786: Masterclass, Genay Vaughn, FEI 5*, Hannah Irons, FEI Trainers Conference

0:00You are listening to the Horse Radio Network, part of the Equine Network family. This is episode 786 of the Dressage Radio Show on the Horse Radio Network brought to you by Kentucky Performance Products. The Dressage Radio Show is the official podcast of the United States Dressage Federation. On tonight's show, Megan and I kick off the show with a Florida season update in conversation with Janay Vaughan to talk about her and Gina's personal best performances at the CVI 5 Star this week. Janay shares insight into preparation mindset and what it means to achieve top results at the highest level of the sport. Then, we chat with Hannah Irons about her experiences this week, riding in the trainer's conference, the FEI Trainer's Conference at High Meadow Farms, led by Olympic gold medalist Heike Kemmer and 5 Star Renowned Judge Christoph Umbach. Hannah also reflects on the education atmosphere and the value of learning from world class

1:01horsemen. Hannah will also recap the wildly successful master class featuring Dressage Legends, Kira Kirkland, Catherine DeFore and Jan Brink. They discuss key takeaways, writer impact and what made this educational event such a standout. Welcome to the Dressage Radio Show. This is Reese Coffler's stand field from Wellington, Florida. And I am Megan McKisic from myriad at California and you're listening to the Dressage Radio Show. Hey, Reese. Hi, Megan. How are you this week? Oh my God, I am so fantastic. This year is amazing. I love this season. Oh, I love it. Well, we're going to knock on wood because if anyone remembers Megan's season last year,

2:04this is already a huge update like port thing last year and everyone in California. We learned all about wildfires. So we are already starting well. I love this Megan. This is so great and your new horse is here. I have a new horse you guys. He is amazing. He just arrived from Denmark and he is settling in so well. He, of course, I bribe him. I give him lots of apples and I love bribery. What do you do? I think that's the way you do it. I usually don't. He doesn't bribe the horses. I don't. I don't. For the world. I don't. I mean, I give a few cookies. I'm not going to lie. I like a few cookies in my life. Yeah. Here and there, but oh my God, he's his little face. He's so cute and he's trying so hard, you know, because in Europe, they mainly have indoors. Yes, they do run outside, but Denmark's pretty wet. And so cold, yeah, and cold and the arena I ride in is just a covered arena and it is busy. And so if you guys are not familiar with a horse, you're kind of cautious at first.

3:08At least I should be. Yeah. I mean, actually should be for sure. And he is just I'm just having so much fun learning so much from Kathleen. It's amazing. So tell us. So tell us about him. Like, I mean, I knew about him, but I don't know if we've talked about him on the show. I don't think we have. So he is. Hmm. He's Danish and he's 17 to hands. He is. He is a big boy. He lost a ton of weight. He's starting to plump out. So I'm slowly feeding him. I don't just shove food at him. And he is. I love chestnuts and he is a liver chestnut. Oh, gorgeous. Yes. I love it. Yeah. And he loves his little snuggles. He's schooling about precinct, George. However, I will be honest. We have not worked on that. We are back to basics, Reese. I love it. I love that. Basic. Oh, I love it. Back to basics are so important, but you know, but that's true.

4:09I mean, here, yes, he's trained to that level, but every rider has their own. And you have to put your own stamp on him. And so, you know, he's dressed. He's at such a big change. And I think, like you said, you have to count that into what's going on. Like, and you, you didn't go over, right? You had a friend see him. Correct. I, um, lap. It was a very last minute decision. It wasn't necessarily what I wanted, but what in life is. It was exactly what I needed. And, um, I think I said that. I was like, girl, this is what this is going to be so fun. I was like, you called me and I was like, do it. I'm a manipular. Anybody needs help buying a horse? You call me. They're like potato chips. You totally are. I was like, what do you think of him? And you're like, yeah. I was like, you don't buy them. I want him. I think that was exactly what I said, actually. Yeah. And so the last two weeks, we like. This last week, actually, he's been pretty nervous. Like there were puddles. There were dogs.

5:09All these things. And so like I just spent like the beginning of the ride. Just walking around the arena with carrots. Like this is a good area. This is a good area. Yeah. And then, um, today was the first day we started to get serious. And I changed my intentions of like, okay. And now I know him. He, you know, we had a huge tractor go by. We have the dogs. All these things. Now I'm getting confident in him. Now let's see if I can push him a little bit. And we worked on changes. And we just single not tempies. And also like, can I hold him in the counter without him changing? Because he's super light. And I'm just going to move up to the next level, Reese. It's really, really exciting. I have to be lighter. Yeah. This is really is so exciting. It is so cool and exciting. That is awesome. And now tell me about your week. Because you had. Whoa. Yeah. I've had skates on. Yeah. This is a very busy week. So, so shout out to Isabel Bronker. She is, she is my wonderful student that's here. She actually has been with me.

