Western States Lipizzan Association, Inc. |
Clinic with SRS Rider Rudolf Rostek |
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| Photo of Rudolf Rostek above left by Molly Moore |
Photo of Rudolf Rostek with Maestoso XLIV-17above right by Genna Panzarella |
After months of anticipation our first event, a five day clinic with Spanish Riding School rider Rudolf Rostek is now behind us. The weeks leading up to the clinic were not kind to those of us in California without indoor riding arenas. The normally moderate California climate was anything but moderate. The month of December saw 50 year rainfall records broken throughout California.
It seemed that our less than good fortune might continue through the clinic as I awaited the 3 o’clock arrival of our clinician at the Sacramento airport. That was the 3 AM arrival of his much delayed flight! I felt like I was starting the clinic jet-lagged without even leaving Sacramento! Just imagine how Rudi felt after 29 hours in route and a 9 hour time difference between Vienna and Sacramento.
Although Rudi’s English was already excellent, he learned many new words during his stay in California. I believe the first new word was MUD. In exchange we learned a new German word, SCHMUTZ. It seems very descriptive and let me tell you, after all the rain there was schmutz EVERYWHERE!
Fortunately Rudi’s arrival marked the end of the rain and the return of a fair amount of sunshine. It also was the beginning of a wonderful week of learning from a very gifted teacher who was also unfailingly kind and patient with both horse and rider.
The clinic was very well attended with over 80 auditors on Saturday and over 200 auditors during the 5 day clinic.