Ready-To-Ride Clinic a Great Success

By Denise Driscoll and Deb Parent

The IDS Ready-to-Ride clinic held on March 23d was an amazing experience and we both learned so much. The three dressage judges, Bonna McCuiston, Jennifer Conour and Jennifer Kaiser worked harmoniously together, adding comments and showing us that the new tests are actually better and not simply a nefarious means to get us to buy new test booklets.  They discussed what is required at each level, and even why one movement follows another, so it makes a lot more sense after listening to them.  They shared the emphasis that will be placed on the walk and transitions, how the walk needs to be marching and not lateral, and how transitions need to reflect compression (on the downward) and fluidness (on the upward)–in short, no abrupt movements!

As Bonna noted, “The audience asked great questions about the new tests. Everyone seemed to get a lot out of it as we talked about specifics—the requirements and directives for each level. We really broke it down and the audience was really tuned in.”

 

Danvers Child followed the discussion about the new tests.  It was amazing and made us want to know more about the feet of our horses.  Danvers is an AFA Certified Journeyman Farrier, specializing in shoeing dressage and performance horses.  He made it fun to think about such things as:  (1) what shapes a dressage hoof, (2) how the dressage arena composition affects shoeing, (3) how hind shoes provide support for lateral movements, and (4) how horses performing at 3rd level and above need the support of hind shoes. We now feel inspired to learn a bit more so we can keep a closer, and more educated eye, on their feet..

And we really enjoyed Coralie Hughes’ session on body work.  She made it accessible to those of us who don’t really know a lot about horse physiology, but without dumbing it down too much either.  It is obvious how passionate she is about helping horses and riders move more comfortably together.  Coralie had some great props to make her points, too:  (!) a little plastic horse that she could hold to show us various muscles and how they work together and (2) a backpack loaded crookedly onto a gracious volunteer who trotted and cantered and reported back on just how uncomfortable it was from back to hip to knee, etc.  –it was a good reminder that our horse’s movement may be affected by rider’s position and unevenness.  Afterward, several people were in a line to talk to Coralie and to find out when she might be available to come to their stable!

We left feeling motivated and excited.  It was nice to see a room full of dressage enthusiasts, and we thought Jan Engle did a great job pulling the workshop together!   Kudos, Jan! And our sincere thanks to Bonna, Jennifer K. and C., Danvers Child, and Coralie Hughes for giving up your Saturday to help us be more prepared and informed.