Riding with Excellence Clinic -- APEX 101 and 103
Young Riders Clinic
APEX in Vermont Clinic at Rojek's July 15-17
VERDA-Sponsored Classroom Clinic
Endurance Riding Soup to Nuts in Canada
February Saddle Fitting:  Theory and Practice
January 2008 Classroom Clinic
Autumn Outing
APEX Team Wins Zone Team Endurance Championship
Accomplishments and Kudos 2007
==> Goethe 100
==> Kentucky Die-Hards
==> Carolina ride
==> Endure for the Cure
==> Malaysia
==> Hallelujah Benefit
==> Alabama Yellowhammer

August 15 - 17 Riding with Excellence:  APEX 101 and 103
APEX repeated the highly valuable, individualized APEX 101 clinic, with horse, covering the individual's suitability for the sport from veterinary (Dr Ann Stuart) and farrier (Jeff Pauley) perspectives; on-trail training techniques and practice (Stagg Newman); training methods and schedules (John Crandell); and equitation evaluations (Lisa Maxwell).  The second clinic (103) focused on the rider, with some new clinicians addressing rider physiology (Will Harlan), psychology (Anne Riddle Lundblad), and balance (Yoga with Clay Tison).   Stagg Newman talked about setting goals, and John Crandell delved into how to race responsibly with horse welfare underpinning all.  103 was highly individualized, with horse, rider, and horse/rider involvement, and included equitation (Lisa Maxwell) and on-trail pace training (Stagg Newman).

	Jeff Pauley works on Denise Secino's horse, Regal, while she observes.  Meanwhile, Mike deChant, Nancy Schneiter, Amy Sumrall (seated) and Dr Kathy Tucker observe Dr Ann Stuart (also seated) while she manipulates displays of comparative X-rays for Regal.
Jeff Pauley illustrates breakover points and the center of the hoof to Denise Secino.
	Lisa Maxwell explains how to get a light yet responsive contact to bend the horse preparatory to lateral work. Deborah Reich and Kim Denardis get to practice.
Stagg Newman explains a point about how heart monitors can actually reflect footing changes to Mary Lynn Stockdale after the training ride.
	Denise Secino consults with John Crandell and Dr Ann Stuart on her horse's hoof balance and inter-joint spacing.
Will Harlan, ultramarathoner and editor of Blue Ridge Outdoors, explains some similarities in nutrition requirements and physiological demands that long distance riders and long distance runners face.
	Anne Riddle Lundblad, psychologist, went over some of the techniques that she uses as an ultra-runner to help keep positive and focused over long distances.  Virtually all were applicable to endurance riders.

July 30 / Aug 1 Young Rider Clinic
APEX and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) put on a clinic at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker, Colorado in association with the North American Junior / Young Rider Championships.  John Crandell (winner of the endurance “Triple Crown”), Dinah Rojek (worldwide competitor and judge), Dr. Mike Tomlinson, DVM, and Vonita Bowers (the USEF Endurance Representative) were the clinicians. 

July 15 - 17:  APEX in Vermont Clinic at Rojek's
From Cecily Westervelt:  I'd highly recommend it. Being at it was like being on a high.
Hours and hours and hours of thought provoking, informative content.  Well organized in a logical progression with breaks where attendees were able to ask indepth questions. Not one of the clinicians seemed to tire of sharing their knowledge. This clinic was well worth the money and time......If I can get away for another I'll go in a heart beat. I learned a lot but they couldn't cover everything.
From Patti Stedman:  let me thank you all for a wonderful clinic experience!   Truly affirming, well worth the price of admission.
From Melody Blittersdorf:  I had a great time and learned so much ! All the speakers were terrific.  I brought my horses and was lucky enough to have them seen by Jeff, Jim and Dr. Ridgeway and I am so glad I did!

