Calendar
O’Connor Equestrian Camps
June 11-16, 2006
Virginia Horse Center,
Lexington, VA
The O'Connor Event Camp 2006- Wow what an experience! It was Fabulous! During
our week with the OCET we learned about communication and partnerships with our
horses, our riding, and most important horsemanship.
We checked in on Sunday and got to know the other participants and the O'Connor
Team. I was happy to meet other riders from across the country that had
traveled from Colorado to Floridia to join together with us in Lexington at the
Virginia Horse Center.
The entire OConnor team and instructors are amazing. They had so much to offer.
David, Karen, Donna, Max, Cathy, and Clark all made us feel very welcome and
kept us on our toes throughtout the week. The way our schedule worked was we
rode usually twice a day then we had sessions on horsemanship. There was also
lots of great food and organized recreation for everyone to enjoy every day.
On Monday we learned first hand, techniques from the OConnor team that taught
horses respect from the ground up. With use of the parelli rope halters, our
horses learned to respect our space and listen like " never before" to our
commands. The communication lesson with the horses is one that was very
valuable. I only wish I would have learned this sooner in my riding career. . .
Early on, the O'Connors also introduced us to "the mechanical bull." This
device got our blood flowing and quickly taught us the position we would need
over drop fences and banks, for example. They cranked up the bull and the music
to make sure we could handle the cross country. The beginning of the week we
also worked on our flatwork. Our instructors made sure our horses were
listening and respecting our commands through series of leg yields and dressage
exercises. This helped so much.
As the week progressed we were working on the stadium jumping portion of the
clinic. In jumping we taught our horses to think. The fences asked questions of
increasing technical nature to the horse and rider combination. The instructors
made sure we gave everything our best shot. They really helped me with my
confidence.
Thursday we were jumping cross country fences at the Virginia Horse Center
Facility. Here I had the most fun. They worked with me to do complicated
obstacles that I can't believe I tackled. They helped me with my position and
acheived an incredible amount in a week of time.
At the end of the week there were OCET saddle pads and all the camp goodies to
take home. Karen and David even gave us pictures of the week to take home. That
added a special touch.
I am so fortunate to have been a part of this. Besides the riding aspect I
brought home many memories with me. I enjoyed all the social events of camp -
the barbeque, the picnic, and the canoeing experience on Thursday Night in the
river. What a Blast. I gained many friendships and learned so much. I'm so
happy I got to know the O'Connor event team. I was sad to leave.
No matter what disclipine you ride I would recommend this camp to anyone. We all
are so busy - but this experience was well worth every minute. I can only hope
I will be able to return next year and hope to continue my relationship with
the O'Conner Event Team.
Megan Webb - Age - 16
Burlington West Virginia
My name is Lauren Plichta, I'm 20 years old and I'm from Barrington Hills,
Illinois. I came to camp after having a horrific accident with my horse Pharoah
2 years ago. We were schooling xc and had a fall that resulted in me having
shattered my face, so we had a lot of obstacles to overcome(mostly me). When we
came to camp all I wanted was to be able to ride around a xc course without
freaking out at every fence, wondering if my horse would stop. A lot to ask
after all we went through.
Our first day started out fairly simple. Meet everyone and have a nice get to
know you dinner. The next day the real work started.
We had an online demo with David and the ever friendly Danny! It was interesting
to watch but to be honest, I didnt think I would be able to do any of it with
my horse. So, after David and Danny showed us the jist of things, we all got
our ropes and halters and headed down to the big arena to try this stuff.
Well wouldn't you know, if you just try it and don't force it, it can really
work. We did the four yields (hind end, front end, head down, and back up). Now
my horse has a big issue with his head so I was doubtful that I would be able
to get him to put his head down. But, with a little help from Cathy and Donna
and some encouraging words, wouldn't you know he is now putting his head down
all the time!!
So then we moved on to dressage, which was very nice to work on, but for me it
was the jumping I needed.
My first jump lesson was with Karen (boy was I nervous!). And my fear of oxers
came rushing to the surface that day. I used my fear against my horse instead
of trusting him, and Karen explained to me that it doesn't matter if I get it
or if it's easy for me, as long as my horse understands the question in front
of him then the rest will work out. Boy did I need to hear that.
So the next day I had Clark for jumping and is he the sweetest thing!! So calm I
don't think anything would make him mad! He really helped me to focus on
everything but my fear and boy did that work!! Later that day we worked on xc
position and played Man From Snowy River!! I was scared out of my mind for
that!! In case you don't know, we galloped down hill on a loose rein(if you
have a fast horse as I do you can understand the terror that first time down!).
I was one of the lucky ones who got David for that and he has a way of getting
the best out of you by tapping into what freaks you out!! After the first time
down you get the hang of it, then it's gallop down and then right back up
again!! Now that was fun (my horse decided to add a few crowhops to prove that
it was fun)!
The next day was xc!!! On to the fun part!! I had Cathy for that and boy is she
a hoot!!! She makes the whole thing fun and I don't think I was scared once
(except for the ditch - if you were there you know what I mean!!). It was a
really positive day for not only me but most importantly for my horse. I don't
think he has ever been as confident in himself as he felt that day.
The last day we got to work on our problem areas (for me it was back to those
oxers!!) I was lucky enough to get the ever friendly and always amusing Donna
Smith! She made the oxers feel like little verticals!! I dont know how she did
it but thank you Donna!! By the end of the last day, I felt like I had
accomplished more than what I set out to do, and I can never put into words
what David, Karen, Donna, Clark, Cathy and all the people behind the scenes did
for us!!! Thank you to everyone who was there for making it the best week of my
life!!!
See you all next year!!
Lauren and Pharoah Plichta
Especially for those of us who are more 'mature', with more than full time jobs,
it is great to spend 5 consecutive days with our horse especially with such
great training and insights, and with campers to share the experience and learn from. But it is also really frustrating to go back to real life & realize how hard it is to progress or even keep in shape, if you only ride 2-3
days a week, when you're not traveling. Also at 17 & forty-something we're a bit mature to start this game.
Even at 17 Willy is a bit of a 'special needs' child, and would benefit from
daily or regular work, which he never had. Normally I do some ground work with him before riding, and did quite a bit of ground driving and lungeing when he was a baby, as my
work permitted (a few times a month), and have continued it especially during
my injuries and back problems. But I had not had any instruction, nor much or useful equipment. David's ground work at camp was extremely helpful and fun, and I've been
continuing it, and would really like more help/training with that. I think its always good to spend time with & watch your horse before riding, and this is constructive & fun way to do it.
Shortening my stirrups 4 holes to gallop up & down hills was pretty cool too, and I really had to do it & feel it to believe that it worked. I'm pretty sure I have not had stirrups that short in more than 30 years, when
I rode baby race horses on the beach.
Karen was a blast for X-country, and especially for someone who has had very little
experience or instruction in this, the analytical aspects are pretty essential. Making the obstacles into technical questions or puzzles at all levels was a
really interesting strategy, and especially good for a horse who may be more
brave than interested in figuring something out.
Back at home, on his own turf, Willy is less of a terrorist, and can do a very
civilized dressage test and jumping exercises, with or without a saddle. At VHC with all the fun stuff going on, a lot of it seemed more like trying to
control an explosion than riding. Clark and Donna and Kathy were wonderfully
patient and helpful, even when some things got very frustrating. It was really
helpful to have the instruction and to see it work for the instructor and for
the campers.
