David Collins Clinic December 4 and 5, 2021 at Buttonwood Farm

David Collins riding Heinrikka’s stallion Teukka

We were excited to present this wonderful clinic opportunity to ride with David Collins on December 4 and 5, 2021 at Buttonwood Farm.

David’s resume is long and impressive. His education includes his 20 year training relationship with Eicke von Veltheim, international competitor and classical dressage trainer of more than 40 horses to Grand Prix and 60 to the small tour level. David also spent time at the world renowned Stromsholm Riding School in Sweden to become an instructor and developer of young horses. He also worked for Heinz Lammers, Reitmeister FN and USA Olympic coach in Germany. Reitmeister Lammers certified David to train horses to Grand Prix according to FEI standards.

David’s large tool bag of experience was demonstrated well with our range of riders and horses in the clinic over the weekend. We had FEI level school masters, and a youngster not yet backed, amateurs just learning the ropes, and professionals working with clients horses for David to work with. What was clear and consistent in David’s work was starting each session with relaxation and suppling exercises to then allow the horse’s body and mind to move freely forward into better balance and engagement. Every horse left the arena happy and the riders learned so much.

We had a nice crowd of auditors who asked great questions and found some good take-aways to bring home to their own practice with their horses.

SFDA is very thankful to Jennet Cook Linn for organizing and hosting the clinic at her Buttonwood Farm. In addition, Jennet arranged with Finish Line Feed and our local Purina and Triple Crown rep, Susan Sandall to cater our lunches both days. Susan also brought us product samples and discussed with us which ones that might be helpful to add to our horses diets.

It was great to get to know Susan! We asked her to be our impartial name picker for our free membership since we had reached our goal of getting 25 new or renewing members to start the 2022 membership year which started on December 1. Congratulations Laurie Tuchman for being our lucky winner!!

We also celebrated Becky Lamas’s birthday and Susan generously gave her a large bag of Purina Outlast.