Amazing Grace Stable

03/26/2026

The team had a great outing at the Virginia horse trials starter event this past weekend. The weather was lovely and the footing was perfect! Congratulations to Wendy Del Vecchio on her first place finish. She put in a smooth and steady dressage test and a well paced show jump round. Good job! Heather Nuckles ProVorse🐴 and Lia coming in second in their division. Ready for their move up next outing. Madison Bjune Karen Bjune and Valentine had a quick start in their dressage but managed to make it work. Two smooth clear jumping rounds put her in fourth place in her division. Jenell Eddins and Penny did a great job on their second ever outing together. They jumped all the things and finished in sixth in their division. Congratulations everyone!

11/24/2025

In the wake of the EHV-1 outbreak in the United States, the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the Equine Disease Communications Center will be hosting a webinar to bring you the most up-to-date news. The webinar will take place Tuesday, Nov. 25, 8-9:30 p.m. Eastern.

Join specialists Dr. Lewis R. “Bud” Dinges (Texas Animal Health Commission Executive Director and Texas State Veterinarian), Dr. Krista Estell (AAEP/EDCC) and Dr. Katie Flynn (USEF) for an informative discussion of what EHV-1 is, how to recognize it, and most importantly, how to prevent it spreading.

Attendance is free, but limited to the first 1,000 people, however all who register will receive a link to an on-demand recording, which will be available 24 hours after the live session.

Register: https://aaep.org/event/horse-owner-webinar-ehv-1-updates/

🔗 https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2025/11/24/aaep-and-edcc-to-host-ehv-1-updates-webinar/

02/14/2024

Happy Valentines from Aiken

12/18/2023

What is collection truly?
Collection is not a head set, it is not “tucking the chin” and it is not the restraining of the head and squeezing of the body.

To simplify, collection is the availability of the horse’s body. It is the ability of the hind limbs to bear weight equally and of the shoulders to be free, supple, and directable.

You cannot simply get this by bringing the horse’s chin in, you cannot get this by simply squeezing the horse via the legs into a restraining hand, and you cannot get this with tie downs, side reins, Martingales, or other restrictive gear. Muscles cannot be supple by method of any restrictive positioning - muscles must be stretched, posture must be changed, the horse must be released, relaxed, and given time to understand and develop.

The only way to develop collection is through systematic athletic development over time. It is not done in a weekend clinic or even in several months. It is done by an educated seat and hand, and adherence to classical principles - guiding the horse toward equal weight bearing hind limbs and straightness through the body. This is the essence of classical dressage - the development of the horse as an athlete and partner, and to enhance his natural ability and create longevity and wellbeing.

Photo is of Manolo Mendez

10/23/2023

Keep going!

🥰🥰Being stronger than the thoughts😍😍

Last night many of us would have watched the amazing 5 star competition in 🇺🇸 Marylands. What a result 🇮🇪🇮🇪 Austin and his Mount Salty moved up from 4th after XC to WIN……..an overdue fantastic result ❤️❤️

Something that touched our hearts watching this competition was an interview that Austin did on TV straight after he won. He stated that results like these don’t happen to people like him……….he is one of the best event riders in the world and has the best relationship with his horse but he still thinks he’ll never beat the people who he thinks are ‘better’ than him! Then he went on to say he had been privately thinking of putting someone on the horse who would get the results the horse deserved………….again he had been doubting himself, one of the BEST eventers in the world had been doubting himself that Salty needs someone better!!!!!!! So from watching from the outside this result for Austin has come at a perfect time and so well deserved but also………..

It just goes to show what your own mind can sometimes tell you, you start doubting yourself, you start to think you can’t do what people think you should be doing, you start thinking what others might be thinking over and over again………….but all the time you are doing amazing and in the bigger picture achieving things all the time! Sometimes whatever gets in your mind needs a reality check and you need to realise, ‘wow I’m actually doing GREAT ❤️’

Austin well done and thank you for being honest. There was not many dry eyes last night watching you ……. Roll on your next results 🥰🥰

(Austin is also supported by the amazing Childeric UK and Orange Horse Consultants 🍊🍊)

Riders Minds

08/13/2023

We have a few openings available in our riding school for beginners and/or intermediate riders. Message for more details or call 207-522-3709 to get on the schedule.

08/02/2023

We have a last minute opening at horseback riding camp next week. We’ve had so much fun this summer so be sure to come out and join the fun! Contact Audrey Dennis or Shanna Sloan at Amazing Grace Stable for more information.

07/16/2023

We still have one or two openings for summer camps in the next few weeks. Message for more details! 🦄

06/14/2023

If you tried last week to call or messenger or email me and I did not respond, I destroyed my phone with an arena drag. I got a new phone but I lost some of my messages. Please send it again if I didn’t get back to you.
thank you.

06/13/2023

We have lesson openings available! Message me to get on the schedule. 🦄