From USHJA; photos by Terisé Cole/USHJA
February 18, 2021—After four days of mounted and unmounted sessions with experts in the industry, the 2021 USHJA Gold Star Clinic - East wrapped up at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. The clinic, held February 11-14, featured instruction for 21 hand-selected participants.
With five-time Olympian and longtime clinician Anne Kursinski leading the mounted sessions, riders from across seven Zones convened to learn from the best. Beginning with flatwork on Day One, Kursinski put the horse-and-rider combinations through their paces, focusing on strong position in the saddle, correct use of aids and creating a responsive horse through lateral movements. Riding on the flat continued into Day Two, where Kursinski added in some work over poles to finesse the horses’ adjustability and responsiveness. The third day of mounted instruction featured a collection of gymnastic exercises to prepare for the final day’s full course, and each rider completed a variety of lines and combinations to strengthen their horse's rideability.
“[I wanted] to inspire them to really improve and get to the next level. What each rider got was individual to them, their horse and their style. Hopefully I inspired them and pushed them enough so that they can get better” said Kursinski.
The Clinic culminated with a final day of jumping over a full course designed by Nick Granat. After warming up with Kursinski, riders completed the course and then reviewed their ride, returning to finesse certain elements as desired.
“There were a couple [of riders] that really did experiment with what I taught them and incorporated what I worked on. It’s a wonderful program for all the riders. Hopefully I left some inspiration with them and even if I was tough on them, that they take it positively because I know they can get better. It was fun [on the final day] to see them improve,” said Kursinski.
“I think Anne did a really great job making it all cohesive—it built throughout the week—and giving every rider the opportunity to do these exercises at their level. Everybody had the same exercise tailored to them and it was really nice,” said Genevieve Munson, 16, a veteran participant of the Gold Star Clinics from Rogers, Arkansas.
Out of the saddle, there was an array of educational sessions offered. Expert stable manager Colleen Reed oversaw the riders’ management of their horses throughout the week, leading instruction on proper barn management and horse care alongside USEF High Performance Team Veterinarian Dr. Geoff Vernon. Dr. Vernon also led a slow-motion presentation session on equine biomechanics with USEF Youth Chef d’Equipe and USHJA Jumping Technical Advisor DiAnn Langer.
“That was one of my favorite parts—to get that practical knowledge. Anytime we have Dr. Vernon around I get really excited. I love working with him and his knowledge is just unparalleled,” said Munson.
In the barn, Linda Sheridan, former groom for Gem Twist, and Owen Rogers, groom for McLain Ward, joined a practical demonstration on caring for and preventing leg injuries with Reed and Dr. Vernon. Additionally, Marnye Langer, CFO and managing director of Langer Equestrian Group; Kim Miller, editor of California Riding Magazine; and Brooke Goddard, managing editor for Langer Equestrian Group, directed a virtual session on sponsorship and media tips.
By Nancy Brannon
Mid-south rider Brittany Kasprack described the long list of strict, qualifying criteria one has to meet to be selected for the program. Brittany said she was fortunate to get a Wild Card bid. If there are spots available, then Wild Cards can be accepted if they meet particular criteria. “Any member who has earned a minimum of 20 points to have qualified for the USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships or a minimum of 250 points to have qualified for the USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships may submit a Wild Card application,” according to the USHJA website.
[see:https://www.ushja.org/application/files/9815/9302/8669/2021_Gold_Star_Clinic_acceptance_policy_JO_6.22.2020.pdf]
Brittany said she had to fill out a very long, 8-page application and submit it with three letters of reference, as well as write an essay. “It’s the most competitive clinic to get in,” she assessed. She sent in her application in November 2020, but still felt it was a long shot to get accepted. “But I got in!” she exclaimed.
In January, she sent her horse to Florida to get acclimated. “It was around 85°F there every day,” she said. Her horse, Dentures, “He needs a better name,” she quipped, is a 10-year-old KWPN standing at 17.3 hands. “He’s a big guy,” she said. She regularly works with her Collierville, Tenn.-based trainer Michael Tokaruk, who had also previously trained with Anne Kursinski.
In the riding part of the clinic, Brittany said that Kursinski “emphasized lateral movements in the flat work, like turn on the forehand and turn on the haunches. She stressed proper classical riding style and clear communication with the horse. Kursinski was exceptional!
“The first day was flat work and her getting to know the riders. On the second day, flatwork was coupled with some basic gymnastics, mainly poles on the ground. On the third day we worked on gymnastics over fences. And the fourth day was individualized course work. She asked quite a bit from riders, and a lot of riders struggled with the tasks.”
In stable management, Brittany was thrilled to learn from Dr. Geoff Vernon, the USEF head veterinarian. “This was one of my favorite parts of the clinic,” Brittany noted. “And Dr. Vernon was exceptional! He had important information to convey, yet was very down to earth.
“I learned a lot from McLain Ward’s groom [Owen Rogers] and the meticulous care of tack, down to shining the chain on chain lead ropes.
“I was so lucky to get in the clinic and I would highly recommend it. I plan to apply again to participate in next year’s clinic,” Brittany summarized.
Read more about the USHJA Gold Star Clinic at: https://www.ushja.org/competition/jumper/emerging-jumper-rider-program/gold-star-clinic
(photos by Terisé Cole/USHJA)
February 18, 2021—After four days of mounted and unmounted sessions with experts in the industry, the 2021 USHJA Gold Star Clinic - East wrapped up at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. The clinic, held February 11-14, featured instruction for 21 hand-selected participants.
