The
Centerline www.azdressage.org
May 2016
The 2016 Adequan USDF/FEI Level Trainers Conference By Teri Rich
First of all I would like to thank Arizona Dressage Association for granting me the ADA Scholarship for Open Riders last year and for allowing me to use it to attend the West Coast FEI Trainers Conference recently. I was very excited to attend and learn from Stephen Clark, one of my favorite FEI judges, also joined with comments by five star judge, Lilo Fore. The rider lineup looked very promising, having several of California’s top FEI riders and Arizona’s own Cyndi Jackson riding her dressage prospect, Sir Amour! The facility at El Sueno Equestrian Center was a great venue choice and the weather turned out to be perfect for the event. On day one, Stephen Clark watched and commented on each rider’s warmup. Then, he had each rider perform the tests appropriate for the level of the horse so he could score and evaluate them with us. It was interesting to hear the marks he gave each horse and the reasons behind them. His first big statement that he wanted to get across was that if a horse is to reach his full potential, he has to be trained without limits. There can be no compromising in the training. It begins with REACTION. The horse needs to react immediately when asked. Most movements are made by the responsiveness to the aids. You don’t manufacture a horse, you create things with REACTION.
“You need ENERGY + REACTION without SPEED”
Photo by Teri Rich
Arizona Dressage Association
Vol. 16, Issue 5
With the young horses he looked for 3 clear gaits and then asked himself, “Would I want to ride or train this horse for the next 5 years? Yes or No?” He wanted to see if the horse could “ride” itself, meaning, is the horse going well enough that the rider can just sit there, not constantly nagging at the horse? Is there a forward desire, impulsion by itself? Is the horse “proud” within its own energy? Is there correct “natural” training, not forced? He wanted to already see adjustable gaits in the young horses and straightness into the connection, especially into the outside rein. When he discussed the horse’s walk, he cautioned not to try and hurry the walk, as it will actually inhibit the ground cover and over track. Instead the rider Continued on Page 11