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Dabney Gentle Horsemanship
Sweden and Finland |
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| Classical Riding Skills Clinic |  Ed Dabney conducted a Classical Riding Skills Clinic in mid-August at Suncatcher Farms in Tryon, NC. Well attended by participants and spectators, several riders were welcomed back having participated in previous years in the Six Keys to Harmony clinics hosted at this same location. Clinic participants learned to properly execute the classical movements of shoulder-in, haunches-in, leg yield, turn on fore, turn on hind and canter depart along with improving other ground work and riding skills. The next Classical Riding Skills Clinic hosted at this location in Tyron, NC will be Dec. 10 - 11, 2011. "Many thanks to Karim and Sue Shihata for hosting our clinic at their beautiful Suncatcher Farms." 
 
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Stockholm, Royal Guard | |
In late August, Ed began his European Tour, arriving first in Sweden for a week of horsemanship demonstrations, EquineTec presentations for area Veterinarians and Riding Instructors and a Six Keys to Harmony clinic in northern Sweden. Next, Ed was off to Stockholm to meet our equestrian friends from Georgia who were arriving to experience our Scandinavian Riding Holiday. While staying at the luxurious four-star, First Hotel Reisen near the Royal Palace, they dined at Fem Små Hus, one of the finest restaurants in the Old Town section of the city. Most of the group chose reindeer roast, the restaurant's specialty, which is delicious! We were joined by our Swedish army friends, Hans and Roger and their delightful wives for a wonderful evening of fine cuisine and friendship.
 | | Major Hans Augustin and Deenie McKeever |
 The next day we enjoyed an amazing, private tour of the Cavalry Regimental Headquarters and stables hosted by our friend Major Hans Augustin along with a private tour of the King's personal stables and state carriages hosted by our friend Lt. Roger Johanssen. We were transported to the Royal Palace and directed to the VIP viewing area in the courtyard to see the traditional and very precise, mounted, Changing of the Guard Ceremony complete with accompaniment by the Royal Mounted Band (for which Ed did a clinic last year). Our U.S. guests were thrilled with all the awesome and unique opportunities and events, making many memories on this special day!
 | | Lt. Roger Johanssen and Deenie McKeever |
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| Upcoming Clinics |
December 3-4
Six Keys to Harmony
Guntersville, AL
Contact: Janet Culley
uptowngirl@msn.com
December 8-9
Lesson Days
Suncatcher Farm
Tryon, NC
training@eddabney.com
December 10-11
Classical Riding Skills for
Western or English
Suncatcher Farm
Tryon, NC
training@eddabney.com
For complete information on
all of our upcoming clinics
please visit:
UPCOMING CLINICS
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| Trail Rides |
Autumn is a great time to go on a trail ride! Come join us and enjoy the colors of the season on horseback. Please visit:
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| Stockholm to Helsinki |
 | | Deenie McKeever, Donna Peterson, Dixie Cowles, Lu Fisher |
We enjoyed a delicious lunch at a nice little sidewalk cafe, then, later in the afternoon boarded the luxury cruise ship, Silja Serenade, for our overnight cruise through the Baltic Sea. We sailed from Stockholm to Helsinki, passing through the incredible, thousand islands of the Archepelago. The ship had all the fine amenities that you would want including great food, nice shops, shows and a casino. Upon our morning arrival in Helsinki, we did some shopping at a unique, outdoor bazaar. Local craftsmen were selling a variety of very traditional handmade Finnish items, such as knives, wooden cups, fur garments, stone jewelry, etc. We enjoyed a fine lunch at the sidewalk cafe of the very posh Hotel Kamp, then boarded the train for a five hour ride north to Kalajoki, Finland. The following four days we rode horses on the beach, in the forest and along a beautiful wild river. One of the evenings the local Chamber of Commerce hosted our dinner at their waterfront cabin where our U.S. guests experienced the most prominent Finnish tradition of the sauna, followed by a jump in the frigid Baltic Sea.     |
| Finland High School |
We were invited to visit the local high school geography class to tell a little about Georgia and Wyoming along with describing the life of the cowboy. We even had an entertaining, impromptu roping demonstration in the parking lot!
 
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| Many Thanks |
On our one day rest from riding, we took an hour boat ride out in the Baltic Sea, to an old fisherman's island where there are quaint cabins and an old log church, built by the fishermen of the 1800s. Our host had a delicious lunch prepared for us on the island with traditional white fish that was caught and smoked that morning along with cheeses and vegetables. On our last evening, we were treated to a specially prepared traditional Finnish meal of River Eel caught that day along with roast Moose with root vegetables. The meal was prepared by a local chef, well known for the delicious dishes she prepares. It was all so good we were stuffed. "I wasn't sure if I would like the eel but it was delicious and I had 3 helpings."
