March Update from SGW Dressage

As Susan prepares for her trip back to Maryland, she was able to reflect a bit on her time here in Florida. Unlike other years when she had been juggling training her own horses with her busy teaching and judging schedule, this year was slightly less busy without any horses to care for. Susan took full advantage of taking extra time to visit with friends and tour some of the tourist spots in the area. While Florida was much fun this year, Susan is very much looking forward to getting home to her horses. Her rehab has been going quite well in Florida, so the next step is to get back in the saddle!

Clinician Chris Ryan, Susan and FEH Co-chair Robin Walker

While in Florida, the big project was the Young Horse Symposium held in Ocala from February 20^th thru 22^nd.  This symposium was a combination of efforts from the USEA’s Instructor Certification Program (ICP) along with the Future Event Horse (FEH) and Young Event Horse (YEH) Programs. The symposium featured some of the world’s best clinicians including Chris Burton, Chris Ryan, and Leslie Law, along with FEH/YEH committee chairs Robin Walker, Marilyn Payne and Susan. To read summaries of the symposium, click on these great articles by the USEA:

http://useventing.com/news/future-event-horses-take-center-stage-day-one-young-horse-symposium

http://useventing.com/news/symposium-recap-training-and-teaching-principles-chris-ryan-and-chris-burton

SGW Dressage students continue to thrive even in the off season!  We received word that Nan Schumaker will be receiving the Touch of Class Award presented by the Maryland Horse Industry Board to honor her and Kozi’s (aka La Cosa Nostra) 2016 achievements. We haven’t received word as to when Nan will be receiving her award, but we hope to share photos from the ceremony in a future blog!

The other big news on the horse front is that there are plans to do an embryo transfer from Quinn, and using Rev as the carrier. Diamond Stud, a Canadian stallion by Diamond Hit, is the first choice of stallions. So hopefully all the stars align to make this happen.

While Susan has been in Florida, her horses have been staying Domino Equestrian in Maryland. Susan was delighted when her student Kat Sepka stopped by to see them and sent her these photos to make her laugh: 

Diamond Quinn ("Quincy")

Revelle ("Huey")

Revonne ("Rev")

Photo courtesy Sharon Boyle

Ride with Susan Graham White

While Susan is always available for lessons at her farm, she often travels for clinics as well. Below is a quick list of upcoming clinic dates … be sure to email the organizers if you’d like to join in!

Wednesday, March 22^nd @ A Bit Better Farm (Brookeville, MD): Margaret@mythiclanding.com

Saturday, March 25^th @ Trevi Manor (Lothian, MD): cheriechauvin@hotmail.com

Saturday, April 22^nd @ Trevi Manor (Lothian, MD): cheriechauvin@hotmail.com

Susan will also be at the FEI Judges Seminar at Galway Downs in California from March 29^th thru April 2^nd, and judging at the Chattahoochee Hills CIC in Georgia from April 6^th thru 9^th. If you’re at either event, be sure to say hi!

Photo courtesy Saul Slowik