article courtesy of Denise Kusel and Sante Fe New Mexican
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
more information from
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from
USET
(US Equestrian
Team)
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from
FN
(German National
Equestrian Fed.)
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from
USDF
(US Dressage
Federation)

WINDSONG DRESSAGE CENTER
FRIENDLY PEOPLE, HAPPY HORSES
ARENA
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ADDRESSING DRESSAGE: I LOVE THE TALL BOOTS, BUT THE HORSE IS A PROBLEM
    For some reason, I have begun receiving invitations to participate in something called the Dressage Social Club.
    Since I don’t own a horse, I just pressed the delete key and thought I’d be done with it.
    But the e-mailed invites kept popping up in my in box.
    Because I’m the kind of person I am, I thought I’d reply. I e-mailed a photograph of Morley the Basset and asked if I could join the group.
    “What is this in the photograph?” said Ulla Hudson, who runs the center with husband Patrick.
    “That’s Morley,” I replied.
    “He looks nice, but why did you send this to me?”
    “I received your invitation, and it sounded like something I wanted to do, but I don’t have a horse.”
    “You do know what dressage is, don’t you?” came the reply.
    “Sure it’s a thing you do with horses. In fact, it’s an international Olympic sport where horses are trained in obedience and precision of movement. I looked it up on the Internet. I fell head over heels in love with those tall boots you guys wear. But as I said, I don’t have a horse, so I thought I’d bring Morley.”
    “A dog to a dressage event?”
    “I know it’s a little out of the ordinary. But with his markings and spots, I could pass him off as a small pinto. Now, tell me about your club,” I said before she could hang up.
    “Yes, the club.” I could tell by her voice that she was a little dazed. “Well, we’ll be discussing how to supple your horse.”
    I immediately thought of Morley’s beautiful ears that drag on the ground when he walks.
    “It’s basically a chance to get together and talk about horses,” she continued. “It’s free. You don’t have to be a member. We’ll be serving light refreshments.”
    “Both Morley and I like snacks,” I chimed in. “Can you tell me more about the refreshments?”
    “It actually isn’t about food. We just do that, you know, to help people relax and enjoy talking to others about dressage and related horse-riding issues.”
    We chatted for a few minutes. I learned that Ulla is from southern Germany, near Munich, and she used to perform gymnastics while on horseback.
    I could tell we had a lot in common.
    One time I had to be tied to a saddle horn, so I wouldn’t fall off a horse. That’s a little like gymnastics.
    Of the 18 horses at Windsong Dressage and Equestrian Center, two are Icelandic horses, which are small and shaggy, like me.
    The Windsong Dressage Social Club (www.windsongdr essage.com) will hold its next meeting at 6 p.m. Jan. 19 in the club room at the center, 733 N.M. 344 in Cedar Grove, near Edgewood, in southern Santa Fe County.
    Or if you just want to go down to see the Icelandic horses, call Ulla Hudson at (505) 615-5050.
    Denise Kusel’s column runs Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Call 490-0180, or e-mail dkusel@sfnewmexican.com.
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Windsong Dressage Center
733 State Road 344
Cedar Grove , Edgewood,
NM, 87015,
USA
telephne: 505.615.5050
email: ulla@ullahudson.com
http://www.ullahudson.com
article courtesy of Denise Kusel and Sante Fe New Mexican
Wednesday, January 12, 2005