Our whole experience in Kalajoki was top quality in every way. Many thanks to our hosts, Esa, Pievi, Sari and William who all went to great lengths to make sure every detail was covered and everyone was happy and comfortable. Special thanks to William who accompanied and transported us all week. He was always at our service with a bright attitude and a ready smile! |
| Comments from our guests: |
 | | Deenie McKeever |
"When you go on an Ed Dabney planned trip, you meet unique folks who become very special friends-share their customs and lives, and ride their horses -this time through magical forests unlike any I have ever seen except in a Disney movie! He is always looking for ways to give you an experience you could never get as a "Tourist"...imagine hugging a horse the King of Sweden rides and talking to the soldier who drives the carriage of the Princess! I can't wait until he plans another one!!" Deenie McKeever
 | | Lu Fisher |
"I loved Stockholm and everything to do with the Royal Palace Guard and their horses. Meeting Lt. Roger and Major Hans was such a pleasure. They added so much to our experience in Stockholm. The cruise ship was truly a treat for me. I was very impressed with Helsinki. What a beautiful city! Finland was unique in its own way. The people, the scenery and the food were great. You really do make sure every detail of the trip is first class. I really appreciate that. It's the only way to go." Lu Fisher
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| National News Story |
Here is a link for a national TV news story about our trip:
http://areena.yle.fi/video/1315845868593
It may take 10 minutes or so to load so be patient. Scroll through to about 04.39 and you can see the actual piece. It's all in Finnish except when Ed is talking.
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| Kokkola Cow Working and Roping clinic |
After our guests departed for their return trip to Georgia, Ed presented a one day clinic in Kalajoki with the high school Equestrian Team, then traveled to Kokkola for a four-day Ranch Horsemanship, Cow Working and Roping clinic. This was the first Cow Working Clinic ever held in Finland! The interest in this unique event was evident with both the local media and many spectators in attendance. The clinic was not only full, with the maximum number of participants, but there was a waiting list of those hoping to fill the spot if anyone canceled.
 | | Kenneth Puskala, clinic organizer |
"I am deeply grateful to my good friend Kenneth Puskala who devoted many hours of work organizing the clinic and lessons along with coordinating all the scheduling and travel details. Kenneth also accompanied me everywhere and provided translation. Thank you, Kenneth!"
Several participants traveled with their horses up to 6 hours to attend the clinic, coming from as far south as Helsinki and as far north as Lapland.
Hennna Koskien from Lapland, has booked Ed to conduct a Six Keys To Harmony clinic in May 2012 for her riding club. "I look forward to seeing that area of the far north of Finland. They are located very close to the Arctic Circle and often see the northern lights."
To see all the photos from the Cow Clinic please visit our photo gallery. |
| Participants Included: Reining Horse Champion and Dressage Champion |
 | | Finnish National Reining Horse Champion, Rebecca Ylitalo |
Ed enjoyed working with all the participants in the clinic among whom was the Finnish National Reining Horse Champion, Rebecca Ylitalo. After the cow working clinic Ed had 3 full days of private lessons in Kokkola.
 | Dressage Champion of the Finnish Equestrian Team,
Elin Bjorndahl |
The weather was great for the outdoor cow clinic but rained all day, every day, during the lessons which were mostly outside. "I hung up all my clothes in the bathroom with the heater going at night, hoping they would be dry for the next day!" Ed enjoyed working with all his lesson students including the Dressage Champion of the Finnish Equestrian Team, Elin Björndahl.
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Ed and Elin Bjorndahl |
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| Back to Sweden | |
After that it was back to Sweden where Ed conducted a Six Keys to Harmony clinic in Vallentuna at the Uppratta Riding center near Stockholm. The clinic went very well - good newspaper coverage and lots of happy riders with improvements for them and their horses. Several have already signed up for the next clinic there in May 2012. We are trying to organize a Cow Working and Ranch Horsemanship Clinic there also next spring.
Many thanks to our good friend Lena Danius for all her work organizing the clinic. Lena is one of Sweden's top level trainers and riding instructors who has studied under several modern classical riding masters for years. She provides basic and advanced training in classical riding and seat work for many clients throughout Sweden.
Ed also wishes to thank our good friend Maria Bucht for organizing all of his activities in the northern Sweden area of Kalix,Lulea and Pitea. Maria is a certified instructor of the Alexander Technique and assists many riders with achieving correct posture and balance for a secure and independent riding seat.
Lena and Maria are also on our team of EquineTec Professionals. They are using EquineTec in their lessons to capture and analyze video clips of their students which greatly accelerates learning and skill development. For more information on EquineTec, please visit www.equinetec.com |
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Ed Dabney
Ed Dabney Gentle Horsemanship
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