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Saturday, July 3, 2010
Ups and Downs............The beginning of the season for myself and my team at NLE has been unbelievable. Several wins at multiple competitions is
what makes this all so much fun. But what goes up....must come down. Darn! So my up definantly came down! I was 2nd at
Galway Downs 3* riding my new mount Bubbles @ Bricky. He incurred a minor injury that needed a couple months off and with
only 2 weeks under saddle he won't be fit enough to compete at the World Cup at Rebecca Farm this month. I am very
disappointed as the entry list looks like it will be much fun to be competing! In addition to this, my last competition
at the Colorado Horse Park was personally one of my worst competitons in my history of competing. My students were amazing!
So that softened the blow. Jimmie Holotik was 1st in the OP, Alexa Perkiel was 3rd in the 2* and Chloe Smyth completed her
first Preliminary! However I had some "bad luck" and some unfortunant experiences. Day 1 of the show seemed
to be going fabulous! Everyone was in the top 3 after dressage. Both of my 1* horses did an exceptional dressage test and
made me feel as though we were right where we wanted to be 2nd and 3rd with less than a rail to 1st. My first horse
on course was spooked by a spectator and he wheeled and I came off. The good news is that my new "HIT AIR VEST"
deployed and I was happily uninjured after landed on a very hard spot on course. This unexpected departure landed us
a BIG "E" on our record without a qualifing score. Which complicated things as I'm trying to qualify CSI to
compete at a 2* at the end of the year. I then got on my second horse and had a refusal out on course...which led me
to receiving an unexpected "Dangerous Riding" penalty. The President of the Ground Jury stated that having my horse
pick up 5 canter strides before a fence was potenially dangerous and therefore was going to issue a 25 penalty Dangerous Riding
penalty. So as there are up's.......there are down's. I'm hoping I got them all out of the way as I really
don't want to have a competition remotely close to that ever again. Soon we will be going to compete at Rebecca Farm.
I am looking forward to seeing quite a few East Coasters coming to compete. The Brossard's always put on a first class
event. Until the next one......I will be continuing to work hard and train towards perfection. We can't always control
our circumstances.....but hopefully we don't ever repeat them!!! Happy 4th of July!
T
11:53 pm pdt
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Woodside Horse Trials 15k Preliminary ChallengeNLE dominated several divisions at the Woodside Horse Park. The biggest accomplishment was the 1-2 finish by Tamra Smith
riding CSI and Alexa Perkiel riding Apres Ski. Tamra placed 1st after conquering the challenging cross country course
and jumping clean show jumping. Alexa finished just .2 behind Tamra. Alexa and her young promising horse "Beau"
made the challenging course look easy. In additon, Jimmie Holotik riding Power Rule placed 4th in the 15k Preliminary Challenge.
We took a large group and everyone rode fantastic.
10:42 pm pdt
Friday, May 21, 2010
Exciting changes for NLEWell, it's been a great spring so far and we are home again from another successful weekend at Galway Downs Horse Trials.
Tamra won the Open Intermediate riding Gallipoli II and was respectively 7th on Miss Congeniality. Placed 6th
on C.S.I. in the Open Preliminary after a conservative cross country round. Jimmie Holotik riding Power Rule placed
3rd in Preliminary Rider. In addition, Kaylawna Smith placed 6th. Vicky Conway placed 2nd in the Novice Senior
and Connie Bowman placed 4th riding Surpise Package. We will be off to Woodside in a week and looking to have continued
success. Tamra and NLE are looking forward to having continued success and appreciates what a loyal, fun team that
comprises the true definition of "Team".
Keep up the good work!!!
