PHOTOS: CAMILLE PETERS
THE BRITISH DRESSAGE NATIONAL CONVENTION
TRAINING TO TEST RIDING
W
IN ASSOCIATION WITH HARRISON CLARK RICKERBYS
e were delighted to assemble British team medallist Ferdi Eilberg alongside FEI 5* Judges, Stephen Clarke, Clive Halsall and Peter Storr at Cotswold Club Equestrian on 2122 November 2020. With restrictions on spectator events, the training forum was held behind closed doors; however, in an innovative new move, it was broadcast on a pay per view basis via Horse & Country for viewers to watch from the comfort of home. Starring a selection of combinations from Novice to Grand Prix, Saturday covered training practices to develop the horse whilst Sunday’s focus was presentation and test riding. Joanna Bowns summarises some of the key themes from this inspiring weekend.
DAY ONE From the Saddle, with Stephen Clarke and Ferdi Eilberg Rider: Roberto Scalisi (right) Novice horse: Laurentia (mare, 4yo, Blue Hors Zack x Painted Black, owner: Debbie Stibbe). Impression: Beautiful, quality horse. A lot of
natural reaction and a good engine. Willing and polite, uphill and active, good balance and going forward for herself. Connection and contact could be more consistent. Messages: • The dressage horse must learn to use its energy in connection with a supple body. • Suppleness of the back in trot often improves after a period of canter. • Serpentines promote suppleness and use of the body. • The eager horse must relax onto the aids and allow the rider to influence the pace. • Work on a circle helps contain and balance the horse. • For bigger strides, ask the young horse little by little – think of pushing a lever rather than fl icking a switch. Rider: Phoebe Peters (above right) Elementary horse: Trojaner 9 (gelding, 5yo, Tomahawk x Fürstenball, owner: Vanessa Knight). Impression: Attractive horse. Ground covering walk. Trot shows elastic, regular cadence. Connection is secure. Much ability to cover ground. Phoebe sits very well and thinks in an uphill way. Canter has clear rhythm, it could have more balance. They create a lovely picture.
Messages: • Have collection and adjustment in mind now so it doesn’t come as a surprise later. • A big horse with big paces will take longer to develop collection. • Frequent transitions, including within the pace, quicken the horse. • The horse must always know he needs to take his energy under the body. • You sometimes have to ‘disturb’ the horse a little so that he wakes up to considering doing something differently put him a little out of his comfort zone. • Demand more for a short period of time – indicate to him what the future holds. Rider: Elice Willet (top) Medium horse: Gerento (gelding, 9yo, Sorento x Don Primaire, owner: rider). Impression: Horse is fluent and correct. A pleasing partnership. Stephen and Ferdi would like to see Elice raise her expectation and make more of the horse’s ability. Dramatic improvement as the session progressed. BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 1 2021 // 45