With five-time Olympian and longtime clinician Anne Kursinski leading the mounted sessions, riders from across seven Zones convened to learn from the best. Beginning with flatwork on Day One, Kursinski put the horse-and-rider combinations through their paces, focusing on strong position in the saddle, correct use of aids and creating a responsive horse through lateral movements. Riding on the flat continued into Day Two, where Kursinski added in some work over poles to finesse the horses’ adjustability and responsiveness. The third day of mounted instruction featured a collection of gymnastic exercises to prepare for the final day’s full course, and each rider completed a variety of lines and combinations to strengthen their horse's rideability.
“[I wanted] to inspire them to really improve and get to the next level. What each rider got was individual to them, their horse and their style. Hopefully I inspired them and pushed them enough so that they can get better” said Kursinski.
The Clinic culminated with a final day of jumping over a full course designed by Nick Granat. After warming up with Kursinski, riders completed the course and then reviewed their ride, returning to finesse certain elements as desired.
“There were a couple [of riders] that really did experiment with what I taught them and incorporated what I worked on. It’s a wonderful program for all the riders. Hopefully I left some inspiration with them and even if I was tough on them, that they take it positively because I know they can get better. It was fun [on the final day] to see them improve,” said Kursinski.
“I think Anne did a really great job making it all cohesive—it built throughout the week—and giving every rider the opportunity to do these exercises at their level. Everybody had the same exercise tailored to them and it was really nice,” said Genevieve Munson, 16, a veteran participant of the Gold Star Clinics from Rogers, Arkansas.
Out of the saddle, there was an array of educational sessions offered. Expert stable manager Colleen Reed oversaw the riders’ management of their horses throughout the week, leading instruction on proper barn management and horse care alongside USEF High Performance Team Veterinarian Dr. Geoff Vernon. Dr. Vernon also led a slow-motion presentation session on equine biomechanics with USEF Youth Chef d’Equipe and USHJA Jumping Technical Advisor DiAnn Langer.
“That was one of my favorite parts—to get that practical knowledge. Anytime we have Dr. Vernon around I get really excited. I love working with him and his knowledge is just unparalleled,” said Munson.
In the barn, Linda Sheridan, former groom for Gem Twist, and Owen Rogers, groom for McLain Ward, joined a practical demonstration on caring for and preventing leg injuries with Reed and Dr. Vernon. Additionally, Marnye Langer, CFO and managing director of Langer Equestrian Group; Kim Miller, editor of California Riding Magazine; and Brooke Goddard, managing editor for Langer Equestrian Group, directed a virtual session on sponsorship and media tips.
By Nancy Brannon
Mid-south rider Brittany Kasprack described the long list of strict, qualifying criteria one has to meet to be selected for the program. Brittany said she was fortunate to get a Wild Card bid. If there are spots available, then Wild Cards can be accepted if they meet particular criteria. “Any member who has earned a minimum of 20 points to have qualified for the USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships or a minimum of 250 points to have qualified for the USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships may submit a Wild Card application,” according to the USHJA website.
[see:https://www.ushja.org/application/files/9815/9302/8669/2021_Gold_Star_Clinic_acceptance_policy_JO_6.22.2020.pdf]
Brittany said she had to fill out a very long, 8-page application and submit it with three letters of reference, as well as write an essay. “It’s the most competitive clinic to get in,” she assessed. She sent in her application in November 2020, but still felt it was a long shot to get accepted. “But I got in!” she exclaimed.
In January, she sent her horse to Florida to get acclimated. “It was around 85°F there every day,” she said. Her horse, Dentures, “He needs a better name,” she quipped, is a 10-year-old KWPN standing at 17.3 hands. “He’s a big guy,” she said. She regularly works with her Collierville, Tenn.-based trainer Michael Tokaruk, who had also previously trained with Anne Kursinski.
In the riding part of the clinic, Brittany said that Kursinski “emphasized lateral movements in the flat work, like turn on the forehand and turn on the haunches. She stressed proper classical riding style and clear communication with the horse. Kursinski was exceptional!
“The first day was flat work and her getting to know the riders. On the second day, flatwork was coupled with some basic gymnastics, mainly poles on the ground. On the third day we worked on gymnastics over fences. And the fourth day was individualized course work. She asked quite a bit from riders, and a lot of riders struggled with the tasks.”
In stable management, Brittany was thrilled to learn from Dr. Geoff Vernon, the USEF head veterinarian. “This was one of my favorite parts of the clinic,” Brittany noted. “And Dr. Vernon was exceptional! He had important information to convey, yet was very down to earth.
“I learned a lot from McLain Ward’s groom [Owen Rogers] and the meticulous care of tack, down to shining the chain on chain lead ropes.
“I was so lucky to get in the clinic and I would highly recommend it. I plan to apply again to participate in next year’s clinic,” Brittany summarized.
Read more about the USHJA Gold Star Clinic at: https://www.ushja.org/competition/jumper/emerging-jumper-rider-program/gold-star-clinic
(photos by Terisé Cole/USHJA)
![The Wedding of the [Past] Century](https://midsouthhorsereview.com/old website/admin/files/news_5270_small_RIKqoqt9.jpg)