6:10She's my neighbor. And this is her first season in Wellington. And I was like, I need your help this week. Like, this is the week. So we did, I did get my horses ridden. I wouldn't say we rode for the longest period of time. But everybody got. We made it happen. Wow. You did. You did. Yeah. So starting Monday was the trainers conference. The FBI trainers conference. And it's, it's about 45 minutes from where I am. It's actually. As the crow flies, not that far. Like distance wise, but it's harder to get there. So, yeah, it's a little further than you think. Because I'm on the on the south side of Wellington. And this is in Laxahatchee kind of on the north side. So, so that's a little tricky for me. But it's okay. We worked it out. And so I could come out and Christophe Oombach were wonderful. You know, just for me to go back and hear German systematic training. I think is so important. And, and it was just great to hear. And, and we're going to go into that with Hannah Irons who rode this year. She actually came on the show last year as well to tell us. So she's going to be great to have on here in the show today.

7:12And then on Wednesday, all the certified instructors. There's a continuing education meeting in the morning. From I think nine to 12. And it's downtown. A West Palm. And so I went down there. And George Williams. And so I went down there. And George Williams. And Christine Trawreg. Talk for the first hour. Just kind of to inform coaches what's going on with USCF and USDF. Which is great, right? I do actually more work for EF. So to hear kind of also how we can kind of combine the two. I think is really, really important. So that was a great discussion. And then Lila for and Dr. Jane Menfredi who was on our show last week. Yes. Yes. Oh, she's so good. Oh, anytime you get to see Dr. Jane, she's amazing. And really, really cool. And of course, Lila as well. So I think there was even more to the talk. But you know, you get a bunch of instructors. And you can talk about the walk, the walk paroets. And shoulder in for literally three hours.

8:14So that was not quite two hours. But that was really cool to see her talk and what she had put together. So great learning. Also just some discussions on the certified instructor program in general. Which again, we're trying to get more people interested in doing and in that kind of thing. So that was really good. And then I came home. And then I did work courses. Actually, I came home. Got some lessons. And then we all went to see the Catherine de Four, Kira Kirkland and Jan Brink Masterclass. And we're also going to speak about that here later in the show. Amazing experience. I had the honor of my mom actually organized a symposium with Kira. Oh, Megan, how many years ago? I mean, that was before the wagon Kentucky. So the wagon Kentucky was 2010. And it was a couple of years ahead of time just to kind of help help get to massage some exposure. And Kira came over. And so I had met her many years ago. And that was really cool. And just to hear it again, she's an amazing instructor.

9:16A major did thousands of riders at this point in her career. And so that was wonderful. And then just to see Catherine de Four ride. I mean, you just have to sit back. I mean, you're like, I'm literally watching the number one dressage rider. She's currently number one in the world. And you just get chills. You're just like. I really want to ride like that when I grow up. Huge fan. Huge fan. And just I would say Megan, all of everything that happened this week was horses first systematic riding, kind riding. I think that was really the theme from the whole week. Then I came home and gave my dog some snuggles. And on Thursday, I was the guest shop run for the dressage foundation, kiddos. And that was so cool. You know, that was wonderful. So I was with Bobby Carlton and Bobby's wonderful. We we've known each other from and Megan, you know, but Bobby also from the young horse trainers conference.

10:18We met years ago. So it's fun to be with her. So in the morning, we started at Judy Sloan's barn with David Marcus, who we also know. And Molly Maloney and Molly's a trainer from up north. So shout out to Molly. She was wonderful. And it was really fun to see her. And then we went back to global. And we were able to speak with Ali Brock, Olivia Lookoy. Well, it's Sarah and Lee Tubman, Heather Peterson. Whoa. And actually Kira and Richard. Kira Kirkland and Richard, her white, her husband were literally saying right next to us. So I, you know, being me went up and introduced myself again. And she was so kind. And that was so fun. And she also came and talked to the kids for a little bit. And we got to watch the Five Star Grand Prix, which was in the evening on Thursday. Yeah. So when I tell you, I was exhausted by the time Sunday came around. I was not kidding. How are you now? Are you rested?

11:19No, no, no. Still rolling. That's okay. That's all right. We're still doing. And then Friday night was the freestyle. So that was really wonderful. So it was just an amazing, amazing week. It really was. It was really cool. There was so much going on. That was so fun. So yeah, it was a great week. And if anyone was down here, I hope you enjoyed your time. The weather was actually pretty nice. It was actually a little warm. And we got a shout out to everybody up north. I mean, we have to read. It was negative 55 on Friday. My girls are taking the best care of our horses. I mean, in the horses, they're amazing creatures. There are. One of the reasons I'm in California is I'm allergic to cold weather. And the horses are so happy. Like they're bouncing around. I'm getting videos. I'm getting reports. And they're thrilled to be outside in it. It's crazy.

12:19It's crazy. Absolutely insane. It crazy. Crazy. Crazy. I don't even know one tense. You know, like that's crazy. Yeah. Yeah. So, yeah. But shout out to everybody up there. I mean, it is no joke. I mean, you know, we're down here. And yeah. Yeah. I feel for everyone. All my horses are not in Kentucky right now. So, you know, they're all here. So, yeah. But I'm thinking about you got everybody. Everybody. I mean, it's negative one in my house right now. So. Wow. Yeah. I know. My husband even took the cats inside. And my boys. My boys are in the talk room. And they have made it into the evening. Yeah. I was too cold for them. Well, that's what my boys in. That's what happened with my burritos. My little kittens. So, um, my student Lisa took them home with her for four days. The burritos went home. The burritos went to Lisa Hotel. Yeah. I love it. It was great. I love it. I know.

