TDF's Ripple Effect by Kirsi Hussa (WY)
Sharing my knowledge with TDF youth grant recipient, Iris Woltman
To The Dressage Foundation,
I am writing to express my appreciation of the work that you do to improve dressage (and its accessibility) in the U.S. This spring, I was a “ripple effect” recipient of two of your grants—one to a young student of mine (Iris Woltman), and one to one of my mentors (Alexis Martin-Vegue).
My home base is in a remote town in west-central Wyoming with a population of 990. While the location has many positives, it makes it challenging to find time to go and seek in-person assistance for myself, with barriers of cost, travel, and being away from the teaching and training horses at home. Technology has made things easier with the option of online lessons, but there are some things that are just better in person.
Last fall I was considering going to California to train with Alexis in the spring, but still wasn’t sure how that all would work out. Fast-forward to Iris receiving her grant to come for a training intensive with me, and Alexis receiving her grant which helped to host her own mentor (Pippa Callanan) from France, and the pieces began to fall into place. Iris’ grant funds allowed me a small cushion to be able to leave for a quick trip to train with Alexis in California, and while I was there, I was able to audit a Pippa clinic at a separate location and then participate in the in-house Pippa clinic in Somerset.
Working on a balanced piaffe with PRE stallion Fenix XXXIII while training in Somerset, CA
While in California, I had a fantastic week of ridden biomechanics, clarification, and reinforcement of classical concepts and community with like-minded trainers and riders—all seeking to better themselves for the benefit of the horse.
I brought everything that was worked on home and have been so happy to share it with all of my clients, including Iris. Thank you for inadvertently providing more opportunities for growth, learning, and community within the world of dressage. These changes ripple throughout the community and encourage everyone to keep learning and pursuing excellence.
With gratitude,
Kirsi Hussa
