by Glenda Warner, WDAMI member and award winner.

Lectric Boomer, “Boomer” loves dressage.  His top line muscling and form have changed as his movement has become uphill with elevated forearms and knee expression.  People do not recognize the movement as being “stock horse” but it is the result of changes to his bio-mechanics due to the gymnastic movements I ask of him in developing true collection.

This is a remarkable journey for us, because I started riding with my grandfather, a California Reinsman, who came to Clare, Michigan to train horses and work cattle. He came here to work on the 10,000 acre Cornwell Ranch, which remains here today.

After more than 40 years of mentorship with Gabor Foltenyi in classical English dressage, I find myself back in Clare, Michigan, riding western.  I enjoyed my years riding 17 hand warmbloods, but I have to say, I enjoy my 14.2 stock horse every bit as much. His God-given athleticism is remarkable, and I appreciate his talent and in-the-moment personality each and every day.

Working in dressage is my true purpose in life, and working my horses in western tack with classical English dressage fundamentals is rewarding and fulfilling.  Even though my dear friend and mentor, Gabor Foltenyi, has passed on, I know Gabor enjoys watching down over us, feeling pride in Lectric Boomer’s joy as he works through dressage gymnastics every day.

Gabor felt “sugar beats vinegar” every time in aspects of training, and Boomer concurs. My grandfather never disciplined, but only rewarded, and I was determined to find a dressage trainer with that same philosophy.  It is a tribute to both my grandfather and Gabor that I enjoy horses and dressage work for fun, as Gabor advised me at the start of our work together in 1972.  Boomer and my western dressage journey are pure fun.