Stagg Newman, winner of 20 100-Milers, 2006 Canadian Championship, 2 Team Golds.  Stagg initiated the sessions by addressing goal setting, later handling a Q and A. Ann Stuart, DVM , Vet for the US Endurance Team to the 2006 WEG, Chef D’Équipe - USA East (gold).  In her latest chef position, she finished the fastest team in the U.S.  Ann covered conformation, leading the conformation / hoof / movement analysis demo.   Also, Ann provided many 'lameness videos' helping educate the participant's eyes. Jeff Pauley, master farrier; farrier for the US endurance team to the 2006 WEG and 2008 Malaysia.  Jeff covered different hoof structures and set-ups for endurance competitions.  Also, Jeff participated in the conformation / hoof / movement analysis demo. John Crandell III, winner of the 2006 endurance triple crown (Old Dominion, Tevis, AERC Championship), 2007 Chronicle of the Horse Horseperson of the Year, dedicated international competitor, trainer, and farrier.  John dealt with foot flight and balance based on treadmill analysis;  and the concept of Virtual Stables.
	John Crandell, Dr Kerry Ridgway, Jeff Pauley and Dr Ann Stuart worked with Dinah Rojek's Phoenix to demonstrate foot balance and gait efficiencies.
Kerry Ridgway, DVM, father of the ‘fit to continue’ finishing criteria and Cardiac Recovery Index used in endurance, expert in how holistic modalities enhance equine performance, particularly chiropractic, acupuncture, and kinesiology.   In addition, Dr Ridgway is renowned for his ability to assess saddle fit.  Kerry covered gastric ulcers in performance horses, how chiropractic can help and how to get a good chiropractor for your horse, saddle fit theory and demo, importance of hyoid process in horse comfort with demo.  Kerry also participated in the conformation / hoof / movement analysis demo.
	Dr Ridgway explaining some of the mysteries of saddle fit
Jim Masterson, creator of the Masterson Method, massage therapist for the United States Equestrian Team at the 2006 World Equestrian Games (WEG).  Jim showed some valuable techniques to 'listen' to the horse, and release stress.
	Jim Masterson introducing his massage method.
Doug Lietzke, psychologist and 100-mile rider, expert on techniques for coping with the stress of high level competition.  Doug talked about some useful techniques for dealing with stresses that come during a competition and uses of imagery.
	Doug Lietzke suggests ways of thinking positively about outcomes to help reduce stress.

April 19:  VERDA-Sponsored APEX-Certified Clinic
From Jean Audet:  "Art King's Clinic in So. Woodstock, VT... was beyond fantastic!   I have never been to anything that could equal this.   Art was entertaining but gave us so much good information.   ...A thousand thanks to all of you that came up with APEX."  
Vermont Endurance Riding and Driving Association (VERDA) hosted Dr Arthur King to present three modules at Green Mountain Horse Association (GMHA).   Art is familiar to many as an endurance and competitive trail veterinary judge.  He covered topics such as preparation and conditioning; nutrition; and electrolytes.  Later in the day, he shared presentation tips useful for trot outs for judges. 

February 23 - 24:  Endurance Riding: Soup to Nuts in Canada
Dessia Miller, clinic organizer says: "... a really constructive seminar.   Hopefully the groundswell and enthusiasm will continue and grow.   The feedback is great and I personally got a lot out of it as well and truly appreciate the knowledge shared."
Kimberley Woolley, clinic organizer says: "We already have great feedback buzzing in the electronic media and participants encouraging others to attend “the next one”!!   The folks out West are already clamouring for info on how they can put theirs on.….    All this means that there was real, positive energy built up out of the event.   It is wonderful when that happens and we were glad to be part of it."
Stagg Newman, Christof Schork, and Dr Ann Stuart led a well-attended and well-received, two-day course covering the sport of endurance riding.

February 15 - 17:  Saddle-Fitting: Theory and Practice
Barbara Mathews says:  "...a great weekend,it was fun and educational. ";  Norma Beaty says:  "The clinic was fantastic"
Dr Kerry Ridgway gave his two-day clinic on saddle-fitting.  This course and clinic was packed with important and fascinating information ranging on how to look for saddles to fit your horse, how to assess the fit, impacts of poor and good fit, and more.  
Friday evening, Dr Ridgway presented "Breaking the Soundness Barrier" -- how a holistic approach can help ensure ongoing equine soundness.
Mike Scott, master saddler, fit and re-fit saddles to horses.  Mike also helped horses since he is an experienced equine and human massage therapist.

January Clinic

 

APEX TEAM WINS ZTEC!

On 22 September, the APEX team of Valerie Kanavy, Meg Sleeper, Steve Rojek, and Hernan Barbosa took the first place team honors by approximately 6 hours at the ZTEC 100-mile ride in Fort Howes, Montana.   All four riders completed.  In addition, Valerie and Meg tied for first individual and Hernan won BC!  Troy Ball and Dr Ann Stuart were coordinator and vet for the team.   Congratulations to all! Pictures courtesy of Mike Tomlinson.