Posts by Stacy Westfall
Presto’s score sheets: Western Dressage World Show 2020, Basic Level Test 1
?The score sheet for Presto’s first show arrived! The class placings are still not available but the judge’s marks and comments are. You can click each one to enlarge it and the pdf version is available on my website (if you’re having trouble reading these). If you’re new to reading the test results, here are…
Read MoreEpisode 103: Is the phrase, “It’s all training”…a useful statement?
“It’s all training.” Is this statement useful to you as a rider? I see three ways that this statement can be damaging to individuals and to the industry as a whole. It’s important to realize if the thoughts we have are useful or not useful…because our thoughts will impact our actions…and our results. Are you…
Read MoreWhat if riders changed their emotions?
In eight days, I will find out the results of Presto’s first horse show…not that I’m counting:) ⏰This extra time, this unusual gap between ‘show’ and ‘results’ has been an interesting experience. Generally, the results are known quickly. Moments, minutes, maybe an hour later. Many a rider has held their breath…waiting to hear how they…
Read MoreEpisode 102- Riding one horse in multiple disciplines
How many things can a horse excel at? In this episode, I discuss riding horses in different disciplines. I talk specifically about which classes I believe overlap well as well as the order that I introduce them to my horses. My horse Popcorn did these things, in this order: Trail, Reining, Pony Horse, Ranch,…
Read MoreTraining Time vs Riding Time
?When I look back over two decades of training horses, there are patterns I can see. One of the patterns I see is riding time vs training time. While they are closely related, for me there is a difference. ?❄️I live in an area with four seasons. I have an indoor arena that helps…
Read MoreEpisode 101- Reflect, reset, move forward with understanding.
How often do you take time to reflect on your journey with your horse? Here is a quote to guide this podcast, “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” I have three distinct times of the year when I reflect and reset in regards to my horses. I’ve developed…
Read MorePresto’s Western Dressage World Show Debut
Here is Presto’s world show video entry. It isn’t very fancy in either lighting or in performance. But that’s the point. When the idea of ‘showing’ Presto came up…after the initial shock, I began looking at the tests I could choose from. In the WDAA, the ‘Basic’ level test 1 includes walk, jog and lope.…
Read MoreHorse make things possible.
Horses make things seem possible. At least that’s true for me. If it’s true for you…check out this t-shirt design! A fan of the podcast designed it. It’s Presto helping us to remember that something might seem ‘Impossible’…but you just have to cross off those first two letters to make it ‘possible’. If your a…
Read MoreEpisode 100- The horses that have taught me.
Horses are great teachers. In this episode, I share stories of the horses that have taught me over the years such as focus, loyalty, and trust. I also introduce you to the three horses I am currently training (or that are training me). My hope is that as you hear the lessons these horses have…
Read MoreManaging expectations when showing horses
‘Managing expectations’ is not the most appealing phrase to lead with. Yet, after videotaping for a virtual horse show, it is the phrase that most frequently comes to mind. During the last 10 days while I’ve been recording rides for the Western Dressage World Show I’ve also been reflecting on all the lessons it provides.…
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