Amateur Dilemma

By, Meredith Rogers

I love my horse. This is despite all his spookiness and many quirks (or maybe because of them). I enjoy spending time on grooming. I don’t mind trudging through the mud to go get him from the field or holding him for the farrier. Sometimes I just sit on him in the middle of the ring and think how lucky I am to have him.

I have tried to do right by him ever since I brought him home. I spent a lot of time prepping him to be broke: working on getting him used to the saddle and bit, hand walking him around the property, leading him over poles, spending hours teaching him to load in the trailer, etc. My trainer’s system for breaking horses is tried and true and it all went smoothly. When we did encounter issues, we spent the time looking for answers and addressing the root of the problem, whether it meant backing off so he could figure things out, changing our approach, or investing in a thorough veterinary exam.

Nevertheless, my biggest fear is ruining him. He is uber talented and has a good brain. There’s no reason why he couldn’t go “all the way” other than me getting in his way. Besides installing the flying change on him the past summer, my trainer hadn’t ridden him for two years. I’ve always struggled with half-pass and recently we’ve been working on the changes and I must have totally confused him because he started messing them up big time (hind legs together, late behind, not changing at all, changing when I didn’t ask). He also started getting heavy in the hand and a little out behind. I could sort-of put it together during lessons but none of my previous education or the articles I read were helping me get it on my own and our progress had stalled.

My trainer and I talked about it and she decided to get back on him. At first she got on at the end of my lesson to work on the flying changes, but then we decided that she would get on him first to put him together in addition to working on the changes. And wow! After a few rides, he looked amazing. His gaits improved and all the movements I was struggling with seemed effortless. She also played with upper level stuff, like half steps and canter pirouettes. He could do it all, confirming my belief in his awesomeness. In addition, when I got on him for my lesson everything, including half-passes, were easier and he wasn’t too heavy or out behind. Because no horse is a robot, I had to feel how to maintain what he was offering me, which has shown me that I had been asking for things wrong. What an education. This is still a work in progress, but as least I know that I haven’t ruined him…yet, and I will continue to assess and reassess and do the best I can for him.

Let's Ride the 2023 Dressage Tests

A Symposium featuring Jeanne McDonald, S and Jim Koford, USDF Gold Medalist

Delaware Valley University Equestrian Center

Doylestown, PA

Saturday, April 15, 2023

Jeanne McDonald is a well-respected judge and trainer She is currently a USEF “S”and FEI**** judge. She holds her Bronze, Silver and Gold medals, and sat on the committee to write the 2019 dressage tests.

Jim Koford is a well-known competitor and coach who has his USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold medals. He is a regular competitor and winner at the US Dressage Finals, frequently showing non-traditional breed horses to the highest levels of dressage.

They will give the auditors and riders a unique perspective on riding & perfecting the 2023 dressage tests from Training level through Fourth level from both a judge’s & trainer’s viewpoint.

Demonstration Riders being sought for each level! Application and selection procedure can be found on StriderPro.com

CLINIC PRICE:

$50 per rider includes test of choice for the level with commentary followed by a short training session

AUDIT PRICE:

$50 pre-registered $60 at the door (will include snacks and water)

A copy of Negative Coggins (dated within 12 months of the event) and a copy of the LVDA waiver must be submitted at time of application. Rider applicants please read all criteria before submitting videos.

RIDER APPLICATION DEADLINE:

MIDNIGHT March 1, 2023