Autumn - Winter 2005 Clinics:
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| Christopher, in yellow hat, watches participants in the indoor ring. |
Sunday, October 23, Christopher Schruefer - Dressage , Assistant trainer to Todd Flettrich, is an L judge, spent 2 weeks as assistant coach to the Para Olympic riders and their horses for the 2004 Games in Europe, and has successfully trained several students through the FEI Levels. USEF-licensed Sporthorse Breeding Judge. Member of the United States Equestrian Federation, the United States Dressage Federation, the United States Eventing Association, the Dansk Varmblod, the International Sporthorse Registry/Oldenburg North America, and the American Hanoverian Society. Graduate with Distinction of the "L" Program for Dressage Judges Training, Region 1, (a prerequisite to entering the US Equestrian "R" Dressage Judge program).
Lessons are $45 for a 45 minute private.
Sunday, November 6: Missy Ransehousen - Open Clinic - Pick your discipline!
Missy established herself as an outstanding rider early in her career. As a Young Rider, she brought home the Gold Medal from the 1988 Young Rider Championships, where she was also awarded the Good Sportsmanship Award. She received the Markham Trophy, USET's Highest Placed Young Rider at Fair Hill CDI*** in 1989. She continued to focus on her riding career and in 1995 was a member of the Three Day Event Team for the Pan American Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Team won the Silver Medal. Missy was selected as the coach for the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney and continues to serve as their coach. She continues to train and compete herself.
Lessons are $65 1 hour private and $45 a person for 1 hour group.
Sunday, November 13: Marietta Schulz - Open Clinic - Autism
Managing Director of the “Reit Therapie Zentrum”, Meierhof Germany
Member of the Executive Board, DKTHR and Education Committee of FED RDI.
Wednesday, Nov. 23: Beth Wicas - Open Clinic - Jumping Courses - Teach the teacher! 7:00-9:30 P.M.
A Thorncroft Mom, Beth has been teaching Radnor Pony Club for several years. She is proficient with kids as well as adults. Her experience includes several years as an instructor at private schools such as Garrison Forest. Originally from Connecticut, Beth was also long listed for the Olympic Eventing Team.
Lessons are $35 for a 45 minute group of 4.
Sunday, Dec. 18: Barbara Strawson - Dressage
Barbara Strawson, LLC studied in Germany under Nicole Uphoff, four-time Olympic gold medalist. During this time she trained and competed horses in dressage at all levels from Training through Grand Prix. Barbara trained and competed Nicole’s horses as well as her client’s horses. Barbara was assistant trainer to Scott Hassler at Hilltop Farm, Colora, MD from 1990 to 2003 where she successfully trained and competed to the FEI levels. An experienced instructor as well, Barbara combines her experience and knowledge of riding skills with her background in psychology to develop individualized programs for horses and riders, integrating the necessary tools for them to achieve their goals. As an instructor she is dedicated to helping individuals achieve their own excellence, regardless of the level. She co-authored "My Riding Goals Journal" and "Equestrian Instruction", two books dedicated to improving personal performance in riding and instruction. Barbara is a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist. She has earned Year-end regional and national USDF and USEF awards and rode on the Bronze Medal Team at the 1985 American Young Riders Championships. Recently returned from Germany, Barbara is basing her own business in training and instruction, in the Frederick, MD area.
Here is the registration form. Lessons are $105 for a 45 minute private. $10 to audit.
Spring 2006 Clinics:
Wednesday, January 4: Peter Hansen, Bereiter - Flat Work 7:00 - 9:30 P.M.
Born in Denmark in 1961, a few of Peters accomplishments while in America: Maderus - Trainer & Rider of this USDF Intermediate Horse of the Year. Stradivarius - Breeder, Trainer & Rider of this Dressage at Devon Three Year Old Under Saddle Winner. Lafleur - Trainer & Rider for this stallion's stallion licensing through eventing competition, and 1st place winner of the Trakehner Breed Class, Dressage at Devon, Devon, Pennsylvania. Boca Raton - Breeder, Trainer & Rider of this Dressage at Devon Colts of 1995 winner, 3rd place winner American Hanoverian Society Class, 1996 Dressage at Devon, 3rd place winner 4-year & Older Stallions Under Saddle, 2000 Dressage at Devon, 4th place winner 4-year & Older Stallions In-hand, 2000 Dressage at Devon, ISR/Oldenburg N.A. Provisionally Licensed Stallion. His apprenticeship served under George Otto Heyser, Swedish and Italian Olympic Coach and international Dressage rider/trainer. Graduate with Distinction of the "L" Program for Judges Training, Region 1, (a prerequisite to entering the US Equestrian "R" Dressage Judge program). Peter is an USEF-licensed Sport Horse Breeding Judge, Licensed German Bereiter, Dressage, Jumping & Eventing Instructor/Trainer/Clinician and Sport Horse Breeder & Handler.
