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training notes from elizabeth

Our horses > training notes from elizabeth > September 10, 2006

Our training notes often show schooling at the farm but may also include cross country schoolings and trail rides away from the farm. Go back through our notes to see how we train our off-the-track Thoroughbreds and prepare them for new careers as sport horses.

Jumping Clinic with Imtiaz Anees

Part of the training our off-the-track Thoroughbreds receive is to go off the farm to clinics for dressage and jumping. On September 10, 2006, six off-the-track Thoroughbreds from Bits & Bytes Farm traveled to Dallas, Georgia to the lovely setting Foxberry Farm for a GDCTA Kudzu Klinic for jumping with Olympic 3-Day event rider, Imtiaz Anees.

The Bits & Bytes Farm Thoroughbreds ranged from less than a year off-the-track to four years off-the-track. Their riders were aged 16 to 30, but, no matter what the age of the horse or rider, Imtiaz had lessons that could be learned by all.

Honor and Valor and Dana Mclean at the Imtiaz Anees Kudzu Klinic.

The day started early with everyone showing up at 5:30 AM to bring in all the horses and feed them before loading up and heading out. I wish we had that kind of help everyday. Bits & Bytes Farm had six riders participating but we had the whole "Family" along to cheer them on.

Even "The Peanut Gallery" was impressed with Imtiaz' lessons. New friends were made as lessons were learned.

As usual, we travel well fed with food enough to share with everyone at the clinic and the clinician himself - Imti! Our breakfast food and coffee was provided by our "Friend of Bits & Bytes Farm" Linda Ross. She had coffee and breakfast food divided for two trucks and trailers and the extra car of supporters.

The spectators from the farm listened in on Imtiaz' comments to the riders and then made up a few of their own comments about what might be being said when we could not hear Imti.

"You must run three miles a day or your bum will look this big when you jump a fence" we thought we heard Imti say to Paula and Joe Bear.

Our first two riders were Morgan Harbin riding Light Artillery (For Sale at Bits & Bytes Farm) and Dana McLean riding her Honor and Valor which she purchased from Bits & Bytes Farm about a year ago.

Light Artillery and Morgan Harbin. Photo credits: Gertjan van Roekel

Honor and Valor with Dana McLean. Photo by Gertjan van Roekel

The second group of riders from Bits & Bytes Farm were Marie van Roekel on Two Thumbs Up and Kimberly Horne riding Snowdance Kid (For Sale at Bits & Bytes Farm).

Former Stakes race horse - Two Thumbs Up and Marie van Roekel

Snowdance Kid and Kimberly Horne at the GDCTA Kudzu Klinic.

Snowdance Kid and Kimberly. Snowdance Kid is a Horse for Sale at the farm.

We had a third group doing the larger jumps that included Marie's husband Gertjan van Roekel riding Big Money and "Friend of Bits & Bytes Farm" Paula Gunnels riding Joe Bear who is a Special Reserve Horse for sale at our farm.

Gertjan van Roekel riding Big Money at the GDCTA Kudzu Klinic with Imtiaz Anees - September 10, 2006

Joe Bear and Paula Gunnels at the Imtiaz Anees Kudzu Klinic put on by the Georgia Dressage and Combined Training Association.

Lunch was a spectacular affair with food provided by the other 15 members of the "Family". Light Artillery's mom provided refreshing "iced Tea" for the adults. Participant and "Friend of Bits & Bytes Farm", Kimberly Horne, made the desserts and even had the Bits & Bytes Farm logo on the brownies!

Joe Bear and Paula Gunnels at the Imtiaz Anees jumping clinic.

Gertjan van Roekel riding Big Money at the GDCTA Kudzu Klinic

It was a great day of riding followed by questions and answers with our Olympic start trainer - Imti. He stressed the importance of knowing your horse and being fit yourself. The day ended with us scheduling another clinic at our farm with Imti for October. It may have a few slots open for riders other than those at the farm. First preference will go to buyers of Bits & Bytes Farm Thoroughbreds and then to the general pubic. See, another reason to buy your next off-the-track Thoroughbred from Bits & Bytes Farm!

Marie van Roekel talking with Imtiaz Anees at the Georgia Dressage and Combined Training
(GDCTA) Kudzu Klinic at Foxberry Farm in Dallas, Georgia.

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