13:19I know. It is so wonderful. So, shout out to everybody up north. I mean, you guys were really. We really are thinking about Megan and I really do have the. The pleasure of being where it's warm. But if you're. Gosh, we're thinking about you as you guys are listening to us and. And we're cheering you on. Seriously. You're. Every day stronger than me. So I'm not that strong anymore. Every day. Shout out to everybody up north. We're thinking about you for sure. But we're going to try and bring some warmth in some fun of. Of dressage wealth and knowledge from down here in the in Florida and California. Um, but we're going to have a quick break from Kentucky performance products. And we're coming back with a great interview with Geneva. And she is so inspiring. We hope you enjoy. Are you seeing any of the following signs of vitamin E deficiency in your horse? Stiff sore muscles, neurological issues, lack of energy, poorly developed top line? We commune system? Studies show that vitamin E levels drop when horses don't have access to fresh green grass. Elevate natural vitamin E can help.

14:21A research proven powerful antioxidant. Elevate maintains healthy muscle, nerve, and immune functions. It does this by delivering highly bioavailable sources of natural vitamin E that is preferentially absorbed and retained in a horse's tissues. Elevate comes in four formulas. A fast-acting water soluble liquid. A maintenance powder for long-term care. A concentrated veterinary formula powder. And a vitamin E and salineum powder. For more information, visit KPPUSA.com or call 859-873-2974. Well, you guys know I love KPP. They sponsor me and my horses also personally. And my horses look amazing. And it's from all their wonderful products, but also their great team behind them. And we're so thankful for them. Well, tonight we are so happy to have Janay Vaughan five star writer from this week with a personal best.

15:24And while it was wonderful to watch her write her genome here in Wellington. Janay, welcome to the show. Thank you for having me. I'm so excited to be here. Well, first of all, you're from California, but you're here in Wellington, right? Yes, yes, I am. So tell everybody. Yeah, tell us, you know, there's strategy here and what you're up to and tell us a little bit about that. So actually, I drove after the first World Cup qualifier at the Desert Horse Park. I drove four days with my friend Alex who flew in from Wellington to California. And we drove and we arrived on Christmas. I'm staying up by friend's beautiful farm called Aryan Farm in Luxohatchee. And it's been great to far. I've gotten two shows down and it's been really nice. How long do you get to stay in Florida? So that's the part I don't know yet. It's kind of just taking it show by show and seeing how everything pans out and making this schedule as we go.

16:28It's a long season. So trying to just take it as we go. It is a long season. I think that's so kind of talk about that because that is for the senior horses. It is so long. So tell us a little bit like, how do you strategize that? Because you've had Gino now for a long time, haven't you? Yeah, my mom has owned him since he's been six. So we've had him a long time and I think the strategy for me is just, you know, you kind of have to find the way to keep them fit, but not to overwork them. At least that's my training philosophy is, you know, he spends a lot of time outside. He goes on the walker every day, goes in the paddock every day for majority of the day. And then I just train him four days a week. And I think that's been a good balance between keeping them fit enough to do, you know, these hard tests like the Grand Prix and the special and the freestyle. But also, you know, I really want him to go well into a long age, an old age and have longevity.

17:34So it's just finding that balance between keeping them fit, but having a happy horse that can last a long time. And do you find that your riding changes for a CDI five star? Like, how do you mentally prepare for that? Like, what are the pressures? No, I think I try to tell myself, it's just another show, you know. My goal is to get the feeling that I have at home and show that in the ring. And I feel like we're just getting so close to, you know, reaching that. And that's really exciting for me and to just have fun and to make progress at each show. And I feel like that's really happening. So I don't change anything. I do the same preparation. I have my same routines. I, you know, try to eat a lot of protein in the morning, try to stay real relaxed. I braid him. I groom him. I get him ready before the show. We have our routine and we just go out there and we have fun. And how do you support him with the pressure of a five star environment?

18:38Because it's pretty electric, isn't it? Yes, it is. I mean, I think it's just been good showing in California. We go to so many different venues, which is a little bit different than Florida, you know. You have so many weeks that you can just stay at global, if you want. But in California, we do Del Mar. We do the Desert Horse Park. You have Galway Downs. There's so many different stadiums that you can go to. And I think that's been really good for him. And then, of course, at home, I was just telling someone today that we did some show prep before the World Cup final where my mom would play the Hawkeh on like full blast in the North. And I would create a big fake camera with a massive two e-box and a black garbage bag and put it on a tripod. And like that was our massive video camera. And we just like did silly things to try to get any sensitized. And so far, it's worked. So I think it's a good plan. So I mean, I can imagine going into that room, even for the Grand Prix on Thursday, it was packed. I think it was even more packed on Thursday than Friday.

19:40I mean, there were a lot of people. And people are eating dinner, like chatting. It was actually, you guys had it pretty quiet when you were riding. But how do you, that is a tough venue. And global's tight, right? Like, I was telling that was the biggest thing for me. It was just like keeping my focus and, you know, just staying in my zone. I didn't even notice the people until after, you know, because you're so focused on what you're supposed to be doing. I think that was pretty good. And then we already did the World Cup qualifier the week or like two weeks before that. And it was super packed. And there was tons of screaming after everyone's ride. So he handled that like a champ. Yeah. I was like, after that, I was like, you know, he's good. He's good. And that one was tough because it was like the first week, wasn't it? I mean, it was. Yes. Early. And so everyone was pumped. Like the whole stadium was, was bumping. It was full. Yeah. It was super full. Yeah. It was really cool. It was really cool. So I love that.

