PVDA President competes across The Pond
The adult amateur’s life is full of great joy and great challenges. The reality of trying to fit in time for a demanding career as an executive, a good marriage, and still compete at the FEI levels is at times overwhelming. However, I would not have it any other way.
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Dressage sport is humbling, and no more so than when one pushes the boundaries and tries to take a step up. I have been fortunate with my husband’s and now my work, to be able to train in Europe twice. Right now, I am at the Pidgley’s top stable in England training with Markus Gribbe, while my young horse left at home is progressing under the superb tutelage of Felicitas von Neuman-Cosel. Let me tell you that it is easier to send a horse out for training and competition than to try to achieve great results oneself! |
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First moving here to England, I came I suppose with the egotism of a big country – the USA. However, being here for some months and going to two shows, I must say that the Premier League here in England is at a VERY high quality – better than many of our CDI’s in the US with Markus winning classes with scores from international judges in the 71-73%. Too be honest with us getting in the low – edging close to the mid-60s - in these classes, the small tour (PSG/I-1) riders here in the Premier League in England have us out-classed at this stage in our development – not helped of course by my stress, traveling, and trying to fit in lessons around a very busy schedule of preparing and hopefully doing an initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange. This relates back to my opening statement – an adult amateur’s life is full of great joy and great challenges.
So, facing this challenge of being actually a “small fish in a big pond” and needing to step up my riding and horsemanship to another level – the choices one must face are a) give up on the dream of riding at that level; b) buy another horse that wows everyone and gets 8s on gaits to cover up for your mistakes; or c) step it up a level with increased personal discipline to learn how to ride without mistakes and with the demeanor of a professional (even if I am the “lowly” adult amateur). Based on a “drubbing down” after my last show from my trainer and myself and my own drive to be better, the only answer for me is (c) (although if money was no object – I must admit that option (b) would be tempting).
It is much easier to train and go through a test with less to think about. When one has to do too much – create energy, worry about the connection, AND do the movements, things can get unsteady in the show ring. I should know since doing the movements themselves now for the small tour is not so hard, it is learning to ride the short side and prepare better that is hard! It also is true that certain types of highly elastic, big moving horses with more knee and LOTS of energy when ridden well get higher scores. Those are all lessons for me personally when I look for my next young horse.
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With Escobar, I value him for what he is, a high quality horse that has patience enough for me to make mistakes as I learn my way through the FEI levels – some times ride him too soft, sometimes too hard - to find my way to more consistency and better presentation in the show ring. Our horses are our best teachers, and for Escobar and all the horses that have touched my life, I continue to be grateful. I hope you enjoy the pictures of us! |
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