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2014 Recipient

Because of the Carolyn Van Cise Grant, I was able to experience two incredible lessons with Catherine Haddad during my two month stay in Wellington, Florida. My first lesson was held at Catherine’s facility on the horse I was leasing at the time. Because he is 20 years old, a good, slow warm‐up was required. But once we warmed up Catherine began to challenge me by working on getting my horse to move forward from behind with lots of energy and keeping better connection. She also helped me to keep my elbows elastic and to carry my hands a little higher, as I had been keeping them almost on the withers. 

She helped me with our canter departs by having me sit two beats and asking for the canter on the third beat. By doing so it helped me and my horse prepare for the canter. Only having recently begun working on the sitting trot I had a tendency to lose my balance. Therefore, Catherine had me sit a few beats and then go back to rising to keep the connection and speed the same when I would go back to sitting. 

Having learned so much in this lesson, I was even more excited to take my second one with her! Catherine was kind in coming to the facility I was at for our second lesson. We warmed up and briefly reviewed what I had learned in the first lesson. Not quite half‐way through the lesson, she had me drop my stirrups and work on my sitting trot. Catherine instructed me to let my legs go long in order to work only on my seat. I rode the remainder of the lesson without stirrups, which included cantering and many uphill and forward transitions. I did a few leg yields also which ended up being some of my best yet!

In the two lessons combined we worked on my position and adjusting the horse’s speed with slight changes in my seat. I learned to ride more with the horse and not lean as far back in the sitting trot and transitions as I had been.

I will always remember my lessons with Catherine Haddad and will take what I learned and apply them to my dressage career in hopes of someday being able to teach others. I would like to thank the Carolyn Van Cise Grant for giving me this amazing opportunity to work with Catherine Haddad. Your generosity is highly appreciated!