HOW TO MODEL YOUR HORSE OR PONY AND CONFORMATION CLINIC
Phone:
Email Address: ellenshevella(at)comcast.net
Date Added: 12/6/2007
On December 27th, K and L Sports of Montpelier, Virginia will be hosting a holiday clinic to learn how to recognize wining conformation and instruction to help with showing your horse in hand. This is the same clinic that has been offered the Palm Beach riders over the years. This is the first time the clinic has been offered in Virginia and reservations are filling rapidly.
Our clinician is veteran USEF judge Ellen Shevella. Ms. Shevella has held the “R” designation in Hunter Breeding, Hunters and Hunter Seat Equitation for over 20 years. As she aptly put it she “has accumulated many frequent flyer miles” judging major shows from Florida to California. She has produced many zone champions and nationally competitive ponies, horses and model winners in both the pony hunter and conformation divisions as well as at national events such as the USEF Pony Finals and Indoors.
“ I am thrilled that Lisa Hammerschmidt has invited me to produce our model and conformation clinic in Virginia.” Ellen enthused. “She and her husband Kurt have a lovely barn and facility for us to operate out of with a great heated club room as well. We will have all of Lisa’s 20-30 ponies and horses we can use for demonstrations and practice, and she has bred some beauties! We have so many breeders, handlers and pony riders in this area that want to develop their skills and increase their knowledge of conformation that we hope to make this an annual event.”
The clinic will cover assessment of overall conformation and analysis of gaits and flaws. “All horses have flaws, but a practiced handler knows the techniques to minimize almost all of them”, Shevella stated. “We will also discuss various conformation defects and their significance in the competition arena.”
There will be instruction on bridle and bit selection and fitting, teaching your horse to pose, jogging techniques as well great grooming and conditioning tips. A class of ponies will be available for practice judging. All participants will receive an instructional booklet prepared by Ms. Shevella.
“I have had several pony riders tell me that after taking the clinic in Florida and practicing, they were never moved back in the conformation line up again!” she laughed. “Some of the very dedicated students or the ones with problem horses have invited me to their farms for private one on one sessions to improve their performance and get suggestions for a particular horse or pony. It’s been a lot of fun.”
To get a registration form to participate in the clinic or for further information you may email allstarpro112@yahoo.com, or pick up a flier and form at Crawford Saddlery in Ruckersville, Dover Saddlery in Charlottesville, Champion Saddlery in Midlothian and Doswell, and Scottsville Saddlery. The event is appropriate for all, ages 8 and up.
The clinic will start at 11 am, rain or shine, and will finish with a pizza party and get together for those that wish to stay. K and L Sports is located at 18234 Mountain Road, Montpelier, Va. 23192
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