Rain, Rain Go Away
A Kudzu Klinic with Johanna Dufort
By Jenn Greenlee

March 29, 2003

(L to R) Claire Scholly, Heather White, Meghan McKee, Jenn Greenlee, Marjorie Hicks with Johanna (unmounted).

After a week of rain and a gloomy forecast, I was not certain that the kudzu klinic would even take place. However, we arrived on Saturday to a bright sunshiny day and an immaculately preserved cross-country course (rumor has it that the Scolly's even covered parts of the course with tarps to keep it dry). The weather held for the entire day causing many unprepared riders (and clinicians) to receive their first sunburn of the year.
The first group to ride was the Amoeba / Tadpole group including Liz Heiden, Julie Hicks, Tim McKee, Claire Scolly, and Amanda Thompson. For several of the horses and riders this was their first experience on a cross-country course. Johanna slowly worked them into the feel of things by warming up over some schooling fences, spending time in the start box, and jumping a few small logs. They moved on to slightly larger and much more interesting jumps.

Chelford Farm has done an excellent job presenting cross-country questions in smaller packages. A competitor herself, Claire, was frustrated that there were so few places offering introductory courses for green horses and riders. To many, the first level was BN and these "introductory courses" often included 3' banks, large water, ditches, and 2'9" fences. This was quite overwhelming for many riders. So, Chelford Farm set about creating a course (designed by Roger Haller) to accommodate the green horse and rider. They have a variety of jumps including log stacks, railroad ties, coups, hanging logs, and the infamous banks. These banks were the final place that Johanna and this group worked. She spent ample time allowing the riders to conquer the banks both up and down. Then, she added a twist- a jump strategically placed just a bounce away from the bank. After mastering this obstacle, the riders were ready to end on an uplifting note.

The group adjourned to the barn to relax, eat, and prepare for "The Start Box" lecture by Bill Scholly. Bill began by showing a short cross-country course walk video by David O'Conner. Then he proceeded to discuss a hand out he prepared that included some pertinent rules, times, and specifications for the cross-country phase. We concluded with a question/answer section and group discussion.

After this refreshing break we BN riders (Meghan McKee, Marjorie Hicks, Claire Scolly, Heather White, and myself) embarked to conquer the course. Johanna had us warm up and begin in much the same fashion as the first group. And, like the first group, we focused much of our attention on the banks. One of the most exciting moments of the day was when Heather White welled up with tears of joy as her once terrified horse enthusiastically negotiated the bounce to the down bank. There was much cheering and support from all involved, but none as much as Johanna. She offered kind words of encouragement and constructive criticism ladled with compassion. Her wisdom and skills as a trainer are way beyond her years. It is easy to see why she is such an accomplished and intuitive rider. I can't wait to one day see her on television in the Olympics and say, "I once rode with her way back when."

Jenn Greenlee