Janet's Place
Reinventing the focus!
by Janet Lee Parker on 01/17/12
I came up with the idea of Cow'ssage about a decade ago when I was the only western rider in a dressage barn. I couldn't help but absorb the knowledge as I shared the arena with folks taking their lessons. Next thing I knew I'd covered head to toe in dressage, taking lessons of my own, riding in clinics...and hauling my 14.3 cowhorse to USDF shows in the Seattle area.
People on either side of the saddle started telling me I needed to pick one or the other...either cows...or dressage. I occasionally team penned for fun. People weren't always so quiet as they snickered behind my back when I went through my dressage-based warm-up routine. I just smiled inside as I made my way to the pay window the end of each day...on my very sound, sane horse.
After our foray into dressage, my little Quarter Horse gelding and I earned several national titles and several thousand dollars in the western working disciplines. And we racked up many pretty-colored ribbons in dressage as well.
Thus was the start of Cow'ssage...with its focus on dressage-based riding, working cattle...and maneuvering trail obstacles.
So, you can understand why when Working Equitation arrived...I jumped into the scene on first sight. Finally a sport after my own heart!
I'm on my new quest...with lofty goals ahead. I have a 5-year-old gelding (IF Michaelangelo). He's in training with the potential to take me to the top. And immersing myself in all I can learn about WE, you can expect to see much of it in my clinics this year.
Welcome to the reinvention of Cow'ssage College...and the next phase of the rest of my life.
Ride safe and happy trails,
Janet
