Welcome!
Thank you for visiting Destination: Consensus Equus. The goal at DCE is to bring horses and humans closer together in a manner that affects both parties positively. The idea for DCE got started when I noticed a distinct "disconnect" in some current training versus what sat in the great leather bound books on my shelf. The part that affected me most was the disregard for the horse's emotional well being, and the dismissal of the process, and emphasis on the end result.
There is a flexibility that must be present in teaching any being. Children learn in different ways, and so do horses. As I allowed my horse to guide me in his education process, I quickly realized that the horse under me needed to be the highest consideration every step of the way. Hence, "Chaque pas est fait ensemble" as one of my guiding mantras. It translates to "every step taken together."
"Light off the leg, soft in the hand. Ride the horse and not the plan."
There is a flexibility that must be present in teaching any being. Children learn in different ways, and so do horses. As I allowed my horse to guide me in his education process, I quickly realized that the horse under me needed to be the highest consideration every step of the way. Hence, "Chaque pas est fait ensemble" as one of my guiding mantras. It translates to "every step taken together."
"Light off the leg, soft in the hand. Ride the horse and not the plan."
In the News:
May 4-6
We will be paying a visit to the Pennsylvania Riding Academy, home of Paul Belasik and his assistant trainer Andrea Velas (pictured left). The study course is on longitudinal adjustability on one of the academy's schoolmasters.
May 8-10
Riding for Verne Batchelder. Horse TBD
We will be paying a visit to the Pennsylvania Riding Academy, home of Paul Belasik and his assistant trainer Andrea Velas (pictured left). The study course is on longitudinal adjustability on one of the academy's schoolmasters.
May 8-10
Riding for Verne Batchelder. Horse TBD
Many Paths, One Direction
Destination: Consensus Equus is a "non denominational" group and I use those words for a reason. As mentioned above, the horse needs to be the highest consideration, and if that's in a western saddle, bareback, or in a dressage saddle, so be it. While my path has taken me on a classical journey, all that is needed to become a member of the DCE discussion forum is a passion for harmony with your horse and respect for others. As our mission states, "to bring horses and humans closer together in a manner that affects both parties positively;" its about what works best for the individual horse and person.
About the Creator of DCE, Tasida Kulikowski
I've been in the saddle over 30 years, and every day I still learn something new! My earliest riding memories are of cantering bareback with my mom seated behind me; us laughing together all the way down the trail, and of the glorious moment I was able to post without having my hands resting on Happy Talk's withers and my hands were floating still and independent when I was four.
I think my love of the "sensitive types" started where my journey started, with 5 gaited saddlebreds and arabians. I think being exposed to horses of such a high vibration at such a young age made the sensitive ones feel like home. Nothing captivates me more than a horse that's artistically brilliant, sensitive, and complex.
In addition to saddleseat I have studied western pleasure, huntseat, polo, balanced seat, eventing, and my adult years have been a deep journey in dressage. Dressage for me was like plunging down the rabbit hole. Once you've been awakened there is no going back to sleep. My horse has been my greatest teacher, my daily inspiration, and my catalyst for passion in dressage. When we met he was a polo pony that was flunking rapidly as he doesn't take kindly to forceful commands, and the excitement of the field sparks exuberant riding. He had a reputation for running away with riders, and after an hour and a half galloping battle to "find the brakes" we jigged back to the barn sweaty, exhausted, with empty adrenals. After that ride, he was given to me. (What was I, nuts?) We spent the first two weeks doing short straight line work so that he could learn that whoa means whoa. The first 3 years together, we didn't have a specific discipline focus, and spent many months with the saddle living on the rack, as we had bareback adventures for hours on end. The next 5 years were an attempt and failure to be hunter jumpers, which resulted in a year or two of riding with no tack at all.
I think my love of the "sensitive types" started where my journey started, with 5 gaited saddlebreds and arabians. I think being exposed to horses of such a high vibration at such a young age made the sensitive ones feel like home. Nothing captivates me more than a horse that's artistically brilliant, sensitive, and complex.