20:40So what's, what's the goal? Because the season is really long, isn't it? Yeah. It is really long. So that's where I'm kind of just taking it show by show. And if I can qualify for World Cup, that would be amazing. If I also get the chance to qualify for WIG, that would be incredible. But I'm not going to try and force everything or, you know, like try to chase tons of shows down to make it happen. Because I just think of it's meant to be. It's meant to be. So we're just taking it show by show. And hopefully it's meant to be. And if not, then we can do other things, you know. I love that. I love it. Because in theory, you have the World Cup. And then there's a head-to-head finals for, for the Grand Prix in May. Am I making that up? Yes. Yeah. There is. You're right. Yep. And then you go to Europe. I mean, I mean, so, so you really have to be careful. And for me, it causes a lot of travel, you know, I had to come here for this World Cup qualifier.

21:41And then I have to figure out if I'm going to stay here for this World Cup qualifier if I'm going back to California. But at the end of the day, I have to go back to California at some point because my whole business is there. Yeah. I have all my clients, all my other horses, you know, a farm to take care of where I'm one of the main employees. We do not have a big team. So it's really hard to, like, go away from it for a long period of time. And then in May, they have the head-to-head where they would want you to come back, even if you were to make the World Cup final, for say. So then you, like, fly to Texas and then you would have to fly also to, you know, Florida again. And then go to Europe from there. So it's just, I just have to take a show by show. Yeah. Yeah. I think we'll figure out the plan as it goes and see what the best fit is. But it's kind of whatever is meant to be will be, you know. I love that. Well, I think that's so important to everybody understands. It's so hard because, like you said, you have a business to run too. And qualifying at this stage is so hard.

22:41It's so expensive. And you're away from your business. So it's even more of a hardship in a way. Yes, exactly. That is the thing is that I do not have the type of business where I think people on the East Coast can kind of. Convince their clients to come with them for the winter, you know. But a lot of my clients have families and jobs and things that they can't leave for. You know, months at a time. So it's like you're leaving everything that allows you to make a living. And you have to go off, you know, so it's kind of hard. Yeah, yeah, it's, yeah, it's really difficult. But, you know, you're doing such beautiful things. You're writing is amazing. We're so excited to keep following you, girl. We're going to be following you on this whole journey. And how can our listeners, you know, find you online and follow your journey? I think Instagram, I've been trying to be really good about my Instagram and keep people in the loop. So definitely can search my name.

23:42It's felt with the G, which is kind of different. And then, yeah, I'll do my best to keep you guys updated. I would love that. You know, I'm going to see you around town and we saw each other in the dover. We were over. It was so fun. I was like, hey, hey, what you doing on Monday? Right? And well, you can see everybody. Yeah, we can run into each other. Yeah, exactly. Don't worry, I was in public service earlier. I'll see you there next week. Perfect, for sure. Well, today, thank you again. And your writing is beautiful and we're really excited to have you. So we're going to watch you into you on. Oh, thank you. For first time horse owners and new writers just starting out, finding the information and support you need can be challenging. That's why equine network has partnered with Sentinel Feed to bring you my new horse. A place where equestrians just getting into horse ownership or writing will find the resources and community they need. A precisely their stage of the equine journey from important horse keeping information and how to videos to social media communities and more.

24:47My new horse is your one stop shop for writers of all levels and disciplines who are eager to find easy to understand horse care information and guidance. Start your horse ownership journey today. Visit mynewhorse.com. Tonight we are so happy to have back on the show by popular demand. Hannah Irons, she wrote in last year's trainers conference and this year's trainers conference. Hannah, welcome back to the show. Thanks, Ray. It's a pleasure and a way to share what I've learned. And also, you have such an inspiring week last week here in Wellington. We're very lucky to have all this amazing education like 10 minutes from us. So yeah, I can't wait to share a little bit about what I've learned. I love it. You had great notes and I was like, Hannah, I have a London student after all. Always will be a try. Yes, exactly. You came to the living room. She did.

25:47Well, Hannah, tell us about your wonderful horse. He's now seven, right? He's coming six. He's coming six. Okay. Ethe is his name. I bought him as a just turned three-year-old in Germany. He was in the West Fowl and online auction. And it was like, I think it was just like, color it had just finished. I was actually kind of looking for a sail horse. I bought him off a video. He didn't pass the stallion licensing. So I was like, oh, so I didn't go for that much of my life. Oh, it's a perfect sail horse. Like he's cute. He's got a lot of bloodlines. He's Escamilla. Sandra hit. Imported him. The spring. Well, this three-year-old year and started with him. And I would say he really, like, he always had like a 10 character. Just like so willing. And even as a three-year-old, I could take him after a couple days off and like, find myself gallop out in the field. Like, he was always that easy. But he really, as far as the dressage potential,

26:47he really kind of blossomed in the last year. Now he's not for sale. Because he's like, baby. Yeah, you're like, not going anywhere. Anyway, I could be like, nope. Yeah. So I think I'll be able to, my goal is to keep him on development to the FBI. We did the FBI five-year-olds and went to lamp light this year. So that was really fun. It was my first time showing in the young horse division there. And it's so cool to see all the horses of different levels. The best of our country in one spot. So that was a really inspiring week in August. And he was such a good boy at the chainers conference. Like, I can always count on his horse. I would always, like, the horses that I would apply for the chainers conference, like, they have to be like reliable. Yes, there's a lot of people there, right? So it's not a good place. And it's always cold. It is always cold. Like, if anyone comes, yeah. It's always windy and always cold. And they have to, you know, there's not any horses around.

