At Farndale Stables, we really emphasize teamwork! It takes more than just the trainers to get a rider and their horse to the show ring. First, we have our fabulous groom, Chiquitto. He provides top notch care feeding and grooming for all our horses. Before working with Farndale Stables, one of his previous jobs was working for International Rider, Richard Spooner. He is a true professional groom. Next, we also use traditional and alternative medicines for the horses and riders. Mostly, we use our veterinarians, chiropractors and accupunturists. Horses are wonderful atheletes and getting a monthly chiropractic adjustment really helps with keeping their joints and bodies in alignment, so they can continue to jump and show throughout the show season. We also suggest chiropractors for our riders to help keep their bodies stay in alignment, too. And finally, we have the trainers Lisa Kursinski and Mark Farndale. Not only do we teach people how to ride, but we help with the sports psychology and sportsmanship aspects of the horse show experience. We are great supporters of our sport of show jumping, and we want our clinets to get the best of the whole horse show experience.

Equestrian Professional Member Spotlight – Lisa Kursinski

by Pam Saul

Lisa Kursinski has gotten used to the statement, “Oh, you’re Anne’s sister,” over the years, but it’s not much of a problem when you have just as much skill, determination, and natural talent with horses as Lisa does.

Yes, she is the younger sister of Anne Kursinski, but talent runs deep in this family and Lisa has much to be proud of in her own hunter/jumper equestrian career.

Lisa gets her talent from a long line of family members involved with horses. Her great grandfather and grandfather sold horses and mules before the invention of tractors. When her father suggested that the family needed to join a tennis club, her mother said, “If we’re going to join any club, it’s going to be the Flintridge Riding Club,” and so began her journey with horses at age 4 years old.

Lisa paid her dues and learned every aspect of horsemanship from the ground up and continued as a working student in California and on the East Coast. In her junior years, she was Pacific Coast Hunter-Jumper year-end “A” Champion Hunt Seat Equitation rider – 14 & under; “A” Champion Junior Working Hunter rider, 14 & under; Champion Hunt Seat Equitation, 15 thru 17, and Champion Junior Working Hunter rider, 15 thru 17. These accomplishments were with her junior horse, Heirloom, who preferred Lisa’s much softer, natural ride to Anne’s more jumper style. He was a perfect match for Lisa. Lisa says, “If Heirloom was human, he would have been the Southern Gentlemen. He went on to be the second horse behind Keen in the 1984 Olympics for Hilda Gurney. He was certainly one of my favorites.”

Lisa went to college at Westmoreland David Equestrian Institute in Leesburg, Virginia and completed the two-year program in one year. Not one to let grass grow under her feet! She has trained and ridden with many of the great professionals including George Morris, Jimmy Williams, Tad Coffin, Jimmy Wofford, and Kamila Dupont, just to name a few.

As an adult, she won the Regional Championship in Three Day Eventing in Las Vegas and the Green Hunter Classic at Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Canada. From 2005 through 2008, she successfully competed on the “A” hunter/jumper circuit in California. Her 2nd year green/regular working hunter Elegant, was another of Lisa’s favorite horses. She loved Lisa’s soft, fluid riding style, which brought them great success in the hunter ring.

Lisa spoke passionately about being in the hunter/jumper profession with horses. “Horses are my very best friends. I can talk to them, dance with them, and I have a 6th sense about horses. They bring me joy and let me perform at my highest level. They bring out the best in me. I would rather walk into a barn instead of a downtown office any day.”

Lisa is currently working as a coach with amateurs and young and up-and-coming riders. Shows are ongoing at her facility, which she takes her students to regularly as well as off property competitions. She also enjoys working with Eventers as a stadium jumping coach. She recently merged with Mark Farndale at Farndale Stables and continues riding and coaching. She also enjoys starting 3-year olds under saddle and is a clinician.

With so much diversity of talent, Lisa feels blessed and continues to give back to the equestrian community. Lisa feels that horses have so much to give and it shouldn’t be limited to only the best. “I have taught students with disabilities and have helped them to see that they can enjoy it just as much as others. I love to teach and if I can reach one person and make the horses shine, then I’ve given back to the sport that has done so much for me.”

Lisa continues her career in the hunter/jumper ring, as well as being a coach and clinician. When I asked about where she saw herself in the next few years, she remarked, “Wherever it leads me. It’s in my heart and the bottom of my soul.” Seems to me the hunter/jumper industry has gained a valuable asset with this Kursinski.

What Does Lisa Kursinski Says about Equestrian Professional?
“I think Equestrian Professional website is a wonderful tool and a resource for every professional equestrian. It covers a multitude of resources for the equestrian business from the day to day business needs, sample contracts, sports psychology to webinars. The resources available to the members are unlimited and with the latest information on the subject matter. I particularly like the online seminars or otherwise known as the webinars. I have told many people about Equestrian Professional and the wonderful asset it is for their businesses.”

If you would like to contact Lisa, you can call her at 626-485-8880 or e-mail at lkurski@earthlink.net or visit her website at www.Lisakursinski.com.

This year seems to be going by quickly. The summer is behind us. We are now well into the fall season of showing. For Mark Farndale Stables, we have three horse shows remaining in 2010. This is the last show in the Gold Coast Series. In November, we have The National Preview Horse Show and The Los Angeles National Horse Show.  

