Tag Archives: Laurie Klassen

Marchadors in Cowboy Dressage

Our update from Laurie Klassen in SK, Canada:

“A successful season has come to a close for this Saskatchewan Cowboy Dressage rider. The cold and snow has crept in and the horses will have a winter layoff now.

The season was fun and I feel I accomplished some good goals. Both of my Marchadors ended up competing after my mare Joia had to be laid off to an illness.

Joia has beautiful rhythm and this season received a bronze award and pin for her accomplishments.  Beethoven went from the trail to the rail to the show arena in a blink of an eye as he stood in for Joia.
Beethoven received some good marks in his dressage tests and was awarded a champion ribbon.  Judges for the season were Kim Moats Canada and Lynn Ringrose Moe California for the finals.

Marchadors have lovely rhythmic movement and I encourage MM owners to give this sport a try.

Thank you to Jody Lynn Busch Horsemanship for her guidance.”

Jody Busch Horsemanship Drill team video!     We were awarded first place.

Photos of Laurie with her 2 Marchador horses – Joia and Beethoven!
Joia wears her bronze achievent pin and Beethoven with his championship ribbon with Laurie Klassen, SK.
Beethoven’s champion ribbon and others (red is first in Canada!) Beethoven had never done cowboy dressage before this show – a natural.
Joia’s ribbons and results through the summer 2017.
Beethoven do Summerwind. Beethoven is a son of 2 imported Marchador horses – La Paz Jivago and Azenha de Maripa.
Joia-Norte with Laurie Klassen, SK Canada. Joia is a daughter of Gralha MUG, imported Marchador mare in AZ.

January & February 2014 Photos

You can click on the photos to see FULL size!

SW Update – Beethoven do Summerwind – 2011 SW Awards Winner

Beethoven winning Reserve Grand Champion

The SW Award Program recognizes your efforts to promote the awesome Marchador breed using a SW Marchador (bred, sold or imported).   Getting our Marchadors in the spotlight – out into national or local all-breed events is not only fun, it helps others to see the quality, versatility and performance of the breed.   Any horse purchased from Summerwind, their foals or the product of a breeding from or to a Summerwind horse is eligible.

We couldn’t be happier that this year’s big winner was Laurie Klassen and Beethoven do Summerwind.  Read their story below and you will agree!

Congratulations, Laurie and Beethoven!  (cheers and tears of joy!)

Laurie’s Story

Beethoven winning the 2011 Summerwind Awards,is a “rags to riches” story in my eyes.

Beethoven learning to relax and trust again in Laurie's care.

Beethoven arrived at my farm 20 months ago, starved and extremely aggressive.  He had endured some hardship since he left Summerwind. I knew there were problems when I bought him,but as I purchased him sight unseen the magnitude of what I faced left me floundering.  2.5 on the Henneke body condition scale and a horse fighting for his life.

My endurance plans went up in smoke, I dug deep and settled in for the long road of rehabilitation.

Laurie and Beethoven at the All Breed Gaited Show

 

 

Fast forward 1 year, it’s May 2011. Ready to rock and roll and show my world what a Marchador is.  At each event Beethoven gained confidence, each new experience pushed me to try the next one.  My goal was to find out what Beethoven loved and along the way we had amazing experiences and won a few awards.  Our season culminated with Beethoven winning reserve grand champion in versatility at Western Canada’s largest all breed gaited show.

I am still struggling with some of the remaining starvation issues, who knew there were such long lasting effects? But I have hope that with time and consistency his mind and body will heal.

I really hope Beethoven approves of where his award money will be spent, towards a saddle purchased just for him.

  • Iberian Breed Demo.  June 11
  • Dressage/jumping camp. June 27- July 1
  • Inner city kids and horses day. (EAL )  July 13
  • Competitive Trail Challenge.   June 25 and July 23
  • Gaited clinic  Aug 12-14
  • Heritage Days Parade.  Aug 20
  • All Breed Gaited Show Sept 2-4

Beethoven taking a young rider on a wonderful Fall ride.

The above contains the formal planned part of our riding season.  We also participated in many trail rides,horse camping, ground and water training. (I believe he will need the services of a phycologist to totally rise above his water phobia 🙂 )  And we logged many miles endurance training,( btw Beethoven has a strong opinion about endurance…boring! ) and lastly, started him on cattle before winter came.

I also marvel that in late fall I was able to trust Beethoven to carry two teenaged, inexperienced riders on lovely fall rides.  They were thrilled with how sensible he was and, of course, how smooth.

The end

Laurie Klassen, SK, Canada, Owner of Beethoven do Summerwind

More about Beethoven:

Beethoven riding for his ABCCMM inspection at SW

Beethoven do Summerwind is the product of 2 of our finest imported Marchador horses: Azenha de Maripa and La Paz Jivago.  He was always a favorite around the barn with a Dennis the Menace kind of mischievous look to his eyes.   He left us at age three as a dream horse purchase.   And so it appeared to be, as we heard stories and got pictures of Beethoven happily being ridden in camp, playing soccer and bareback.   So, we were shocked when the new owner called and said she wanted to sell him.

Laurie Klassen had seen Beethoven in Scottsdale as a 2 year old and so when he became available for sale,  she took the plunge and bought her Marchador.   We were prepared to buy him back as well.

Beethoven - he always made me laugh!As a passionate MM breeder and a horse lover, I was shaken to the core the night that Laurie got Beethoven.  Expecting to hear happy news, I heard instead the dire news.  “I have just rescued a horse”, Laurie said.  “He might have been dead by spring.”  The pictures she sent made everyone who knew him cry.  After the initial shock, anger, frustration and the terrible realization that this happens to horses every day.    I just never wanted it to happen to SW horses – that is why the offer to buy them back is in my contracts and we make other efforts to try to ensure that our MMs will stay safe.

Laurie, is and always will be a hero in my book for taking on the problems that no one knew about, educating herself on how to solve them and nurturing a very good horse back to health.  She gave him a second chance, a new life and a wonderful family.  I am forever grateful and in her debt.

We are working on making Beethoven’s story into a children’s book.

Lynn Kelley, SW Future Foal @ Summerwind Marchadors