27:48So there's some, like, kind of, but it's a lot. It's the only horse in like 300 people. Like, yes. He was amazing. And I rode him in it's last year also. It was like a four-coming five-year-old who is also very good. So yeah, he's one of the only young horses that I would even keep up. So they're like volunteering to that. Because he is such a saint. And yeah, he was a really good boy this week. I was very proud of him. And what was one concept that you immediately changed? How you rode your horses? I really liked how they prioritized, like, the basics right from the beginning and every horse at the trainers conference. Like, they weren't out there to, you know, impress the audience with, like, exercise and fancy movements and show trot, like, every single horse. Regardless if they were, you know, mine was the youngest and, or, like, the Grand Prix, you know, demonstration horse. Everyone, like, had a stretch in the walk trot and canner. And they did that until they improved that stretch.

28:50And, like, you know, they really wanted, like, the level neck and just normal gates. Like, they didn't want the, like, pasage kind of built in, you know, show trot. They just wanted, like, clear rhythm. Walk trot canner from the start. Every horse regarded so their training. So I thought that was refreshing to see a trainer still. You know, really making that a priority and giving the horse time to use their top line and develop the correct muscles before they're picked up and asked for, you know, more collection. I hadn't stretched, like, she really, I could really wanted them stretching in the canner too, which was a little bit of a. I hadn't done that a ton with ET and mostly just done it at the trot in the beginning of my ride and towards the end. Mostly because I had it like fear that he, because sometimes he can be a little bit downhill tendency as this big canner and really jumping hind leg. And I'm always trying to kind of keep the balance up in the canter to help him as he gets stronger and help him with his balance is, you know, very big moving baby horse.

29:55But she didn't care. She was like, wanted him, like, long, low and forward and I'm like, oh my gosh, I'm never going to set up. I must say, like, yeah, she just had me cantering like that until she wanted them, like, really feel like they were breathing through their whole body, which I thought was a good description. And I must say, especially, you know, being in a new place and he was kind of like rightfully so just a little holding it first, it did help him relax. I think over his top line and use himself a little quicker, I think, then if I had done my normal warm up. So I think moving forward like at a show situation, that would be super helpful. That's really cool. No, it's so true. I mean, I think that the basics were just highlighted and that was so cool. I mean, kept at it and kept at it and kept at it and kept at it. Of course, every and then, like, and kind of throughout the ride too. Like you'd then do some, I don't know, you know, shoulder in half past.

30:55And then you're back to stretching at the canner, like multiple times to the ride. So I thought that was really cool to see. Yeah, yeah, no, it was great. Any other takeaways that you were that you saw from any of the other riders? Um, I really, she was also like super diligent about like the riders, uh, seat being in the middle. And I'm falling outside. Yes. I think that's got fixed on for that. Yes. I feel for you because that's a young horse thing too, right? You read a lot of young horses and sometimes they just don't carry the saddle the same way. Yes. And she really made a couple of them. She really hammered on. Uh, so making sure to, you know, have people watch you from behind and watch your video. Make sure you're helping the horse out with their balance and not hindering them. Um, another thing she was really into like, which I very much agree on is she was always like, leave it while it's good, right?

31:55If just because, you know, you did a couple good steps and she'd be like, praise them and like, stretch again instead of like going, going, going, going more and more. Um, like the second day she had me, uh, start on some little schooling. Her ideas with ET, which I hadn't actually done, like I had done, brought him back in the canter. And then like go forward like more like towards pure canter, but she had me do that. On a circle and an add in haunches in. Uh, was there's a little bit I was like, okay, we'll see if you can do this in public. First time this is great. Yeah, you're like, no problem. At all, he like seemed to understand, I think is he kind of already understood the haunches in and I had done some forward and back. And she was really just went for like two or three steps and she really prioritized as he was learning something new. She was like, the most important thing is that he doesn't climb up with his neck. So she wanted the neck to stay flat and long and just get like two or three steps and then she's like, say, leave it while it's good.

32:55Yeah, I think we can all apply that. So regardless of what we're teaching our horse, right? Like whether they're learning shoulder in or a transition or flying changes also, right? Like they get a clean one like quick for the day. Don't be like, oh, I could have been, you know, a little straighter, a little this or a little that. His horse is just, you know, they learn what they practice, right? So it's kind of cool to see a, you know, top trainer is really sticking to that belief. Even when there's the, you know, they must have so much pressure from the audience to, you know, prove things. And demonstrate and keep the audience engaged, but even even in that situation with 300 people, they still were like looking out for the horse's best interest, which is really cool to see. Yeah, I love that. And you talked about that there's so many people, both you and Reese talked about there's so many people, what's it like to ride? Knowing that there are top trainers, educators, as well as the clinicians watching you analyzing you every step.

