Cross-Fit Equestrians
Orion
Liberty, Spiritual Healer, Dressage
BIO
Orion is a once in a lifetime horse. After figuring out how to best work with his unique personality, we have unlocked a truly amazing horse. Every day amazing me in how far he progresses, both as an athlete and a willing partner.
The Beginning:
Rescued from the slaughterhouse in Canada, Orion came to Great Heights having suffered serious abuse at the hands of humans within an extremely short period of time (two weeks). Pulled from the fields as a four year old, Orion quickly failed a screening process and was dumped at auction.
Upon arrival, Orion was wild beyond belief and frightened of literally everything with sound or motion. Orion could not be caught, shook violently all the time in the presence of humans, and would flee (often through fencing).
Training:
After being assessed for both personality and confirmation, a program was created to help Orion. It failed... so we tried another approach.. .this failed. We continued in this manner for years. Recently we began applying trauma informed therapy intended for people, with clicker training- finally success! The first step was addressing his fear and mistrust in humans but creating incompatible thoughts- curiosity and connection. A wealth of program elements slowly helped him become a calmer, content horse, willing to partner with his human. Orion is a highly unusual horse who requires a lot more time to process and absorb new information. Great Heights continues to give him all the time he needs, which ultimately is leading to an extremely talented and well-balanced horse.
Cross-Fit Training Program
Ground work with Warwick Schiller's Relationship Path type work, clicker training, and my own version of Natural Horsemanship
Liberty Work
Desentization using CAT-H to various materials (e.g., tarps, plastics papers, velcro, metal, wood)
Ring work for rhythm, straightness, suppleness, balance
Mountain Trail Challenges
Walking Polo Challenges
Cavaletti
Jumping in ring
Water work (rivers, ponds, streams, puddles)
Trailer training
Bareback and rope halter riding
Description
Dutch Warmblood cross
17.3 hands
Chestnut with four stockings, stripe
12 years old
Atlas
Hunt and Trail and Everything Else
BIO
Atlas is Seth's pride and joy. Working with his powerful personality is always delightful. He is the perfect balance between kindness and talent. Within a short time, this horse has just blossomed and the sky seems to literally be the limit with what he can do.
The Beginning:
Discovered in Pennsylvania, Atlas was an unstarted coming five year old. His previous owners had fallen into financial hardship, and this big guy ran out of food. Despite these hard times, his kind eye, quiet demeanor, and level of engagement was instantly impressive. After coming home to Great Heights, Seth instantly formed a strong bond and began a training program.
Training:
Atlas's training program was designed to not only teach him the basics, but also give him cognitive jobs. Trainers quickly realized that without a job, he tended to create "not so friendly" jobs, such as escaping paddocks! With his brain engaged and challenged, Atlas progressed unbelievably quickly. Within a week at Great Heights he had learned the basics undersaddle and the next week was ridden down the aisle in Robin and Seth's wedding. Not only did the giant dress completely unfaze him, but the decorations, audience, and music just seemed to make him prouder and try harder.
Cross-Fit Training Program:
Ground work: individual styled Natural Horsemanship
Sentization training and desentitization training
Ring work for suppleness, balance, coordination
Trail riding alone and in groups
Ponying friends
Mountain Trail Challenges
La Garrocha at walk and trot
Walking Polo Challenges
Cavaletti
Jumping in ring and on trail
Water work (rivers, ponds, streams, puddles, beach)
Sled pulling in winter
Meditation Guru and yoga partner
Roping (basic) and dragging
Bareback and bridless riding
Description
Dutch Warmblood cross
19 hands
Black with back hind socks, stripe
11 years old
Nova
Three-Day Event, Equitation and Hunter Jumper, Momma's Boy
BIO
This late bloomer is just coming into his own as a rising 10 year old. With the personality of a border collie, Nova is the origins of everything I do. Highly intelligent, and constantly battling being wild with being lazy, Nova needed more than the regular training program could offer. Cross-training has unlocked his potential and made him shine.
The Beginning:
Purchased as a yearling from Indiana, Nova was deceptively calm for a few days. Upon starting training however, it was quickly discovered that classic apporaches were not for him. Wild and unruly beyond acceptable baby behavior, it took endless time, research, and experimentation to figure out a program that worked for him.
Training:
Combining classical dressage training with cross-fit techniques, Nova has been able to develop strength, flexibility in mind and body, and a cooperative nature. He is still a border collie, but with a purpose- man's best friend, horse-style!
