On March 1^st & 2^nd, 2008 over a cold, but clear weekend in Enumclaw, Washington several hardy dressage riders audited and rode with Carol McArdle.  Carol has a long history with horses, and more recently with Andalusians.   You may remember seeing her on the stallion Victorioso, still a part of her horse family, riding a Grand Prix dressage test or dancing to the music at the Canadian Andalusian horse show.  We were luckily enough to find an open weekend for Carol that matched with an open weekend at the lovely facility known as Havilah. 

NWAHA members, Linda de Wilde-Petersen and Toni Mueler, organized the clinic and had two full days packed with riders  with a waiting list of hopefuls who hadn’t gotten their entry form turned in quite early enough to secure one of the covered spots with this well-known clinician.  A number of auditors could be found watching with rap attention huddled under the propane heaters.  Each ride was masterfully taught with Carol’s attention to both the horse’s and the rider’s skills and needs.  If you did not have a chance to ride with Carol at this clinic, watch the NWAHA website for the possibility of a 2^nd clinic with Carol in Oregon later this Spring. 

Not to be found sitting down and instructing, Carol was regularly in the middle of the arena with riders.  Either discussing concepts or helping from the ground.

On Saturday night after the rides, we were all invited to the home of Linda de Wilde-Petersen for a Tapas party, Spanish wine and unending chatter about our horses.  The Tapas were expertly prepared by a caterer and friend of Linda’s and we were treated to such Spanish fair as Paella and traditional Spanish appetizers.  After everyone had their fill we were invited to listen to Carol McArdle lecture about our Andalusian horses and dressage.  She kept us on the edge of our chairs for nearly an hour describing the mechanical/physical differences between the Andalusian horse and the typical warmbloods.  She also discussed the meaning behind classical dressage and how it is the foundation for all training, regardless of the discipline.   

Our clinic hosts, middle and right, Linda de Wilde-Petersen and Toni Mueller with member, Cathy Sause, left.  All decked out in their Spanish attire for the Tapas party.