Youth Corner

GDCTA Youth Council - Praise for 2018 Dressage4Kids and Atlanta Youth Festival

Dressage 4 Kids team:

I want to take the time to thank you all for the time, resources, and effort that went into putting on such a successful TEAM Clinic and the Atlanta Youth Dressage Festival this past weekend in Conyers, GA. It was so clear to me that there was months of preparation behind the scenes that went into making this weekend interesting, interactive and educational!

This was my first TEAM Clinic with Lendon so I was unsure what to expect of it, but I am glad I had the opportunity to go because it taught me more about dressage and horsemanship than I anticipated. My goal for this clinic was to get my horse moving more forward and work on my position, which we did. But, more so, I gained a re-appreciation for the basics of riding, like the importance of square halts, the essentialness of riding proper corners, and the effectiveness of a leg aid, that I had forgotten in my drive to perfect my upper level movements like tempi changes and canter pirouettes. The importance on the fundamentals of dressage was something that Lendon worked on with all of the other riders this weekend as well, proving that regardless of the level you show, these basics will always be crucial.

In addition to the clinic, I really enjoyed getting to ride my dressage test, participate in an equitation class, and reflect my knowledge on the written exam that were all part of the festival. With my show season winding down, it was a great opportunity for me and my horse to get one last ride in a show ring in. I hope in the future more people come out for the Atlanta Youth Dressage Festival and appreciate the competitive but candid show that it provides.

Again, thank you D4K team and everyone with GDCTA that worked to put on this weekend, I think everyone agrees that it was an educational and enjoyable weekend (even though it was a little too wet and cold!).

I look forward to getting involved with more D4K events in the near future. ~Kylie Dickinson

YOUTH CORNER

Left: Alice Burley, Skyler Skalicky, and Phoebe McNeely Middle: the TEAM clinic riders group Right: Left to right (including horses): Alice Burley, Phoebe McNeely, Marilyn, Zachary Drury, Cassidy Drury, and Rebel.

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