For more information about Elke go to www.potucek.de/en/about-us/elke-potucek-puscha-en/

For more information about Christoph go to www.conde-reitseminare.de/en/about/

To the World and Classical Horsemanship Community, we have lost another true master and "Keepers of the Grail". It is with broken hearts that myself and Petra must bring this sad news. Our beloved friend, riding teacher and mentor of many years, Melissa Simms has passed this Valentine's day 2018. This is devastating for all who knew this talented, amazing, beauty of a woman. She is with Love and Peace of Spirit now and with her Mentor Herr Egon von Neindorff. Although it is difficult to do her wisdom and extraordinary talents as a teacher and trainer of Classical Horsemanship justice... Her memory will live on through her dedicated students, as we will still hear her voice on the wind. As she would say "Let's keep counting the Piaffe Steps and not lose sight of the future".
With Gratitude Your Loving Students,
Tressa Boulden and Petra Beltran
​To read a full  published tribute go to link 
https://www.kipmistral.com/tressa-boulden-linsley-in-tribute-to-melissa-simms-11-19-52-2-14-18/

 Elke was a pupil of the Late Herr Egon von Neindorff for 11 years , one of the last keepers of the 'Grail" of Classical Horsemanship and Equitation, he greatly influenced her craft as a teacher and trainer. Her objective is to combine the Art of Classical Horsemanship and Equitation with todays competitors riding goals.
Elke co-trains with former First Chief Rider of the Spanish Riding School, Arthur Kottas-Heldenberg, and has trained with him for years, the professional riders in Lipica.
Traditions farm looks forward to hosting a clinic with Elke for a continued learning experience in the Tradition of Classical Riding and Training.
To learn more about Elke go to www.potucek.de
For More about clinic please contact
​Tressa Boulden
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Paloma David earned her bronze medal this show season on Friesian gelding "Hendrik Fan De Sweach".  Paloma needed two more scores  to gain her bronze and the pair pulled it off in two  short rides. Paloma was new to 3rd level work, however she rode Hendrik beautifully under the tutelage of her mentor and Hendriks trainer Tressa Boulden. A job well done by all, especially Paloma who makes us all very proud!

Starting this May 2017 we will begin our study group of Egon von Neindorff's book "The Art of Classical Horsemanship" translated by Melissa Simms and published by Cadmos. We will go chapter by chapter and discuss its content. 
Location: Traditions farm
​time: Monday 22th at 5:00 pm
Join us!

"Dressage is more than just learning how to ride. Dressage is a way of life. As you learn more about horses ... and the beauty of creating something in a horse ... you find that this process becomes how you ask yourself about what is right and wrong in your own life. Because when you work with a horse, you are not just dealing with the problems in this horse , but also with the problems in your life. People grow through their riding. Or you don't grow. You have a choice, but the opportunity is there."I deal with hundreds of horses -- horses that have been handled correctly and incorrectly, all with different problems and talents. And I may not know anything about their histories, but I have to learn to understand them at that moment. With this creature we've chosen to confine, we have the responsibility to learn how to make its confinement as pleasant as possible. Not just tolerable, but pleasant, because he liked it when he was free, and he can only be beautiful when he likes where he lives and how he's being treated.
"Which is why I think everyone who rides has the responsibility to learn to ride at least to a certain level, so that the horse is comfortable carrying him around. A badly ridden horse is never a happy horse. Badly ridden horses develop problems they'd never develop in the wild. A poor-sitting rider or poorly-fitting equipment causes soundness problems. And even if the horse is so strong that it won't go lame, it will develop temperament problems.
"And handling on the ground is also a horse's environment. If a horse is being unfairly handled, or even brushed too hard, he'll react. If you go into a stable and see a horse that just stands in a corner, this is very uncharacteristic of natural horse behavior, because a horse in nature is totally interested in his life, and has to be to stay alive. You may have to remember, the animal has no say-so in what will happen to it; you're totally responsible for its well-being. And that's really how I see my duty with respect to dressage: to teach people how to make their horses' lives more comfortable.
"The horse must be allowed to be a horse and to develop its character. Correct dressage and correct handling develop the horse's character. They become perkier, and more confident in themselves. They stop shying because they feel confident in their world. And their bodies become more beautiful through correct dressage, and they live longer and healthier lives. We take away the horse's freedom, but we give something back. We develop the horse's mind."
(©1996 Hunter & Sport Horse, January/February)

First Lecture of the year will start at 4:00 pm. Location (inquire)
Topic "what is Horsemanship/Classical Horsemanship?"
Followed by "The School of Horsemanship" film by Roland Blume
​Wine and cheese discussion..
​Non-students $20

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After two years off due to Tressa's child being born and many changes that followed here at the our farm, we are back at it with a few of our baroque breeds!
Paloma David, my new assistant, made her first go at showing dressage since returning after being away in South America for 8yrs. This seasons showing  has put her two scores away from earning her bronze medal abroad the back of Hendrik fan de Sweech , a Friesian trained from scratch here at Traditions Farm, owned by Susan Yasinitsky. 
Hechi Cero owned by Laura Bowlby was shown by Tressa at Second levels. Coming to the farm Hechi Cero as an 11yr. was not cantering so in a short time he has become confident in doing so and got a 65% for his first outing. He also got remarks from the judges about "Impressive Canter work"!! So we are extremely proud of his progress, to say the least! 
Johan owned by Beverly Chambers made his debut at 3rd level and also was in the 60% +'s shown also by Tressa.  Johan is also a horse trained here from the beginning.
Over all our horses have  made us proud, but what makes us the most proud is the horses we have been showing are all trained here at Traditions Farm, something Tressa takes pride in...Let the fun continue in our learning experiences!