The Gift of Gratitude from Crystal & Wizard.

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder. —GK Chesterton

I love hearing student success stories and I’m sharing a special one here. Crystal Kroetch is a dear friend, a prominent horsewoman with a decorated background in high level dressage including winning a Silver Medal with the Canadian Dressage Team, a Level 3 Competition Coach and a stellar student within my program. Crystal shared her thoughts with me in a written expression of gratitude. Not only does it represent a tremendous success for Crystal and her horse, it is also an example for us all, taking this program, applying it and seeing the success of it from the rider's perspective and the horse’s. It’s a good feeling, knowing the work we do is showing up in the real world of dressage and seeing the benefits there. 

I couldn't be more proud of Crystal and Wizard and this success! It is a real honor to know that this program, a student’s dedication and these horses that are already so perfect in every way can be combined to create the harmony with horses we enjoy. 

Thank you, Crystal, for sharing your success and your expression of gratitude. 

Dear Jonathan,

I wanted to let you know that Wizard and I had a very successful show this weekend. It was his first PSG and Int 1 ( level of competition for Pan American Games) and he was a total rock star. 

We won with both scores over 70%, the FEI judge gave him 74% and she thinks we have a very impressive future. So many people told me they could not believe how far he has come in the past year. Heck, we even won the combined dressage jumping class. He’s just so willing and rideable now, as you know, he certainly wasn’t when we started 2 yrs ago.

I want to thank you for all your amazing teaching, helping me truly understand how horses think and respond. By incorporating your methods and principles, Wizard is so relaxed in the difficult work. Because of the “sweet spot” and “active neutral” he is the same horse in the ring as he is in the warm up.You have helped me do this difficult work without creating wrong pressure.

Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks!! I wish I had known these concepts and techniques when training and competing with, Levi (earlier in my career). I reflect on what my Dad used to say “I wish I knew then what I know now “.

I can’t thank you enough for being such a wonderful mentor. I am looking forward to learning more so Stetson can be even better.

Yours truly, a very grateful student and friend 💗, 

~ Crystal Kroetch

Parting Thoughts.

Crystal started with Jonathan in 2014 after she attended his event, Jonathan Field and Friends in Calgary, Alberta. Wizard is an 8 yr old Lusitano gelding imported from Portugal and Crystal has been learning with Jonathan since she first purchased him. She reflects that because of incorporating Jonathan’s principles, foundation and skills into her  training program, Wizard is the same in the high pressure show ring as he is in the warm up. She knows that this program has made him such a fun horse to compete and she sees and feels how much he seeks active neutral. They both really enjoy going to shows!

 Crystal and Wizard

“At a previous show, we rode a dressage test and then we were let down into the jumper ring to ride an 8 course jumper round. I had only jumped Wizard 3 times before the show. But again because of incorporating Jonathan’s  methods, he was so willing to do what was asked of him. I haven’t jumped in 20 years !! We actually won that class so pretty happy with that!” ~ Cyrstal 

Stay Inspired by Horses!

Jonathan

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