

On Friday, December 3rd , at 9:45 in the morning, on the outfield of the baseball area at Tommie Barfield Elementary School on Marco Island – a dressage musical kuer – a pas de deux – will be performed. Mona Raux, of Naples, and her equine partner, an American Quarter Horse named Miss Ace of Spades, along with Doris Suenkel, of Ft. Myers, and her equine partner, a Thoroughbred named Lujean, will dance a carefully scripted precise pattern together. Their dressage trainer, Bob Braren, will be on hand to narrate.
The children in the audience will learn about communication, teamwork, training methods, physiology, biomechanics, and nutrition. They will see how these two ladies guide their horses to interpret the music, and how the horses’ gaits match the beat. Perhaps even more importantly, the school’s PBS (Positive Behavior Support) goals of being “Respectful, Responsible, Role Models,” as well as the school’s motto of showing “Excellence Every Day in Every Way,” (the 3-Es) will be illustrated in an innovative way.
We welcome you to be with us to enjoy this exciting opportunity!
For more information or questions, contact Lisa Braren at (239) 377-8500
Trainer: Bob Braren
Bob resides on Marco Island. He is presently a freelance dressage instructor/trainer and “L” Judge in Florida. He holds numerous championship titles both regionally and nationally. Several of his students have become equine professionals, and many have achieved Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals. Bob is very accomplished in the equestrian field and his titles, championships and medals and winnings are too numerous to list. Please refer to his curriculum vitae.
Rider: Mona Raux
I started riding when I was eleven years old. My neighbor owned a horse, and I would go there begging to ride.

Rider: Doris Suenkel
I began riding at the age of five in Germany – which is where I am from. I never got rid of the “horse bug” – and have loved horses and riding ever since. My passion for dressage began about three years ago, and now I am a huge fan of musical rides – both freestyles, where it is only one horse and rider performing to music, and, of course, the pas de deux. I own and operate my own stable in the beautiful Buckingham area of Ft. Myers, called Horse Academy South. We offer lessons, boarding, and training. I am fortunate to own several horses – a few that are my own competition horses, and several safe and well educated geldings that I use for riding lessons as I enjoy sharing my passion with others.
NOTE: – Mrs. Suenkel has generously donated three gift certificates for a free riding lesson for three deserving TBE student who have demonstrated exceptional PBS skills!
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