Loving the Sport

I promise I have disappeared off the face of the earth! I just just haven't had much time to sit down and get my thoughts together for a blog post. Fortunately, I have read some interesting articles to write about. 

To start off, I have had a very busy week. I have been fortunate enough to attend NAJYRC this year, so I have spent all of my time volunteering. It has been an absolutely phenomenal experience, even though I have been a score runner. I have learned so much between listening to the Volunteer Coordinator, Bill Solyntjes, and hearing what the judges have said about the horses and riders. However, I do have to say that Saturday (freestyle day) was my favorite. I enjoyed watching how each rider interpreted the music to their choreography. What I love about the freestyles is that each and every one is unique and special to each horse/rider team.

Last week, I came across a video of Hilda Gurney at the USDF Year End Awards Gala from a few years ago. She started off speaking about harmony between horse and rider, and that it comes from the eagerness to learn every day. Many people had asked her how she is still excited to go to train horses every day after doing it for so many years. Hilda responded by stating that she loves the sport and the horses, it is a part of her and how could you not be excited to do what you love all the time. I feel that everyone can relate to this, if you absolutely adore what you do, it shouldn't ever get old or boring. Every horse is different, therefore, every ride should be different and it shouldn't become boring. 

I see so many trainers schooling and training their horses the same way. Same teaching approach, same riding approach, same everything. Unfortunately, this just does not work. Especially with young horses, trainers need to be keeping things fun and different. This will benefit the horse in many ways. From keeping the horse eager to learn and excel, to keeping them sound and healthy, and making things enjoyable for the rider, too. Too many horses are getting burned out at such a young age because of the same schedule day in and day out. 

Although it has been a busy week, I have loved every second of what I do. Being around horses and dressage is just my happiness in itself. I can't wait to volunteer at Dressage Finals in November and learn even more! Volunteering had not only furthered myself as a person, but as a rider by seeing how the judges approach each movement. I am also very happy to be giving back to the Dressage community. A lot goes into running these shows, from score runners, to judges, to Technical Delegates. Everyone is doing it because they love this sport! And that is what it is all about.

    Beautiful morning at the Rolex Arena