A New Update...Finally...

​It has been far too long since my last update and so much has happened that I almost don’t know where to begin.  The biggest news is that late in the summer of 2018, Albion College approached me and asked me to coach their IDA Dressage Team.  This was a big undertaking and something I wasn’t really prepared to take on but I decided to jump in with both feet and go for it.  The eight-month season was a whirlwind and the team far exceeded anyone’s expectations. 

​We ended up finishing third in the region and qualified a first level rider for Nationals where she went on to finish eight in the nation against some huge schools!  I have returned to coach again for the 2019 – 2020 school year and have a great group of students again this year.

In other news, ​I also have two fantastic young horses I am bringing along now.  I still have my young colt, Brioso, born last year, and a three year-old Friesian, Isabelle, a mare I just bought in August.  Isabelle has the most amazing temperament and I have been really enjoying working with her.  I need to get some nice pictures of these two and I will update back soon!

IT'S A BOY!!!

The summer has flown by and the most exciting news is that my lovely mare, Eden, gave birth to a beautiful colt on May 24th!  Brioso SMS, always impatient, came a couple weeks early with a surprise pasture delivery on a beautiful, sunny morning while I was at work.  Fortunately, John was home and witnessed the entire birth, which was mostly uneventful with the exception of a retained placenta for Eden.  

Brio, now three months old, has been a feisty youngster from the day he was born and is growing to be a big, strong boy with many opinions of his own.  He's incredibly athletic and intelligent and loves to play with his toys.  He also loves outsmarting the other horses and is going to be quite the fellow to train as he gets older.  I love horses that are always thinking and this one will definitely keep me on my toes!!!

Unfortunately, this was a summer of both highs and lows.  Five days after Brio's birth, I tragically lost my beloved Silverado to a sudden infection of Potomac Horse Fever.  He became severely ill very quickly and, despite staying up with him all night trying to save him, we decided to humanely euthanize him less than 24 hours after the onset of his symptoms.  He was 19 years-old and I had owned him for 16 of those years.  He had been one of my dearest friends and it was of the utmost importance to me that I save him from both fear and suffering.  While letting him go was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, at least I was able to give him the gift of peace.  He was my greatest partner and will be so dearly missed.

I'm a little late with the update, but I'm so excited to announce that Silverado was the Recognized Show, Fourth Level Open, Year-End Grand Champion with the Midwest Dressage Association for 2017!  I'm very proud of my boy!  

In other news, everyone at Expressions Dressage has been hard at work all winter and I've been busy traveling to all the barns at which I give lessons working with all of my students.  It's such a joy to see everyone hard at work and making progress in spite of the less-than-stellar winter weather.  I'm definitely looking forward to warmer days!

Finally, my lovely mare, Eden, is getting closer and closer to her due date and I am anxiously awaiting her Bailo ART foal due June 1st.  I've been seeing a lot of movement in her belly and as soon as it drops, I will post some pictures of her baby belly for all to see.  As of right now, she mostly just looks a bit chubby!!

Hopefully the winter was kind to everyone and HAPPY SPRING!!!

In spite of the fact that it's been a while since my last update, things have been both busy and exciting here at Expressions Dressage.  After three years away from showing due to the development of Cushing's disease, Silverado had an exciting summer showing Fourth Level.  He was the Fourth Level Open Reserve Champion at all three of the shows he attended and finished the summer as the Dressage at Waterloo Series Fourth Level Open Reserve Champion!  Even more exciting was that his average score for the summer was 65.9% with high scores over 68%.  I'm so excited that we have found a way to manage his condition and that he is so happy to continue showing.   Depending on his health, he may return to showing Prix St. Georges next year, but only if he is sound and happy doing the work.  He is truly one in a million!

I am also thrilled to announce the confirmed pregnancy of my lovely Morgan mare, Eden, to the Andalusian stallion, Bailo ART.  Both mare and stallion are phenomenal horses and I'm so excited about this baby that I plan to keep and train myself.  Eden is due in early June, 2018.

Finally, I'm excited to welcome the 14 year-old PRE gelding, Letrado into my program.  Letrado was trained through the upper-levels in dressage before a fractured patella forced him to be retired to lighter work.  He was donated to a local camp and we have leased him from the camp.  His is one of the sweetest and quietest horses I have ever had on the farm and I'm so excited for all the adventures we will have with him!

I'd like to wish all of my friends and clients a very happy and healthy holiday season!  I'm so grateful for each and every one of you and for the trust you place in me to care for and train your equine partners.  I know they are your family and I love being a part of each and every journey.  This business is truly my dream and you all make it possible with your continued support year after year.  

​I’m thrilled to offer the following, high-quality clothing available for purchase to all Expressions Dressage clients and supporters!  All the clothing is comfortable, functional and sports the Expressions Dressage logo.  Men’s and Women’s sizes are available.​  

Please follow the link below to view pricing information and the order form. I will be placing the order on Monday, October 31, 2016 and I will need to have the completed order forms and full payment prior to that date.  Please contact me directly via email at expressions.dressage@yahoo.com or phone at 734-546-8557 with questions or for the mailing address for order forms.  ​

Welcome to the new Expressions Dressage!
 
I am so excited to launch my new and improved Expressions Dressage website today!  It is so nice to finally have a website that is both modern and mobile friendly.  I hope you will find the pages to be nicely streamlined and easier to navigate as well as visually appealing.  I am also excited about the new blog that has been included with the site and I look forward to sharing updates on current events, horse stories, and training philosophies with everyone interested.  Please feel free to take a look around and thank you so much for your continued interest in Expressions Dressage!  ​