2010 GDCTA Kudzu Klinic Series Off and Running

March 20 marked the beginning of the 2010 Kudzu Klinic series sponsored by GDCTA. The Kudzu Klinics are presented each year as a service to the members of GDCTA. Local clinicians volunteer their services as do local barns to give low-cost instructional opportunities to those new to the community, looking for an instructor, or maybe new to one of the disciplines supported by GDCTA and looking for an opportunity to “try it out.” The goal established by the GDCTA Board is to support four Kudzu Klinics in each year.

The opening offering this year was hosted by Cindy Bickman and Stepping Stone Farm with Gigi Nutter as the clinician. Eight riders and several auditors spent the day working on a number of basic dressage movements. If you have never been to Stepping Stone Farm, it has a wonderful indoor arena and a great sound system, making the experience especially conducive to auditors. By all accounts this was a very successful Kudzu Klinic.

Next in the series will be another dressage clinic hosted by Blalock Lakes and Jos Sevierns on Saturday, May 8, 2010. Blaylock Lakes is in the Newnan area and is convenient to GDCTA members living south of the Atlanta area. Jos will be working with up to ten riders on the skills needed to open the communications between each individual rider and horse with the goal of building a daily work routine to take the rider and horse beyond just learning “the tricks” for the show ring.

On Saturday June 26, 2010, we will be offering a somewhat different Kudzu Klinic. There is a fair amount of interest in Musical Freestyles. The development of a successful Musical Freestyle is a little more involved than just “riding to music.” Marissa and Johnny Woodall of Musical Freestyles have volunteered to spend a day with us going over the elements of a good musical freestyle. In the morning, we will be discussing topics such as gait analysis, selection of music, some thoughts on what judges are looking for in the rides, etc. During the afternoon session we will be working with four different riders on their musical freestyle both as help to them and to demonstrate the concepts from the morning discussion real-time to those in attendance. This Kudzu Klinic can accommodate up to twenty auditors and four riders.

The last Kudzu Klinic of the 2010 season will be taught by Barbara Handley and is tentatively scheduled for September 18th at Stepping Stone Farm. Details are being completed for this Kudzu Klinic. Please watch the GDCTA website for the formal
announcement of this Klinic.

Membership in GDCTA is required to attend these Klinics. If you are not a GDCTA member, you can join and avail yourself of this opportunity for a great day of instruction and fun at a very reasonable cost. Already a member, please add a Kudzu Klinic to your calendar

Submitted by John Kludt, Manager GDCTA Kudzu Klinics