33:55And it sounds like you're nervous. How do you, how do you deal with that? And it's your second year. Um, honestly, I think once I'm on, I don't really think about it. Like I was like going into it and I'm like, oh, I hope he's, you know, with dropped like 30 days. I'm like, oh, I hope he's not like spooking at people. I usually just like at a show. I'm always like once I'm on the horse, I kind of just forget about it. And yeah, I'm fortunate not to be one that gets nervous easily or, you know, obviously we all feel pressure, but. Yep. I kind of just think, you know, they're going to judge you regardless, right? Whether you're amazing or they're not out there. They're not out there. Yeah, they're not out there. But, um, Megan, if I have also done events like that and they're not out there, you come on out here with us. Yes. Serbs are adjustable. Yes. I know. I think of it. It benefits more people than, you know, people that are probably going to maybe be critical. Well, you ride super, you ride beautifully and your horse is lovely.

34:59Thank you. He had, he had musical notes on his tushy. He did. It was so cute. I made some people smile. I don't know. Yeah. It's so good. They're kind of sad and they can just look at it. Oh, cool clip patterns. Yeah. Well, and I also really enjoyed Christophe Oombach. Um, I don't know if you heard this. Yeah, he didn't teach me too much in my lesson, but I didn't enjoy his little, um, judges perspective thrown in. Yeah. He would, he, and he even had some trainer perspectives. I think one thing that I took away in my notes was, you know, he said as a coach, you should come in with three things. Your first thing is you should say something positive. Your second thing is you are looking at what you need to fix. And the third thing is you fix the problem. Oh, I like that. Yeah. I did too. I was like, one, two, three positive figure out what the problem is and fix the problem. And I thought, well, that's, that's great. You know, so, uh, so that was one thing that I took away in my notes that, that I really enjoyed. So, um, no, but I also think, you know, again, going through the scale of training, you know, how important that is and talking about that.

36:05That was also one thing that that I could always was on the rhythm. She was always on the relaxation and suppleness, which was good. So I hope that that was a really interesting, interesting and it was a really good good conference. And for both of you, how important do you feel these opportunities like this are to develop our riders in the United States? I think it's great. I think USDA, if it's so hard, this country is very big. But I think USDA's really and other programs are really trying to, you know, kind of consolidate our trainers and make it more easily accessible and, you know, diverse educational opportunities in one place. So I think the more, you know, people get involved in the more, you know, we get outside opinions from, you know, trainers from Germany or whatever. I think it's really great for our country. So I think, especially people up north and, you know, awful weather they're experiencing right now, it's got to be really difficult.

37:11I feel for you guys to stay inspired. So I think, you know, giving people the opportunity to come down and learn a lot and be inspired in the warmth or watch it online. I think the more of that, we can do the better, especially with trainers that really prioritize correct basics. So, you know, just as just getting, you know, it's under so much scrutiny right now, unfortunately, and sometimes getting a bad rap. So I think the more we can promote through social media and things like the FI trainers conference, like good riding and good classical training. I think it definitely helps our sports day and the good going in a good direction and viewed more positively by the world. I love it beautifully, beautifully said. And if there's a time that you ever want to come to Wellington, that's actually the time to come.

38:11Also, we didn't even talk about Lyndon Gray also hosted a Dr. Sasha kids on Monday night with Ali Brock. Oh, my gosh, Adrian Lyle, Lars Peterson and Chris F. Cachell. And we didn't even talk about that, Megan. That was also a really fun night. That was Monday night. So if there's ever a time you want to come to Wellington, it is for the trainer's conference. Like really do put that on your schedule because like Hannah said, it's our time to get together as a country and trainers. You do have to hit certain marks for that conference. But it is great and they they build in time for lunch and time to chat. And it is a really important and you can meet a lot of people there. So I think it's a really important event. And that was good. And then usually D for K does an event in the evening, which is typically it's for donation. But you can give five dollars if you can. And it's also wonderful. So there's a lot that goes on that that week. That's what you know we're talking about.

39:14So we're going to change gears because Hannah again talking about so many things that went on. We had the trainer's conference of London's Dr. Sasha kids lecture. And then on Wednesday night, we all had an amazing masterclass didn't we? Yes. I think I can talk all night about that. So tell us that we change gears. Yeah. Hannah, I saw her notes online and I was like, oh, she's our girl. She's our girl mini level. But I got a grabber. So can a tell us about that event. So different event. Now we're moved on to mid week. So tell us about that one. Yes. So it was a couple hours Wednesday evening at global, the main show grounds in Wellington. Um, Kira Kirkland, Catherine de Foran. Jan bring flu into treat assault. They're amazing magic skin. Maybe a magic. I don't know. About eight pages of notes.

