Dressage can be fun!
Feb. 2nd, 2014 10:50 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
midnightsjaneEspecially if you're watching others work like stink from the comfort of the bleachers..
Sue and I went to a Dressage clinic on Saturday. The clinician was the very knowledgeable and skilled Dutch rider Ellen Bontje, who is an Olympic Silver Medalist. She put a dozen or so riders through a private coaching session, and then watched as the rider rode a Dressage test. The test was judged by an FEI 4th level Dressage Judge, who gave a running score and overview of the ride throughout the test. It was fascinating to watch, and we learned a lot. Most of the horses were young, just starting their careers, and the tests were lower level ones. What was so interesting was watching them and seeing them work through some of the same problems we have with our youngsters, and seeing how Ellen helped them work through their various issues. Sometimes you can learn almost as much by observing as you can by participating. There were some very nice young horses and riders, and we were very pleasantly surprised by the whole clinic. We ran into several people we haven't seen for ages, including my old teachers.
It was educational and fun, a great combination. We're looking forward to next year when we have Florrie and Sera ready to go to the shows and clinics. It will be great to have horses going in both dressage and jumping. Goldie is down in California at the Thermal show, and will be starting the competition next week. Go, Goldie!
I think my Rochelle is going to be a jumper. Can't wait to get her started this spring. It's great to be seeing some of the results of all the hard work we've been doing over the years!
Sue and I went to a Dressage clinic on Saturday. The clinician was the very knowledgeable and skilled Dutch rider Ellen Bontje, who is an Olympic Silver Medalist. She put a dozen or so riders through a private coaching session, and then watched as the rider rode a Dressage test. The test was judged by an FEI 4th level Dressage Judge, who gave a running score and overview of the ride throughout the test. It was fascinating to watch, and we learned a lot. Most of the horses were young, just starting their careers, and the tests were lower level ones. What was so interesting was watching them and seeing them work through some of the same problems we have with our youngsters, and seeing how Ellen helped them work through their various issues. Sometimes you can learn almost as much by observing as you can by participating. There were some very nice young horses and riders, and we were very pleasantly surprised by the whole clinic. We ran into several people we haven't seen for ages, including my old teachers.
It was educational and fun, a great combination. We're looking forward to next year when we have Florrie and Sera ready to go to the shows and clinics. It will be great to have horses going in both dressage and jumping. Goldie is down in California at the Thermal show, and will be starting the competition next week. Go, Goldie!
I think my Rochelle is going to be a jumper. Can't wait to get her started this spring. It's great to be seeing some of the results of all the hard work we've been doing over the years!
