Laura Goodenkauf Dressage

Happy Friday! Who's riding this weekend? . . . #dressage #dressagehorse #dressagetraining #dressagetrainer #equestrianlife #marepower #countysaddlery #summitjointperformance #lovemyhorse #lauragdressage #fortissimofarm #teamlgd

Fortissimo Farm is proud to be hosting a new lecture series for the summer - Introducing Horsemanship Happy Hour! Please join us on Saturday, May 1, 4:00 pm at Fortissimo Farm in Shadow Hills for the first in what promises to be a very fun and educational series. Dr. David Ramey will be speaking about equine gut health and how to keep your horse's gut feeling it's best!... Light refreshments will be served and Covid-19 safety practices will be implemented to ensure everyone's safety. Please RSVP via the EventBrite link. We're looking forward to seeing you all and learning together! https://www.eventbrite.com/.../horsemanship-happy-hour...

"You always overestimate what you can accomplish in a year, and underestimate what you can accomplish in 10 years. Dream big - always. But be realistic. Set yourself up for long-term success. Incredible things take time to achieve." @robertherjavec I'm so proud of my coming four year old mare Sofi going down centerline for the first time this past weekend at Southern California Equestrian Center!... . There is still much to improve but this mare is so talented and tries her heart out. The future is very bright! . . . #dressage #dressagehorse #dressagetraining #dressagetrainer #equestrianlife #marepower #motivation #inspiration #motivationmonday #horseshow #horseshowlife #countysaddlery #summitjointperformance #hygain #lauragdressage #fortissimofarm #teamlgd See more

We've all seen those riders who sit so effortlessly in the saddle... our Olympic idols who instinctively move with their horse and whose bodies follow their mount's every footfall with grace and beauty. . "How can I sit like that?" "How do I get my leg to look like that?" . Think about your favorite rider - the dressage rider you totally idolize... Charlotte, Steffen, Carl, Helen, etc... ... . Look at how they sit... They all have a way to sit INTO the horse rather than ON TOP of the horse. How do they do that? Well... It's all about how the leg hangs from the hip! . It's how the rider's leg hangs from the hip - the ideal dressage leg rotates in from the hip joint. This leg position allows the rider to drape their leg around the horse, much like if you were to throw a heavy, wet towel over your horse's back. This is how we want our legs to hang or drape around our horse. . This kind of leg position allows for optimum and maximum contact with the rider's leg on the horse. The leg can have contact with the horse beginning at the inner thigh and going all the way to down to the calf - all without pushing, pressing, gripping, or any other sort of tension-creating movements. When the leg hangs like this around the horse, it also allows the rider to close the calf and without using the spur. . How can you adjust your leg to find this position? -Drop your stirrups -Lift your leg off the saddle and rotate the entire leg inward, from the hip joint. -With your leg rotated inward and your toe pointed straight ahead, pick up your stirrup again. . If you've done this correctly, your stirrups will now feel much shorter. Resist the urge to adjust them. Take a deep breath and allow your weight to sink down into your stirrups. Embrace that newly found leg contact! . For more details and a video of how to adjust your leg, head over to my blog by clicking the link in the first comment! . #dressage #dressagehorse #dressagetraining #dressagetrainer #equitation #equestrianlife #marepower #countysaddlery #summitjointperformance #juststrong #fortissimofarm #lauragdressage #teamlgd See more

Introducing Lizzie! 4 year old IALHA registered Andalusian mare. Lizzie has three clear, lovely gaits and shows talent to move up the levels with ease. ... She is wonderful to ride in the arena. She has a solid foundation going walk/trot/canter under saddle. Her gaits are smooth and comfortable while still looking very flashy - a perfect combination! Lizzie is also very sensible on trail. She has been up and down hills, ridden in traffic on busy streets, and exposed to barking dogs and screaming children in the neighborhoods. Lizzie has an incredible amount of talent and the brain to match. This mare is truly the total package. Message me for more information or to schedule a time to come try her!