40:14Yeah they just. It was such a positive and very um, I would say super simple and easy to follow lecture. Like, I mean, sorry, not lecture but like for as an as an audience member. Yeah. like just so much information but like everyone could understand that even if you weren't you know an FBI trainer I think anyone that went to that night could take something away and leave inspired and feeling you know optimistic and good about themselves and good about their horses so it was super inspiring night and they're you know they have such a good sense of humor which also yeah they were really funny they were really funny and Catherine before was really funny and so just like honest about everything right they're like no not everything is perfect it's hard and you know um Catherine would be like you know Kira was talking about keeping your elbows in and um not having like chicken arms and Catherine would be like that's me having one of the best riders in the world is like you know how literally right no one in the world

41:16I don't know when I'm riding so yeah so we all but it was just it was fun to see for sure yeah that was really cool so keep going under notes because it's amazing yeah so a couple things here um I really liked um how Kira like she was very into kind of having analogies and helping the rider she called them like short because I don't know if I love that word but to help the rider find the basically the correct feel a little bit easier right because you can tell she was like it takes 5,000 repetitions to change a bad habit so you can tell the person in her 10 I've heard 10,000 I've heard 10,000 for a long time yeah um so for example you know instead of telling the rider like put your elbows in like you know 10 times per lesson and hope that you know and 10,000 lessons they figured out you know have them ride with a polo just like a polo like in

42:18their left rain under the horses belly and then hold on the other side in their right rain so they could kind of pick feel the contact pull a little bit up on the polo and help them sit deeper and kind of automatically put their elbows in um so that was really cool she was like basically you know you can't dressage you really have to feel it um before you could really understand it right she was like explained it like if you've never tasted strawberry jam right you could like explain to someone well you know it's got little seeds and it's a little sweet and a little sour but until you've actually tasted the strawberry jam you don't you can't really compare it to like what it really is um saying with dressage right if you're trying to rest it deeper ride a correct half halt um so she was she was lots of different things to help the rider she also um with like a thin leather dogly she basically made a neck strap um and would have the rider um mostly in their outside rain um hold that to kind of again keep the contact um you know keep their outside hand

43:24quiet and close to the neck um and stable so if the horse was like let's say strong in one the left rain she would have them hold the neck strap in the right rain and then do the halfhalts on the you know take the empty rain and then do halfhalts and be elastic on the uh strong rain so that was really cool and again instead of settling the rider a hundred times don't pull on the left rain you know we all want to pull on the strong side um you know instead she kind of helped the rider balance that out and I mean even like Catherine like you know she would have her ride with um and I've seen also through their like Instagram they do caffeine does a good job of posting um little educational tidbits I'd recommend any of you guys follow her anyway like if if I always say like if sometimes when I'm teaching I'll use a little you know strap for your wrists or something and sometimes I think people think oh it's she's giving that to me because I'm a bad rider and I'm like no it's the how do you like we all can benefit from it like if Catherine

44:28before and um Kira can you know benefit we definitely can yeah no I think yeah see that was so cool and she also took a polar wrap and I've this is a very it's the same thing with Kira she takes a polar wrap and she she puts it uh under the horse's girth up to your hands and it forces you to kind of put your hands there and again Catherine before is like I live with this thing and you're like yeah she's number one in the world I think I should do that more you know I think that's really cool and and I think that those aids have become uh because again you can feel it and I thought that was so important because literally the strawberry jam was such a good analogy because we're all like we can taste strawberry jam yeah you can taste it yeah you knew what she was talking about so that was that was cool yeah I also thought it was a good point she said I don't like in my teaching Kira said I don't use the term like more C or in front of the leg she said two basically said I don't know what that means um and if you really think about it like yes we think we know what

45:31that means but when we're teaching so many teachers are just like use more seat or have falter get them in front of the leg but it's not like simple enough and not detailed enough like it's basically she said everything has to have like a how what and why so I thought that was important to ask ourselves as like a teacher you know is you know are we just telling the student what the end result is or like helping them find the how they're gonna do it um not just like use more seat like instead you know she would have them like pull you know pull them self-deeper with the pull wrap for example um so I thought that was an important because we all get in the habit of just assuming that the rider knows what we're talking about and knows what the correct feel is but the end of the day it probably needs to be broken down into more simple steps yeah yeah no that was really good and that Catherine before said that it's so funny she said closure bra strap yes you said that a lot I think that's been said in Wellington probably a million

46:33times this last week everyone's like a closure bra strap yeah that was a really good one also yeah and they were also just I thought it was cool how it was very much like even when Catherine Catherine we were fortunate she wrote one I'm not sure what horse it was but yeah we got to watch her ride a horse I was like the she had written it like five minutes that morning so it was you know completely new to her and how well she worked with that horse and I thought it was cool how like very much like quick little breaks and then like a little pressure on and then another break and then a little pressure on and a little break so so much we know if it feels good we just want to keep going and going and going and Catherine was like I'm just because it is going well it doesn't mean you should keep going like if I'm a little break even if it's you know 20 seconds so I thought that was a good reminder and she's like I didn't really realize quite how important that was until I started working out in the gym and I also feel that like you know if you're

47:33doing five good reps and then your instructor says now five more you're like oh I can't right so we never want the horse to feel defeated or tired or feel like they're struggling um and then also which I had really thought of it going together like taking the little breaks it really teaches the horse to relax in between right because we all have to do that extended walk or free walk regardless of what level right so if you practice that at home she was like you know if not just getting lucky that hopefully he stretches and takes a breath and walks well right if you practice that at home every day that you can you know do a little piaf massage and then walk totally relaxed on a long range and do a little piaf massage you know you want to have to hope that you get lucky at the horse show um so I thought that was a really good point um and she did such a good job she was just so positive uh in rewarding that horse and every little try that he did and you could really see him you know not knowing her as a rider really

