Volume 14, Issue 4
www.azdressage.org
April, 2014
Sport Horse Clinic with George Walker By Cathy Lee Jones Standing at the sink tending to some dishes my eyes were drawn to the right where a large basket holds monthly riding magazines and readers, on top of the lot was The Centerline. I began skimming through the introductory page but was held by the words at the bottom of the page, the ADA Mission Statement: The Arizona Dressage Association is a not-for-profit organization whose goal is to promote the advancement of classical dressage through educational opportunities and programs, and the rigorous evaluations received at recognized and schooling dressage shows. A mission statement that was upheld beautifully at a George Walker Clinic my friend and I attended last month at CARA. Extremely knowledgeable, yet quite, elegant, and patient, George went about sharing his knowledge of conformation in such a way that participants actually participated. George walked participants through several conformation check points on a variety of horses, noting positive and perhaps negative attributes. For example, the set of the mouth, where the shoulder sits in relation to the rest of the horse, the structural straightness of a horse that is moving freely, and their ability to move across the ground. Doing so he was able to offer hands on education that improved comprehension of our equine partner’s composition, and priceless instruction that asked us to be mindful of the horse’s composition so that we could support, not conquer our partner. On the final day of the clinic George asked participants whose level of experience ranged from brand new to the art of dressage to Grand Prix riders, to pair up with their horses that were evaluated on the ground the day before. Each rider was asked to draw from new conformational knowledge, while George quietly offered individualized instructions that supported the horses’ conformational abilities and called on rider adaptability, the outcome was lovely. Auditors of the clinic could be heard saying “I didn’t think that horse could move like that”, or “Now I see it, he’s on the bit and coming across the ground with more ease, his stride is lengthening”. Words all riders love to hear. Thank you to the ADA for expanding our educational opportunities by facilitating such a wonderful clinic with George Walker. A special thank you goes to CARA for hosting this event in a beautiful and tranquil setting. Please know you have my support in hosting future events that allow for this level of success. Sincerely yours, Cathy Lee Jones For The Love of It, LLC.
Arizona Dressage Association Mission Statement The Arizona Dressage Association is a not-for-profit organization whose goal is to promote the advancement of classical dressage through educational opportunities and programs, and the rigorous evaluations received at recognized and schooling dressage shows.