It has been a while since an update because we’re always so busy in the summer teaching, mowing, doing all the things on the farm. Two highlights of this summer for me were first, coaching the West EA21 Regional Clinic at Jonathan and Suzy Elliot’s Aspen Farm, and second, watching the World Equestrian Championships at Aachen.
I’m fortunate enough to be one of the coaches for the emerging athletes Under-21 program. It has a beautiful curriculum, developed by David O’Connor, for us to teach from. The clinic is so inspiring; this is my second year coaching and I’ve also coached twice at the national camp as well. I think having the curriculum is so helpful as an instructor and student of the sport, to remind me of all the basics of the training scale, how our body works to influence the horse, and how to problem-solve using a system that provides so many tools. My riders were a mix of returning (some have done it every year they’ve been eligible) and new to the program. Most were 19 or younger and two will go to national camp.
On the first night we always do a lecture about the flatwork part, including the dressage training scale and how that effects the movements and everything we do. This year, on the first day of riding I did same thing with every group and used going forward and coming back as a way to get our horses connected. The riders also did this when they swapped horses. We talked about how we influence our horses with our body going forward and coming back, and how everything is so connected. We worked within the gaits and gait to gait, focusing on how to use your body to influence your horse and help with your connection. It was so fun to watch everyone switch horses, getting them a little out of their comfort zones, and apply the same techniques. It was rewarding to watch them have their lightbulb moments.
I’m fortunate enough to be one of the coaches for the emerging athletes Under-21 program. It has a beautiful curriculum, developed by David O’Connor, for us to teach from. The clinic is so inspiring; this is my second year coaching and I’ve also coached twice at the national camp as well. I think having the curriculum is so helpful as an instructor and student of the sport, to remind me of all the basics of the training scale, how our body works to influence the horse, and how to problem-solve using a system that provides so many tools. My riders were a mix of returning (some have done it every year they’ve been eligible) and new to the program. Most were 19 or younger and two will go to national camp.
On the first night we always do a lecture about the flatwork part, including the dressage training scale and how that effects the movements and everything we do. This year, on the first day of riding I did same thing with every group and used going forward and coming back as a way to get our horses connected. The riders also did this when they swapped horses. We talked about how we influence our horses with our body going forward and coming back, and how everything is so connected. We worked within the gaits and gait to gait, focusing on how to use your body to influence your horse and help with your connection. It was so fun to watch everyone switch horses, getting them a little out of their comfort zones, and apply the same techniques. It was rewarding to watch them have their lightbulb moments.
Photos by Lindsay Berreth
The lectures that afternoon were about show jumping and cross-country horsemanship. The next day we set a course that combined show jumping and cross-country, carrying over the same theme of forward and back from the flat work session to connect all of it. We basically worked on being able to go forward and back in a five stride line, doing it in seven and four strides. Then the riders jumped some single jumps the same way, with a bigger and smaller canter. We were lucky to have a bank in the ring, and I had the riders gallop to a triple bar like on cross-country, then come back to a smaller show jump line, and then up and down the bank working on footwork. Once you have forward and back and footwork, you can solve most of your problems. The program is teaching a system, whether ECP or EA21, so riders can problem-solve for their horses and themselves, which is so important for everything you do with a horse.
As I was finishing the EA21 camp, the World Equestrian Games were starting in Aachen. I was lucky enough to have ridden on a WEG team in 2006. Aachen is such an amazing venue and I was really excited for the U.S. and couldn’t wait to watch on-line. I felt we had a pretty strong team and although none seemed to be super pleased with their dressage test, as we know, it’s not always about the dressage! I thought that having Phillip go out first on cross-country was a great move, and I also felt he delivered such an inspirational round with the fantastic jumping Denim. I think he gathered a lot of information to support the rest of the team. After each country had two team members go, you realized how great Phillip’s score was. I thought that said a lot about him, and also the course designer.
Although Caroline fell, she was having a great round until then. As we know, that is the sport. I thought that even though Tami was not on the team, she, Will and Boyd all did a great job. To be honest, the most impressive and important thing was having three clear rounds in the show jumping. They all rode well and the horses went amazing. Congratulations to the Bronze Medal U.S. team! They always say it take a village, and that is so true.
Although Caroline fell, she was having a great round until then. As we know, that is the sport. I thought that even though Tami was not on the team, she, Will and Boyd all did a great job. To be honest, the most impressive and important thing was having three clear rounds in the show jumping. They all rode well and the horses went amazing. Congratulations to the Bronze Medal U.S. team! They always say it take a village, and that is so true.
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