Featured Rider October 2019
AADA Featured Rider
“Wendee Walker”
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Name: Wendee Walker
Currently living: Napa, CA
Horse’s Name: And the Crowd Goes Wild! AKA Yogi
Horse’s Age: 19 years old
Horse Present Competition Level: 3rd
Horse Breed: Mustang
What or who inspired you to ride Dressage?
FI adopted Yogi in June of 2003, and that summer I was invited to Dressage in the Wine Country put on by the Sonoma Chapter of CDS. At that time, Yogi was in a Mustang starting pen where I spent 1-4 hours per day just hanging out with him. As I sat in the audience at Dressage in the Wine Country, I got chills as I watched the musical freestyles. I said, “That’s what I’m going to do with my Mustang!” to anyone who would listen. Until that evening, I did not know what style of saddle I’d be looking for. I was not sure if I was going to start him English or Western because what I had always really wanted to do was go on trail rides with my own horse. I didn’t know what I didn’t know and it seemed like whenever I was ready to learn more, the right people came into my life. The journey from trail hiking, trail riding, and then signing up for my first show in 2005 at training level, took on a life of its own.
What is your occupation that allows you to ride?
I taught public school for 27 years. Now I lead Reiki with animals experiences through Air BnB at my home in Napa.
What have been your successes in the show ring?
Yogi and I have learned EVERYTHING together. One of my best moments was when he was 3 and I was reading in his pen. Instead of hiding in the corner, he munched his hay near my feet. A week later, In that same 6 foot high, 30×40 square foot pen, I had my first ride. When I finally sat on his back after doing all of the colt starting groundwork preparation exercises, he turned and looked at me on his back, as if to say, “Oh, you are up there now.” Yogi has felt like a partner since the beginning. He has also communicated with me from the start. One of the cool things about adopting a Mustang is that they don’t have a name, so you get to choose that for yourself. I had been brainstorm for a month but nothing stuck. I remember where I was and what I was doing when my horse, with no name, spoke directly to me saying, “My name is Yogi. You can call me what you want, but Yogi is my name.” Earning All Breeds Awards, 1st and 2nd level freestyles, and earning bronze with Yogi has been a blast.
More recently I have become eligible to compete in USDF championship for 3rd Level freestyles. Super excited!
What have been you aha moments in training?
I’ve had at least two big aha moments in training. The first was in a clinic with Mark Rashid. He figured out that when I rode I was clenching my toes and that solved the problem of Yogi bracing in our transitions. I recently participated in a clinic with Jillian Kreinbring. I am still learning the secrets of relaxation of the horse’s jaw. I think that lots of clinicians take for granted the auditors or the participants understanding of this concept. Jillian had a horse skull and jawbone to demonstrate the chewing motion. She showed us a hyoid bone too. I never knew that the hyoid bone was attached like an insertion in the base of the tongue! Since attending that clinic, I have a better understanding of contact and relaxation of the jaw. Now even when I’m just going down the trail on the buckle, I check in on the relaxation of the jaw. Accessing the horse’s seeking to learn reflex through clicker training has also made an impact on Yogi’s attitude. He LOVES positive reinforcement.
What is the most difficult thing and riding dressage?
I think if we can all figure out where we are holding or bracing, and let that go, our riding will improve. The concept of contact is also difficult. Understanding the anatomy has improved my ability to have mindful rein contact with my horse’s mouth.
Which trainer(s) have you worked who have made the most differences to you and your horse(s)?
I’d like to give shout outs to Mark Rashid, John Saint Ryan, Manolo Mendez, Sherry Harker, Nicole Prows (a student of the late Miguel Tavora),
Your Other Interests?
When not practicing dressage, camping or trail riding, I lead Horse Education and Guided Reiki experiences in my stable and pasture. I have found that people can gain self confidence and experience great joy in the presence of horses. I practice and teach the Let Animals Lead method of Reiki with Animals.
Do you own other pets?
I have a foster horse from Sunrise Horse Rescue and a 4.5 year old PRE Andalusian. Each of the animals I have in my life are dealing with or have triumphed over difficult circumstances. I am blessed to have many animal friends in my life as I’m a volunteer for wildlife rescue and a horse rescue too. I practice Reiki with animals as learned from my mentor Kathleen Prasad.
What advice can you give other amateurs based on your experiences?
My advice for anyone practicing dressage is to listen to your horse. If he/she is making a sour face or just stops on the way to the arena, find out why. Is he/ she bored? Does this saddle fit? Maybe there is a tummy issue and a snack is needed before riding. Maybe the teeth need to be checked. If nothing else, cross train and do other things besides dressage. Even while trail riding on the buckle, I use my legs to ask for leg yield, or make a game of upward and down transitions using only my breath. All the little things you do outside the arena, like paying attention to how your horse likes to be brushed, will have a payoff later in the dressage court.
