June Events

Sunday, June 9

Portugal Day Parade in downtown Toronto

http://wx.toronto.ca/inter/city/events.nsf/7c36a9972431586885256c8d0047f71e/70439a032589454285257b5600521771?OpenDocument

11:00-13:30 

Starting at Lansdowne Ave. at Bloor St to College St.

June 14, 15, 16

Polo for Heart 

http://www.poloforheart.org

Frank will be performing on Sunday, June 16

June 15, 16

Bullfight at Downsview Park

www.soletoiros.ca

3:00-19:00

Spring has sprung!

Warmer weather is nearing and that usually drives up the interest to ride outdoors, perhaps take your horse to shows and on hacks, and of course, bathing your horse more often. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

It may take your horse some time to build up the stamina s/he had at fall's end last year when it comes to working outdoors. You may be working in deeper sand than your indoor arena or harder ground and going up and down hills. Pay attention to your horse's breathing both by listening for any huffing and puffing and by heaving of the lungs. Going for endless canter outdoors on a horse can feel so great to you that you may forget to check in on how your horse is doing. Mind the time you spend on hard terrain if your horse doesn't wear shoes and pick your horse's hooves upon return.

Work your equitation in the outdoors by opening and closing gates while mounted or try out your lateral work without any "help" from walls or fences.

When it comes to bathing your horse, it's best if your horse's heart rate has been brought up, even if you're bathing with warm water or it's warm outside to avoid colic. If you plan to bathe your horse without having ridden first, take him/her out on the longe line for at least five to ten minutes first to get the body temperature up. Better safe than sorry.

Rosanna

Winter Workouts

Getting tired of looking at your arena walls this winter?  You can bet your horse is too.  Creating different workouts can be a challenge.  The first step is to analyze what you're already doing so you can change it up.  Aside from changing up your in-saddle habits, consider staying on the ground so you can stay in shape as well.

Work on the longe line not only helps your horse get out some kicks before you get on, but it can also be used to sharpen up transition work.  You get to watch what you're used to feeling.  Solidify quick responses to halts and moving forward through the gaits.

Work in hand, even if you don't think you know what you're doing.  If you have a trusting ground relationship with your horse, you can do it.  Think of how you would ask for anything from the saddle.  What is the use of your reins?  Which leg and what timing?  Rotations on the forehand (haunches-out) in circles around you, shoulder-in, leg-yielding--these can all be done in-hand relieving your horse of some monotony if you seldom or never do it.

Work at liberty.  Every horse I have worked at in liberty has enjoyed it.  There is a multitude of information and educational videos on the internet if you have no idea where to start.  It can be a tool for building trust and a way to exercise without any tack at all.

Last, ride bareback.  It keeps you warmer and your session will change automatically.  You will work on different things and be able to feel your horse better.

Have fun mixing it up.  Avoid what my dad calls "too much church work".  He has such a unique way of expressing his thoughts!

Rosanna Joins Cavalia

After years in the making, I finally decided to run away with the circus.  My background in theatre, television production, and of course horses has made it a rather seamless transition.  

It's a challenge to be working and training horses that others ride and they have to perform the same show night after night.  They know the show inside and out, including the music cues, so I have to learn quickly to keep up and get the best out of them. 

Last night was the premiere in San Diego and it was a hit.  I succeeded at overcoming some little, what my dad would call hiccoughs, that my horse had presented during rehearsal so I was very pleased.  I ride a young, five year-old Spanish purebred so there is a lot to train every day to try and bring him up to speed. 

We'll be here through the holidays and then the plan is to head to Australia.  What a long journey for the horses!  They'll have plenty of quarantine and rest time out in the summer sun before gearing up for the next city.  

I'll be keeping you posted!

Happy 70th Birthday, Frank!

My dad's birthday was on October 1 and our family decided we would celebrate it in style by going to Portugal to visit his family and then head over to Paris, France to see the 4 Écoles Équestres show.  We invited members of Grelo Farms to join us and were so happy with how many people did!

What an opportunity it was to see the classical dressage academies of Europe ride together:  Vienna, Spain, Portugal, and Saumur.  The event was made even more special with the presentation of a unique book for my father made by our dear friend, Beverly Furer.

Bev commemorated my father's 70th birthday by compiling the photos and stories of members' experiences of studying with him.  Titled All In The Same Pocket, it brings together the memories of so many of those involved in bringing not only their dreams and aspirations to life, but those of my father as well.

Thank you, Bev, for creating this very special gift and thank you to the members of our extended family of Grelo Farms for joining us in Paris to celebrate my dad's birthday.  It was truly an honour and pleasure to spend this time with you!

Saturday Night Performance with Juan Diaz Sold Out!

We are thrilled to be hosting a clinic with Spanish Olympian Juan Manuel Munoz Diaz this September 14-16.  Tickets for the Saturday night performance are now sold out; no tickets will be available at the door.  Auditing spaces are still available for the clinic during the day. 

For more information contact Darcy Grube at dgrube@rogers.com

Clinic with Olympic Dressage Rider Juan Manuel Munoz Diaz September 14-16, 2012

Grelo Farms welcomes internationally acclaimed Olympic dressage rider Juan Manuel Munoz Diaz to conduct his first clinic in Canada.  Juan competed for Spain at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and placed 10th overall.  He is a Spanish dressage master who rode in the 2008 Beijing Games and had the crowd on its feet cheering at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky during his Grand Prix Freestyle with his P.R.E. stallion, Fuego.  Come and take part in this rare opportunity!

Clinic Times:  8:00am-5:00pm each day with an hour for lunch.
Performance:  Frank Grelo and Juan Diaz perform together with Lusitano stallions at 7:30pm.
Cost:  Auditing $20 per day (all riding slots have been filled)
         Cost for Saturday evening performance $10
Location:  Grelo Farms
                3545 Olde Base Line Rd.
                Caledon ON L7C 2H6

For further information and to book your seat for Saturday's performance, please contact Darcy Grube at dgrube@rogers.com