48:34click in and give his offer her so that was really inspiring to see it was you were like yeah okay she's number one in the world like like everywhere that whole global was quiet and it was that everyone was like like watching it it was so cool and it was it looks bit like from the outside it looked so simple but it was it was really it was really quite something to watch it was really cool gave you chills you were like wow okay and I and I read somewhere there were 2000 spectators that is incredible oh it was packed you couldn't get a seat you you could not you could not get a seat if I mean if one went up on Facebook it was it was sold within a second it was amazing that warms my heart yeah it was really cool it's really hard to fill clinics and 2000 people came to see obviously their legends but that is fantastic yeah kudos kudos to the organizers and they sold out they sold out in Europe too I mean they they sell this they sell this out a lot

49:36and um which is cool and it was really really cool to see yeah it was definitely probably one of the best clinics I've ever audited yeah it was it was really cool yeah another really good analogy I thought she had was did you guys hear about the one about the basketball she was like in a with you're struggling to sip the trot like so many people are like so deep or sit back or pull yourself in and she was actually saying to let yourself leave the saddle on the bouncy horses and focus on bouncing swinging back down into the trot because if you try to like sit down all the time you'll push the the back down and then it just gets harder and harder to sit um and she used like as a description like think about like dribbling a basketball like across the court right the hand has to fall the bounce up and then down and if you meet the you know the ball too soon then you're just gonna like make the ball go flat and you're gonna not be able to bounce it again so I thought you know to keep the to keep the bounce your hand has to kind of come up and down up and down also with sitting a trot on a big moving horse instead of just

50:41trying to sit in all the time and then you're gonna stop that swing in their back and then if you stop the swing in the back and the back gets tight then you're gonna even have a hard time saying the trot so I thought it was such a great um analogy to use yeah teaching like oh yeah oh yeah because like I don't know it's our as thin as human like you're bouncing around or you feel like you can't find your seat bones or you're like oh I gotta use my core I gotta you know except my suit seat bones down but sometimes you have to kind of think go with a horse bounce with a horse swing with a horse and then sit in and find the middle um instead of forcing it so much yeah yeah I love it I love it Hannah was there anything else that you that that you want to share with us um I would say one more kind of theme it kind of goes a little bit from a trainer's conference and also Kira actually is who said it but it also was very much true for the trainer's conference

51:41she was like we got to make sure on these young horses like ask ourselves are you educating a ground free horse or you just running it around fast to do you know a couple young horse classes and you know maybe you know make it to championships and then Kira which joke then she's like then nobody even will remember you after that yeah yeah exactly you were like like that one out yeah it's like like you know there's so much pressure um you know riding quality babies to you know get them trotting better and bigger and bigger and make it to lamp light even if they're not ready um but the end of the day like you know you got to ask yourself what is this horse going to be like in five years like what am I am I developing a horse for this summer or in five years um and what do I want the horse you know sound is and like mentally and um rideability wise like right a horse that I'm only kind of temporarily making for this summer versus a horse that hopefully will do the ground free and you know five or whatever how many years

52:47I thought that was just the really important reminder that we all have to I mean the young horse classes are great and I think if you have the right horse like I'm all about it um but I thought that was a really good way to think about it um like every day he liked down the road like is this transition good enough for the ground free or am I just auction trotting it around um so yeah yeah I love it well Hannah you have been the best this has been so fun thank you so much for all of your amazing notes and I thank you for letting us jump on because I was like oh my god I I think she did a great job um so how can our listeners find you online if they have any more questions and also about ET and all your wonderful you you have a lot of other amazing horses as well but yeah of course um I'm on Facebook and Instagram I'd say I'm more active on Facebook I'm just Hannah Irons and I it's kind of more of a business account mostly horse stuff um I'm asked can be my emails Hannah Irons dressage at gmail.com I'm always happy to help in any way

53:52I can um or would love to meet any of you um and in Wellington for the next four months and then I'm based out of Maryland uh the rest of the year so yeah this has been a pleasure thank you recent vegan this is really fun and yeah I hope we can talk again in the future oh girl we well don't you worry I love those note taking skills I love it I love it well have a great west of your night go you've had a busy day thanks so much for your time and we can't wait to talk to you soon all right thank you so much thank you thank you one to reach a passionate engaged audience of horse lovers the horse radio network with thousands of listeners worldwide offers unique sponsorship opportunities to connect your brand with horse owners riders and enthusiasts over 90% of our listeners have bought a product from a HRN ad in the past year partner with HRN

54:53and take your brand to the next level visit www.horseradionetwork.com slash advertise today well Megan I know it's it's very cold up north and if people want the book club because it's coming and this is a good one to read what should we read you should read how to ride the horse you thought you bought by and Buchanan I love it I love it I have mine sitting right here it is literally as you you guys heard my week was not conducive to any kind of reading or anything other than watching and sleeping but next week it's on my desk I can't wait to get started so I'm really looking forward to it so as always we love our book club and you guys continue enjoying and getting together as a group that just makes us so happy if you're not yet subscribed do it now just search dressage radio show on your favorite podcast player you can join the fun it's a supportive community of the horse radio network auditors on patreon you'll get behind the scenes

55:58insights special offers and opportunities to participate in horse radio network podcasts go to patreon.com slash horse radio network the dressage radio show Facebook page is the dressage radio show my website is maplecressfarmky.com and my email is reached at horseradionetwork.com and my website is lindenhawk.com and my email is lindenhawk LLC at gmail.com we'd like to thank our friends and show sponsors can tucky performance products keep on kicking on until the next show talk to you soon you