Web Version Click here for Full PDF 1 2 3 Lynn Palm: Rider Education is Her Priority By Jean Crossman Gilman What could be better than winning a world championship? Just ask Lynn Palm, renowned competitor, trainer, and instructor who has 34 World and Reserve World Championships under her belt. She will tell you that winning th 2003 Equine Affaire Exceptional Equestrian Educator Award, “is better than winning a World Championship.” “I’ve always taught and coached, even when I had my own heavy competition schedule, but today my energy is more focused on education, “Lynn explains. “ I’ve had great success, and I want to give back to the industry that’s been so good to me. I find it a great reward to work with and influence riders of all ages, but especially young riders.” Lynn’s penchant for working with young riders may come from the memory of her own horse crazy childhood. Born into a non-horsy family, Lynn was fortunate as a young girl to meet and be mentored by Ms. Bobbi Steele. A talented horsewoman, Ms. Steele made a name for herself as a rider with Ringling Bros. Circus and later, on her own, as a dressage and jumping rider at major horse shows across the Country. In 1976, Lynn won her first Quarter Horse World Championship. Since then, she has become one of the top competitors in American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) history. On top of all her World and Reserve World Championships, she has ridden three horses to a record four AQHA Superhorse Titles. Lynn also was the first to ride the same horse, the stallion Rugged Lark, to two Superhorse Titles. She then went on to ride Rugged Lark’s son, The Lark Ascending, to the same title. Lynn also has won 14 European Championships. Lynn put all her knowledge about riding and training into the training schools that she started in 1972. In 1998, Palm Partnership Training™ was established. Lynn’s husband, French rider and instructor Cyril Pittion-Rossillon, added his expertise to the program in 1990. The pair holds the training schools at their two facilities--Fox Grove Farm in Ocala, FL, and Royal Palm Ranch in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The “Palm Partnership Experience” is a series of internationally recognized equestrian schools that provide a unique learning experience. All levels of riders, from beginners to professionals, and all breeds of horses are welcome. The schools use dressage fundamentals as the basis for instruction in a variety of English and Western disciplines. Enrollment in each school is limited so specific individual needs can be addressed. Fun evening activities make the schools a vacation as well as a learning experience. Lynn emphasizes that people should not be intimidated by the term “dressage.” “ The word simply means training,” she explains, “and it is an easy to understand, common sense approach to training horses and people. We focus on improving rider skills and horse knowledge; and, in turn, that will allow the riders to train their own horses, or improve the quality of the horse’s training, and to become more independent competitors themselves.” The “Versatility Schools” are about becoming a well-rounded rider for either pleasure or competition, with the emphasis on competitive riding. These schools are geared toward the rider who wants to either take it to the next level in competition, or learn new events, or re-enter competition after a layoff. They also are perfect for the rider who is considering competition for the first time and wants to find out what it is all about. Palm Partnership Training™ “Versatility Schools” are the first in the United States. Lynn and Cyril bring decades of competitive experience in English, Western and Jumping disciplines to their instruction. Classes include training, both on the ground and in the saddle, and are complemented by video sessions and interactive classroom discussions that are intended to improve the student’s precision and communication with his/her horse. The “Dressage Principles Schools – Levels 1-4” teach riding and training techniques that will enable the rider to gain control and achieve resistance-free acceptance from their horse, without using force. The schools also teach the student how to become “thinking riders” and how to develop harmony with their horse. Fox Grove Farm’s facilities include lodging on the property, meals at the Main House, pool and hot tub, an English-style pub, and 34 scenic acres of lush pastures and live oaks. Trail rides in nearby Ocala National Forest and boat trips on nearby rivers are easily organized. Of course, mild winter temperatures are enticing to those in the cold North. Royal Palm Ranch is situated on 100-wooded acres. It has both indoor and outdoor riding arenas, a classroom viewing area, and miles of riding trails. Lodging is two miles away in ski chalets at Big Powderhorn Mountain Ski Resort, or camping facilities are available. Other activities available include: swimming and boating on Lake Gogebic cruises on Lake Superior, and cookouts in the North Woods. The emphasis in all the Palm Partnership Training™ courses, as the name itself suggests, is building a partnership between rider and horse. After safety for the rider, consideration for the horse is of the utmost importance to Lynn. Students often hear her say, “Be the rider that your horse deserves!” Acceptance from the horse without using force is the goal Lynn strives for, and the ultimate demonstration of such acceptance is the bridle-less routine. Lynn has perfected this routine over the years with several horses. Ms. Steele helped Lynn train Mocha Dell, the first horse Lynn rode bridle-less. It was her demonstrations with Rugged Lark, however, that have had the biggest impact on audiences and garnered the pair thousands of fans. “ Rugged Lark and I started performing together after he won his second AQHA Superhorse Title. We began doing bridle-less routines set to music and ended up performing at many major shows, including the National Horse Show and the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta,” says Lynn. Lynn looks back on all her accomplishments with great pride for both herself and her equine partners. With her focus firmly set on education, however, Lynn’s primary aim is to teach other riders the skills with which they may achieve their own goals, including being a good partner with their horse. Contact Information: For additional information about Lynn Palm and Palm Partnership Training™ call toll free 1-800-503-2824 or (352) 629-3310 (October thru May) or (906) 932-0770 (June thru September). 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