2009 Ramsay Grant Recipient, Jim Koford, Invited to
Work for Michael Klimke

Report by Jim Koford, September 2010

Jim receiving his award from Dr. Ramsay in 2009.

When the unfamiliar number showed up on my cell phone, I debated answering it. Little did I know how taking that phone call was about to dramatically change the course of my year. On the other end of the line was John Boomer offering myself and Rhett the Anne Barlow Ramsay Scholarship. It was like my birthday, Christmas and winning the lottery all in one phone call.

For as long as I've been riding dressage, I've always wanted to spend a season training and showing in Europe. Elation rapidly turned into consternation as I began working out the logistics of international travel. I received tremendous support from my staff. Brendan Curtis and Mary Cunningham were on board to run the day-to-day operations of my busy training business. Crystal Lee volunteered to travel as groom and worked out much of the paperwork and travel arrangements. My students rallied and put on fundraisers with silent auctions so that I wouldn't have to worry about financial concerns at home while I was away.

Rhett is the horse that was awarded the Anne Barlow Ramsay Scholarship. My friend Rhett is a 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood, by R. Johnson, bred and owned by Shirley McQuillan. I chose to train with Michael Klimke. I was going to Europe with a two-fold agenda. I was anxious to get European show experience doing the small tour and develop the skills necessary to move Rhett up to the Grand Prix when I came back to the States.

Definitely feeling like a couple of North Carolina country boys, Rhett and I put on our intrepid "game" faces and made our way to Germany. We arrived at Klimke Station in Munster, Germany on July 2, 2009. I quickly realized the Rosetta Stone language CD's I had been studying were of limited help in the stable. Despite my linguistic limitations, Michael, his wife Manu and the staff were quick to put me at ease and help to get everything situated.

The differences in the training program became immediately apparent. The horses at Michael's barn have a much more rigorous fitness program. There is a training track with two dressage rings in the infield. Every horse spends time before and after the dressage sessions on the track. Even if you were going in the indoor to school, the horses warm up outside on the training track. The hotter horses would go for a quiet hack. Other horses would do trot and canter sets on the track. This kept the horses fresher and more forward thinking going into the training sessions.

It became obvious that there is a big difference taking a lesson and living that lesson. Seeing and feeling that quality of riding every day allows you to assimilate information thoroughly. Taking a clinic and picking up some training tips is just a piece of the pie. One becomes aware that the key to success the Germans enjoy isn't something picked up in a few lessons, it is a whole system. The attention to detail, adherence to basics, and the mindfulness during the schooling become paramount when you are immersed daily. The degree of engagement and activity that Michael insisted on in all my work was always one step out of my comfort zone. Cognitively, I understood I needed more collection and engagement. Rigorous daily sessions allowed me to rewire and make that my new "go to" feel.

The first month of training was painfully illuminating. Germans are very straightforward. There is no sugar coating the truth. In order to succeed I was going to have to effectuate fundamental change in both my horse and my own ability to stay focused under pressure. Rhett is hot and spooky. His mother is a Dutch Harness Horse. In order to keep him relaxed, I too often allowed him to stay underpowered, which was limiting both our training at home and performance in the show ring. Although Michael appreciated Rhett's talent for collection, he also quickly ascertained our lack of submission. In order to make a top class Grand Prix horse, we were going to have to learn to channel all that manic energy. When the work got tough we were not allowed to check out and start spooking.

The first month went by in a blur. Mornings were spent riding and watching. Afternoons were spent reviewing tapes, making notes on my rides and exploring the city of Munster. I was gradually picking up more horses to ride. Rhett was getting more focused and showing a special talent for the piaffe, passage and pirouettes.

Our first show was the first week of August. At home Rhett had been feeling great and I was really looking forward to the show. Upon arrival at the show I realized this was going to be a difficult venue for us. A sudden drop in temperature, wind and driving rain made conditions difficult. I was worried the flapping banners and flags could bring out Rhett's spookiness. My worst fears were realized, we were tense and unfocused.

This show was a real turning point. It is one thing to listen to your instructor tell you your horse has submission issues. It really hit home, however, when conditions were tough and we fell apart. All the terrific work we were doing at home is wasted if we weren't going to be able to reliably deliver at shows. I was absolutely determined that my aids, especially my half halts, were not conditional. The response to the aids would not depend on internal or external conditions that were outside of my control.

