'Con Mar' was one of the featured horses in artist Karen Brenners study of "The Beautiful Horses of Michigan" We are extremely HONORED to have him in her series of horses for Michigan. Please go to her website www.karenbrenner.com to view the whole collection of amazing paintings!

Custom Saddles...Oh boy!q

I have had HUGE issues with Con Mar when it comes to saddle fit...so I finally broke down and bought a Custom Saddle Advantage. It fits alright but, not perfectly and is somewhat comfortable for me...but, I HATE NEW SADDLES...ick. I have a sneaking feeling that he is going to be an on going challenge when it comes to saddle fit...boooo hiss.

VERY cold weather here. Buckling down and keeping the horses happy and worked is hard now, but it sure does make you appreciate SUMMER!

Winter is coming

Con Mar continues to develop into a wonderful dressage horse. He is working on improving his leg yeild and new to him shoulder in. He can do the First Four counter canter loop with no issues what so ever! I cannot tell you what a wonderful thing it is to have a young stallion who has a CANTER! All my previous horses didn't have the canter that he does...what a wonderful thing a good canter is!! This winter we will continue to build strength and stamina, as well as working on perfecting his first level work. He is a very talented young man undersaddle and I am excited to show him at first level. I am not a big fan of training level!!

I am hoping to take a ride in the snow this winter which should be really fun!! Depends on if the footing under the snow stays good...no ice for me!

I am also planning on doing a Christmas video of both stallions....so look for that!!

Those Wonderful fall rides

Con Mar and I have been enjoying some very warm fall weather. He has really started to mature and the change in him has been amazing. He is schooling most of first level and the plan (so far) is to show First Level at the USDF shows in 2009.

We had a wonderful hack through the tall grass in our LARGE pasture yesterday...he was (as normal) perfectly behaved.

I cannot see where this little stallion's future goes....he is such a wonderful horse undersaddle.

stretch.......

I know I need to get 4 year old photos of Con Mar!!!! I will do that next week!

Right now we are working on quality of gaits (more trot, bigger canter) and STRETCHING at all gaits...Con Mar LOVES long and low....he can stretch more than any Lipizzan I have EVER seen, which is really really good for him. He is doing VERY WELL and growing so much...his neck is MASSIVE and he is developing the rear end to go with it...the rear will take some time though ;)

Look for 4 year old pictures next week!!!!

Outside ... Again

Yesterday Con Mar went outside again...he was WONDERFUL. We have been having a slight issue with right flexion and during this ride he was flexing on his OWN to show me he was being a good boy!! He did a wonderful w/t/c and LY...we even did the First Level Counter canter loop!!! It is so EASY for him (the Canter) it is amazing to me as I have never had a horse with an easy CANTER before!!

I am so pleased with him and his progress. I have to remind myself he is ONLY FOUR!!

Lesson day

Yesterday was my lesson on C.Mar....he did very well. He is schooling some of First level already which is really nice. My trainers (who is my mother) only comment was that he needs to get back outside in the outdoor arena AND in the pastures to add some vareity to his work. I agree fully in this and will do that starting Monday.

On a different note..I am still having a saddle issue...and have pretty much concluded I need to have one of my Kieffers MOLDED to him and will just to have it changed as he grows...the only good thing about this is that his little brother will have saddles that fit b/c I have already done it once, and C.Mar will hopefully be done growing at that time and can just hand down his saddle (the one that can be fitted) to C.Man. WHEW!

ground poles!

Yesterday and today Con Mar and I worked on going over the ground poles. He really needs a lot of this to learn to pick up his feet over things...he gets a little lazy just riding in the arena! I also am going to start working in the pastures again. It is good for him to get out of the ring, and just have some FUN!! He thinks he is "big" business when we hack out....you know the BIG macho stallion! *LOL*

I have decided to NOT show him anymore this summer. He was SO GOOD in the show atmosphere that I do not forsee a problem with that..so we will train and get ready for 1st level next year, hopefully qualifying for regionals.

Con Mar is offically 4 years old now...I need to get pictures of him....he is growing like MAD right now!!

July 23, 2008

This blog is to record the training of the Lipizzaner stallion Conversano Marina from green to Grand Prix Dressage.

Foaled in 2004 and owned by Tracy (Rowe) McEwan 'Con Mar' is an up and coming Dressage star. He shows a willing and hard working attitude and the physical ability to excel in the upper levels of Dressage.

Tracy is a USDF Silver medalist with 25 years of training experience training all breeds to the FEI levels of Dressage.