Garland Farms Dressage

Testimonial by Sandi Filippi

September 1999

I had the opportunity to spend a weekend with the Kreugers in September, 1999. I went hoping to work on the timing of the canter changes on experienced horses so that I would have some idea of what to do with my young Holsteiner mare. Gina and I E-mailed back and forth and she told me that if my basics were okay then we would proceed with the changes.

I have ridden some difficult horses in the past few years and I work mostly on my own, so I found that there were quite a few things that I needed to work on to get my foundation back where it needed to be. My seat was very heavy (hunkered down would not be putting it mildly) and my hips were not swinging and my legs were too active, etc, etc, etc!! I found that when I would aid my partner, Rick, he would say in his own way,"STOP shouting at me! When you ask correctly, and quietly, I will be happy to do what you ask."

So then I had to learn to whisper with my aids. With Gina's help and encouragement, and her wonderful horses, it didn't take too long for me to feel what it is to sit lightly and ask lightly and to receive instant response from your horse. I also rode her stallion, Pik, and he also rewarded my efforts with some wonderful work.

Gina is a wonderful teacher. She is grounded in the Classical School of Dressage and really knows just what to say to her students to get the response that she is looking for. She uses many different exercises to help the rider achieve an adhesive, effective seat, quiet leg and soft hands. She also uses gymnastics in the training of the horse, and always refers to the training scale as well as the most important ingredient-what does the horse tell you?--if the horse is correct then you know you're on the right track. I also observed several lessons during the weekend and took pages and pages of notes. Gina's teaching style is very clear and she is able to correct the student and the horse with kindness. I especially appreciate this after observing another instructor recently who reduced his student to tears with his hateful attitude.

In addition to everything else, I stayed in a cute cabin right next to the outdoor arena, and I got fed all these wonderful meals, which came with the opportunity to pick Gina's brain some more. She was very gracious and would even repeat herself so I could get it into my notebook (which was waiting for me in my room-with a beautiful original artwork on the front of a horse and farm name).

I hope to be able to return to Gina's to ride again and again. If I can get my courage up enough to trailer my horse through the middle of downtown Atlanta I know that we will both enjoy our time there.

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