, many were calling for a repeat performance sometime in the future!  That's a thought!

ABOVE--Roel works with demonstration rider, USDF Gold Medalist Karen McGoldrick on her Hanoverian mare, demonstrating techniques at the FEI Prix St. Georges Level. All riders presented work with Roel on a regular if not weekly basis. Is amazing that Roel could stand on his feet all day after enduring knee surgery the week before.  Hope his doctors do not see this picture!

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USDF Instructor Certification Testing
Training/2nd Level and 3rd and 4th Level

July 18-19, 2009 at Post Oak Farm in Gainesville, GA

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On-Going Program (see Calendar Page for other dates)

Workshop:  Lungeing with Gerhard Politz

April 26-27, 2008 at Post Oak Farm in Gainesville, GA

INSTRUCTORS GET A WORKOUT--Advanced Participating Instructor (PI) Cindy Thaxton (mounted) is coached by PI Cindy Francheck on Julie Cochran's Poseidon in the Seat Lessons session of the USDF Instructor Certification Workshop on Lungeing, conducted by Gerhard Politz (left), USDF Certification Examiner.  The Advanced PIs (Cindy Thaxton, Karen McGoldrick, Julie Cochran and Dennie Kludt) were not required to take the lungeing program since they have already successfully completed it and are now heading for their 3rd/4th Level Certification. The lower level candidates who participated in this workshop (in addition to Texan Cindy Francheck) are Georgians, Corrie Land, Kristin Reid and Darlene Dorkins.
(Photo by Mary Youngblood)

THE SUNDAY GROUP--Participating in the lungeing workshop on Sunday are (from left) Wendy Sherlock, demo rider Fiona Creighton, Annie Francheck, PI Cindy Fancheck, Sunday's scribe Sarah Inwood, PI Kristin Reid, Advanced PI Karen McGoldrick, PI Darlene Dorkins, PI Corrie Land,  Examiner Gerhard Politz, Demo Rider Katie Patton, Auditor Mamie Kerr, Auditor Teresa Rogers and Auditor Avery Young. The organizer is scrunched front right.  (Mary Youngblood photo.)

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GHF George Williams Trainers' Conference
(new location) )Oconee County Heritage Center, Watkinsville, GA       

The conference topic:
 "Enhancing Collection With Focus on the Hindquarters and Freedom in Front."

USDF University #101084

Oct. 13-14, 2007

GEORGE AND FRIENDS--This year's Trainers Conference with George Williams was possibly the best he has done here for us:  on Sunday he rode two of the event's horses, clearly demonstrating the conference theme:  Enhancing collection through impulsion and freedom in front.  He clearly demonstrated the release in the half-halt on Adrienne Dickerson's FEI-level gelding, Cavalier, and helped make Cavalier's flying changes more fluid and comfortable for the horse.  Also he made an appreciable difference in Donna Nita's 6-year-old Dutch mare, Uriella MG, demonstrating wide-ranging and energetic lateral work.  Shown here is George with some of the auditors and riders  following his work with Cindy Thaxton on the Jodie McTaggart's 11-year-old Lusitano stallion, Pallas Interagro.  Other horses and riders were Karen McGoldrick and Wasabi, Chris Erbskorn and Melanie Norvell's Seven Spades, Tom Harvey on Kerry Fagiano's Bien, Dennie Kludt on Wendy Limerick's Zodiac. This was the first time GHF has held an event at the Oconee County Heritage Park.  Cindy Thaxton was instrumental in making sure the footing was as best it could be, bringing in a big load of fluffy shavings and her own tractor and watering system.  She also stayed at the park Friday and Saturday nights in her camper for night watch.  We are totally in debted to her for making this such a grand program.  (AG photo.)