Wednesday, January 18: Anne Rawle - Ground Work and Long Lining 7:00 - 9:30 P.M.
FEI-level judge who breeds, trains and competes Hanoverian dressage horses.
"Over the years our family has tried to bring up our own horses and advance through the levels of dressage training without resorting to abusive or violent shortcuts. While many active competition stables require their horses to live "in padded cells" with minimum free time in the field, we have always used a more natural approach. We have always been advocates of massage, chiropractic and acupuncture when the situation called for it, as well as overall sound nutrition and veterinary maintenance."
Here is the registration form. Lessons are $45 for a 45 minute private. $10 to audit.
(717) 529-2848
Friday, March 3: Daniel Stewart
Daniel Stewart has been coaching and teaching clinics to current and future prospects of the United States Equestrian Team since 1999. Most recently, Daniel coached the US endurance team at the World Equestrian Games and the US Dressage team at the World Paralympic Dressage Championships in Belgium and the Paralympic Fames in Athens, Greece. Prior to working with USET, Daniel (who is fluent in French, English, and Spanish) taught, trained, and competed throughout the world including Canada, Mexico, South America, the British West Indies, and Europe. In addition to being a riding coach, Daniel also has a degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Calgary in Canada. In 1994, Daniel was recruited as an equestrian specialist by the world-renowned Sport-Training Institute in New York City to study and develop rider-specific biomechanic, fitness, and sport psychology techniques to help the American riding community overcome many of its most prevalent problems. During this time he combined his education of kinesiology, physiology, anatomy, human biomechanics, fitness, and sport psychology with his eighteen years of teaching and months of videotape analyses to develop a series of non-mounted techniques that can test, diagnose, and solve mounted physical and mental imperfections. Daniel has published numerous articles on equestrian biomechanics, fitness, and sport psychology and is the author of 'Ride Right'. To this date, he's taught clinics to thousands of riders, barns, pony clubs, and equestrian associations throughout the world and he remains the only expert on equestrian biomechanics, sport psychology, and fitness who teaches non-mounted clinics as a way of improving a rider's mounted imperfections.
Sunday, April 2: Kevin Bowie - Show Jumping
“Kevin” is a well known clinician who we are extremely lucky to have here in Eastern Pennsylvania for this weekend of fun and learning. Kevin is an “A” examiner as well as having served as head of the show jumping committee for Pony Club. She brings with her a wealth of both knowledge and enthusiam. The objective of the clinic will be to provide ponyclubbers with show jumping skills to both improve their show jumping performance as well as give them insight into their learning goals in order to obtain their next rating level. Any level ponyclubber is eligible to attend, they should be capable of riding a course at the level entered, however. Groups will be divided by level of jumping. There will be no more than four in a group and sessions will be 1 and 1/2 hours long. Those ponyclubbers prepping for C3 and up will have the first opportunity to ride. Please make checks out to: “Eastern Pennsylvania Region”. Entries will close for the clinic on Sunday, March 25, 2006. Entries will be accepted on a first come basis. Please include in your entry: a completed entry, a medical release, activity release, coggins test and a check. No entries will be accepted without payment. Pony Clubbers are expected to leave the parking area at Thorncroft looking better than with they arrived. Bring a muck bucket and shovel! Directions: From Rt 202 North, take the Paoli Pike exit going away from West Chester. Go through a series of 6 traffic lights to Rt 352. Turn south-right-onto Rt 352. Go approximately ¼ of a mile to the first stop sign. Turn left onto Boot Road. Boot Road and Line Road intersect a short way down the road. Thorncroft sits on the corner of Boot and Line. You will be entering the property at the driveway right before the intersection with Line Road. Park along the driveway, trailers will continue down the driveway and out the the exit after they are done riding.
