Nana Equestrian Training

03/21/2026

Saddlebreds at FEI

Heidelberg Cup 2026

Today Odin and I achieved the last score we wanted to move forward, and to schooling more GP movements. Although our score could've been higher for sure (58.9% at I-1), sometimes it's helpful to consider the larger picture beyond the score. There were mistakes, yes, but overall, Odin was more relaxed, and more confident. The judge's comment for me says it all: "Positive energy!".

This is especially uplifting given that Odin, for all his try and talent, has been extremely challenging to train. I often say that he is his own worst enemy. He can get extremely tense, brings spooky to a whole new level, doesn't let anything go, and hyper-fixates on the tiniest details. Sometimes just getting him around the ring is an accomplishment.

So when Odin shows up, and can be more relaxed, focused, and confident it is a huge accomplishment- especially at I-1.

From here we will move on to schooling more GP movements and one of Odin's favorite things- Piaf.

We also brought CHC Judicious for a second trip at First 1, and going into a new ring and being pretty sure he was going to die, he pulled it together for a 62.9%. Our only goal was really a positive experience and leaving the ring more confidently than he entered it was something I think we can say we achieved.

Although Judicious has a lot more maturing to do we are very happy with his willing, happy approach to everything. And now he can go back to schooling his favorite trick-flying lead changes:)

01/24/2026

Saddlebreds at FEI

Snowbird's Paradise Show

Today was Odin's third go at I-1, and while we are always working to reduce tension (Odin is a very tense, nervous type horse), we are so proud of him when he has reason to be tense (today there was construction going on near the show ring which gave many competitors trouble), but chooses not to. To us, that is the best kind of progress. For Odin, he earned a 60.7% and many 7s on his ride.

We also brought CHC Judicious, one of the babies with us, and it was his second show (ever). At First Level, he was super, winning his class and earning a 63.3%. Much to improve, but, again, we couldn't be happier with his willing, happy attitude.

01/10/2026

Saddlebreds at FEI

Dressage Under The Oaks

Today was Odin's second outing at I-1 and he really gave it his all. In fact, he was a bit of an overachiever and threw in a two tempi in the 3 tempi line and a 1 tempi in the 2 tempi line:) But overall he was wonderful, stayed with me the entire time, and came out with a 61.6 score.

As always, so grateful for the trying nature of this breed! (Will add photos when I receive them - the one posted is an older one.)

12/06/2025

Saddlebreds at FEI

Today was Odin's I-1 debut, and we could not be more proud. His confidence has improved tenfold and it showed for a 64.7%. And there is still much to be improved!

07/11/2025

We have some exciting news!

Odin (Virtual Explosion) is the All Breed Horse of the Year at the PSG level! (Per preliminary standings.) We could not be more proud of Odin, especially the tenacity with which he approaches everything we ask of him. That is one reason we love Saddlebreds.

And with this achievement, Nana Equestrian Training horses have captured all of the All Breed Awards at FEI level (Rockin In Vegas was the 2023 All Breed Horse of the year at I-1 , and the 2024 All Breed horse of the Year at Grand Prix).

Here is to more exciting things to come!

06/15/2025

Saddlebreds at FEI

Dressage At The Oaks 2 June 14-15

Super proud of these boys. Odin won his PSG class with a 64.4%. We simply could not have asked for anything more. He was able to stay relaxed, through, and confident the entire test. And while there were plenty of mistakes, there were also some really spectacular moments!

Carter was 2nd in his Intermediate 1 class with a 62.5%. He was super willing, focused, and engaged, and was an absolute delight to ride!

We just have screenshots for now, but will follow with professional photos when we receive them.

03/30/2025

Rockin In Vegas ready to rock and roll with his spring loaded tennis shoes.

First, yes these are FEI legal. For those who know me, you know I have always preferred my horses to be barefoot. Several years ago I took a few years off of my regular job as a licensed marriage and family therapist (MFT) and learned how to shoe horses. I actually had a career as a farrier, until my back said no more. However, during that time, I learned some invaluable information. One thing I learned that, at the time, was just making it's way onto the market was glue on shoes. Helped along by horses like Justify (he wore these between the Belmont and Preakness) and now riders like Shannon Peters, glue on shoes are now becoming more accepted.