After a tough week of boot camp, we were ready to handle another show. The first day of the show I had the opportunity to show two of Michael's 6 year olds in an "M" class for 6-8 year old horses. It was quite a confidence boost to finish 1st and 3rd. That class provided the professional validation I needed to mentally prepare to compete Rhett in the FEI classes. I had to once again go in the ring cold without showing him the ring beforehand. Despite the usual distractions of banners and crowds, Rhett put in a solid test. This qualified us for the Intermediare 1 freestyle on Sunday. On Sunday the crowds were large. It was surreal to look around at the carnival like atmosphere and realize people are here to watch the show. Except for Dressage at Devon you just can't duplicate these conditions anywhere. Fortunately, Rhett put in a terrific freestyle and finished 7th. Awards were given to 8th place, so this was Rhett's first award ceremony.

The biggest difference I found was the amount of good competition in each class. There is certainly eye candy, super horses and riders that dazzle the judges in the ring. For me, it was interesting to see how many competent people rode solid, clean tests. Every time I stepped into the warm-up ring or glanced at the day sheet, I had the feeling that I was at a championship. To be competitive you better have brought your "A" game, crossing every "t" and dotting every "i". Any time you have a bobble in your test you can be sure that another ten riders following you are not going to make those same mistakes. Watching their rides made me realize how the German riding system produces such solid basics. With solid basics their riders produce consistently reliable dressage tests. Not every horse is brilliant; there are certainly many average horses in Germany. However, it is interesting to note the general quality of riding.
I was now armed with new found confidence that I could be competitive at the European shows. At the next show, I was a close 2nd on one of Michael's 6 year olds in an "M" class. Rhett finished 5th and 6th, qualifying him for the awards ceremony in both his classes against top company.

These competitions gave me growing confidence and trust in Rhett's ability to stay focused in the competition ring. The schooling at home was really coming together. Rhett was thriving on the structure and discipline both physically and mentally. His few found confidence allowed me to channel his energies in positive ways and we were making big progress in the Grand Prix work. Michael came to me and asked that I stay another month. He needed help riding the horses while his wife was getting ready to have their first baby. It was an easy decision to stay. I relished the opportunity to ride such nice horses and opportunity to have world-class help at such a critical time in our training.

We were not able to show during the extra month I stayed. Awaiting the imminent birth of Max Klimke, we stayed close to home. One of the judges had commented that Rhett looked more suited to the Grand Prix classes than the small tour. Michael and I concurred with that opinion. Rhett's strengths can be most highlighted in the Grand Prix. It was an amazing opportunity to solidify all the Grand Prix movements on Rhett while riding others in various stages of their training. Some horses were just starting the piaffe and passage. Other horses I was able to school were already showing the Grand Prix.

Reflecting on the question "Can American-bred horses be competitive in European competition?", the answer is a resounding YES! The Anne Barlow Ramsay Grant enabled Rhett and I to get valuable international experience showing. Being competitive against so many phenomenal German horses made me proud of my own horse and the breeding programs that we have in the U.S. 

The hardest part of the trip to Germany was coming back to America. In so many ways, I felt like I had so much more to do in Europe before coming home.  Although Rhett and I enjoyed our success in the small tour, I was so close to being able to do the Grand Prix and had to go home before getting the chance to do it in Europe.  Upon arrival in the U.S, we took a short break to give Rhett a break from the intense training schedule and rigors of international travel.  We spent the next few months diligently working on the exercises learned in Germany and working to improve the conditioning necessary to complete the more difficult tests.

Michael Klimke came over to Wellington in February to do a 3-day clinic for my students and myself. At the end of this clinic, Michael told me he thought Rhett was ready to come back to Germany and compete in the Grand Prix.  If I was interested in coming back, he would hire me as a rider.

I am now based in Germany at Michael Klimke's stable.  I think we on our way to Anne Ramsey Barlow's dream of seeing American bred horses being competitive with the top European horses.  We competed this year in both the Medien Cup for young Grand Prix horses and also in the open divisions.  Rhett is showing exciting promise in these classes.  At Reisenbeck, we finished 2nd in both the GP and the Grand Prix Special.

The Anne Barlow Ramsay Grant was truly the "gift that keeps on giving."  It has fundamentally helped to not only influence my riding and training but also the course of my life.  It has opened doors of opportunity that I could not have imagined a short time ago.  I hope that the other recipients of this grant can benefit as much as I have from the generosity of Anne Barlow Ramsay and The Dressage Foundation.    
 

Learn more about the annual $25,000 Anne L. Barlow Ramsay Grant for high-performance riders and their American-bred horses.