Ask Cari

Summertime at Windrock Farm, the kids have a blast driving the golf cart, playing baseball, riding the ponies, and playing assorted other games with each other.  The weather has been perfect with an occasional summer storm blowing through to cool the air.  Wyatt takes the wheel to give is friends a tour of the farm.

The Millbrook Horse Trials took place last weekend where Joa rode Kestrel in the Junior Novice Division to finish 13th.  Following her progress over the weekend was her entourage of her fans from Windrock Farm with the Comet, Cupid, Dash and Freja.

The most recent clinic featured many different breeds of horses with a range of issues to deal with.  Here is Duende, an Andalusian Stallion with Rex working on finding the Spanish walk in him.  It seemed logical that someone had trained him to do this years ago, but along the way he stopped performing it.  Rex worked with him and found the movement quickly.

Rex also worked on loading horses in their trailers, teaching horses to bow,  worked with horses that spooked and started several young horses under saddle.  If you are interested in attending an upcoming clinic with your horse, contact cari@cariswanson.com for new dates.

Joa Sigsbee jumping Kestrel at the recent Horse Trials at Fitches Corner in Millbrook, New York.  The weekend was beautiful with the largest turnout in the 15 years of the event. Kestrel was a star galloping across country on a beautiful day.

Clinic participant Chris meets his idol, Rex Peterson at Windrock Farm.  Here he is standing in front of RJ’s stall, the star stunt horse from Hidalgo.  Contact cari@cariswanson.com for details of the next clinic

Jimmy Ripp, one of the best guitar players in the world meets Rex Peterson, reknown Hollywood horse trainer  at Windrock Farm.  RJ offers himself as a couch for a rest

Midas Touch, 8 year old QH/ Friesan gelding is an unusual find, he is a very kind, a true gentleman, elastic supple gaits, naturally balanced, jumps anything, hacks cross country in company or alone, loves water, owner sadly must sell immediately, so he is priced reasonably to a good home.

Talented QH/Friesan cross, beautiful mover, will excel in Eventing or Jumpers, loves to hack cross country, sound, excellent ground manners, very easy to ride, must sell to a good home, price more than reasonable to a lucky person

Ghost learns to bow in one session with Rex Peterson, he is super smart and loves to learn new tricks

Last week, Rex Peterson taught clients how to bow their horses in a clinic where everyone had success. Here you can see Classy, an 8 year old TB bowing on cue. The technique is easy, all you need is patience and timing. Contact cari@cariswanson for clinic dates.

7 year old TB, 16 hands tall, very nice horse for eventing. Classy is an intelligent, (he learned to bow in one session) he is an uncomplicated, balanced and a bold jumper. He has a wonderful personality and is reasonably priced to a good home. call Cari at 914.456.3155 to come try him.

The Fourth of July was a day to take a break from the horses to enjoy a day with James Taylor and friends at Tanglewood.  My friend Ken Regan was photographing the event for Rolling Stone, so I was his assistant for the day.  Music and horses have much in common with rhythm and balance.  It was fascinating to watch the rehearsal and sound check prior to the concert with all of the various guests including Carol King, John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Yo-Yo Ma and the band worked out the timing and cadence of the performance.  This is a testament to the importance of practice and preparation before any performance.

Behind the Silver Screen Hollywood Horse Trainer Rex Peterson Clinic at Windrock Farm in Dutchess County July 15-17, 2008

Rex Peterson has trained many horses for film including Hidalgo, Horse Whisperer, Black Beauty, Appaloosa and many more.  Rex has an amazing talent working with horses with patience and consistency, developing a strong bond with each horse.

“For the last 35 years people have often seen a western movie and asked themselves this question, “how did they get the horse to do that?” Like any good relationship once you have the trust, communication, respect, and knowledge, you can accomplish almost anything” says Rex Peterson.

Do you have a specific challenge: loading, unruly behavior, or starting a young horse? Or do you just want to have fun learning more about a more positive partnership with your horse?

If your goal is to learn how to work with your horse in a more consistent way with better control, less fear and clearer understanding, then this clinic is for you.

Contact Cari Swanson on 914.456.3155 or email cari@cariswanson.com  to book a session to work with Rex

for more information on Rex go to his web site http://www.rexpetersonhorsetraining.com/ or http://www.cariswanson.com/ The July issue of Western Horseman has an article on Rex in the Cowboy Culture section.

Photography Courtesy of E.G. Simson & Chisholm Gallery, LLC 518.398.1246

Here is a list of the movies that Rex has worked on:

All The Pretty Horses Amanda Appaloosa Back To The Future III Batman Returns Black Beauty Black Knight Buddy City Slickers Crazy Horse Crystal Eye Dracula Dreamer El Diablo Electric Horseman Far And Away Geronimo: An American Legend Hot Shots Hidalgo Joyride Leonard Part 6 Medicine Woman Flicka Pals Princess Diaries II Ruffian Runaway Bride Sgt. Bilko Silent Tounges Snow White Son in Law Sylvester The Ring The Patriot The Doors The Horse Whisperer Three Amigos The Black Stallion The Black Stallion Returns Wild Bill Winter People 1941

It was a great honor to meet the owner and breeder of the greatest race horse of all time, Secretariat recently at the Belmont. Penny Tweedy Chenery is a generous kind woman with a wonderful spirit. I was sitting at the finish line watching over several remote cameras for my good friend Ken Regan, who was on assignment for Sports Illustrated. Penny was lovely and enjoyed learning that one of my horses is a Secretariat grandson, and that Mashantum was a highly successful event horse and FEI dressage horse. Life is strange sometimes how these intersections occur. The old saying that we are all connected is true.

Stunt rider Jered doubles for the character Rex on One Life to Live, riding the Ghost in several scenes to be aired on ABC in July.

Elegant 2 year old TB filly, super mind, started by Rex Peterson, already trained to walk, trot, canter in ring,

hacking cross country, she loves the water and hopping over ditches, she is uncomplicated with excellent

ground manners, very flashy under saddle, 15.2 and growing. Bay is a lovely prospect

for eventing and she is reasonably priced to a good home. Contact cari@cariswanson.com for details.

Bob Woods from One Life to Live hangs out with Danny Aiello, Jared, Vincent and Cari who are handling all the stunts for the latest episode being filmed on location at the Farm.

Rex Peterson has a unique resume, training horses for movies, classical dressage, jumping and eventing. He has the ability to bring out the best in each horse and rider to maximize their performance. Each horse is treated as an individual and he is able to bring out the best in every situation.

I just returned from visiting Rex on the set of the new Hanna Montana movie in Nashville where Miley rides a beautiful gray horse who at one point has to take the wig off her head. It is not natural for a horse to pick things up with their mouths, but Rex has the ability to teach them to do just that. Working with the actors is not always easy, but they all seem to love Rex. Many even demand he be the one on set handling their horses because they know they can trust that he will take care of them.

Take advantage of the unique opportunity to train with Rex when he is here in July. You can teach your horse tricks, solve behavioral problems, or simply improve the communication you have with your horse. Contact cari@cariswanson.com for availability.

Vanessa is already following in her parents hoofprints.

It is never too early to start to ride.

Winston Churchill said “No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.”

Sadly, Monday morning we lost one of my best friends and teachers, Tony Mason.