In Vegas's case, a few months of drier than usual weather (making the footing harder than normal) combined with a thin sole (he has always had thin soles) led to some tenderness. So I tried this pair of glue ons from Easy Care (these are called Easy Care Performance), and the improvement was DRAMATIC! In fact his way of moving was entirely different- a freerer shoulder, more lift through the wither, and more reach with both front and rear legs.

I have also used these shoes to help Judicious (our young ASB c**t) transition out of the weighted shoes with size 3 nails he arrived with which led to serious deterioration of the hoof wall AND soreness. (There was no way another set of shoes could have been nailed on.) Now, his hooves have recovered fully, and, like Vegas, he enjoys lovely lift, reach, and freeness in the shoulder. Now if I can just to get him to stop doing lead changes all the time, because he thinks they are so fun:)

One last note about the picture. Being that this is work I do on my own horses, it could be much more finished looking. However, most important to me is functionality. With a job like this, I regularly get 8+ weeks wear, with horses that live out 100%, in all kinds of weather. In fact, I have yet to have pull a shoe:)

03/01/2025

02/04/2025

"Surely we ought to show them (animals) great kindness and gentleness for many reasons, but, above all, because they are of the same origin as ourselves." - Saint John Chrysostom

In today's society it is easy to fake awareness and Christianity. Many are doing so while hiding their inner hatred, anger, arrogance which are not as easy to spot as vanity, pride, greed, lust, etc.

One easier way to look "inside" one's heart, is to observe the way they treat the people weaker than themselves (less powerful, less important, less wealthy, less educated) and especially the animals (both wild and domestic).

"I am the servant of God. In the morning, I wash the feet of the poor, and at night, I comfort the animals." - Saint Martin de Porres

Animals, for the most part, "instinctively" know how to read a person's heart as well as to "read" between themselves. Watch how animals react to people, watch how animals interact with eachother. Most of all, watch how people treat animals.

"Believe me, for I know, you will find something far greater in the woods than in books. Stones and trees will teach you that which you cannot learn from the masters." - Saint Bernard of Clairvaux [Spiritual Founder of the Templar Order]

Part of our duties as Poor Soldiers of Christ is to help/defend those who cannot defend themselves. Part of our daily routine should be to show kindness to animals. It will not only help them, it will lower our levels of hatred, arrogance, anger, while increasing our humility, kindness, temperance, charity, and will plant/feed the seed of the kingdom of God.

"1 And now my children, listen to the words of truth to work righteousness, and all the Law of the Most High, and do not go astray through the spirit of hatred, for it is evil in all the doings of men.
2 Whatever a man does, the hater abominates himself: and through a man works the Law of the LORD, he does not prise Him; through a man fears the LORD, and takes pleasure in that which is righteous, he does not love Him.
3 He disparages the truth, he envies him that prospers, he welcomes evil-speaking, he loves arrogance, for hatred blinds his soul" Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs 3:1-3

Stay away from sin/abominations! Speak the Truth! Stay close to God! Deus Vult!

Bible/Scriptures reading.

"26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade,then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and smooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it."
St. Mark 4:26-32 (KJV)

Andrei's Templar Ministry (4 February 2025)

01/22/2025

Vegas, always eager to do more, working on his "Big Boy" gaits.💪

01/14/2025

Some photos from last weekend.

01/12/2025

Grand Oaks January Show.

From the time I started with Carter, I knew he had talent, but extracting it was never straight forward. More than once I questioned if he'd ever become an FEI horse. Well this weekend, he not only stepped up to I-1, with a 61.8% score, he earned his third 60%+ score at FEI to receive his CH-SH designation from ASHA.

Odin, who has struggled with a left lead change (being late) for some time, and really caused me to rethink my definition of patience, finally brought it all together put down two beautiful rides at PSG to earn a 60% and a 62.9% - both with plenty of mistakes and much room for improvement.

I could not be more proud of both boys, and especially demonstrating what Saddlebreds can do in dressage- even when they have challenges to overcome.