SUMMER 2009 UPDATE

Hi, everyone, it has been quite some time since my last post but before I give you an update on how the show season has been progressing, I want to thank you for all of your continued interest and support. It is most appreciated! The two weeks at Lake Placid for Frank Madden Show Stable proved to be quite rewarding watching all of the customers apply technical skills they had practiced in their lessons during the competition. During the two weeks in Lake Placid, I was given the wonderful opportunity to ride a horse named Stedet's Leroy, owned by DK-USA Sporthorse, LLC., Durham, North Carolina, in some of the open jumper classes. Getting the opportunity to ride and show Leroy was so rewarding and with each preparation and experience riding him, I got to know him better. After the Lake Placid competition, we returned home to Hunter's Moon Farm in Long Island (our home base) for a short rest and then traveled to the Vermont Summer Festival, weeks three and four, in East Dorset, Vermont. While in Vermont, I was afforded the opportunity to show Stedet's Leroy in the Welcome Stake on Friday and in the Grand Prix on Sunday. The first week, we place ninth in the Welcome Stake and, after going first in the Sunday Grand Prix, we were clear in the first round, acquired three rails in the jump off and ended up in ninth place. The second week in the Grand Prix, we went clear in the first round but had three time faults and ended up in seventh place. Riding Leroy in the Grand Prix was such a wonderful experience! I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped make this experience possible, especially the owner of DK-USA Sporthorse, LLC., Ole Strigel and Frank Madden, my coach and, the head trainer at the stable where I work.

After the two shows in Vermont, we traveled directly to the USEF Junior Hunter Finals at Hits Saugerties, for an exciting few days. One of the barns' junior riders, Danielle Cooper, and her wonderful mount, Amalfi, were awarded the Grand Championship after receiving the Championship in the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 Division. Danielle piloted Amalfi to two first place ribbons in both of the over fences classes. Congratulations to Danielle, Amalfi and the Cooper family for such a great success!

The next few weeks will be, without a doubt, quite busy! Some of the barn will be traveling to Pony Finals while, at home, we will be completing all the necessary preparation for indoors. The final show of the season before indoors will be the 2009Hamptom Classic in Bridgehampton, New York.

Now, on to some of your most recent questions.

I RECENTLY SAW A VIDEO OF YOU RIDING AT WIHS. YOUR LEG WAS STILL THE ENTIRE TIME. HOW DO YOU KEEP IT SO SECURE?

Thank you for the complement about the position of my leg in the video. I truly appreciate it!
There are several exercises that I learned from my instructors that are part of classical equitation training that help to strengthen the rider's position and leg. Without a doubt, and with the help of my instructors during my junior years, I learned to practice, practice, practice and incorporate exercises into my everyday work with horses, such as working on the flat and over jumps without stirrups. This can help a riders leg along with their entire position, core strength, balance, and physical fitness as a rider. Hope you find this information helpful.

WHO HAS BEEN YOUR ALL TIME FAVORITE HORSE TO RIDE?

I have been fortunate and privileged to ride many horses and, so far, can not say that I have an all time favorite horse to ride. Each horse I have ridden has done something for my riding and for that I am grateful!

Talk to you later.
Maria Schaub