SUCCESS STORIES

Read below and see what our students say about us!

Hi Lynn,

I had to fill you in on Cowboy's success (I also attatched some pics we had our photographer friend take). I must admit, I thought Happy Note was a fluke. What horse has a month of training and wins multiple classes?! Well, November Third we hauled to Riparian. Cowboy stayed consistant. In the top four! Two Firsts, Three Seconds and One Fourth. We placed in all six classes, and even won against horses who are well beyond seasoned show horses. He's been amazing lately, and I can't help but look forward to next show season. At the last show in a class we won, Cowboy tried to take the ribbon from the girl! He knew that blue was rightfully his, and he intended on making it lunch.

Ohio Equine Affaire 2007
I received the call that I'd been waiting for - I'd been accepted to ride in one of Lynn's Clinics. Ecstatic beyond belief, I counted down the days, waiting impatiently for the future to become the present. The time came and four hours later we arrived at a cold, windy, rainy Columbus, Ohio. The place itself was crazy, and the time came for the clinic.

Being a rookie at such things, we'd been assured by a certain person that he would be there to help us. That promise fell through, and I was stuck on a nervous paint horse who wondered why in the heck we were out in such horrid weather. Lynn had me dismount, and Marie-Frances worked with me and my not-so-broke equine. I was eventually able to mount back up through the graces and patience of both Lynn and Marie-Frances.

I sat from a different perspective after our little session. This certain trainer just wasn't doing it for us, and it was time to move on. We'd outgrown this person, and it was time to move on to greener pastures. Lynn and Marie-Frances knew me for only 15 minutes, and both seemed determined to get things sorted out, so I could at least gain something from all of it - and I did. I followed the program religously and the show after this event really opened my eyes.

After following the Longevity Series, my horse responded in such a different way to me, and what I asked of him. He trusted me more than ever, and these simple exercises seemed to help him trust me enough that his trailer loading issues just dissapeared. When your horse does more for you, then he does for your trainer - you have an edge over anyone else - you have a true partnership. Without this experience, I'd hate to think what rut I'd be stuck in. Lynn opened my eyes and through her programs, Cowboy and I have become a team. 'That Winning Feeling' isn't just a book to us anymore, it's a reality.

Lacie Melhart
Indiana

Hey Lynn,

Just an update: We traveled to Mobile to run beginner novice at the Sandstone Equestrian Center. They held their inaugural event this weekend - just a schooling show with BN being the highest division. (Which means, of course, we were walking around like advanced riders at Rolex since ours were the biggest and baddest jumps on the field! Ha!)

Anyway, in my opinion, this was our first real test because this was the first time we unloaded at a new facility and went cross country and stadium without either of us ever having seen the jumps before. I ended up third out of 6 or 7 riders, and had a blast.

We nailed our standard 45 in dressage (he was great in warm up, but got high headed on the ride down centerline - I didn't get a thought of round or low until our second 20m trot circle. But, we are a work in progress - no bucking, so I was happy!), then had our first refusal on cross country (it was a boat - a real boat, painted New Holland/Ford blue, propped up on concrete blocks right in front of the stable and going downhill). I'm actually kind of happy it happened though, because now its over! And, on second attempt he went over like a trooper - again, I really feel this was my fault; if I'd really kept him between my legs instead of getting scared myself on the first approach, I think he'd have gone with me the first time!

Then, we had a clean stadium round, which had two very daunting jumps that everyone was concerned about - a large domino jump with a solid "trunk" built under the poles and a large rolltop. He jumped everything with ease.

And, for the VERY first time, I was relatively calm the entire weekend. After the day was over, my trainer asked me what was going on with me - that I was different (!), and when we got home she congratulated me on a much better weekend overall than I've been having. Its finally coming to me, Cyril - I'm starting to breathe and look around during cross country, and to actually ride my horse during the dressage test instead of closing my eyes and waiting for it to all be over hoping and praying the whole time that I don't forget a turn!

I'm also getting better at memorizing my courses and tests, and I'm really, really trying to do all things you told me. For example, I read my test for the last time the night before the show, and refused to think through it again after I tacked up. And, just as you said, when I entered the ring, it was there when I needed it to be. And, the more I practice what you taught me, the more confidence I'm gaining and the better things are going.

Anyway, sorry this is so long - I just wanted to touch base. Oh, and I found out today that I think I'm going to be the high point rider for the Tadpole/Beginner Novice division for our local Montgomery Area Dressage and Combined Training Association - that I can't believe! The awards won't be given until 2008, but if I do hold on to the "title," I'll send y'all a pic of Bobby in his monogrammed fleece cooler! (Now WHO would have thought that could happen?!)

