March 26 & 27, 2024
Rancho Gavilan, Gilroy

The San Francisco Peninsula Chapter of CDS was excited to host a clinic with Jenny Veenstra.  Dutch born, Belgium based, Jenny is an accomplished Grand Prix rider and instructor.  Certified in Action Training Jenny brings her deep dressage knowledge alongside effective athletic performance techniques, educating clients from Europe to the US, South Africa, and Australia.  

The clinic was held at Rancho Gavilan, allowing us to continue rain or shine.  The owner, Alicia Becerra-Mendoza, provided a lovely, quiet facility for the clinic with many special touches.  With multiple arenas available there was plenty of space for people to warm-up and cool down. 

As an auditor I was intrigued by Jenny’s use of Action Training in analyzing the riders personal movement patterns through a series of simple physical tests.  She was able to use this understanding to customize each session and help the rider understand these patterns and provided input on how to correct and improve their skills, including using an eye patch to help riders understand how they use one side of their body differently than the other, or how their movements impact the horses understanding. Some of the results were really amazing.

But I’ll let the riders and auditors speak for themselves:

Margie:
“Jenny was excellent, the action type work on the ground I really think will help me organize my body in a way that allows me and my horse Al to do Grand Prix and have it be so much easier when I get to the show arena. It was kind of fun to be nervous and want to ride well and have it go a little sideways and then use my body to open things up and boom, the canter zigzag was actually easy!! Thank you all for inviting me, thank you for finding such a treasure.  Al and I are very grateful.”

Karen:
“It was absolutely AMAZING.   So much fun and so educational. Much thanks to everyone for such a gift.“

Brian:
“It was so informative, thanks Jenny! Also thanks to everyone for making me feel so welcome and included.”

Kim:
“I was fortunate to be able to audit Jenny Veenstra’s clinic held at Rancho Gavilan in Gilroy.  Jenny takes a holistic approach to horsemanship and finding the optimal ways to instruct and inspire each horse and rider combination. Her approach is quietly structured and she is able to bring out the best in her students. Coming from a family of horsemen, Jenny is kind, patient and generous with her vast knowledge of training and biomechanics.

Alicia Becerra Mendoza’s Rancho Gavilan is a quiet and well-maintained facility, and the perfect clinic venue with plenty of room to warm up and cool down after your ride. The horses were relaxed, comfortable and ready to give their best.”

Katrina:
“I watched some rides on Tuesday. Jenny was amazing! There were a number of “Aha” moments, even as a spectator I got a lot out of it.”

Learn more about Jenny at:
www.jennyveenstradressage.com

• Kari Browne