Here is the registration form. Sessions are $25 per rider.
Winter 2006 - Spring 2007 Clinics:
Dec. 20, 2006
Dr. Tyra Crowley, addressing the health and maintenance issues in the older horse. An opportunity to learn how to recognize potential problems before they happen... and what to do when they do.
Jan 6-7
Kathy Kelly & Barbara Strawson, “Tools for Effective Teaching” A 2 DAY INSTRUCTORS’ CLINIC
Geared towards instructors of able bodied as well as therapeutic students - great for riders too!
Here is the registration form.
Saturday January 6-
9 – 12: Lectures Personality Styles with Kathy Kelly Task versus Command Oriented teaching with Barbara Strawson and Kathy Kelly
12 – 1: Lunch break
1 – 3: Practice Teaching Practice using task and command styles of teaching (Hands on work in the arena mounted sessions)
3 – 5: Discussion of teaching sessions – how to use task vs. command teaching, and recognizing personality styles in the instructors and students
Sunday January 7-
9:00 – 12:00: Lectures Goal Setting with Barbara Strawson, Fear and Anxiety with Kathy Kelly.
12:00 – 1:00: Lunch break
1:00 – 3:00: Practice Teaching Practice using goal setting in the lesson (Hands on work in the arena mounted sessions)
3:00 – 5:00: Discussion Wrap up discussion of the teaching and of the weekend. Discuss the various tools for instructors for helping their students learn and make lasting progress. Answer questions.
Jan. 28
Renee Luther, Centered Riding Level III, a day of learning and prerequisite for Centered Riding certification in March.
Feb. 7
Ann Rawle, longing and long lining the horse - great for the first time, and for those more experienced. Learn how to correctly start your young horse on the ground, or help your older ones work better on the longe or long lines. Auditors welcome, $25.
Feb. 28
Taryan Bath, O.T. From an occupational therapist, how to incorporate adaptive equipment into your lesson program. Learn the latest equipment available to help improve the life styles of your students.
March 2-4
Judy Cross-Strehlke, Level IV International Centered Riding Clinician will guide you thru your Centered Riding Level I. Learn Sally Swift’s building blocks... mounted and unmounted exercises designed to teach anatomy and function. Sign up for the Course, Student Rider within the Course, or a private mounted lesson. (An update session is also available for $350).
Here is the registration form. $800 for the 7 day series.
March 21-22
Wendy Murdoch “The Murdoch Method”, Wendy will take the student thru a series of exercises and theories on the ground and transfers them to the horse. “The Murdoch Method is not a system of riding, it is a process for learning.” Private lessons available on 3/22. $100 / evening lecture, auditors welcome, $25.
April 4
Roddy Strang, well known for starting the young horse... or helping those with “problems”. Learn how to work on the ground with and around your horse to create a more positive atmosphere for you, your horse and rider. All disciplines welcome. Auditors welcome, $25.
April 14-15
Marietta Shultz, “Autism-experiences and strategies for creating a treatment program around and with the horse”. Managing Director of the “Reit Therapie Zentrum”, Meierhof Germany. Member of the Executive Board, DKTHR and Education Committee of FED RDI. As an international representative of the German School “The Good Hand”, Marietta is world renowned in her field.
Her April 2007 Clinic: "Dialogue in Motion"
"New statistics have just came out that one child in every 150 born in the US has Autism. These numbers are staggering! That being said, this is one of the primary areas that we need to focus on as Therapeutic Riding Instructors.
This workshop is open to all instructors, parents, students and therapists looking for new ideas in the therapeutic riding world with a strong emphasis on the world of Autism."
Saturday 9:30 -4:30
Theory: Autism Spectrum Disorder - Overview “Dialogue in Motion”. How children with Autism Spectrum Disorder learn within the setting of Therapeutic Riding. Case Discussions (participants share special problems with special children) and props to facilitate learning for children with autism.
Sunday 9:30 -2:00
Lecture and application: Hands on, how to create a setting for a step by step learning with and on horses. Introduction of techniques and how to work with the children in a single treatment and in groups.
$125 for the 2 day clinic.