Are you a Dressage Amateur and want to be a featured rider?
Contact us!
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Name: Wendee Walker
Currently living: Napa, CA
Horse’s Name: And the Crowd Goes Wild! AKA Yogi
Horse’s Age: 19 years old
Horse Present Competition Level: 3rd
Horse Breed: Mustang
What or who inspired you to ride Dressage?
FI adopted Yogi in June of 2003, and that summer I was invited to Dressage in the Wine Country put on by the Sonoma Chapter of CDS. At that time, Yogi was in a Mustang starting pen where I spent 1-4 hours per day just hanging out with him. As I sat in the audience at Dressage in the Wine Country, I got chills as I watched the musical freestyles. I said, “That’s what I’m going to do with my Mustang!” to anyone who would listen. Until that evening, I did not know what style of saddle I’d be looking for. I was not sure if I was going to start him English or Western because what I had always really wanted to do was go on trail rides with my own horse. I didn’t know what I didn’t know and it seemed like whenever I was ready to learn more, the right people came into my life. The journey from trail hiking, trail riding, and then signing up for my first show in 2005 at training level, took on a life of its own.
What is your occupation that allows you to ride?
I taught public school for 27 years. Now I lead Reiki with animals experiences through Air BnB at my home in Napa.
What have been your successes in the show ring?
Yogi and I have learned EVERYTHING together. One of my best moments was when he was 3 and I was reading in his pen. Instead of hiding in the corner, he munched his hay near my feet. A week later, In that same 6 foot high, 30×40 square foot pen, I had my first ride. When I finally sat on his back after doing all of the colt starting groundwork preparation exercises, he turned and looked at me on his back, as if to say, “Oh, you are up there now.” Yogi has felt like a partner since the beginning. He has also communicated with me from the start. One of the cool things about adopting a Mustang is that they don’t have a name, so you get to choose that for yourself. I had been brainstorm for a month but nothing stuck. I remember where I was and what I was doing when my horse, with no name, spoke directly to me saying, “My name is Yogi. You can call me what you want, but Yogi is my name.” Earning All Breeds Awards, 1st and 2nd level freestyles, and earning bronze with Yogi has been a blast.
More recently I have become eligible to compete in USDF championship for 3rd Level freestyles. Super excited!
What have been you aha moments in training?
I’ve had at least two big aha moments in training. The first was in a clinic with Mark Rashid. He figured out that when I rode I was clenching my toes and that solved the problem of Yogi bracing in our transitions. I recently participated in a clinic with Jillian Kreinbring. I am still learning the secrets of relaxation of the horse’s jaw. I think that lots of clinicians take for granted the auditors or the participants understanding of this concept. Jillian had a horse skull and jawbone to demonstrate the chewing motion. She showed us a hyoid bone too. I never knew that the hyoid bone was attached like an insertion in the base of the tongue! Since attending that clinic, I have a better understanding of contact and relaxation of the jaw. Now even when I’m just going down the trail on the buckle, I check in on the relaxation of the jaw. Accessing the horse’s seeking to learn reflex through clicker training has also made an impact on Yogi’s attitude. He LOVES positive reinforcement.
What is the most difficult thing and riding dressage?
I think if we can all figure out where we are holding or bracing, and let that go, our riding will improve. The concept of contact is also difficult. Understanding the anatomy has improved my ability to have mindful rein contact with my horse’s mouth.
Which trainer(s) have you worked who have made the most differences to you and your horse(s)?
I’d like to give shout outs to Mark Rashid, John Saint Ryan, Manolo Mendez, Sherry Harker, Nicole Prows (a student of the late Miguel Tavora),
Your Other Interests?
When not practicing dressage, camping or trail riding, I lead Horse Education and Guided Reiki experiences in my stable and pasture. I have found that people can gain self confidence and experience great joy in the presence of horses. I practice and teach the Let Animals Lead method of Reiki with Animals.
Do you own other pets?
I have a foster horse from Sunrise Horse Rescue and a 4.5 year old PRE Andalusian. Each of the animals I have in my life are dealing with or have triumphed over difficult circumstances. I am blessed to have many animal friends in my life as I’m a volunteer for wildlife rescue and a horse rescue too. I practice Reiki with animals as learned from my mentor Kathleen Prasad.
What advice can you give other amateurs based on your experiences?
My advice for anyone practicing dressage is to listen to your horse. If he/she is making a sour face or just stops on the way to the arena, find out why. Is he/ she bored? Does this saddle fit? Maybe there is a tummy issue and a snack is needed before riding. Maybe the teeth need to be checked. If nothing else, cross train and do other things besides dressage. Even while trail riding on the buckle, I use my legs to ask for leg yield, or make a game of upward and down transitions using only my breath. All the little things you do outside the arena, like paying attention to how your horse likes to be brushed, will have a payoff later in the dressage court.
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