Archive for the ‘Recreation and Sports’ Category

On the weekend of March 9, 10, and 11, 2007 somewhere in the neighborhood of 40,000 to 50,000 people are expected to congregate just a few miles north of my Tallahassee, Florida home for a weekend popping with pageantry and dramatic excitement.

The setting is the fabled grounds of Tallahassee’s Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park located off of Tallahassee’s beautiful canopied Meridian Road and Millers Landing Road.

The event is the Tenth Annual Red Hills Horse Trials, an event inspired by excellence with roots dating all the way back to ancient Greece.

Amidst a spring setting of wild azaleas and magnolias, the deep red hill terrain of this part of the world will be the host once again to 200 of the world’s most accomplished equestrians who come from around the world to compete in dressage, cross-country jumping and stadium jumping.

The cross-country part of the event is hosted by Colin Phipps on adjoining land at his cross-country course that he had designed by Capt. Mark Phillips, CHEF D’Equipe and Technical Advisor for the U.S. Equestrian Team and a former member of the British Olympic Team. With a design in place, the cousin of Colin Phipps, Hugh Lochore of Scotland built the cross-country course.

While this event smacks of money, privilege and a glimpse into a rich and famous horsy set type equestrian lifestyle, this event also represents so much more.

When you look at the bottom line, Red Hills Horse Trials is more than simply a horse enthusiast’s weekend spectacle. Besides being marvelous entertainment for spectators and the opportunity to demonstrate excellent horsemanship for the participants, there is something even greater, something that perhaps can be too easily overlooked.

This event is about returning something to the world. “To whom much is given, much is expected…” the famous scripture says and Red Hills Horse Trials does exactly that.

To date Red Hills Horse Trials has donated over $325,000.00 to its charitable beneficiaries that include Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park and Tall Timbers Research Station & Land Conservancy.

This event benefits charitable causes that seek to make the world a better place. For that reason, I would highly recommend joining in on the unforgettable pageantry and dramatic excitement of the annual Red Hills Horse Trials.

For a schedule of events and more information visit the Red Hills Horse Trials website.

Kathi Dameron is a free-lance writer who enjoys promoting worthwhile causes. She lives in Tallahassee, Florida and owns Kathi Dameron and Associates. [http://www.campaignblitz.us]

Author: Kathi Dameron
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Awe Inspiring Pictures

On the weekend of March 9, 10, and 11, 2007 somewhere in the neighborhood of 40,000 to 50,000 people are expected to congregate just a few miles north of my Tallahassee, Florida home for a weekend popping with pageantry and dramatic excitement.

The setting is the fabled grounds of Tallahassee’s Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park located off of Tallahassee’s beautiful canopied Meridian Road and Millers Landing Road.

The event is the Tenth Annual Red Hills Horse Trials, an event inspired by excellence with roots dating all the way back to ancient Greece.

Amidst a spring setting of wild azaleas and magnolias, the deep red hill terrain of this part of the world will be the host once again to 200 of the world’s most accomplished equestrians who come from around the world to compete in dressage, cross-country jumping and stadium jumping.

The cross-country part of the event is hosted by Colin Phipps on adjoining land at his cross-country course that he had designed by Capt. Mark Phillips, CHEF D’Equipe and Technical Advisor for the U.S. Equestrian Team and a former member of the British Olympic Team. With a design in place, the cousin of Colin Phipps, Hugh Lochore of Scotland built the cross-country course.

While this event smacks of money, privilege and a glimpse into a rich and famous horsy set type equestrian lifestyle, this event also represents so much more.

When you look at the bottom line, Red Hills Horse Trials is more than simply a horse enthusiast’s weekend spectacle. Besides being marvelous entertainment for spectators and the opportunity to demonstrate excellent horsemanship for the participants, there is something even greater, something that perhaps can be too easily overlooked.

This event is about returning something to the world. “To whom much is given, much is expected…” the famous scripture says and Red Hills Horse Trials does exactly that.

To date Red Hills Horse Trials has donated over $325,000.00 to its charitable beneficiaries that include Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park and Tall Timbers Research Station & Land Conservancy.

This event benefits charitable causes that seek to make the world a better place. For that reason, I would highly recommend joining in on the unforgettable pageantry and dramatic excitement of the annual Red Hills Horse Trials.

For a schedule of events and more information visit the Red Hills Horse Trials website.

