In the article, Jeremy hit several points about the dressage in the U.S. I agree 100% with Jeremy, too many people are talking about how the U.S. needs a stronger Young Rider team or more future Olympians but they aren't doing anything about it. Yes, there are many programs to promote junior riders in dressage, such as the EDAP programs, but many parents and trainers resort to blaming to horse. That their horse "doesn't move well enough" or "isn't fancy enough". That obviously isn't training the student to be confident or believe in their horse, all it is doing is allowing the rider to make excuses. And it certainly does not do the student justice knowing that the trainer does not believe in the capabilities of the rider to take the horse to the best of his/her abilities. The big problem is that there needs to be more trainers who believe in the ride'rs abilities as well as the horse's. Trainers need to take pride in their rider's, even if they aren't on incredible horses. Trainers should see the potential in the rider's and believe that they can go far.
My situation is a prime example of not having the best horse money can buy, but still getting good scores through hard work. Cody and I are just starting to venture into First Level. We are doing pretty well, but our big problem are our lengthenings. But that is totally understandable. Heck, Cody's a 24 year old Quarter Horse. No, he's not an 8 mover, nor will he ever score above a 6.5 on his lengthenings. But, that's not his fault or mine. I've come to terms with the fact, I just have to work twice as hard to make everything else even better. We may never score in the 70's, but I can work towards it and set goals that are reasonable for us at the moment. Cody can only be as good as the pride I put into him. That being said, I can't just ride him and pray for good scores. I have to believe in both of our abilities.
With some parents throwing their kids on GP horses it makes me ask myself what I would be doing if I had that opportunity. The answer to that question is obvious, I would be no farther than I am with Cody. Would I love to have a new horse that I could do the upper levels with? Yes! But, I know that I still have a lot to learn with Cody before I can remotely think about a new horse. Until I fix my problems how can I expect Cody to fix his? Or any horse for that matter. Nobody can just jump on a GP horse and do well, they have to have a certain depth of understanding of how to correctly ride that horse. I don't mean how to "push the buttons", but how to sit their trot or ride their changes without falling behind the motion. The horse is only as good as the rider.
This article really hit home with me because I- like a lot of Young Riders- do not have extravagant amounts of money to flaunt on custom saddles or $100,000 horses. I do, however, have two trainers who won't give up on me. To me, I believe that is more important than unlimited funds or an imported horse. They have been with me through every little problem or victory. But, the biggest thing that is so important to me is that they believe in me. They are creating me to be the best rider I can be with the opportunities I have. They are teaching me to sit well and have a good seat, because that is what will allow me to excel on any horse I am on. Whether it is a Quarter Horse, Dutch Warmblood, or a pony, having a correct seat and riding well is what makes a good rider noticeable. Judges see my abilities because I am developing a correct, solid seat and they begin to see that. They look past Cody's flaws and see what we are capable of because of how I am riding him.
It all boils down to the rider and I can't thank Kristin and Susan enough for making me the rider I am today.
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