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The end is nigh! After a terrific trip to the National Finals in Kentucky the 2016 show season is in the books, and while we're all grateful for a nice long break between now and the Florida season, we're also looking forward to 2017 and all the fun it will bring. Read on to see where we ended up, and to learn about where we're headed!
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LATEST NEWS
This was our fourth trip to the USDF Finals, and once again Team Sprieser made a strong impression. Congratulations to Torrey Wilkinson on her excellent management of her Talisman BHF's enthusiasm to culminate in an 8th place finish in the Intermediate I Freestyle AA Final! We're so excited to be helping Torrey and her coach, Holly Wilmoth, with "Tali"'s journey up to Grand Prix.
Congratulations also to my student Cathy Scholten and her homebred Casey on their 8th place finish the Second Level Freestyle AA Final. You and Casey have come so far this year, and it's been a pleasure to be on this journey with you!
Lastly, I'm so thrilled and honored by my wonderful Ellegria, on whom I placed a close 6th in the Open Grand Prix Final and 3rd in the Open Grand Prix Freestyle Final. I'm so grateful for every day with this wonderful homegrown Grand Prix horse, and so excited to apply all she teaches me to the next generation!
In 2016, Team Sprieser minted two new USDF Bronze and three Silver Medalists. Seven horses and riders made their FEI debuts, all on horses we've made together. We had students at the NAJYRC, the Festival of Champions and the Washington International, proving that dressage is the foundation of all good riding, independent of the discipline. In 2017, we've got at least three on target to show Third Level, two more to move up to FEI, and two more to make their Grand Prix debut, as well as our terrific cadre of riders making their first forays into showing, and tackling the lower levels with a phenomenal foundation. Lisa Hellmer, Natasha Sprengers-Levine and myself could not be more proud of all of our students, Juniors, Amateurs and Professionals alike, for all they've achieved this year, and for all we'll take on next year!
AROUND THE FARM
We're very excited to welcome Jodie Harney and her lovely PRE mare Mia to Team Sprieser this month. Jodie wants to achieve her USDF Bronze Medal, and we're delighted to help her on that path!
A belated welcome to working student Kelly Gilfilan, who's been a student of Lisa's, and is helping us this fall and winter before starting the path to college in January. We're sad Kelly will have been with us for just a few months, but college is sort of important! Upon Kelly's departure we'll be welcoming Kiersten Estes, who we congratulate on her December graduation from Averett University!
While the weather's been delightful so far this fall, there's been some grim forecasts for the first few months of 2017. Don't let Mother Nature ruin your competition plans by putting your riding on hold this winter! We've got a handful of stalls left for winter training board, and they're filling fast. Enjoy our indoor arena, heated grooming bays and wash stalls, freeze-proof waterers in our turnout, and covered exerciser for when turnout isn't possible. Your horse will be ready to rock and roll come Spring, and you won't have to break ice out of buckets!
Email me for more information.
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WHAT'S NEXT
Our Nine Year Anniversary Open House is Saturday, November 19, 10a-2p. We'll have riding demos, as well as farm tours and an educational lecture from our dear friend Lindsey Williamson of Tribute Equine Nutrition. Free gifts from our sponsors at Uckele Equine, Shapley's and more, as well as a used tack sale! Below is the schedule for our demo rides; looking forward to seeing you on the farm!
10:30a - Pas de Deux Demonstration
11a - Bringing Young Horses Up The Levels
12:30p - Grand Prix Freestyle Demonstration
12:45p - Feeding The High Performance Athlete
1:30p - Cavaletti for Cross Training (And Fun!)
Michael Barisone joins us for another exceptional clinic October 29-30. Riders include amateurs and professionals, on horses from green to Grand Prix. We also have a very very few ride spots left at $250/ride. Auditing is $35/day if prepaid, or $40/day at the door, and includes lunch.
Email me to learn more.
We're in full swing with our lesson schedules, including our hub visits to Nokesville, Middleburg, Aldie, Upperville, Millwood, Spotsylvania and Summit Point WV. To sign up for lessons,
check out our e-scheduling website; to learn more about our hubs,
email me directly. We're also booking FAST for Lisa's weekly Cavaletti Sunday lessons, so be sure to log onto TimeCenter early to guarantee your spot!
We've already put together a preliminary 2017 schedule; if you'd like a copy, please
email me. I've also got dates for my winter training weekends. As many of you know, I head to Florida with a group of high performance horses around January 1, and will return around April 1, but I fly home once a weekend to check in on my students' progress. Those dates are January 21-22, February 18-19 and March 11-12. Unlike our usual lessons, which are scheduled on TimeCenter.com, I make my schedule for these trips by hand, so please shoot me an email to be included.
January 21 will also be our 2017 Team Planning Party, where we eat pizza, make merry and look forward to 2017. If you've never shown with us before, your attendance is STRONGLY encouraged - we talk about the schedule, and also about goal setting, how to make sure you're registered with all the organizations you'll need, and how to plan for each show and for the season as a whole. Plus, you know, pizza! So
shoot me an email to RSVP.
Lastly, we're putting together one last visit with saddle fitter Colleen Meyer. Colleen's knowledge of saddles and fitting is unparalleled, and while she does sell saddles of her own, she'll look at other makes and models, and her sole priority is helping you and your horse feel your best within your budget.
Email me to learn more about the process, and to sign up for a spot. Colleen works with both dressage and jumping saddles, and their fit is exceptional, at a better price than any other elite saddle company out there. You can't afford to miss this opportunity!
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Join Virginia's Premier Dressage Training Team
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View the Sprieser Sporthorse facilities
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Enjoy tours of our farm and facilities, and learn more about Lauren's training philosophy in our special Featured Videos.
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Start training with
us today
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Click below to sign up online for lessons with head trainer Lauren Sprieser, or assistant trainers Lisa Hellmer and Natasha Sprengers-Levine.
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See our selection of special horses for sale
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Sales is only a tiny part of our business, so when we have something on the market, you'll know it's something special!
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On behalf of everyone at Team Sprieser, we look forward to seeing you around the farm!
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Sincerely,
Lauren Sprieser
Sprieser Sporthorse
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