Anyway, its been a great fall - and I'm hoping to come to Ocala for one of the horse trials and for lessons in the new year - I'll let y'all know when we'll be coming down. I've got an invitation to stay with Stephen Bradley where they winter (his horses From and Josh just made the A and B teams!); I'll actually be meeting him this weekend. He's flying in to stay here in Montgomery with Carol Anne and I'm supposed to get a lesson with him to round out our year of training. Again, this whole year's just been sort of a dream - and my arrogant little gray beast has taken me so much farther than I thought we'd get to go this quickly. I know his shortcomings, and I know mine - however, we are going and doing, and that's all I ever wanted. I'm just so happy finally to be a part of showing, and to feel that I've really accomplished some things with my own horse this year - and you all were a very big part of that for me.

I hope you all have a great Christmas! (P.S. - I attached our group photo in case I haven't sent it to y'all before!)

Yours,
Tina Coker, Alabama

Hey Lynn,

Congrats on that mainstream plug in Women's Health. Michelle sent me the whole article. Your tips were great! Just perfect for the novice ... and boy wasn't it obvious that the writer was indeed ... a novice! But I know the mainstream expose will give you a big boost in sales and web hits! YAY!
hugs
Tess

Lynn,

Please know how deeply appreciative I am that you so graciously allowed us to film at your wonderful facility this summer. We will be launching our new website in the weeks to come and we are excited to say the least. It could not have been possible without the wonderful support of so many, including you. Thanks again.

On another note... I had the grand pleasure of sharing a considerable amount of time visiting with the lovely Jane Savoie recently. We were both performing at the Mane Event Horse Expo in BC Canada. We shared a ride from the airport in Vancouver to Chilliwack prior to the event and then shared the return ride as well. The time afforded us to have a wonderful visit. Of course your name came up. We both have the keenest amount of respect for you. Jane always speaks so highly of you. I am honored to know you both.

Please give my regards to everyone there and if I do not see you or talk to you soon we wish you and yours a wonderful Holiday Season.

Van Hargis
LoneStar Horsemanship
www.vanhargis.com

Hello Lynn,

I was out riding my little mare today...the little bay that I had you evaluate a little over a year ago, and I thought about that last clinic and what you had told me to do with my mare....ie....horsemanship, trail and showmanship...etc. Last winter I sent my "Bella" to a different trainer and told him to get her bending around my legs so we could develope a rounded circle instead of having her go down the rail sideways. She now bends very well, and we don't have to keep the damn spur in her guts to keep her moving.

I do use a spur, but the smallest one I could find. Alas...a much happier and better horse! Well Lynn, I cannot tell you what a wonderful difference it made in my Bella. We started doing Trail classes, of which she is not that good at yet, but is soooo willing to try anything I ask of her and we win big points for her animation.

Her Western pleasure has improved enormously...but most of all....I want to tell you we have been placing in the top 3 every time in Horsemanship. (Every time, ha, we have done horsemanship 4 times now) How wonderful is that! We have been doing showmanship, but not with much success yet.....but she finially has grasped the concept of setting up with the "H". She just was not getting that back leg to move....then at the last show....took her to the arena for showmanship....and during the practice before the class....she just did it! Like the light had turned on overnight and she got it! Amazing! I am looking forward to a wonderful show season next year...Anyways.....Bella won her first Amatuer all-around and has 3 all around runner up's to her credit. Not bad for a horse I was gonna give up on last year....*grins from ear to ear*.

OH but Lynn....how I miss my English classes. My big ol' red dun that I used for English was out most of the year with abscesses. What a drag! But....we tied for the overall Select high point at the Region 1 this summer....the ol' boy even did horsemanship and got 2nd. I was shocked at that! Do you know they gave the highpoint to the other lady because she had ridden in more classes than I. Well, we rode in the same number of classes...but I rode my mare in Western pleasure instead of my gelding....oh well.....I was disappointed, but I already had a nice new silver adorned show saddle and the other lady didn't...so it was nice she could win it. C'et la vie!

Anyways...its been a good show year. And I was sorry to have missed your last clinic here in Washington state. Perhaps I can attend your next one. My goal for next year is to qualify both horses for the select world, and also take my dun to the Buckskin world.....big goals...lots of money! Whooohoooo! Thanks for all the help you have given me....and I hope you give yourself a pat on the back and take some credit for my successes also....brava!

Idalee Hutson-Fish
hutsoni@whitman.edu
Dancing from the Inside Out!

Hi Lynn and Cyril-

I hope you are doing well, I missed not being able to make the trip to Bessemer this year. Here are a couple of candid pictures of Smarty, my 2-year old. These photos were shot in early August and he has improved a lot since then. You'll see in the photos that I struggle a bit keeping his head up. His mouth is extremely soft and he naturally wants to go slow and carry his head too low, so I'm always asking him to move out and not dive into the ground. The photos were shot in a walk-jog class, he was wonderful in traffic and had the best little attitude for showing. We finished this year with High Point Halter Champion of the circuit and I am looking forward to showing him next year in the halter and pleasure. For now, I'm taking it very slow with him to keep his soundness and happiness in check!

