Welcome from the organizers!

On behalf of Liz, Jane & myself, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the 2011 Rider Development Program with Ralph Hill.  Please check back to this blog often for updates, news, rider application information and, once the series is underway, ride times and other important information for clinic participants and auditors.  You can sign up to get an email every time we update the site, so you don't miss out on any important information.

We will be bringing Ralph back to Minnesota (and Wisconsin) for a 4-clinic series during the spring and summer of 2011.  Groups will be small - 2 to 3 riders per session.  Prioroty will be given to former clinic participants and riders in active competition.  We will post the formal application process once it is open.  We are pleased to announce the following dates, venues & clinic emphasis:

May 7 & 8: Trophy Hill Farm (Cologne, MN) owned by Katy & David Holub, managed by Liz Lund. Emphasis: Grids, stadium, sharpening up after a winter indoors.  Using the spacious indoor and brightly colored show jumps, expect an intense tune up.  We will also be using the water complex with banks and limited cross country, weather permitting.

June 11 & 12: Wildwood Equestrian Center (Osseo, MN) owned by Julie Stenslie.  Emphasis: Cross Country.  Wildwood Equestrian Center has XC jumps from BBN to Prelim with water, ditches and banks available for all levels.  If weather dictates, will work on stadium in spacious indoor arena.  Wildwood owns several Jump For Joy stadium fences - get your horses used to these new fences that are becoming ever popular at the horse trials.

August 6 & 7: Focused Riding Center (Hager City, WI) owned by Jane Braddock.  Emphasis: Ever wanted to do a long format?  Now's your chance to learn from one of the best!  This clinic will focus on how to successfully condition for and ride all 4 phases - roads & tracks, steeplechase and true cross country.  Will include sessions on the 10-minute box. 

Sept 10 & 11: Magister Equitum Stables (Hector, MN) owned by the Schweiss Family.  Emphasis: Cross Country and Stadium - final wrap up to cement those lessons learned before the final run of shows for the season.  This clinic is being held at one of MN's new eventing facilities between their 2 recognized shows.  Had a problem at the July show?  School the question with Ralph to prepare for the October effort.  Beautiful, new cross country designed by John Williams. 

Questions?  Please feel free to contact one of us by clicking on our names: Liz Lund, Jane Braddock, Jen Johnson.  Or, better yet, get us all at once with our clinic-specific email RalphHillMN@gmail.com

Ralph teaching Emma James & Jen Johnson, former clinic participants, in 2010.