When the 2010 show season comes to a close for Mark Farndale Stables in November, I will continue on with my clinicing schedule. Currently, I will teach a clinic in Orlando, Florida in December 2010. I am also working on a 2011 spring clinic in Kansas. The location is still to be determined.

This year has been  tremendously successful. I work with great people and have wonderful horses and clients. I am very grateful. 

In 2011, I plan to continue teaching, horse show coaching, riding and showing the hunters and jumpers. I would like to show locally at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. I would like to increase our showing by going to even more away shows. I  invite new training clients and horses to our barn. I offer hunter/jumper training for very green babies. I want  to increase the size of our barn with new clients and horses from novice to advanced. I am always more geared to show clients. However, I welcome anyone who wants to further the relationship with their horse(s) and continue increasing their riding skills and knowledge of classical riding. I want the business to continue to grow and continue be a wonderful success.

Thank you,

Lisa Kursinski

Heather Collins and Carmen

It’s a new year and a new show season.

After the holidays and some time off from a long year of showing, I am always excited to start new goals, projects and a new show year. Last year is over. This year holds nothing but promise.

The excitement to fulfill  long anticipated dreams and goals. There is open ended hope. Perhaps someone has new horse, a new trainer or moving up in a divison.  The energy in the air is one of excitment.

There is also the energy of new challenges one is going to face.

It is much like starting a new school year with hope and anticipation of what life with horses will bring.

This is an exciting time of year and I wish everyone good luck in the upcoming show season at all the “HITS Equestrian Events!”

–Lisa K.

Christopher and Romono

I am working on getting the dates confirmed for my 2012 Clinic Schedule.

Once I get the dates confirmed…I will post it here on the site.  In the meantime, feel free to email me with your interest in either group or private lessons, and I will work it out so it will be to everyone’s advantage.

But for now, I am still accepting appointments for individual or group lessons for any level of serious rider.

I will do my best to get you to the next level, and if you know my methods, I am always there to help you get where you need to be.

My heart is in what I do, and am very passionate about helping you and horse get to the next level.

Get in touch with me as soon as possible and I will be able to organize it better.

And don’t forget, if you have a club or organization that has a group of serious riders, I will be happy to work a time to come to you.

Signing out for now…Have a great summer!

Thank you Kristi!

Not Just Riding Lessons … Life Lessons

Growing up, I rode mostly small, local shows. Nothing too fancy – enough to sample it, love it, but retain my sweet trail-riding, horse-loving, not-only-about-winning sensibilities.

When I got to college though, I discovered that one of my best friends had been Large Junior Hunter Champion at the National Horse Show, that’s in Madison Square Garden for those of you who don’t know – and more than once, among others. Looking at her photos of perfectly manicured indoor rings and dressed-up awards ceremonies, it made me realize what an outrageous world there is out there. And it also made me wonder, had I grown up with different opportunities – an exceptional equine partner, and amazing trainers – how good a rider could I have been?

That thought – “How good could I have been?”, coupled with Bryson’s encouragement gave me the courage to approach an A show barn over a year ago and begin training …and soon the question went from, “How good a rider could I have been?”, to the goal “How good a rider can I become?” Which led to getting Tristan…and now, what I’m about to write today.

I’ve found the greatest coach. She’s ridden with and been trained by the best – George Morris and Jimmy Williams to name only two. But its not just what she knows, it’s who she is and how she applies it. I’ve never been more inspired by someone to show up early, be prepared, and do my best. Because from ensuring the horse is properly tacked and comfortable, to noticing every detail of my ride, she gives me her best every time.

It really is almost like therapy… she’s made me cry more than once – and not from being tough, although she can be that too -but because of the parallels she draws.

Here are some examples:

“What are you bracing against? Why do you have to be tense somewhere? What are you constantly anticipating? Soften…soften…soften… let yourself be soft – be alert, be prepared but be soft. Fewer problems will happen and you’ll be better able to adapt to them.”

“Yes you are weaker on your left side. We all have a weaker side. Don’t put more weight and tension to the left to compensate. Let it be, let it be vulnerable – only then can you get stronger.”

And this morning we had the best lesson. But once, after a great approach, my shoulders caved and my back rounded and i sort of collapsed three strides out before a bigger fence. When i pulled up, she said listen to me…

“You had a beautiful approach, and then it was like you realized what you were about to jump and collapsed. Never let a big fence get the best of you. Even the biggest Grand Prix jump, never let it intimidate you. in life and on horseback, its just an obstacle. Don’t fall apart and collapse. Take it in stride, hold your position – hold your position – and let it come. You will almost never miss.”

I could choke up I’m so grateful to be riding with someone who can teach me so much.
Sigh.

To decide to achieve a lifelong goal, and then to find an amazing coach to help me make it happen and inspire me to do my best..

I’m so happy I feel shy even writing it down.
Just wanted to share.

xx
Kristie

Treat you and your horse to a powerful weekend with Lisa Kursinski by improving your the teamwork between you and your horse!

Lisa Kursinski has Openings for 2012!

After a busy 2011 schedule, she is back on the road to helping aspiring riders to get into action with the ongoing show season.

Get Signed Up Now…Contact Lisa at…
YourCoach@lisakursinski.com