10:37 pm pdt
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Galway Downs Gold Cup QualifierfA great show and probably one of Bubbles best dressage tests to date. He is really coming along! He gets stronger by the
day and I'm thrilled with his progress. I'm not certain what to do next. I wonder if taking him to his first CCI3*
this spring is too early. It is very easy to get caught up with what's next and hard to really stay focused on what best
for your horse. I have not decided what my plan will be but I'm going to keep all my options open.....leaning on the side
of whats best for Bubbles! If we don't go east we will be going to Rebecca Farm in Montana in July. Looking forward
to some fun with that! As for everyone else......the horses are going well.....Jimmie Holotik is a new groom for me
and I'm loving every second she is here. We are off to Twin Rivers this week. I'm only riding a couple so it
will be a quite weekend. And then we are off to Rolex Kentucky to meet a few new friends and watch some great horses and riders
compete. I will be very disappointed that I won't be competing but hopefully this time next year Bubbles will be really
and able!
Until next time...................
Tamie :)
12:41 am pdt
Monday, March 8, 2010
Twin RiversWell it was a wet weekend at Twin Rivers and good practice to ride in the pouring rain! Bubbles is now qualified to
compete at his first CIC3* after a very successful weekend. He showed a very workman like performance and I was pleased with
his progress as we placed 4th in a large field of seasoned Advanced horses. Poor Clark Kent had to run his first Intermediate
in the pouring rain and under some very dark clouds. He skipped around the course fabulously and it was very exciting to feel
how far he has come! I remember jumping him over his first cross country fence. It's hard to believe he used to be a "Hunter".
hahaha C.S.I. (the new grey I have been riding) was very good and really coming around. He really try's and seems
to have way more ability than I think I even realize. Miss Congeniality jumped around beautifully and although dressage
was to be desired she always redeems herself the second I point her at a jump. Fleeceworks Fernhill is a new horse I
am riding and a very talented horse she is. As with any mare or stallion it takes time to develop that "relationship"
with them. I feel as though Fern and I are really starting to click and she was a pleasure to ride. I think there are big
things in store for these horses and I'm thrilled to have so many great horses to ride.
The rest of NLE had
a great show! Jordan Linstedt and her handsome Irish horse "Jack" completed their 3rd Advanced and placed 7th. They
will be working towards competing at Galway Downs CIC3* this spring. Jordan also rode "Short Stop" for Jessica Burch and
Shorty showed a little green but really stepped up to the plate and did a great showing in his first ever Event. We are looking
forward to seeing Jessica compete Shorty at 3 Day Ranch. Tamara Ryan on Gem Dandy rode very smart and effective. Dandy
is not a very easy horse to ride at Twin Rivers and she did a great job placing 7th in the Open Training. Chloe Smyth
rode a new mount to her and did a great job as well placing 3rd in the Jr. Training. Brie and Chloe have a great future together.
Victoria Speck rode her handsome horse in their first Preliminary. They had a fabulous dressage test and a little
were unlucky in the show jumping. We will be going home and doing some homework on the Trakehner and his thinking process.
Well, we are off to 3 Day Ranch this week and hoping for a great showing.
Until next time........
Tamie Smith :)
10:45 pm pst
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Food for thought...............The last few months have been very busy. Getting ready for the show season almost seems more
work than the "actual" competing. I have been driving up to Los Angeles originally for Developing Riders and was
invited back to the last two Training Sessions, which were extremely informative. I feel like my riding has really gotten
the boost it was needing. I was able to take Bubbles as well as a few young up and coming horses. I rode with
Sandy Phillips as well as The Captain and learned as much in my lessons as watching the other riders lessons. The USEF has
done a great job restructuring the Training Sessions and I can't tell you how great it was to train at such a great facility
as El Campeon Farms! First Class ALL THE WAY!
Recently, I have had some struggles with being too "invested"
in my students and at times it can drive me a little crazy and the people around me because I want them to get better and
when they take a detour or some steps back I take it as a personal defeat.
