The
Centerline Vol. 15, Issue 12
www.azdressage.org
December 2015
Arizona Dressage Association
Training Notes from by Pam Polydoros
a Tracey Lert Clinic
On November 28 and 29, I participated in a Tracey Lert Clinic at Bar A Ranch, coordinated by Missy Gilliland. Tracey Lert is a nationally known dressage competitor, trainer, instructor and ‘S’ Dressage Judge. She is a USDF Certified Instructor through Fourth Level, has earned Silver and Gold Freestyle Bars, was selected for the USET Long List and the Developing Horse and Rider List with multiple horses, and has earned USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Rider Medals. I was riding my 15-year-old gray American Saddlebred Mare, Winsdown's Windrose, also known as Ava. Being overly long in the back and neck, Ava does not have ideal conformation, although when moving forward properly into the bridle, she is a surprisingly pretty mover. After introductions, Tracey brought up the subject of Ava's length and overTracey Lert developed under neck (because of "baggage" she came with when I bought her seven years ago, she habitually braces, raises her head and hollows her back). She mentioned the difficulty in riding a horse with Ava's length, and that she has to be ridden a little differently than a compact horse. I was told to give her a little more room by lengthening the reins, in particular the outside rein when working on a circle. With this outside rein, I was told to hold it low so that my fingers were just above the fluffy part of my fleece saddle pad, by the pommel, and to "set" the parameter by holding that hand steady but not stiff. Because I tend to overuse the inside hand when going to the left, I was told to shorten that rein to help prevent me from pulling that hand too far back. Tracey was patient in providing me with multiple reminders to keep both hands low. She also mentioned the importance of the elbows opening and closing with the movement of the horse. Tracey then addressed my whip. I use a rather stiff whip, and she thought that a more flexible one works better when a horse needs to be flicked. I have a tendency to bend my elbow out when I use the whip, and Tracey explained the importance of learning to use just my wrist so I don't accidentally bump Ava in the mouth. I often struggle at the beginning of my rides on Ava to get her to move forward. Tracey had me tap, tap, tap her, then follow up by another tap fairly quickly because Ava wants to quit after the
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