The Oaks of Lake City Hosts Clinics with Walter Zettl and Jon Ingram

Lake City, FL- In keeping with The Oak’s overview that all equine disciplines are important and are welcome at their new Signature Equestrian Community, they are sponsoring two clinics with very different approaches to riding a horse.

The first clinic will feature Walter A. Zettl, one of the great teachers of classical dressage still instructing today. With over 57 years of experience in riding and coaching some of the world’s finest horses and riders, he is holding his first clinic at The Oaks of Lake City on the 18th and 19h of October. Afterwards, the students will join Zettl, for a private dinner at The Oaks Equestrian Center.

“Not surprisingly, only a few riding and auditing places are still available for his clinic,” said Shelley Van den Neste, General Manager and Riding Director of The Oaks Equestrian Center. “We are honored Herr Zettl is with us for our first clinic at The Oaks,” she continued. “His classical approach and years of teaching dressage can help any rider of any discipline achieve better results.”

On November 15th and 16th, The Oaks of Lake City will host a second clinic with reining champions, Jon and Seth Ingram. Jon Ingram holds nine Reining Horse World Championship and National titles. He has successfully shown reining, cutting, and working cow horses during his 30 years of riding and training professionally. Among the many training tips Ingram has under his belt, he will cover stops, spins, rollbacks, lead changes and circles.

Jon’s son, Seth Ingram, equally as talented as his father, will be assisting him at this second clinic in November at The Oaks of Lake City Equestrian Center. Seth has also trained and shown many reining horses to titles and is known for his uncanny ability to coach non-pro riders. Between the two men they offer riders the benefit of over 50 years of professional experience.

Both clinics will be held under the brand new covered arena, where auditors are encouraged to watch these masters teach from a climate controlled viewing lounge. For rider information and sign up, details are available on their website. All disciplines are encouraged to participate in the equestrian activities planned at The Oaks Equestrian Center.

Under the guidance of Equestrian Services LLC, Brad Dicks, of Dicks Realty, developed this first O’Connor Signature Community. Olympians, Karen and David O’Connor have designed and put their stamp on this community whose standards reflect their commitment to an equestrian facility designed to offer residents the finest in equestrian lifestyles.

Professionally managed by Equestrian Management, an affiliate of Equestrian Services, the 33-stall barn, a 122’ x 225’ covered riding arena, a 60 foot covered round pen with world-class footing, 15 miles of trails and the O’Connor designed 11 acre cross-country jumping course will offer residents a variety of equine disciplines and the opportunity to train or pleasure ride their horses in a safe and comfortable environment.

The Oaks equestrian team, including Karen and David O’Connor will celebrate the grand opening of this first Signature Equestrian Community on October 11, 2008. It will be a festive occasion with demonstrations by top professionals in the equine industry. Visitors from around the world and the surrounding community are invited to join in the fun, meet the staff, enjoy entertainment, refreshments and tour the facility and community. For more information or to RSVP visit: www.theoakslakecity.com.

Photo: East Meets West; Jon Ingram and Walter Zettl are scheduled for upcoming clinics at the Oaks of Lake City Equestrian Center. (Mark Neihart photo)