Cross-Fit Training Program:
Ground work: Warwick Schiller, Clicker training, and my Own Horsemanship
Classical Dressage training
Trail riding alone and in groups
Extreme Mountain Trail Challenges
La Garrocha at walk and trot ( some canter)
Polo Challenges
Basic Barrels and Western Reining patterns
Basic introduction to team sorting/penning
Cavaletti
Jumping in ring and on trail
Water work (rivers, ponds, streams, puddles, beach)
Sled pulling in winter
Yoga and Mui Tai
Roping (basic) and dragging
Bareback riding
Liberty work
Trick training
Description
Friesian Sporthorse (TB/Friesian)
17.3 hands
Dark Bay with back hind socks
10 years old
Roman Holiday
Beginner Horse/ Guest Horse/Heart Horse
BIO
In our quest to service equestrians who are new to the sport or for those looking for a less intimidating size, Roman found his way to Great Heights in the fall of 2018. He has been a gem. His calming, gentle nature spreads to everyone who is near him. Roman is like a grey golden retriever- he just wants love and approval. He will seek out people when you visit, hoping to just stand near you, but extra pleased if he can get a few snuggles in. Roman has unlimited patience and will wait as long as you need him to and try anything you set before him with the sage wisdom of a horse three times his age. He is a one in a billion horse and I am still scratching my head that he is part of our family. Everyone falls in love with him- you will too!
The Beginning:
We were looking for a quiet, gentle horse than even the most timid rider could handle, both undersaddle and on the ground. We had the ideal horse outlined in our minds, but had not yet started looking. Of course, fate had other plans, and when visiting a barn in our area with a friend to catch up with old friends, I jokingly said I would go home with the beautiful little grey horse in the front paddock... well, long story short- I did. We went home two days later with a 7 year old appendix gelding that the farm new very little about since they had purchased him only two days prior. Of course his papers came in after I got him home. Turns out, he is a Trakehner, Holstenier, TB cross and was only 4 years old! Just like his breeding, the more we get to know him, the more we are amazed, and impressed by his quality, kindness, and talent. The future will be full of surprises, and I look forward to many adventures with this little guy!
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History:
Roman has been owned by a 14 year old for the past two-three years doing hunter jumpers. He has been used to just going round the ring, jumping anything put in front of him and doing his job no matter what happens on him or around him. He is not fazed by anything- wind, cold, loud sounds, or unexpected movements- this horse stays exactly the same. He is so reliable! Roman had no ground manners coming to our farm, but within a few days could be led by our 1 year old son safely across lush green grass. He is a quick study, who only desires to please his people, and has a lot of try. His little butt was way up in the air when he arrived, as he was going through a huge growth spurt. So we pulled off his shoes, and started introducing him to natural horsemanship- fixing his mouth, which had become very hard and dull from ignoring a timid rider who pulled and pulled on him. He has become soft in a short period of time and his feet are on the mend!
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Cross-Fit Training Program:
Ground work: Warwick Schiller styled Natural Horsemanship
Trick training
Liberty work
Jumping
Dressage
Trail
Hunt
Guest horse for ground and mounted
Lesson horse for beginners up
Best Beach Horse Ever!
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Description
Trakehner/Holsteiner/TB cross
16.1 hands
Grey
7 years old
Waffles/Donkey
Herd comedian, playful buddy, yoga partner
BIO
Waffles the Donkey is the most unexpected member of the team. The life and soul of the farm, he enchants everyone who gets to rub those ridiculously long ears of his. Waffles is just a baby and learning how to do basics, but there are some neat plans for his future.
The Beginning:
Waffles has yet another sad story that resulted in his body being riddles with issues- no hair on his ears, rotting hooves, sick digestive system, mud fever on all four legs, and the worst lice infestation I have ever read about. Despite this, the little dude taught me about the power of positivity and how to write your own story- he was always happy, filled with wonder, and open to anything.
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Cross-Fit Training Program:
Adventure walker and snack packer
Clicker trainer to the trainer
Guru about patience
basic ground work
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Description
standard donkey
perhaps 2 years old
tiny, but mighty
The Breckenridge Owl
Atlas's mini buddy, trail pony, cart partner
BIO
The Breckenridge Owl
The Beginning:
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Owl came to us as a rescue from the Amish out west. He had very little experience, but was so honesty reliable and wise, I was convinced he was in his thirties. Turns out he was only 3 years old! He is an unbelievable lead-in/ponied packer, and is learning the ins and outs of being a riding pony as well. He also loves liberty!
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Cross-Fit Training Program:
Adventure walker and snack packer
Clicker trained
Basic liberty work
Ground work
Trails
Carriage
Sleigh
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Description
3 years old
11 hands
Shetland mystery cross