"There is no substitute for hard work. Always be humble and stay hungry." -Dwayne Johnson . #motivationmonday #dressage #dressagehorse #dressagetraining #dressagetrainer #equestrianlife #marepower #countysaddlery #summitjointperformance #juststrong #elcee #fortissimofarm #lauragdressage #teamlgd

Stella and I had an amazing show at @elsuenoequestrian this weekend! . This was our first time going down centerline since the end of 2019 and I don't remember the last time I had show nerves like I experienced this time! . My girl certainly did not disappoint - every score in the 70s and all blue ribbons!... . As for many of us, this past year has been a tough one. I can't even begin to express how grateful I am for the opportunity to get back out in the show ring and feel a little bit like "normal." Having the great rides I was fortunate enough to have was just icing on the fantastic cake! . And I couldn't do ant of it without the incredible team of people behind me... @stc_dressage - coach extraordinaire. I can't tell you how much I both need and appreciate the ass-kickings! @chareen21 and @morgangardiner_ - thank you for holding down the fort back at the farm. @manuel.deleon_445 - the best farrier... like, ever. @lauryn.caldwell - thank you for the photos, videos, and delicious cupcake! @countysaddlery_so_cal - keeping my horses at the top of their game and feeling amazing in the best saddles out there! @lagueracharra - my sister from another mister. Love you to the moon! And, of course... @jodilakatos - there are not enough words... Simply the best!!! See more

Training Tip Tuesday - the release is just as important as the aid itself! Horses learn not only from pressure being applied but also from the release of that pressure. The release is the reward! . In your riding this week, pay attention to not only how you kick, but can you take your leg off? After you squeeze your reins, can you let go and does your horse yield? . It's all about applying pressure and then the RELEASE of that pressure when your horse does what you ask! Rewar...d with a release. . . . #trainingtipstuesday #trainingtips #training #dressage #dressagetraining #dressagehorse #equestrianlife #marepower #countysaddlery #summitjointperformance #juststrong #fortissimofarm #lauragdressage #teamlgd See more

Looking to buy your next dressage superstar? There are two main things to consider when looking for a young horse - gaits and personality Gaits: If you're looking for a competitive future dressage horse, there's no getting around the fact the horse needs to move well. But what exactly does that mean?... Balance - Balanced gaits are more important than flashy gaits. A balanced horse... -Spends fairly equal time in both the trot and the canter. For example, it doesn't avoid cantering by trotting faster (and therefore, losing balance). -Is willing to turn both left and right. It doesn't go to great lengths to avoid turning or travelling in a certain direction. -Is willing to canter on both the left and right canter leads evenly. -Offers clean flying changes on its own. -Shows clear rhythm in all three gaits - especially in the walk and canter. Personality: The horse's personality now will give you insight into what their trainability will be. -While you're watching them move, notice how they react to their environment. -If their owner chases them in the turnout to show off their movement, how does the horse react? Doe he flag his tail and turn into a fire-breathing dragon? If he does, how quickly does his personality return to the sweet, cuddly horse you saw back at the barn? Or does he act like he couldn't care less about the crazy people waving flags, sticks, whips, whatever in an effort to make him run? -How quickly the horse comes back "down" after something exciting happens is just as important as their reaction itself. A performance horse needs to be reactive to a certain degree if it's going to be successful. -A "hot" reaction to a stimulus isn't a deal breaker in my book but the horse does need to be sensible. A sensible horse will chill out or calm down within a reasonable amount of time after a stimulus. Pay attention to how your future young horse reacts and processes things that happen in their environment. . For more info on what I look for in a young horse and for tips on how to select your next future star, check out my latest blog post - the link is in the comments!

#TBT to a 10-12 year old Laura and Ginger, the toughest little Arabian mare that probably had no business being a kid's first horse! She was super green and incredibly spooky but I held on most days! And we both eventually got better! . . . #whatdoesntkillyou #butdidyoudie #dressage #dressagehorse #dressagetraining #dressagetrainer #equestrianlife #arabianhorse #throwbackthursday #tbt #lauragdressage #teamlgd #fortissimofarm