Kathi Dameron is a free-lance writer who enjoys promoting worthwhile causes. She lives in Tallahassee, Florida and owns Kathi Dameron and Associates. [http://www.campaignblitz.us]

Author: Kathi Dameron
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Canada duty rates

On the weekend of March 9, 10, and 11, 2007 somewhere in the neighborhood of 40,000 to 50,000 people are expected to congregate just a few miles north of my Tallahassee, Florida home for a weekend popping with pageantry and dramatic excitement.

The setting is the fabled grounds of Tallahassee’s Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park located off of Tallahassee’s beautiful canopied Meridian Road and Millers Landing Road.

The event is the Tenth Annual Red Hills Horse Trials, an event inspired by excellence with roots dating all the way back to ancient Greece.

Amidst a spring setting of wild azaleas and magnolias, the deep red hill terrain of this part of the world will be the host once again to 200 of the world’s most accomplished equestrians who come from around the world to compete in dressage, cross-country jumping and stadium jumping.

The cross-country part of the event is hosted by Colin Phipps on adjoining land at his cross-country course that he had designed by Capt. Mark Phillips, CHEF D’Equipe and Technical Advisor for the U.S. Equestrian Team and a former member of the British Olympic Team. With a design in place, the cousin of Colin Phipps, Hugh Lochore of Scotland built the cross-country course.

While this event smacks of money, privilege and a glimpse into a rich and famous horsy set type equestrian lifestyle, this event also represents so much more.

When you look at the bottom line, Red Hills Horse Trials is more than simply a horse enthusiast’s weekend spectacle. Besides being marvelous entertainment for spectators and the opportunity to demonstrate excellent horsemanship for the participants, there is something even greater, something that perhaps can be too easily overlooked.

This event is about returning something to the world. “To whom much is given, much is expected…” the famous scripture says and Red Hills Horse Trials does exactly that.

To date Red Hills Horse Trials has donated over $325,000.00 to its charitable beneficiaries that include Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park and Tall Timbers Research Station & Land Conservancy.

This event benefits charitable causes that seek to make the world a better place. For that reason, I would highly recommend joining in on the unforgettable pageantry and dramatic excitement of the annual Red Hills Horse Trials.

For a schedule of events and more information visit the Red Hills Horse Trials website.

Kathi Dameron is a free-lance writer who enjoys promoting worthwhile causes. She lives in Tallahassee, Florida and owns Kathi Dameron and Associates. [http://www.campaignblitz.us]

Author: Kathi Dameron
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Digital TV, HDTV, Satellite TV

In my article “Supple Posture, a Depth of Seat: Discovering Skeletal Balance, Core Efficiency, and Supple Control” I wrote in general about the elements that allow riders to move with the motion of their horse. In this article I’ll explain what I mean by skeletal balance, or the ability of a rider to balance through the skeleton and adapt to the motion of the horse in a biomechanically correct position from seat bones to head . At the end you’ll find a movement lesson that will help riders identify the motion of their pelvis and how that relates to the whole spinal movement.

Skeletal balance means that a person uses the skeleton and only a minimal of muscle exertion to remain upright and move. It is the posture most of us have as children: easy, light, and adaptable to the environment. It is the posture we have before we begin to slouch, before injury or illness has affected the way we stand and move, and before society has imposed “correct” or fashionable posture on us. It is a natural, dynamic organization of the skeleton that allows the force from the ground to go through the bones and joints without shearing forces or undue impact on the joints of our hips or spine. It cannot be externally imposed on us or created through core strength or by tucking in our tummies with shoulders back. We can however, learn to recognize when we are balanced through our skeleton.

Skeletal balance is essential to ride in comfort and it is especially important for riders of horses that perform in dressage, reining, endurance, working cow horse, jumping and other high demand sports. When we are organized well through our skeleton, our joints are free to open and flex, our muscles are used only minimally for the task of balance. Our bodies are available for adapting and adjusting to all the various movements our horses send our way. Our spine is long and our back and abdominal muscles are not tense or shortened, our breath is easy because our ribs can expand in all directions, and our head is balanced softly on our neck. We respond easily to our horse’s motion, no matter what the gait. And we can communicate to our horse with soft aids.

It is important to realize that with skeletal balance our spine is long, elastic and stable, not ‘stabilized’ or held. Forces flow through our bodies, without being stopped at any particular joint and causing us pain or the need to protect our low back or neck. When we use our muscles to support an upright but unbalanced posture, we have to hold ourselves up with areas of tension. We do this when we habitually lean back and stand on our heels, slouch our shoulders, or stand with one hip cocked. If we sit more on one side of our pelvis or with our head jutted forward we will also use muscles to hold ourselves in this unbalanced position.

