What an opportunity it has been to talk to many of the top professionals
in dressage. Even during an off day of competition, we still were busy! On
the agenda for the day was speaking with Bo Jenå, Chef d' Equip of the Swedish
team, Hans-Heinrich Meyer zu
Strohen, the young rider coach for Germany, and Jan Bemelmans, the Chef d'
Equip of the French team.
Highlights from our chats with…
Bo Jenå, Chef d' Equip of the Swedish Dressage Team
Planning and Preparation
As the Chef d' Equip, we wanted to know from Bo, "How do you prepare for a competition of this magnitude?"
The answer was simple. Good planning.
"It reduces stress," he explained. The team begins preparing long in advance, with goals to reach and expectations of where they need to be at different times before the competition. The evaluate where they are at different times before the show to ensure the horses peak at the correct time. Generally the team trains lighter the week of the show to take pressure off and have the horses fresh mentally and physically for competition.
Presenting Your Horse
Along side being prepared is knowing how to present the horse in an vet inspection. Not only does it show the judges that you know how to handle your horse in a professional way, it also allows them to see the horse at best. Make sure when running in hand to use one hand on the reins, keep good posture, and turn the horse away from you. When you take off to jog, the horse should follow your right shoulder as a signal that it is time to go.
Long Lining
At his barn, long lining is an important part of training. For him, it is important because it allows him to see everything that is going on with the horse, not solely relying on feeling. Sometimes you are riding and "it feels good but it is not correct". It is important to have mirrors and eyes on the ground to help in the training process, but long lining is a way to work from the ground with your horse, get the benefits of riding, and see for yourself what is going on.
Using cavalettis with the long lines is something that Bo likes, as it helps the horse increase balance, and his horses get trained on the long line once a week.
Some of the most important details to him when working his horses in this way? Not to work the horse in too small of an area, on too small of circles, and to make sure to have the horse on the outside rein.
The Quadrille
Earlier we had the opportunity to watch the German young riders practice their quadrille, so when Bo brought up its importance, we were all ears. He explained the three major benefits he finds to riders working in this format…
- It demonstrates dressage tradition.
- The riders are required to have their horses in a "good way of going", meaning on the bit, paying attention, and ready to prepare and preform the group choreography.
- It takes discipline to practice, learn the choreography and keep up with the group. The riders have to be on top of their game, make sure they are accurate, know where the other riders are, and maintain good rhythm, balance, and harmony with the horse.
Hans-Heinrich Meyer zu Strohen, Young Rider Coach for Germany
Qualities of a Top Young Rider
The riders Hans-Heinrich sees rising to the top have a few qualities that he finds paramount to great riding:
1. They have a "top quality seat".
Qualities of a Top Young Rider
The riders Hans-Heinrich sees rising to the top have a few qualities that he finds paramount to great riding:
1. They have a "top quality seat".
The riders spend hours upon hours working on improving their seat (on the lunge line, working without stirrups act). He advised us to get to work! The seat is critical so that while you are riding you can be effective, feel the horse, and have independent control over different areas of the body.
2. They have great feeling while riding.
The riders can feel what is happening with the horse, mentally and physically.
3. They take time to know the horses and have relationships with them.
It makes training enjoyable for the horse and rider, and in competition judges can see it when the horses and riders are having fun… and isn't that what riding is supposed to be about?
And, the best riders say thank you to the horse. We ask a lot of the animals, and it is important they can feel they are doing a good job. It makes for a happy horse that wants to work!
Going Step by Step
Some of my favorite advise of the week so far was to take things one step at a time. "Everyday go a small step forward. Not a quick step or a large step."
He pointed out to us that usually after 5 good steps you are going to have 2 steps backward, but that's life. Most important is to not let things set you back, and continue to push yourself to excel. Hans-Heinrich advised us to never settle for the good, push yourself. "You won't always have it your way," but you must continue to try.
Jan Bemelmans, Chef d' Equip of the French Team
The Story of Bandina Altena and Her Rider Pierre Volla
Jan recalled when he first met the mare when she was green and Pierre was making the switch from jumping to dressage. She was super hot, explosive, and complicated. But now the pair has made it to international Grand Prix, is competing this week at the European Championships, and doing a darn good job!
With this year being the first at Grand Prix, they have taken big risks, however it has paid off tremendously. Jan joked, saying, "I made a good choice (with Bandina and Pierre), and will have a job for another year!"
The French have some very promising young horses to look forward to in the future that did a great job at the championships. Their potential has developed into greatness, securing a spot at the Olympic games for the French team.
On Preparing for a Show
As chef, Jan was more than eager to share with us how preparing for competition is crucial. He stressed knowing the good and weak points of horses, and in his position, he pays special attention to how the riders and horses are progressing. Preparing months in advanced to the show and balancing training leads to success. "You don't want to over, or under train the horse", he explained to us. And, also important is keeping it easy going once at the show… because by then, it is too late to fix any major problems! Best to keep the horses and riders happy and fresh!
The Story of Bandina Altena and Her Rider Pierre Volla
Jan recalled when he first met the mare when she was green and Pierre was making the switch from jumping to dressage. She was super hot, explosive, and complicated. But now the pair has made it to international Grand Prix, is competing this week at the European Championships, and doing a darn good job!
With this year being the first at Grand Prix, they have taken big risks, however it has paid off tremendously. Jan joked, saying, "I made a good choice (with Bandina and Pierre), and will have a job for another year!"
The French have some very promising young horses to look forward to in the future that did a great job at the championships. Their potential has developed into greatness, securing a spot at the Olympic games for the French team.
On Preparing for a Show
As chef, Jan was more than eager to share with us how preparing for competition is crucial. He stressed knowing the good and weak points of horses, and in his position, he pays special attention to how the riders and horses are progressing. Preparing months in advanced to the show and balancing training leads to success. "You don't want to over, or under train the horse", he explained to us. And, also important is keeping it easy going once at the show… because by then, it is too late to fix any major problems! Best to keep the horses and riders happy and fresh!
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