Just a Drop in the Bucket

Traveling to Florida certainly did not go as expected, and what could go wrong did go wrong. But I look back and I do not regret the experience. Because when I look back, I was able to watch some great riding and training, and get a good feel for how Wellington works. And, the most valuable part of the trip came from watching top riders work and feeling confident about what I know to be correct about training and working with horses.

Going to Wellington, I wanted and expected to do many things. I wanted to compete in the CDI’s and I wanted to have a chance to be one of the young riders chosen to go to Europe. I wanted to take lessons with some of the best, most respected trainers. But it turned out that instead of being a part of the horse shows and taking lessons, I was one watching from the sidelines. And sure, I wanted so badly to be a part of it all, but there is something so valuable about watching the top riders in our sport warm horses up then go compete. There is also so much to value in listening to top trainers from all around the world warm up top riders and listening to the trainers while their riders enter the show ring. And maybe if I were competing I would have been wrapped up in that and would have missed the opportunity to watch great riding and instruction.

The experience reminded me that horses teach us that things do not always go as planned. And that is okay. I certainly did not plan for my horse to throw his back out keeping me from competition and lessons. I did not plan to use money I saved and received to pay for the vet, acupuncture, magna wave, or massages. I did not plan to spend a great deal of time stretching him and icing his back. But at the end of the day, my horse is more than a horse, he is my friend and a part of my family, and he deserves the same love and respect that any person does. He tries his heart out everyday and brings a smile to my face and the faces of everyone he encounters. If he knew that was what he was there for, he would have been disappointed that he missed a chance to show off everything he has worked for.

At the end of the day, the fact that he could not compete is just a drop in the bucket. We both have much to look forward to in the future, and I truly was fortunate to have gone to Florida and to have been supported by friends, family, and many from the sport. Thanks to everyone who made the trip possible and allowed me to learn a great deal about the unexpected!

Lessons From Scribing

The past few days I spent some time scribing, giving me a new perspective on how to ride a test. We always hear every movement counts... how true it is! 

The judges I scribed for were very insightful and allowed me to learn a ton. Here are a few of the main points I took away from my two days of scribing: 

1.) Make sure you come down the centerline and show a nice halt. If it is an FEI test, a halt where your horse doesn't trot in from the canter, slam on the breaks, or fall on the forehand. Like a hand shake, it is one of your first impressions to the judge... Do you really want to show them how uncollected or crooked your horse is? Any horse can halt for a 10, including yours! 

2.) Be mindful around the outside of the arena. The first day the judge pointed out the importance of not showing your weaknesses while waiting to enter the ring. Don't walk if your horse has a lateral walk! Don't waste your horse on a hot day by passaging around the outside! These things seem obvious, but they can affect first impressions and performance in the arena. 

3.) Ride all parts of the test. Ride the corners, bend, and get the horse on your aids. If your corner doesn't set your horse up properly, there's a good chance the movement won't be the best it could be. Judges often can predict how a movement will happen based on the moments leading to it. 

4.) Remember the importance of forward riding. Many, many riders lacked a full range of motion in all the gaits, leading to lower quality overall and lower scores for movements. Show off your horse; it's a show! Both judges pointed out that it was not just the movement being completed that was important, it was the quality of the movement. 

5.) Be accurate! Tempi changes should be well placed on the diagonals, transitions should happen at the letter, and 15 meter circles need to be 15 meters, 2.5 meters in from each rail. And circles are circles, not ovals. From the first level tests, it was common that many riders rode the loops like two short diagonals. The judge stressed them importance of a smooth turn over X while maintaining the bend inside.

And we can't forget to ride from point to point! If you are riding a line of changes, ride from K to X to M. It was pointed out to me how many riders don't ride straight in the final changes and allow the horse to drift to the rail before the letter. Not only does it take a toll on the quality of the changes, but it also isn't accurate! 

6.)Transitions are important! From all levels I scribes, whether it was a Grand Prix or a first level, both judges emphasized bold transitions. It's important to come out of the corner straight and go forward promptly for the lengthenings, mediums, and extensions on the diagonal line. Don't wait to start! Use the corner to prepare and get the horse straight so you can start right away and make sure to show a transition back. Both judges I scribed for said they wished they could give higher scores for transitions, but the transitions were "unclear". 

So the main message I got from these past two days was this; ride smart when you show! Ride for every point you can get, use your corners, show your horses gaits off on the short sides, and finish each movement with accuracy. The judges love giving high marks, but you have to earn them! Let the horse show be a great presentation of the hard work you put in at home training and don't loose stupid points!

Officially signed up for the Florida Dream Tour! On March 23 I will have the opportunity to travel around Wellington and observe professionals at work. The barns we will be traveling to include: 

• Stillpoint Farm Dressage - Tuny Page, Laura Bechtolsheimer-Tomlinson, Susan Dutta, Nicholas Fyffe, David Marcus, Christilot Boylen
• 4Winds Farm - Scott and Susanne Hassler, Michael Klimke
• Yeguada de Ymas - Juan Matute, Juan Matute Jr.
• Havensafe Farm - Chris Hickey, Kathy Connelly 

 Thank you to Lendon Gray and Dressage4kids for providing me with a grant to use towards educational events such as this while I am down here, and to The Dressage Foundation for putting this event together. I can't wait!

If you are interested in participating in this event, click the link below!
https://dressagefoundationorg.presencehost.net/florida-tour.html

Proteus and I love Florida! I arrived on Sunday after a long drive down with our working student (and good friend!) Paige. Proteus arrived Monday afternoon, excited for the weeks ahead. He walked off the trailer and down the road to the barn like an angel and is already well settled in.

After a hack day yesterday and much venturing, Proteus was fantastic today for his schooling ride. I couldn’t be prouder of his ability to adjust, willingness, and his attitude towards life. He is a joy to work with and be around every single day!

My mother/trainer will arrive on Saturday, just in time to help us prepare for the CDI next weekend at Global Dressage Festival. We hope to fit in a lesson with Robert Dover before the show as well, but that is still in the works.

For now, I can simply say that I feel blessed to have left the frigid and snowy Chicago for the warm and sunny Wellington. Still, miss the other horses and people I work with, and am wishing everyone at my home at Flying Dutchman Farm in Barrington happy riding. I am sending warm thoughts your way!

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