While sitting on a horse, riders typically create tension by leaning back, slouching, leaning forward, or sitting off to one side. None of these postures allow the energy from the horse to flow through the rider and horse or rider or both will suffer. The rider who leans back will pound on the horse’s back, unyielding. The rider who arches the low back will likely experience pain and discomfort and possibly injury. The rider who sits more heavily on one seat bone will constantly be trying to center the saddle and cause the horse to develop stronger muscles on one side to support the unbalanced rider.

The balanced rider is fluent, not stiff or guarding, and the forces coming from the horse’s back flow up through the rider. The horse can easily maintain a symmetrical balance. The rider’s muscles are ready to act to follow or influence the horse’s gaits and give the aids.

How do you find skeletal balance? By rediscovering the natural balance you had as a child, and re-educating your neural pathways to give up poor habits and adopt rider and horse-friendly habits of dynamic skeletal balance. Try the simple exploration below which will help you begin to discover the balance essential for sitting in unity with your horse.

Balance Through Your Spine
Spend about 20 minutes on this exploration. Do each movement slowly and from 8 to 12 or more times, paying attention to what you sense in different areas of your body. It is not important to make big movements, rather do this lesson in the spirit of learning about your own ability to move and sense yourself.

Sit on a firm, flat bench, your back not leaning against anything, thighs parallel to the ground or knees slightly lower, feet and knees hip width apart and feet flat on the ground.

1. Gently, make a small motion to round your back and come back to neutral. Repeat this about 10 times, bringing your attention to different parts of yourself each time.

Pause in a comfortable position, either leaning back or lying on the floor.

2. Again, sit with feet flat on the floor. Slowly round your back again and this time look down each time you bring the top of your pelvis back. Do this small movement 8 or more times. Then make the same rounding motion while looking up. Each time you look up think of bringing a different part of your face toward the ceiling.

Pause

3. Slowly and gently arch your back about 10 times. Feel the sensations on your seat bones, the bottom of your feet, in your chest.

Pause

4. Slowly arch your back again several times. Try looking up each time you arch. Do that about 6 times, slowly. Now look down each time your arch. A few more times arch your back but this time try looking up again. Has it gotten easier?

Pause, leaning back or lying on a flat surface.

5. Gently begin to alternately arch and round your back allowing your head to look down as you round and look up while you arch. Make this movement easy and light, there is no need to go to the furthest extent of your capacity. Arch and round several times, finding out how the movement has altered or if your perception has changed.

Pause

6. Again, begin to arch and then round. Now change the movement of your head so you look up when you round your back and look down when you arch your back. Do that several times.

7. Continue arching and rounding but again look down when you round and up when you arch. Has this movement become clearer or easier? Do you have more range of motion? Sit in the middle of arching and rounding. Can you sit here more easily than when you started?

Pause, leaning back or lying on a flat surface.

8. Once again sit with feet and knees hip width apart and feet flat on the floor. Begin again to arch and round. Make the movement light and easy. Now look straight ahead has you do this.

Pause again and then sit in neutral, finding out how it is to sit. Do you have a clearer sense of your spine?
Stand and discover if you stand differently. Walk around. Find out if you have a different sense of your spine and your balance.

Are you ready to follow the motion of your horse without tension, easily influencing his movement by giving light aids and getting a quick response? Are you tired of your instructor telling you to sit up, put your heels down, keep your hands or legs still? Have you bounced more than enough times, not able to sit the trot after years of riding?

You are not your habits and at any age your can become fluent in your movement and more effective in your riding. I have developed a unique program to teach riders an organic, natural way to improve their riding. With a combination of movement education, strengthening and balancing, and awareness building lessons you too can achieve the ride of your dreams!

My article “Seat Bones 101 – Moving in Unity With Your Horse For Greater Security & Control” has a walking seat bones exploration that will further help you identify your skeletal balance.
Michele Morseth, MA
Sit The Trot! Body Awareness and Movement Education for Equestrians and Everybody
Teaching clinics and workshops for all levels of equestrians through the nation.
Sisters, OR
http://www.SitTheTrot.com

Author: Michele Morseth
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Panasonic Lumix G2

On the weekend of March 9, 10, and 11, 2007 somewhere in the neighborhood of 40,000 to 50,000 people are expected to congregate just a few miles north of my Tallahassee, Florida home for a weekend popping with pageantry and dramatic excitement.