April 19-22
Judy Cross-Strehlke, Level IV International Centered Riding Clinician will guide you thru your Centered Riding Level I. Learn Sally Swift’s building blocks... mounted and unmounted exercises designed to teach anatomy and function. Sign up for the Course, Student Rider within the Course, or a private mounted lesson. (An update session is also available for $350).
Here is the registration form. $800 for the 7 day series.
April 28-29
Pat Taynton, “Confirmation & Movement”, for instructors that teach riders with and or without disabilities. Explore the confirmation and movement of different horses... and how their individual motion will affect your students. $75 for the 2 day clinic, auditors welcome, $25.
July 6-8, 2007
An introduction to Eckart Meyners and The Balimo™ Chair
"Balance in Motion" A clinic for riders and instructors: Friday evening will present a lecture on Eckart Meyners "The Balimo Chair", Saturday & Sunday work on and off the horse with Barbara (auditors welcome). Sunday, to complete your weekend will offer hands on body work with Dr. Redmond.
Barbara Strawson, International FEI Equestrian and Balimo™ Graduate Core Instructor. The Clinic includes "regular" riding lessons, incorporating the principles of the Balimo™ Equestrian Program. (Exercise classes on and off the horse, theory and lectures/discussions.) Integrate the principles of the Balimo™ Equestrian Training Program into your work. Starting with a Friday night lecture, Barbara will introduce you to the principles of the Balimo™ Chair; which you will incorporate into your work on and off the horse Saturday and Sunday.
Kathy Kelly, PhD Sports Psychologist and acclaimed equestrian. Incorporating your work with Barbara, Kathy will introduce you to a new way of thinking. Break thru those emotional road blocks and graduate your work to the next level of riding and competition. Limited private sessions with Kathy available Saturday and Sunday. Private riding lessons also available on Sunday. $85 per 1 hour session.
Dr. Peter Redmond, Master Body Worker, chiropractics and adjunct therapies specializing in equestrians at all levels. Schedule an hour with Peter on Sunday - leave refreshed and in balance with your self ... mind, body and soul! $85 per 1 hour session.
Here is more information, and the registration form. If you plan to attend, please fill out Thorncroft's riding lesson agreement, if you've ridden with us before, please fill out the rider update.
Sunday, November 11
Daniel Stewart Returns! 
(See Coach Stewart's bio in the March 3 2006 clinic entry)
Thorncroft is proud to present Daniel Stewart, U.S. National Team Coach and International Clinician
Form and Function... on the Flat and or over Fences! (Includes videotaping and follow up analysis)
This eye-opening clinic will consist of a thirty-minute riding session (videotaped) for able bodied riders. The session will be followed by a 90-minute frame by frame analysis of the video. The analysis is used to identify the rider’s strengths as well as any imperfections that may be keeping them from riding their best. When an imperfection (flat or over fences) in balance, symmetry, posture, body-awareness, suppleness or movement is located, Coach Stewart explains its cause and describes ways to overcome it using the latest in biomechanics and or sport psychology techniques Following the Position Analysis clinic each rider will participate in the semi-private follow up lesson so that they can address the imperfections identified in the clinic.
This is a Full Day Program for 12 participating riders:
(1) the Videotaped Position Analysis Clinic
(2) a semi-private Follow-Up lesson to work on the imperfections found in video session
(3) an evening seminar
1 st group: Position Analysis Clinic with 6 riders 9:00 to 11:00
2 nd group: Position Analysis Clinic with 6 riders 11:30 to 1:30
Semi-Private lesson with 1 st 4 riders - 2:00 to 3:00
Semi-Private lesson with 2 nd 4 riders - 3:00 to 4:00
Semi-Private lesson with 3 rd 4 riders - 4:00 to 5:00
Afternoon Symmetry and Balance Workshop:
This un-mounted workshop teaches rider specific exercises using a special balance board designed especially for equestrians.The fun and effective exercises improve your riding by helping you identify and solve imperfections with your balance, symmetry, posture, body-awareness and suppleness.
Participate as a rider, $165.00, or as an auditor, $25.00
Here is the Registration form. Here is some information for those considering hosting Coach Stewart.
Wednesday December 26 through Friday December 28, 2007
Sarah Emmel - Thorncroft Holiday Camp
For kids 7 through 13 years old! Geared toward developing and improving riding and horsemanship skills.
