Cara Klothe Dressage

05/14/2025

Super fun KWPN mare (Sir Sinclair x Bergamon) 8 weeks under saddle!

04/05/2025

Just keep showing up!

Dressage doesn't demand perfection. It demands perseverance.

This sport will humble you. Confuse you. Occasionally betray you. You’ll ride one day like a future team rider, and the next like someone who just discovered horses exist.

But here’s the thing: the ones who make it aren’t the flashiest or the most naturally gifted. They’re the ones who keep showing up. Who ride through the mental spirals, the sticky transitions, the “why do I do this to myself” days.

The quiet, gritty ones? They’re the real ones.
Because dressage doesn’t w**d out the weak, it builds the strong.

Keep going. You’re probably doing better than you think.

02/20/2025

Come out for a fun day of learning! This will be audience interactive as well!

Show season is fast approaching, and it's time to sharpen our skills and get ready to show!

Please join LVDA and Delaware Valley University as we present an afternoon with Cara Klothe, Mastering the Figures: Unlocking Higher Dressage Scores. Sunday, March 16, 12:30 - 5:15 at Delaware Valley University. Levels addressed in this seminar are Training through Second.

Join Cara Klothe - Grand Prix Dressage Trainer, USDF Gold Medalist, current L* and "r" candidate - as she provides a perspective from the judge's booth for riding for better test scores.

With an emphasis on improving circles, corners, transitions and overall test flow, Klothe will provide insight into the skills riders need to impress judges and enhance their horse's way of going. Whether you are looking to fine tune your movements or build a stronger foundation, this clinic provides expert guidance to maximize your potential in the dressage arena.

Join us to perfect your patterns, sharpen your accuracy, and ride every movement with confidence!

LVDA/ESDCTA/DVCTA Members: $35
Non-members: $50
Delaware Valley University Students: free

Classroom: 12:30 - 1:30
Move to the indoor/snacks: 1:30 - 2:00pm
Ground work: 2:00 - 2:30pm
Demo riders:
- Training Level 2:30 - 3:15pm
- First Level 3:15 - 4:00pm
- Second Level 4:00 - 5:00pm
Final Remarks: 5:00 - 5:15pm

https://forms.gle/Xq3X4UD9M31uLDQA7

01/08/2025

Lower your expectations!

I’m not sure who needs to hear this this week, but it’s ok the lower your expectations; of you and your horse.

It’s ok to ride another day. Winter is hard! It’s ok to give yourself some grace and not ride. Your horse will not forget its job or its training. Sure, they may be a little fresh after a couple days off but that’s what a longe line is for. I find some horses actually feel better after a few days off.

Winters in cold areas are trying times. It’s easy to feel defeated and feel like you’ll never be ready for the show season ahead. Don’t freight, you will be ready! A couple warm days and all the knowledge you’ve been teaching your horses is right there. A bigger barrier to your readiness for show season could be if you get hurt riding in terrible weather and YOU need time off. Your horse will not forget all training with a week off, I repeat, YOUR HORSE WILL BE OK!

It’s a great time to long line or lunge, train ground tricks, desensitize with an obstacle course, etc you do not need to be on your horses back to have a productive day.

If you do choose to ride in the extreme cold or wind, take precautions. Use a sound bonnet, put a neck strap on, play music or wear headphones to dull the sound for your horse but also for you. I find I am very noise sensitive myself, often times I project my anxiety over noise to my horse who may otherwise not care about noises.

Be safe, ride smart, and give yourself grace to lower your expectations!

The Distinguished Rider
Veritas Saddles

10/20/2024

I am so proud of my own Hypnotic today at Bucks County Horse Park for their fall show. This girl marched right in to any ring I told her. Her previous off farm experience has been very quiet, there was a bit more commotion and lots to look at and she never batted an eye. What a lovely young horse she is.

She got a 70% and training 2 and 3 with a qualifying score towards regionals next year.

The icing on the cake was I was able to take her all by myself and she was perfect!

Thank you The Distinguished Rider for keeping me looking my best and Veritas Saddles for me always feeling safe and secure.