The way Christoph Hess sees it, the road to dressage nirvana is paved with free forward movement, absolute acceptance of the aids, true suppleness, fabulous equitation, and a little bit of fun.
The German master, who recently retired as director of training for the German Olympic Committee for Equestrian Sports and an FEI 4* dressage judge, conducted the 2012 Succeed/USDF FEI-Level Trainers’ Conference with supporting sponsorship from World Development Group. Approximately 200 trainers, instructors, judges, riders, and other eligible attendees traveled to Mary Anne and Walter McPhail’s High Meadow Farm in Loxahatchee, FL, for the January 16-17 event.
 |
Finding ways of helping our horses to respond more easily and lightly to our wishes, and creating more harmonious and satisfying relationships with our equine partners, are surely universal goals of all equestrians.
In order to move away from the “land of frustration and forcefulness” and toward the “land of harmony and joyfulness,” we must find ways of nurturing the horse’s willing participation. In this article, I will explore this concept in detail.
|
Every other year, the USDF and the US Equestrian Federation collaborate to produce an intense two-day seminar for “young rider graduates”—promising dressage trainers and competitors who, having “aged out” of FEI Young Rider competition, are working to establish themselves in the adult open ranks. Some want to become trainers and instructors; others, international competitors. A few may already have established businesses with students and horses in training. Most yearn for more exposure, clinic bookings, and that big sponsorship break that brings them one or more talented horses to ride and show.
But colleges generally don’t teach Sponsorship 101, High-Maintenance Client Handling, or Budget Horse Development. Enter the USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program, which, with funding support from The Dressage Foundation, brings together selected applicants and dressage-world VIPs for a series of mentoring sessions. For the 2012 program, 25 young women and one young man gathered at a hotel in West Palm Beach, FL, January 14-15 for a weekend of intensive learning. If you couldn’t be there, here are some of the highlights.
|
|
|
Watch for our web icon in the magazine. When you see this icon in the magazine, click on it to see exclusive bonus content.
AMATEUR HOUR
HORSE-HEALTH CONNECTION
