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Things That Really Matter....

July 12, 2010
From Lendon Gray on Facebook:

Courtney is progressing in all areas. She started hippo-therapy last week. That and some other special therapies being made possible by donations are a huge boost. She even flew to Michigan for a family affair this past weekend. Her determination is unshakable.
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Read about Susan's   successful two and a half year-long battle with developers that culminated in her appearance before the Governor and his Cabinet.


CLICK HERE

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At the University of Florida's Lewin College of Law's Public Interest Environmental Conference, Susan was honored as this year's "Unsung Hero" for her work on the issue described in the article above.

For Susan's remarks at the banquet
CLICK HERE


At right, a candid of Susan with
environmental activist attorney (and mentor) Ralf Brookes after her award.



                                                                             Steve Waller photo
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WATER WARS
Implicit in Susan's crusades
Read More Here

And, here, a separate link to Susan's
FALDO page!


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Re: more mundane matters:

WHO ARE
SUSAN and

BILL W OODS?

            Judging and teaching both at home in Central Florida and all around the country, Susan and Bill Woods each acknowledge over thirty-five years of experience that can help you better understand and train your horse.

            They have been active on the national dressage scene since 1980, their dressage specialty arising from broad backgrounds in balance-seat work, both on the flat and over fences.

            Both are known for their ability to outline sound, classical goals and to communicate effective techniques to riders of all levels. They carry on the ideals and principles they learned at the American Dressage Institute and the USDF-sponsored Violet Hopkins National Instructors Seminars and which they, in turn, were tabbed to spread to hundreds of teachers and dozens of groups throughout the US at USDF Regional Instructor Workshops.

            Susan and Bill are each USDF Bronze and Silver Medalists. They've each trained and shown many horses from Training Level to FEI, and they continue to coach students both at the Florida shows and those whom they meet at clinics and then send off to competitions, ribbons, and medals in their own areas. Their students show at every level through Grand Prix.

            Over twenty and nearly thirty years respectively of dressage judging give Susan and Bill a special perspective to help you understand what all judges are looking for and what it takes for you to succeed in the show arena.


            Find out more about each of them on the tabs to the left.  

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Recent Video from Bill:
The top riders of the '90s schooling "backstage" at Aachen Isabel Werth Aachen 95 part 1
Isabel Werth Aachen 95 part 2
Reiner Klimke  Aachen 95

A frivolous minute and a half of

Bill 30 years ago

TO GO DIRECTLY TO ALL OF BILL'S YouTube CREATIONS ON A SINGLE LIST,
CLICK HERE

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NOTE: If you have your choice of web browsers, this site plays much better if you use Mozilla or Safari rather than Internet Explorer!

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For the One Minute Version
of everything you need to know about woodsdressage.com

CLICK HERE


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BILL'S PROJECTED PATH

CLICK HERE FOR UPCOMING CLINIC AND JUDGING APPEARANCES BY SUSAN AND BILL

Find out
all about
Bill's new book

"If dressage were this funny, more people would be doing it!"


CLICK HERE for details, a sample, and how to order it

Plus new endorsements for the book

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The July/August 2010 USDF Connection says:

"Much as I love our sport, there aren't too many dressage tomes I'd consider taking to the beach... DRESSAGE Unscrambled is the rare exception.

"[Bill] also happens to be an astute observer of foibles both human and equine and a writer with a wry sense of humor.

"DRESSAGE Unscrambled distills a lifetime of memorable experiences and 'aha' educational moments into one unassuming paperback...

"Younger dressage enthusiasts will get a glimpse into how our sport has evolved, and those of a certain age will surely chuckle at some memories. And you'll probably learn something along the way, too."

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CLICK HERE TO HEAR
SOME STORIES FROM
DRESSAGE UNSCRAMBLED
READ TO YOU ALOUD!



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And trace, if you dare,
the treacherous path to

 
DRESSAGE Unscrambled's

   publication

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Question of the Month

Help me with "the helps!"
I’ve  been working on the walk-canter  transitions which we schooled at the end of our clinic lesson.  I put him on the 20 meter circle in shoulder-in at the trot and ask for the canter transition.  He obediently did it.  After bringing him back to walk on the 20  meter circle, I again put him in shoulder-in, then asked for the canter transition.  After a minor rearranging of feet (which is a timing issue and why I’m emailing you), he went into canter with no resistance.   Yesterday, I was working on this again and got the right lead walk-canter transition dead-on with no trot steps.   Now that I know what it feels like to do a “real” walk-canter transition, I need help with my timing.  Basically, I’m asking for the Betty Crocker version so I can develop the “feel” of when to ask.
Kayla, Shreveport, LA


CLICK HERE

FOR BILL'S ANSWER


Next Month's Question
:

In my lessons I get mixed up when asked to make a turn on the forehand or a turn on the haunches. Is there an easy way to keep the aids for those two movements straight?

Stay tuned for Bill's explanation.
Meanwhile, keep your questions coming!

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As if that's not enough, the man who loves to listen to his own voice(s) has started a



You can find it by clicking

HERE

(Latest entry: 7/30/10)

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Don't forget to check out our on-line store. Things to wish you had!

CLICK HERE.

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YOU are Visitor #

to the new woodsdressage.com
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Props to Pete Thosteson (The Younger) at Atomic Lightwave, Susan Petrillo, and Mare Prelovsky for inspiration and assistance with this site.


Numerous people have wittingly, unwittingly, and occasionally half-wittingly contributed photos to this site, the foremost of whom is Steve Waller. Thanks to all of you.
 
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