I felt as though I needed to step back
and not be so "invested" because I only disappoint myself. But out of the blue I received this message today from
a previous student of mine and I thought I would share it....... Hi
Tami, I saw this quote by Winston Churchill and it
made me think of you. You were always such an inspiring trainer and I've found that quality is actually a real gift. Many
people can be good at teaching but not necessarily inspiring. You are/were BOTH! It also made me think of you--as I've seen you well up with tears a few times when your
students came out of the ring after a good round...... (including me when I jumped that dbl. clear round at Galway after
I had had such a disastrous practice round a few days before). "Before you can inspire with emotion, you must be swamped with it yourself. Before you can move their tears, your
own must flow. To convince them, you must yourself believe." Anyway, just wanted to pass it along.... K
Needless to say.......I will continue to
be "INVESTED"! Thank You Kathleen!
So NLE is off to Twin Rivers
for a great event this week. I will be keeping you all posted and hopefully we will try and stay dry. Rain is in the forcast.
Thank God for my Kerrits Riding Jacket! I think I will be putting it to use this weekend.
Til next time..............T
7:15 pm pst
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
ThermalWell it's been a busy start to a busy year! I just arrived @ the HITS Horse Show in Thermal. I'm looking forward
to perfecting our show jumping here this week and also watch Susie Hutchison in the Grand Prix ring. Training Sessions
will begin again next week February 10th-12th at El Campeon Farms. It will be another wonderful experience and I believe
an educational 3 days. Capt. Mark Phillips as well as his wife Sandy will be teaching. I'm looking forward to
working hard and learning alot! Well I will keep everyone posted on our progress at Thermal. Until news changes
I will be signing off! Good Night All!
Best, Tamie :)
12:51 am pst
Friday, January 29, 2010
Developing Rider Training SessionsWhat a great first training session at El Campeon Farms in Thousand Oaks with Capt. Mark Phillips. It was a very
knowledgable weekend and Bubbles and I especially loved the accomidations! What an amazing facility! The owners are very generous
to allow us to have our training session at this beautiful private facility. I felt like the girl in "Sylvester"
driving up to the barn!
The first day we rode on the flat with The Captain and it was a very good tune up! Bubbles
missed his dear friend and I think was especially surprised when Mark got on him the second day. Apparently, I was allowing
the prince to be a little "rude". We ended with a good jump school and were invited back to the remaining training
sessions leading up to Galway Downs CIC 3*.
Bob and Vicki Conway were able to come up and show their support. It
was great seeing them there! Bubbles especially loved that they helped put 4 extra bags of shavings in his stall. Dr. Emily
Sandler and Jordan came to watch on Monday. It's always nice to have a support group cheering you on. I added a
couple photos of what the facility looked like, however they don't even begin to do the facility justice.
We
are returning back to El Campeon on February 10-12 and have the opportunity to ride with Sandy Phillips as
well. I'm looking forward to the time spent with her in addition to The Captain. We will be off to our first event
at 3 Day Ranch One-Day on February 7th. I think the horses are all ready to get back to business and start competing again.
I am definantly looking forward to it. I have a few new young prospects that should be fun competing and getting
to know this upcoming season.
In addition to my personal horses, we have a few additions to the NLE Team. We are
excited about our new friendships!
Again, I thank all of you who continue to be my loyal and positive supporters.
Good Luck to all of you with the upcoming 2010!
Tamie 
10:05 pm pst
Monday, January 18, 2010
NLE Updates2010 is here and NLE is off and running. Developing Riders will be held at El Campeon Farms in Thousand Oaks, California on
January 24-25. Auditors are welcome to attend and are encouraged to watch the training sessions.
Tamie will
then be going to the HITS Thermal Feb 2-5 to work on her show jumping to try and work out any kinks before
the season begins.
February 7th will be NLE's first cross country outing @ 3 Day Ranch One-Day to
prepare everyone for the busy 2010 season and our first event of the season at Twin Rivers Ranch mid February.
We
will be busy coping with the rain Southern California isn't used to.....pulling out our East Coast apparel and facing
the rain in our wellys and rain gear.
We are looking forward to some exciting new partnerships this season and
thanking everyone who supports NLE and Tamra Smith with there kind words and great friendships.
3:33 pm pst
Thursday, January 7, 2010
The Chronicle of the Horse - Young Riders Are Falling Through The Cracks.....
9:13 pm pst
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