Conrad Schumacher Clinic 

Date: May 5-7, 2023

Location: Rancho Bellamar (7050) Black Mountain Road, San Diego, CA 92130
Directions: From the 5 Fwy: Exit Hwy 56 East. Take exit 3 at Carmel Valley Road. Left on Carmel Valley Road. 2.2 miles take a Left on Via Abertua. Keep left at the split down the hill. 0.4 Miles down the hill, past Arroyo Del Mar take a right into Rancho Bellamar main driveway.  From the 15 Fwy: Exit Hwy 56 West. Take exit 3 at Carmel Valley Road. Right on Carmel Valley Road. 2.2 miles take a Left on Via Abertua. Keep left at the split down the hill. 0.4 Miles down the hill, past Arroyo Del Mar take the second to LAST right (the ONLY driveway with concrete in entryway) into Rancho Bellamar main driveway.  The driveway will take you along side Arroyo, parking available by trailers.

Auditors:

$40/day, or $100 all-days pass. Payment made out to Raja Lahti McMahon or venmo @Raja-McMahon

UPDATED 5/5 Ride Times:

  

 

Conrad Schumacher

 

 May 5-7, 2023

 

We are excited to announce the return of Conrad Schumacher to San Diego! Join us for 3 days of education with international coach and trainer Conrad Schumacher. Former German national team member, coach of the Dutch & British national teams, and US national Young Rider mentor.

 

A new training format will mean you get to watch even more rides. Details are available on the website www.delmardressage.com. Clinic will be located at RANCHO BELLAMAR in San Diego/Carmel Valley. Cost is $40/day or $100/all days. Please email rvlahti@gmail.com for more information. BYO Lunch.

A limited number of rider spots are available if you are interested in riding. Stabling is very limited, contact rvlahti@gmail.com for more information. 

Carette posts her 2013 Second Level Year End Scores

OK, the scores are in. Eight or more scores at Second level... drop the lowest, take the median and here it is:
71.786%

As of scores posted today across the nation, she's sitting in Second for Dressage Horse of the Year (HOY) at Second Level and sitting at the top spot for KWPN-NA HOY for Second Level. 

Star Spangled Dressage at Blenheim started a bit, well, electric and ended well. Rette's test on Saturday had some room for improvement. Silly filly, bucking/roaching back hops aren't extra credit. Oh, the blond....

Sunday, she was all biz and (thank god) a little less play and scored 77.8%. I guess on the bright side, she enjoys her work. While the score was certainly nice, the best part was the comment from the judge, "Super partnership & communication" with a 9 for Harmony between rider and horse.

Carette MG wins the CDS 5 Yr old Futurity!

I cannot tell you how proud I am of not only my wonderful horse, but also to be with such a wonderful crew. Bettina has done an amazing job learning with Carette on the dos and don't on "How to ride a mare" while I've been on maternity leave. I've been helping from the ground and have found a more wonderful relationship with Bettina. And I'm proud to say it has shown. She did a fantastic job conquering her horse show fears to beat out the best 5 year olds in California on "The Paint", "The Blond", aka "Rette".

The CDS Futurity consists of 2 days of showing in front of 4 different judges. Scores are averaged and the highest average wins. Simple enough, right??! And I must say, while I was excited to see a large collection of top CA trainers in the championship, I figured it also meant to win was slim. Rette is the kind of horse, you either love her, or you want to pick her to death. Neither Bettina nor I could believe the unfortunate low scores earned at our last show (which probably cost us the Dutch HOY award for First level), but I knew if there were multiple judges, Rette would end up on top. She's so correct and so honest, she really is an 80% kind of horse. 

The Championships started with a panic. We drove up in the morning for a casual and relaxing day. Nope. We showed up, checked in and I was informed I needed to start braiding. Quickly! Bettina quickly changed her clothes, I got Rette ready and off they marched to the arena. No time to get nervous. Luckily my brother came to the rescue and baby sat for me while I ran around like a nut. The test was good, steady and error free. 77%. Nice. Second place??!? Damn right!

The second day came and Rette was feeling good. She had settled in quite well and wanted to show off a little. I love it when this happens. She becomes so incredibly sensitive, all you have to do is think it and it happens. You just need a few extra minutes in warm up to calibrate. We didn't have those minutes and could have used them. Bettina turns the corner to enter the arena and Rette canters. EEK! Super sensitive today. Bettina rode the first half of the test rather conservatively to avoid any other mistakes, and then by the second half they were on a roll and looking the best I've ever seen. Bettina came out of the arena and thought it was over. I reminded Bettina the mistake was due to sensitivity, not naughtyness. I don't mind those mistakes. You can't have a mistake and win??!?Apparently you can....

Congratulations Bettina! You did it!

Welcome Honourette MG!

 

Noticing a theme? Carette MG, Honourette MG... 

Yup, We've done it again! Welcome Honourette MG (Carlton Hill x Silvano x Flemmingh), the latest addition to the Lahti Dressage family. In partnership with Sunflower Sporthorses and VVHR. Carette's little sister has joined the fiesta.

We look forward to watching her grow and develop over the next few years!

Carette MG & Honourette MG bred my Kathy Hickerson of Majestic Gaits.

The Magic of Conrad Schumacher

I have been lucky enoughh to have some great mentors, but Conrad Schumacher is a magician. He speaks horse and has wisdom i dream of. Here is a video clip from a clinic with Conrad. Bettina Loy is riding Carette. http://youtu.be/R20KmN2Py-o

5-5-5

Magic? naw...

Carette's turning 5 this month...

It's her 5th show.....

and I'm 5 months pregnant.....



She won 2 of 3 classes with 74.8% and 73.3% at The Dressage Affaire. I look forward to the day when sitting the trot does not mean I have to pee!

Happy Riding!