The setting is the fabled grounds of Tallahassee’s Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park located off of Tallahassee’s beautiful canopied Meridian Road and Millers Landing Road.

The event is the Tenth Annual Red Hills Horse Trials, an event inspired by excellence with roots dating all the way back to ancient Greece.

Amidst a spring setting of wild azaleas and magnolias, the deep red hill terrain of this part of the world will be the host once again to 200 of the world’s most accomplished equestrians who come from around the world to compete in dressage, cross-country jumping and stadium jumping.

The cross-country part of the event is hosted by Colin Phipps on adjoining land at his cross-country course that he had designed by Capt. Mark Phillips, CHEF D’Equipe and Technical Advisor for the U.S. Equestrian Team and a former member of the British Olympic Team. With a design in place, the cousin of Colin Phipps, Hugh Lochore of Scotland built the cross-country course.

While this event smacks of money, privilege and a glimpse into a rich and famous horsy set type equestrian lifestyle, this event also represents so much more.

When you look at the bottom line, Red Hills Horse Trials is more than simply a horse enthusiast’s weekend spectacle. Besides being marvelous entertainment for spectators and the opportunity to demonstrate excellent horsemanship for the participants, there is something even greater, something that perhaps can be too easily overlooked.

This event is about returning something to the world. “To whom much is given, much is expected…” the famous scripture says and Red Hills Horse Trials does exactly that.

To date Red Hills Horse Trials has donated over $325,000.00 to its charitable beneficiaries that include Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park and Tall Timbers Research Station & Land Conservancy.

This event benefits charitable causes that seek to make the world a better place. For that reason, I would highly recommend joining in on the unforgettable pageantry and dramatic excitement of the annual Red Hills Horse Trials.

For a schedule of events and more information visit the Red Hills Horse Trials website.

Kathi Dameron is a free-lance writer who enjoys promoting worthwhile causes. She lives in Tallahassee, Florida and owns Kathi Dameron and Associates. [http://www.campaignblitz.us]

Author: Kathi Dameron
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Digital economy, mobile technology

On the weekend of March 9, 10, and 11, 2007 somewhere in the neighborhood of 40,000 to 50,000 people are expected to congregate just a few miles north of my Tallahassee, Florida home for a weekend popping with pageantry and dramatic excitement.

The setting is the fabled grounds of Tallahassee’s Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park located off of Tallahassee’s beautiful canopied Meridian Road and Millers Landing Road.

The event is the Tenth Annual Red Hills Horse Trials, an event inspired by excellence with roots dating all the way back to ancient Greece.

Amidst a spring setting of wild azaleas and magnolias, the deep red hill terrain of this part of the world will be the host once again to 200 of the world’s most accomplished equestrians who come from around the world to compete in dressage, cross-country jumping and stadium jumping.

The cross-country part of the event is hosted by Colin Phipps on adjoining land at his cross-country course that he had designed by Capt. Mark Phillips, CHEF D’Equipe and Technical Advisor for the U.S. Equestrian Team and a former member of the British Olympic Team. With a design in place, the cousin of Colin Phipps, Hugh Lochore of Scotland built the cross-country course.

While this event smacks of money, privilege and a glimpse into a rich and famous horsy set type equestrian lifestyle, this event also represents so much more.

When you look at the bottom line, Red Hills Horse Trials is more than simply a horse enthusiast’s weekend spectacle. Besides being marvelous entertainment for spectators and the opportunity to demonstrate excellent horsemanship for the participants, there is something even greater, something that perhaps can be too easily overlooked.

This event is about returning something to the world. “To whom much is given, much is expected…” the famous scripture says and Red Hills Horse Trials does exactly that.

To date Red Hills Horse Trials has donated over $325,000.00 to its charitable beneficiaries that include Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park and Tall Timbers Research Station & Land Conservancy.

This event benefits charitable causes that seek to make the world a better place. For that reason, I would highly recommend joining in on the unforgettable pageantry and dramatic excitement of the annual Red Hills Horse Trials.

For a schedule of events and more information visit the Red Hills Horse Trials website.

Kathi Dameron is a free-lance writer who enjoys promoting worthwhile causes. She lives in Tallahassee, Florida and owns Kathi Dameron and Associates. [http://www.campaignblitz.us]

Author: Kathi Dameron
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Advice on AdSense

On the weekend of March 9, 10, and 11, 2007 somewhere in the neighborhood of 40,000 to 50,000 people are expected to congregate just a few miles north of my Tallahassee, Florida home for a weekend popping with pageantry and dramatic excitement.