Here is the registration form.
2008 Clinics:
January 5-6, 2008 : Barbara Strawson - Balimo™ Equestrian Clinic
"Balance in Motion" A clinic for riders and instructors: Starting with Eckart Meyners' "Balimo Chair", Saturday & Sunday work on and off the horse with Barbara (auditors welcome). Sunday, to complete your weekend will offer hands on body work with Dr. Redmond.
. For instructors and riders interested in improving their “Balance in Motion”.
Barbara Strawson, International FEI Equestrian and Balimo™ Graduate Core Instructor. The Clinic includes "regular" riding lessons, incorporating the principles of the Balimo™ Equestrian Program. (Exercise classes on and off the horse, theory and lectures/discussions.) Integrate the principles of the Balimo™ Equestrian Training Program into your work. Barbara will introduce you to the principles of the Balimo™ Chair; which you will incorporate into your work on and off the horse Saturday and Sunday.
Dr. Peter Redmond, Master Body Worker, chiropractics and adjunct therapies specializing in equestrians at all levels. Schedule an hour with Peter on Sunday - leave refreshed and in balance with your self ... mind, body and soul! $85 per 1 hour session.
Here is more information, and the registration form.
February 3, 2008:
Doreen Garland, BHSAI - "The Basics"
Building confidence between horse and rider to achieve suppleness and balance in flat work or over fences.
Private 45 minute sessions.
Here is the registration form.
February 17, 2008: Roddy Strang - well known for starting the young horse- or helping those with “problems”- all disciplines welcome.
Here is the registration form.
March 2, 2008: Doreen Garland, BHSAI - "The Essence of the Movement"
Working from the basics to create a more confident beginning and end to a classical figure or a course of fences. Private 45 minute sessions.
Here is the registration form.
March 5, 2008: Amy Magee
"All you need to know about Combined Training
and Preparing You and Your Horse for a Show"
Here is the registration form. Entry form for April 13th Combined Test.
April 13, 2008: Combined Test - (Dressage & Stadium) A level for all competitors, Elementary thru Prelim
May 1 - 4, 2008 (First part was March 28 - 30): Susan Harris
Centered Riding Instructor Course
For instructors in any discipline who wish to learn to use Centered Riding techniques in their teaching, and to qualify as Centered Riding Instructors. Participating Instructors must be experienced riding teachers who have ridden in at least one Open Centered Riding Clinic. 6 to 12 Participating Instructors accepted, plus a limited number of Student Riders (any level, need not be instructors).
A Centered Riding Instructor Course requires 7 days in 2 parts:
Part One (3 days) includes daily riding, groundwork lessons, mounted bodywork, lectures and an introduction to teaching Centered Riding. Each lesson for Participating Instructors is a teaching demo as well as a practical riding experience. Student riders may audit but do not ride in Part 1.
After Part 1, Participating Instructors practice what they have learned in their riding, teaching and training for several weeks.
In Part Two (4 days), the Participating Instructors return to share their experiences and discoveries, review the basics learned in Part One, develop further Centered Riding techniques in their riding and groundwork, and do supervised practice teaching with Student Riders. Instructors who successfully complete the CRI Instructor Course qualify as Level I Centered Riding Instructors.
Student riders (any level; need not be instructors) may audit and participate in groundwork, as well as taking Centered Riding lessons with Participating Instructors (under supervision of the Clinic Instructors) during Part 2. This is an excellent opportunity for an intensive Centered Riding learning experience, or for a Participating Instructor to bring a student with them.
Here is the registration form.
May 18 “Healing Touch for Animals” the Komitor Healing Method, Inc.:
Is a highly effective energy-medicine program... explore therapeutic touch and energy with horses.
Here is the printable brochure.
June 22 Lane Holistic Institute:
Irene Lane presents a one day clinic “Enhancing non verbal communications between horse and rider.
Recognize the four specific domains in which to communicate.” Here is the brochure and application.
July 13 Marlis Amato Presents “Equus as a Second Language”
the foundation of "Mirroring Equine Attitude”. Learn how to watch your horse and learn what he is saying. Form a firm, respectful mutually beneficial partnership. Entry form here.
Go here for the current clinics. |
Read Amy's Bio