Pam Conklin (Region 3)

My experience with The Dressage Foundation’s Carol Lavell Gifted Memorial Grant has been amazing. My goals for this week of training were to learn more about my horse, how I can improve my riding, how I can improve my horse’s ability for transitions required in the basics of dressage. I also wanted to live in the world of working with my horse, not just daily, but spending the whole week dedicated to him.

During the week, I worked with Greta Wrigley on many different items as identified in my training plan:

• We reviewed my equipment; how my saddle fit my horse and the different style of bits and their purposes.
• I rode three times a day for the week-long session.

I rode my horse Lymerick in the mornings. We worked on a variety of exercises; working trot, extended trot, trot on long rein, how to get him to stretch out and down to stretch his back and build the topline. We worked on collected canter and extended canter, 10 and 20 meter canter circles, trot to canter transitions, walk to canter transitions, down center line 10 meter circle to the right, back to center line trot or walk then turn left 10 meter circle at a canter and back to center line at a walk or trot. A lot of great tools to have in my back pocket to practice on my own.

• Lymerick struggles staying in his frame, as he is not that strong in his top line.  We worked on various exercises with the position of my hands and arms to help him stay in frame. We helped him use his rear to assist in positioning of his neck and head. Learned to watch certain muscles and their reactions as he was working towards the frame we were asking for.
• I learned so much in understanding how he feels when we reach the goal of him holding his frame on different transitions at the walk, trot and canter.
• We accomplished so much. I have so many notes and tools to take with me to work at home.

For my second lesson of the day, I rode Jimmy, a twelve-year-old Arabian from Greta’s farm that is confirmed at Third Level.

• It has been 10 years since I rode a different horse other than Lymerick in dressage. Riding Jimmy at 15 hands versus Lymerick as a 17.3 Warmblood, there was a big difference.
• I learned how to use the upper part of my legs for my leg aids.
• Jimmy was much more forgiving at the bit and taught me how to stay off his mouth, as that is opposite then Lymerick.
• I struggled with Jimmy's trot, as he had a much shorter stride then Lymerick. But his canter was amazing.
• During my work with Jimmy, we would work on the same transitions and use the same aids so I can see and feel the difference between the two horses. WOW…great experience!

For my third lesson of the day, I again rode Lymerick. We worked on a combination of different transitions; I learned haunches in, turn on the haunches, shoulder in, half pass, leg yields. In addition we combined lunging tools for somedays when he was pretty hot coming into the ring before I rode. I was amazed with the lunging work and then his calmness as I mounted him to ride. I learned so much in how lunging can help me build his strength.

We worked on other helpful tools:

• Braiding the mane
• Clipping techniques for competing
• Body clipping techniques
• We reviewed the current feed program and discussed different options that could help Lymerick.
• We stayed for the week at Greta’s barn, as we knew this would be a great experience for him. He has never stayed away from his home for more than one day!

This was such a wonderful experience. The weather ended up providing some training tools because we had quite a bit of rain the first two days. We rode in the rain and learned how to work Lymerick through the deep puddles in the ring. We worked on continuing circles and transitions while splashing through water, and I now feel confident that I can ride through puddles at a show, and I know Lymerick will feel confident and succeed!

Greta worked with me in explaining the different opportunities/goals from USDF to work towards when showing the different levels.

I have walked away with many tools in my pocket to assist me in achieving my goals with Lymerick.  Again, this was such an amazing opportunity.