The setting is the fabled grounds of Tallahassee’s Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park located off of Tallahassee’s beautiful canopied Meridian Road and Millers Landing Road.

The event is the Tenth Annual Red Hills Horse Trials, an event inspired by excellence with roots dating all the way back to ancient Greece.

Amidst a spring setting of wild azaleas and magnolias, the deep red hill terrain of this part of the world will be the host once again to 200 of the world’s most accomplished equestrians who come from around the world to compete in dressage, cross-country jumping and stadium jumping.

The cross-country part of the event is hosted by Colin Phipps on adjoining land at his cross-country course that he had designed by Capt. Mark Phillips, CHEF D’Equipe and Technical Advisor for the U.S. Equestrian Team and a former member of the British Olympic Team. With a design in place, the cousin of Colin Phipps, Hugh Lochore of Scotland built the cross-country course.

While this event smacks of money, privilege and a glimpse into a rich and famous horsy set type equestrian lifestyle, this event also represents so much more.

When you look at the bottom line, Red Hills Horse Trials is more than simply a horse enthusiast’s weekend spectacle. Besides being marvelous entertainment for spectators and the opportunity to demonstrate excellent horsemanship for the participants, there is something even greater, something that perhaps can be too easily overlooked.

This event is about returning something to the world. “To whom much is given, much is expected…” the famous scripture says and Red Hills Horse Trials does exactly that.

To date Red Hills Horse Trials has donated over $325,000.00 to its charitable beneficiaries that include Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park and Tall Timbers Research Station & Land Conservancy.

This event benefits charitable causes that seek to make the world a better place. For that reason, I would highly recommend joining in on the unforgettable pageantry and dramatic excitement of the annual Red Hills Horse Trials.

For a schedule of events and more information visit the Red Hills Horse Trials website.

Kathi Dameron is a free-lance writer who enjoys promoting worthwhile causes. She lives in Tallahassee, Florida and owns Kathi Dameron and Associates. [http://www.campaignblitz.us]

Author: Kathi Dameron
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Creditcard Currency Conversion Fee

On the weekend of March 9, 10, and 11, 2007 somewhere in the neighborhood of 40,000 to 50,000 people are expected to congregate just a few miles north of my Tallahassee, Florida home for a weekend popping with pageantry and dramatic excitement.

The setting is the fabled grounds of Tallahassee’s Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park located off of Tallahassee’s beautiful canopied Meridian Road and Millers Landing Road.

The event is the Tenth Annual Red Hills Horse Trials, an event inspired by excellence with roots dating all the way back to ancient Greece.

Amidst a spring setting of wild azaleas and magnolias, the deep red hill terrain of this part of the world will be the host once again to 200 of the world’s most accomplished equestrians who come from around the world to compete in dressage, cross-country jumping and stadium jumping.

The cross-country part of the event is hosted by Colin Phipps on adjoining land at his cross-country course that he had designed by Capt. Mark Phillips, CHEF D’Equipe and Technical Advisor for the U.S. Equestrian Team and a former member of the British Olympic Team. With a design in place, the cousin of Colin Phipps, Hugh Lochore of Scotland built the cross-country course.

While this event smacks of money, privilege and a glimpse into a rich and famous horsy set type equestrian lifestyle, this event also represents so much more.

When you look at the bottom line, Red Hills Horse Trials is more than simply a horse enthusiast’s weekend spectacle. Besides being marvelous entertainment for spectators and the opportunity to demonstrate excellent horsemanship for the participants, there is something even greater, something that perhaps can be too easily overlooked.

This event is about returning something to the world. “To whom much is given, much is expected…” the famous scripture says and Red Hills Horse Trials does exactly that.

To date Red Hills Horse Trials has donated over $325,000.00 to its charitable beneficiaries that include Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park and Tall Timbers Research Station & Land Conservancy.

This event benefits charitable causes that seek to make the world a better place. For that reason, I would highly recommend joining in on the unforgettable pageantry and dramatic excitement of the annual Red Hills Horse Trials.

For a schedule of events and more information visit the Red Hills Horse Trials website.

Kathi Dameron is a free-lance writer who enjoys promoting worthwhile causes. She lives in Tallahassee, Florida and owns Kathi Dameron and Associates. [http://www.campaignblitz.us]

Author: Kathi Dameron
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Pressure cooker