Take care,
Ericka Utz
Howell, MI

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Sherry Clemens
Hunt Seat Horses.com
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Hi Lynn!!!

Sorry I missed the chat this week. It's been a while since we've been in touch. I had to leave the "chat before last" before you got on. Anyway, here's the summer story. On Memorial Day weekend I came off Leelee on the trail at a beautiful place near my house. A deer "appeared" on the trail about 30 feet in front of us. They really seem to do that! For a few seconds no one moved... I just sat there mezmerized by this beautiful young doe. She was about 1/2 Leelee's size and right in my line of vision. I assume she darted because the next thing I knew we were turned in the opposite direction on the trail and I was hanging off the mare's side. My saddle had slipped to the right. The "little voice" had told me when I first started out to tighten the saddle, I had leaned over and felt that it was a bit loose but chose to go on and not tighten it. Big mistake....ALWAYS listen to the "little voice". Back to the story... As I hung there (literally), I may have said "whoa" or "stand", I can't say, but she stood perfectly still. Now I could see a tree trunk in my direct line of vision! I dropped off of her to the ground. She still stood quietly I got up and walked her for 15 minutes or so to make sure I hadn't hurt myself ( I have had trouble with my right shoulder in the past), got back on, and rode for another two hours. We had a great ride. That's the day we cantered up and down the small hills.

I'm telling you this because I really feel that the training I've done with her based on MY training with you and Cyril made all the difference. If she had taken off down the trail I could have been badly hurt. As a caveat to this story at my next Centered Riding lesson with Robin Harris she pointed out that perhaps it was more than just a slightly loose girth that landed me perpendicular to the trail....like you say, "it's all about balance". Since then I have been doing more posting without stirrups and CANTERING without stirrups, working on balance and centering.

I just wanted to share this with you and thank you and Cyril for , well, everything you've done for me. Hope to see you all in October.

Love to all,
Terri

Congratulations to Lynn Palm and Cheryl Dudley of the Appaloosa Journal on their prize winning series about collection!

The Land of Enchantment was the site for the American Horse Publications annual awards presentations held on June 23, 2007, during the AHP "Fiesta del Caballo" Seminar in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The event opened with a reception co-sponsored by Dover Saddlery and EQUUS which was followed by the Awards Banquet co-sponsored by Quebecor World and Branch Smith Printing. Breyer Animal Creations sponsored the limited edition centerpieces that featured the Breyer model of Windtalker, which one lucky attendee at each table took home.

Class Entry and Judge Remarks
Class 6, Instructional Series (11 entries); March, June, September, and December 2006

First Place: Appaloosa Journal, "How to Achieve Collection" by Lynn Palm with Cheryl Dudley

This entry is easily one of the top contenders in the class. Not coincidentally, it's also one of the most well written. Excellent use of leads to define, describe and to invite the reader into learning. Excellent statement of the series objective up front. Strong use of summary at the end of each installment, accompanied by a clear, concise description of what readers can anticipate in the next installment.

To find out more, visit the AHP website. Click Here

Blaze essay contest winners
Spring 2007

Grand Prize

Dear Blaze,

I love horses because you can always trust them to be a good friend. You can't always trust people, but if you want a friend for a lifetime look to a horse.

I love horses because they have feelings and emotions just like we do, so we can feel what they are feeling and become closer to them. They also can have their own personalities. I love getting to know different horses with different personalities.

I love how God gave us these beautiful creatures and if you need a friend, trust in them (a horse) - to give you a wonderful life.

With lots of love to our horsesy friends,

Hannah Neumann
12 years old

Second Place

Dear Blaze,

If someone was to ask me why I love horses I'd reply, "I can't tell you, it's something you have to feel for yourself." Horses may be pets in some people's eyes, but to me, my horse is my best friend, one that's there every Friday night when my best friends are busy.

My horse and I compete and nothing is better then being in the starting gates and feeling the magnificent and mighty horse you're on tense up ready to fly. As we race toward the barrels it's like poetry as my horse runs, its beats pour out like words pour onto the paper as a writer writes.

Clip, clop, clip, clop the silent beat of my horse running in the dark at night gives me full contentment to know he's running to see me. Some people ride horses at riding schools and just ride then hand their horse off to a groom and leave. Well those people aren't really feeling a connection with their horse, and not bonding. When you really love a horse it means you're willing to give up a part of yourself for that horse who will eventually fill it.

Loving a horse also has a price, I'm not talking about money either, I mean loving them means turning down dates and movies with friends to spend time with them. Sure it's fine to go out once in a while, but that horse needs your love and compassion so don't forget them out in the paddock or stall. So if you're willing to give up part of yourself you're ready to open your heart to a magnificent creature like my horse, Daniel Ray Dues.

Love,

Taylor Graham

Dear Blaze,

I love horses because they smell good, they are loyal and they are funny! Horses are so sweet! I can always count on horses! Horses are fun to ride, they are graceful and lovable. I love horses!

Riley Wickline,
9 years old