"...Just because something isn't happening right now for you doesn't mean it'll never happen." [email protected] . How often do we find ourselves struggling with a concept, movement, or trying to move up a level with our horses and feel so frustrated because it feels like we're never going to get it? . But just because something isn't clicking today, or this week, or even this month doesn't mean you're never going to get it.... . Every horse (assuming they're sound with no major health issues) is capable of doing dressage. How quickly will they learn and move up the levels? Well, that depends... the horse will decide. And truly, the timeline doesn't matter. Yes, repeat it again - The timeline doesn't matter. It doesn't. Take that pressure off yourself and your horse right now. . As the rider and trainer (yes, you're training your horse every time you ride or handle them - whether you like it or not!), it's your job to present the information as clearly, concisely, and patiently as you can. . And then you wait... and it takes as long as it takes. Sometimes the horse will learn quickly and sometimes you may have to keep chipping away at an idea - patiently and always with fairness and kindness. . Horses have their own timeline and the sooner we're able to surrender to that and enjoy the journey, the more fun the journey will be! See more

I've seen quite a few articles, Instagram posts, etc. going around about how hard it is to get into the horse industry, especially professional riding, if you don't come from money. And, you know what? They're not wrong! Horses are expensive... like Erika Jayne XXPEN$IVE . So, how the hell do you get your foot in the door with horses when you have absolutely no money??? . "If you can't get a seat at the table, serve the water to get in the room" -Grant Cardone... . What does that mean for a hopeful equestrian? . You need to work in the industry... but you don't have to be a working student. . Yes, the dilemma of the equestrian hopeful with no money... People expect you to be a working student. But a working student is essentially an unpaid intern. Working your ass off all day, six to seven days a week for absolutely no money is no problem for those who already have it. For the up and coming equestrian with no money, you may need to skip the working student positions and, instead, get a job in the industry. Since you're young and inexperienced, this won't be a glamourous job but it will be an opportunity where you will get paid to learn! . Grooming, cleaning stalls, working in equestrian retail, working in hospitality or service at a major show ground or race track are all paid positions where you can make connections with people in the industry. You never know who you'll meet and where it will take you. Connections are everything. . After you work your long hours cleaning stalls and grooming at your main job, you need to ride every horse you can after work - any and every horse. Ride for free at first, if necessary. Then ride less than perfect horses for shit money. Every horse will teach you something. And the horses' owners, your clients, will teach you even more. . And all of that money (ha!) you're making - you need to save it. Save, save, save your money. Then save some more. Then buy the nicest young horse you can. When you're an unknown, no one is going to give you a nice horse to ride. Buy your own - be your own sponsor. . Horses and the horse industry are not easy. There's no way around that. But it does get better. Keep working hard and working smart! See more

Half passing through the week - happy Wednesday everyone! . . . #dressage #dressagehorse #dressagetraining #dressagetrainer #halfpass #equestrianlife #marepower #countysaddlery #summitjointperformance #juststrong #fortissimofarm #lauragdressage #teamlgd

"But what if I fail?" . Good! Failing means you took a risk! You put yourself out there. You did more than most of the population who plays it safe. . Failing at something doesn't make you a failure.... . Did you learn something? And more importantly, did you learn things that will make you smarter and stronger for the future? If you did, was it really a failure? . I can't tell you how many times I've failed. I've blogged about a few of them... Hell, the first time I tried to launch my training business, I failed miserably. I ran out of money, didn't have enough experience (even though I thought I did), couldn't keep it going, and had to get a "real" sales job for awhile until I could figure things out. . But every time I've had a less than successful trip down centerline (or a less than successful life moment!), I'm always able to come away with something. Maybe not the score I wanted or the ribbon or placing I was hoping for... but I always learn something about my horse, something about myself, something about how to manage situations, you name it. I learn something that will help me be better for the next time. . If we're learning, we're growing. And growth is never a failure. The moment may sting but you will be ten times better for the future. . Never mistake an opportunity for growth as failure. . . . #dressage #dressagehorse #dressagetraining #dressagetrainer #equestrianlife #inspiration #motivation #lauragdressage #teamlgd #fortissimofarm See more

Rose and Malik looking fancy during their lesson today! . . . #weekendvibes #sundayfunday #dressage #dressagehorse #dressagetraining #ponypower #arabian #arabianhorse #lauragdressage #fortissimofarm

Congrats to Violet and Studley on their awesome rides at the Pacific Dressage schooling show this weekend! This team is going places! . . . #dressage #dressagehorse #dressagetraining #dressageshow #horseshow #horseshowlife #equestrianlife #quarterhorse #blueribbon #firstplace #countysaddlery #summitjointperformance #juststrong #fortissimofarm #lauragdressage #teamlgd

