Fulton, MO: Gayle Lampe's Adult Riding Camp at William Woods University

Gayle Lampe & WC Born to Win

If Louisville, Kentucky is Mecca for Saddle horses. Fulton, Missouri is Medina. The pilgrimage to Callaway Hills county includes several nationally renowned breeding farms and trainers, a training center for future horse trainers and the Saddle horse museum in Mexico, MO. The list of barns to visit is incredible  which includes the famed Callaway Hills Stables (http://ruralmissouri.coop/06pages/06MayCallawayHills.html).

William Woods University should hold a special place in most equine enthusiasts' hearts. The small liberal arts college boasts one of the most comprehensive training programs in North America for future horsemen and horsewomen. The curriculum includes specialization in either western, saddle seat, hunt seat or dressage and pushes the students to pursue opportunities to train and ride horses at an international level. Most of all the university is responsible for graduating some of the most conscientious professionals I've met in the horse industry ranging from bloodstock agents in Kentucky to riding instructors and trainers at top show barns.

Gayle Lampe hosts her adult riding camps while the regular William Woods' student body is on break. I have attended the clinic three times in twice in December and once in the summer but there is also a clinic held in March. Gayle fills the campers days with two to three group lessons, training barn visits and lectures. The day typically concludes with fabulous dinners hosted by Gayle's friends from the surrounding area. The group lessons involve saddle seat riding on a variety of breeds including Quarter Horses (yes, quarter horses for those thigh squelching equitation lessons!), Arabians, National Show Horses, Morgans, Saddlebreds and a Friesian. The horses are competitive in a variety of english divisions. The program at William Woods is fortunate to receive donations of several talented five-gaited horses which provides a great opportunity to practice the slow-gait and rack. Importantly, Gayle shares her international judging experience by emphasizing the judge's perspective.

Here are a couple of videos from the most recent clinic:
Best of: http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=e65e3fcf06036be2&sid=0AbMmjJw5ZNmLFVA

My lesson with Sid:
http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=6f5a36b0a6d8ca4a&sid=0AbMmjJw5ZNmLFEA

For a bio on Gayle: http://test.williamwoods.edu/academics/facultybios/facultybio.asp?ID=61

For more information on the clinics contact Gayle Lampe at glampe@williamwoods.edu

Seabrook Island Equestrian Center

Seabrook Island is just on the outer edge of the greater Charleston area mostly known for its natural beauty and as a place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city whilst remaining on the coast. For us, the island is another chance to escape the city and enjoy some horse time in the outdoors. 

The Seabrook Island Equestrian Center is the home of a top hunter jumper training program but also offers trail rides and beach rides for people coming from out of town. We opted for the 1:30 PM beginner trail ride so that Mom could avoid the "canter" which is required of all riders on the advanced and beach trail rides. While the scenery was very similar to Middleton Place - spanish moss and marshes - the atmosphere was more ocean than river. We saw more palm trees and the trails were mostly sand rather than dirt. The beginner trail ride was perfect for a leisurely southern afternoon snoop of the private homes on the island, just what someone from Canada would be curious about (How do those snow birds pass the winter out here?). The weather was a perfect 72 degrees. We could have stayed on that trail all afternoon. 

For hunter/jumper folks - Charles Hairfield is the trainer at Seabrook and it is possible to book lessons in advance. Missy Roades was also in on the same day giving a clinic. I just wish we had known in advance so we could stay and watch. 

For more information: http://www.discoverseabrook.com/equestrian.php PS. For the record the next time I go back I'm taking in the beach ride!

Equestrian Decor and Antiques in Charleston

Charleston holds a special place in the history of the horse racing in North America. The first jockey club began in Charleston in 1734 (Cassidy, 2007). Moreover, Secretariat's beloved groom Eddie Sweat was born one hour away from Charleston in Holly Hill, SC. Today, South Carolina boasts a variety of Thoroughbred training centers in addition to show barns which provide second careers for retired race horses as hunters and jumpers. 

A visit to the Edmondston Alston house contains a variety of equine artifacts. House tours are available most days and the house is a must see for its views of Charleston Harbor. An old measuring stick used to assess the height of a horse hangs in the corner in a room on the first floor. In the library there are prints from early races in America portraying a very different style of match racing than what is practiced today. ( http://edmondstonalston.com/ )

While others might stroll down King Street in downtown Charleston for Louis Vuitton or an 18th century piece of furniture, I recommend bypassing luxury handbags for equestrian antiques and hunt-themed bow ties. A careful look through the many antique shops reveals a variety of equestrian themed pieces including prints of race horses from the early 1900s and a variety of other paintings involving equestrian scenes. Stop by The Silver Vault and you will find an 1865 Doncaster Cup silver chalice and beautiful stock pins from the early 1900s. ( http://www.silvervaultcharleston.com/ )

When you are finished with the old and ready for something new stop by Grady Ervin & Co for a great selection of men's equestrian themed ties. We even saw cute puppies there! ( http://www.gradyervin.com/ )

Middleton Place Equestrian Center, South Carolina

My mom and I recently took a break to Charleston, South Carolina. While my mom wanted to see beautiful gardens and historical houses, I had managed to include a few horse outings. Our first excursion was a beautiful 30 minute drive to Middleton Place, one of the historic plantations on the Ashley River. Middleton Place also has an Inn and full service equestrian center. We rode at 10:00 am for one hour on a beginner (walking only) trail ride. The weather might have been chilly by others standards but for us Canadians it was downright balmy. We rode in a small group of five including our guide. He took us through wooded trails of live oaks draped in spanish moss, past beautiful views of the of the plantation grounds to lakes used for the rice plantation. We saw deer, waterfowl, and an alligator. For more information visit: https://www.middletonplace.org/visiting-middleton-place/other-activities/equestrian.html

Overall this was one of my favorite rides and perhaps the most restorative ride ever. Our guide gave a great amount of information about the plantation and the horses walked contentedly along without crowding one another. Middleton Place offers a wide range of breeds of horses, but those scenic trails are reminiscent of days past when Saddlebreds would have covered the very same grounds. I only wish I had stayed and taken in a jumping lesson!