Dressage Training
Mobile Instruction and Clinics
Offering lessons throughout the San Diego area. Located in the foothills of the Cuyamaca mountains in East San Diego County. I welcome dressage students of all ages and skill levels. Available for clinics locally and nationally.
~ Elizabeth Johnson
News ~ Student News ~ Philosophy
Drawing by Jayne Hazard
“… I’ve learned and understood much better the mechanics of collection and importance of correct seat. Elizabeth’s directions were very clear and specific. She helped me to achieve significant improvement in effectiveness of my hands and leg cues. On top of that her patience and cheerful, pleasant attitude made the whole experience more enjoyable.” ~ Maggie
What’s New?
Clinic & Show Info, Updates, Horses
Show info!!!
The show season is underway! After a slow start things are rolling. In San Diego congratulations are due to Joleen for great scores in the high 60’s to 70’s and a high point in Temecula in training level on Solitaire!!! Artisan and I had our first outing in a year going 4th level for the first time getting 2 67%s !!!! His back is healing and happy in his new Trilogy saddle and getting stronger each day!
Last weekend Katie took Caroline (from Colorado) and her Morgan pony mare to the Festival of Champions at Gladstone NJ!! They achieved 3 place… In the nation!!!!
That same weekend I spent 4 days with 3 other girls from Katie’s Colorado barn and took them and 4 horses to a show in Greeley. They did super getting scores from 60% to 68%! They are vying for positions on the region 5 NAJYRC Championships.
This coming weekend 6 (16 &17) is the San Diego Chapter show at Rancho Riding Club. Here are the times if anyone is interested in coming! All info on the show are on the San Diego Chapter web site.
Saturday: 12:00 Elizabeth & Artisan 4th test 3 ring 1; 1:10 Joleen on Montego, freestyle, ring1; 2:26 Pam on Urbana 2nd test1 ring 2; 3:06 Pam on Urbana 2nd test 3, ring 2
Sunday: 1:25 Joleen on Montego freestyle, ring 1; 2:36 Elizabeth on Artisan 4th test2, ring 2
Of course these time may change and my Saturday time may not show up on the preliminary time sheet as we changed it!!!
Finally Updates…and there are quite a few!
It has been busy seeming like the Holidays just plowed right into spring! (almost). We have had relocations, additions and a little reconstruction of business.
KATIE HAS RELOCATED TO COLORADO! She has expanded Artisan Dressage to Greenwood Village just outside of Denver. She moved in early Feb. Her job is at a private barn and she is having the opportunity to share her young rider knowledge with 5 young aspiring riders!!!! I am excited to go there and visit!
NEW BABY!!! On March 6th Ellie’s mare Cappy gave birth to an adorable filly, Feline, by Freestyle. After 2 weeks of sleeping in the barn with a VERY fussy mare she had a quiet birth we were able to witness.
CLINICS: I have taken over Katie’s clinics in Los Angeles area (Palos Verdes Penn and Long Beach). Next one April 1st What a nice group of people and horses. I also continue to go to Ramona as well, next one is April 21st. Please contact me if you are interested in riding.
SHOWS:
Mar 24, 4 riders from the LA area are competing in Somis and I will accompany them, as coach only. GOOD LUCK Pam, Lena, Karen and Lisa. 🙂
In San Diego we are hoping to participate in the Creek Hollow CDS show on April 7th, Temecula April 14 & 15 and Del Mar National April 26.
USDF SYMPOSIUM! Dec 3-4, 2011
This year the USDF Convention and symposium are being held in San Diego! The symposium looks to be very educational. Katie and I will be going. Come join us. Check out the link for more information. http://www.usdf.org/Convention/symposium.asp
More …
Clinics & Shows | News & Updates | Horses | Blog – All Posts
Philosophy
My goal as an instructor is to foster creative thought processes and training strategies that allow us to realize how we can make clearer aids creating less tension between horse and rider while maintaining quality balanced work.
Photo by Caryn Clancy
Students
Show Results, Tips & Resources
News as of March 17th.
The Creek Hollow Schooling show went great! It was Shane’s and Eleonor’s first show. Shane rode Sly in the new USDF test C which includes just 1/2 – 3/4 of a circle of canter. What a great test. He rode it twice improving his score wonderfully on the 2nd ride getting a 57% and a 62.5! Eleonor rode Burrito “Treasure” training level 1 & 2 getting a 65 and 67%!!! Not bad for an (almost) newly converted western rider! Heather rode Vinny in training level 2 & 3 doing a super job and getting a 63 and 65%! He thought maybe there was another agenda at first but decided it really was a dressage show and looked amazing! And I have to say what a pleasure it was to team up with Katie and have her help giving pointers and read all the riders tests! Great to have my partner back!
Last weekend I helped out a PARA rider who, against all odds, competed in The PARA Olympic qualifier at Dressage Affaire. It was a stessful weekend for her as she was on a loaned horse since she could not get hers here due to a tornado and truck trouble causing them to miss their flight. I went and helped her warm up as well as braiding etc. BUT she did get her qualifying score to go to the next qualifier!!
Faith, our new friend, who has been here for a month or so is heading back to Germany. She expects to be back here soon. Burrito will miss her.
Veronica and Rambo have officially rounded out our barn and have decided to stay here!!
Burrito has a couple openings for lessons now so if you want to work on your seat or have a lesson on a schooled lower level horse, let me know. He really enjoyed his show a couple weeks ago.
I will be in Ramona for a clinic this weekend, the 19th, so if you know anyone interested, spread the word. Pat Murphy’s place is so nice.
Upcoming shows:
*San Juan Capistrano: Nicole, Samantha, Cathy and I will be going to this 1 day show on the 26th. Entries have closed.
Creek Hollow Schooling
Mission Pacific in Somis: April 9-10 This is a fun show with good stabling and cheap hotel! Entries close the 25th but for stabling we should enter early. Right now its Me and Samantha. We may be picking up a horse on the way but if you think you may want to go, Let me know!!! Best to go with a full trailer.
LA Chapter Show (CDS only) is April 22-23 (fri/sat) It is super economical!!!
In May starts some of the closer shows. I’ll keep you posted.
Happy riding!
Elizabeth
Happy St. Patty’s Day!!
Whats up…
It has been a busy few weeks for me. Artisan and participated in the San Diego Chapter Axel Steiner ‘New Test’ Clinic riding 2nd level test 2. It was intimidating at first but proved to be a fun finish to our 2nd level year with Artisan showing me his confidence in our schooling! I have once again started lessons with Shannon Peters and am really looking forward to a couple solid months of schooling. Artisan’s little brother, Santayo (Tayo), is growing up (coming 4) and showing great potential and is a kick to ride. We are all looking forward to Katie coming back soon!!!
Ask us about Grand Meadow’s very comprehensive all in one vitamin/mineral supplement GRAND PREMIUM PLUS with superior ingredients to support joint, hoof, coat, digestion, tendons / ligament . For a significant discount and free shipping contact Elizabeth and we can help you!
More Friends…
Gestut Nymphenburg
On Q Hanoverians
Riding Magazine
Secret Hills Ranch Tack Store
Serendipity Sporthorses
www.yoursaddles.com
Rapid Transmissions
Cats Websites
Photo Credit:
All Young Riders photos
by Jessica Johnson
“Thank you to owner/trainers Elizabeth Johnson and Katie Johnson for organizing the 8-horse adjusting clinic today at Artisan Dressage in El Cajon. I am continually impressed with how you both look at the whole horse for possible sources of discomfort, both inside & out. You gals, your horses, and your clients ROCK!”
– Dawn Fletcher / Equine Chiropractor