For any of my horse friends who have been considering trying Summit Joint Performance, now is the time! If you purchase a loading dose through the link below during the month of October, @summitjointperformance will give you a FREE maintenance dose!!! Who doesn't like free stuff??? Check it out!... . . . #dressage #dressagehorse #dressagetraining #dressagetrainer #equestrianlife #marepower #summitjointperformance #summitpowered #fortissimofarm #lauragdressage #teamlgd See more

Saturday trail time - because sometimes even dressage queens need to get out of the arena! . . . #weekendvibes #dressage #dressagehorse #dressagetraining #dressagetrainer #equestrianlife #trailride #goodboy #lauragdressage #fortissimofarm

Introducing Declan, a 2012 Appendix gelding looking for his next partner to go down centerline with! Video on the comments. Message me for more info!

Working through the weekend - but it's tough to complain when "work" is riding these incredible horses! . . . #lovemyjob #dressage #dressagehorse #dressagetraining #dressagetrainer #equestrianlife #countysaddlery #summitjointperformance #juststrong #fortissimofarm #lauragdressage #teamlgd

Congrats Jodi and Pierce on winning Reserve Champion at CDS RAAC First Level Novice!!! . . . #proudcoach #dressage #dressagehorse #dressagetraining #dressageshow #horseshow #horseshowlife #equestrianlife #morganhorse #lovemyjob #lauragdressage #teamlgd

Congrats Jodi and Pierce! Two first place finishes at First Level with great scores - in the high 60s! Looking good in blue! . @wobbins . .... . #dressage #dressagehorse #dressagetraining #dressageshow #horseshow #horseshowlife #equestrianlife #morganhorse #lovemyjob #proudcoach #countysaddlery #summitjointperformance #juststrong #fortissimofarm #lauragdressage #teamlgd @ Southern California Equestrian Center See more

Forward . The key to not only dressage, but most things in life. . When your horse begins to avoid your aids, when a movement goes awry, send him forward and then ask again.... . When life pulls you down, keep putting one foot in front of the other... baby steps are better than no steps at all - and baby steps really add up over time. . When in doubt, keep going forward! . . . #dressage #dressagehorse #dressagetraining #dressagetrainer #equestrianlife #forward #justkeepswimming #wordsofwisdom #wordstoliveby #equestrian #horse #horsesofinstagram #instahorse #fortissimofarm #lauragdressage See more

Friday morning fun with @equestrian_rosechakalian and Malik, owned by @arielwestberg ! Look at that fancy trot! . . . #dressage #dressagehorse #dressagetraining #arabian #arabianhorse #horse #horsesofinstagram #instahorse #equestrianlife #fridayvibes #countysaddlery #summitjointperformance #juststrong #fortissimofarm #lauragdressage

Sofi, my three year old PRE mare, is already out of the round pen and working in the dressage court! . . . #babysteps #dressage #dressagehorse #dressagetraining #dressagetrainer #younghorse #equestrianlife #horse #horsesofinstagram #instahorse #andalusianhorse #purarazaespañola #pre #marepower #lauragdressage #fortissimofarm

Congrats Jodi and Pierce on an awesome first show of the season! This was their first rated show at First Level and these two nailed it - and earned qualifying scores for Championships!!! . Thank you @sc_equestriancenter for another fantastic (and socially distanced!) dressage show! . .... . #dressage #dressagehorse #dressageshow #horseshow #horseshowlife #equestrianlife #morganhorse #horsesofinstagram #instahorse #dressagehorsesofinstagram #proudtrainer #teamlgd #lauragdressage @ Southern California Equestrian Center See more

Happy birthday Sofi!!! . . . #dressage #dressagehorse #dressagetraining #andalusianhorse #pre #purarazaespañola #threeyearsold #happybirthday #marepower #equestrianlife #lauragdressage

Happy Friday! Looking forward to a weekend full of sunshine and saddle time! Are you riding this weekend? . . . #dressage #dressagehorse #dressagetraining #happyfriday #letsride #weekendvibes #fortissimofarm #lauragdressage