A few weeks ago I was privileged to ride in a clinic with Lendon Gray at Tempel Farms in Gurnee, Illinois. Over the years I have been involved in Dressage4kids, a non-profit that allows many youth dressage riders to have access to educational opportunities, such as the clinic. As a rider aging out of the Young Rider Division in the upcoming year, it was a very nostalgic weekend for me. I reflected on the first time I rode with Lendon at a Michigan clinic at Hampton Green Farm over 5 years ago and reminisced about the week-long clinics I had participated in with D4k. I thought back on the endless opportunities Lendon had provided me and had only feelings of gratitude.
This clinic, however, was special for me. I would be riding along side 2 of my students, one borrowing a pony I had trained and competed to my bronze medal, and the other riding a horse in training with me that we bought almost 2 years ago that earned reserve champion in the FEI Children's National Championship. I was proud to have the opportunity to have Lendon see my students and the dedication the girls had to their riding, not to mention excited to have her teach me on my new mount, Rankrado, for the first time.
It was a great group of riders, with super talent and feel, which made the clinic very educational to audit. As an up-and-coming professional, I had many exercises and training technics Lendon used that I was able to add to my "toolbox" for the future. She stressed riding downward transitions forward by thinking of starting the new gait (from trot to walk, think of starting the walk, not stopping the trot) and always pushing to ride better by always riding with precision and having high expectations of you and your horse. As Lendon reminded us, "Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect."
Of course I had a wonderful weekend, but I wanted to know what the girls thought of riding with Lendon. They are both 13 and had a blast riding together. Dressage4kids has a way of connecting youth riders, and I myself know I have horse friends all over the country because of Lendon!
The girls both agreed that Lendon was straight forward and got to the point. Vivi Gramza rode Mariska, an American Sport Pony mare owned by Bia Leffingwell and her family. After only a few rides on the pony, she entered the arena for her lesson with Lendon. "Lendon placed high expectations on me," she said. "There was no time to fool around... If I wanted to be a good pair with her we would have to work together as a team. Lendon taught me that it isn't always about the "frame" the horse is in, but it is the collaboration and the willingness that are important. If the horse is listening to your aids and is forward, then you will develop a dressage "frame" from correct riding."
Bia Leffingwell rode her gelding Luke Skywalker who she competed in the FEI Children's division with. She explained to Lendon that her goal was to move into the FEI Junior division in the up-coming year, which lead to 2 lessons dedicated to pushing the pair to a higher standard of riding. Bia says that, "Lendon was inspiring and pushed me to my best riding. I realized that you can always aim for something better. Whether you’re working with an extended trot or flying changes, your horse can always add a little more reach or a little more jump. I realized that this doesn’t necessarily always come just from obedience but from your contribution as a rider helping your horse."
It is without a doubt that we all enjoyed the entire learning atmosphere of the clinic and the information that Lendon provided us. Lendon Gray's clinics are an amazing experience for any rider who wants to succeed in dressage, and we are so lucky to be involved in Dressage4kids!
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