In addition to saddleseat I have studied western pleasure, huntseat, polo, balanced seat, eventing, and my adult years have been a deep journey in dressage. Dressage for me was like plunging down the rabbit hole. Once you've been awakened there is no going back to sleep. My horse has been my greatest teacher, my daily inspiration, and my catalyst for passion in dressage. When we met he was a polo pony that was flunking rapidly as he doesn't take kindly to forceful commands, and the excitement of the field sparks exuberant riding. He had a reputation for running away with riders, and after an hour and a half galloping battle to "find the brakes" we jigged back to the barn sweaty, exhausted, with empty adrenals. After that ride, he was given to me. (What was I, nuts?) We spent the first two weeks doing short straight line work so that he could learn that whoa means whoa. The first 3 years together, we didn't have a specific discipline focus, and spent many months with the saddle living on the rack, as we had bareback adventures for hours on end. The next 5 years were an attempt and failure to be hunter jumpers, which resulted in a year or two of riding with no tack at all.
The REALLY early years
Lipizzaner Stallion Patton, and I
1999
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Trotting Cavaletti Tack Free 2005
Jozarra in hand 1999
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A bareback walk in the garden 2006
Lipizzaner Stallion Napoleon 1999
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I was ready to be the granola eating, tack free trail banshee when I met Karen Thomas. Bear in mind, my only exposure to dressage prior to meeting Karen was when I spent a summer in Vermont as a performer with the Royal Lipizzaner Stallions. The dressage you ride as a traveling performer is totally different from what the real classical journey is like, as performing all about the end result that fuels ticket sales. Hondo had spent years evading contact, and Karen was the patient, resourceful, walking textbook of classical knowledge we needed to undo the years of damage from his former careers, and my mistakes. While Karen and I are separated by hundreds of miles now, she is still my go to person for brainstorming, critical thinking, and philosophical discussions.
In addition to the ever evolving lesson that is "riding my horse" I am also regularly reading various books on dressage and horsemanship. My bookshelf includes names like Paul Belasik, Sally Swift, Erik Herbermann, George Morris, Nuno Oliviera, and Alois Podhjasky. I will say that out of these, Paul gets credit for my greatest aha moment, and for forever getting me back riding towards the light. I had the pleasure of riding for Paul in May of 2011 and if you are a fan of his teachings in writing, you will not be disappointed in person. Video exerts from my lessons with Paul can be found under the learning tools tab at the top. I attend regular short course intensives with Sophie Pirie Clifton, whose effective teaching, classical principles and impressive resume have launched my progress and education to new levels.
I am very passionate about rider fitness and nutrition, but it is the result of being on both ends of the spectrum. To read about my fitness and nutrition journey, click on this link. I am featured on page 34 of the Chronicle Connection Magazine July 2011.
In addition to the ever evolving lesson that is "riding my horse" I am also regularly reading various books on dressage and horsemanship. My bookshelf includes names like Paul Belasik, Sally Swift, Erik Herbermann, George Morris, Nuno Oliviera, and Alois Podhjasky. I will say that out of these, Paul gets credit for my greatest aha moment, and for forever getting me back riding towards the light. I had the pleasure of riding for Paul in May of 2011 and if you are a fan of his teachings in writing, you will not be disappointed in person. Video exerts from my lessons with Paul can be found under the learning tools tab at the top. I attend regular short course intensives with Sophie Pirie Clifton, whose effective teaching, classical principles and impressive resume have launched my progress and education to new levels.
I am very passionate about rider fitness and nutrition, but it is the result of being on both ends of the spectrum. To read about my fitness and nutrition journey, click on this link. I am featured on page 34 of the Chronicle Connection Magazine July 2011.
As Dressage Educations Progresses...
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And I'll learn to fix stuff
If you will teach me Love
And God will radiate out from within us
Instead of this bullsh*t from above
We'll dance round like monkeys
After the paparazzi have gone home
Having let go forever
Of the fallacy of ever being alone...
