Jolene Heckerman and Claudia Deffenbaugh were the lucky riders who’s names were drawn as the SFP Chapter’s AA riders for this years clinic with Heidi Gaian.
On March 8-10 CDS hosted the Northern Adult Amateur clinic at Michele Vaughn’s Starr Vaughn Equestrian Center in Elk Grove. Michele rolled out the red carpet for the horses and riders, and everyone had a great time leaning new skills, meeting like-minded people, and being immersed in Dressage Land. This years’s clinician, Heidi Gaian is a seasoned FEI competitor, coach, and trainer as well as a USEF ’S’ dressage judge and a real hoot besides, often using humor to make her point and lighten the mood.
But I’ll let this years’s riders for the SFP Chapter provide their own feedback:
Jolene
Attending the Adult Amateur Clinic with Heidi Gaian was the perfect kick in the breeches I needed to launch me out of winter mode and back into intentional work. In the clinic I rode my 21 year old Friesian JoJo, my partner for the past 5 years. My goals are to ride third level this year and to maintain his health and fitness into a long life. Heidi was able to give me just enough feedback and instruction that we walked away confidently presenting a new picture in the dressage ring. More outside rein, better control in the canter and working on straight lines, we are on our way to making clean changes.
Working on our dressage goals was the focus, but the weekend also felt like a retreat for a busy professional working mom like me. Michelle Vaughn and company at Starr Vaughn Equestrian Center rolled out the red carpet for us attendees. The grounds were peaceful and the horses content and relaxed. The agenda for the weekend included moments for connection and reflection and plenty of sustenance. Thank you very much to the California Dressage Society, the San Francisco Peninsula Dressage Chapter and Starr Vaughn for this opportunity!
Claudia
I want to thank the San Francisco Peninsula Chapter, CDS and Starr Vaughn for hosting the 2024 Adult Amateur Clinic. It was enjoyable spending time with the other participants and getting to know them.
Heidi was wonderful, understanding and kind. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn from such an accomplished rider, clinician and judge. I will definitely use what I learned to improve my riding.