Janet Davidson with Hauntingly Familiar. Janet Davidson has been riding horses for forty seven years. Janet first started out riding at five years of age at the local riding school run by stockmen who bought, broke in and sold mostly brumbies brought down from northern New South Wales. Janet learned and observed some very interesting horsemanship skills during this phase of her equestrian life.
Janet progressed to hunting (drag hunts ~ no live kills she is pleased to say) with the Melbourne Hunt Club over some amazingly challenging obstacles. They often capped a barbed wire fence to jump it by tying a log to the top of the fence! From hunting, Janet began Show Jumping, watching the likes of Charlie Moffat on DR Zhivago (Shazzvies as Janet affectionately knew him).
Competing at local Gymkhanas in novelty events and hack classes such a Best on Parade and Best Ladies Hack, Janet's interests were drawn to Western and she began competing at rodeos in barrel racing, goat tying and steer undecorating events. This interest drew Janet to some American trainers who believed in using Dressage to introduce their western horses to the first few years of training in preparation for flying changes and riding Californian style (with a head set similar to being on the bit in self carriage) before advancing them to the hackamore.
Janet went on to train with Glenn Fryer who was taught by Franz Mairinger. Glenn Fryer competed over in Los Angeles and Janet leased his retired Grand Prix horse Debonair, to learn to ride the Dressage movements.
Janet married a man who was interested in Standardbred racing and began to breed and train paces. At this stage, Janet was interested in western trail and reining. Due to some events in Janet's personal life, she was given a little Thoroughbred mare and met up with a girl who suggested they join their Dressage club.
Janet thought, "Yes, I liked that Dressage stuff" and thus began her Dressage career, which has now got her completely addicted, beginning her interest in Warmbloods, training and breeding as well as the development of her judging and coaching career. To finally cap Janet's addiction to equines, she is now an assistant manager for Horseland in Maddington, which ensures Janet's whole life revolves around her love for horses.
Hauntingly Familiar is a five year old Oldenburg/Holstein gelding. He is fairly timid and quite sensitive but can have a stubborn side if he doesn't like something. Hauntingly Familiar is easily impacted by the environment at this stage of his training as he is still fairly green.
How were you introduced to Philippe Karl's methods? I first discovered Philippe Karl's methods through his book, Twisted Truths of Modern Dressage, followed by his Classical Dressage DVD series.
What do you hope to gain out of Philippe Karl's Teachers Clinic? I am hoping that my training system will be much improved through Philippe Karl's principles and methods and will be able to perfect my methods for me to better my training and teaching.
What is your dream? For the horse to seemingly do of his own will what the rider is thinking in complete harmony with each other.
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