Comments for Dressage Blog

Comment on King-Dye’s Recovery Unknown After Terrible Fall by posh pony

posh pony — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:41:41 +0000

I dont know you personally but the dressage family we belong to are thinking of you and wish you well . Best wishes for your fast recovery.

Comment on Dressage Star Blue Hors Matine Euthanized by Christine M

Christine M — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 06:44:29 +0000

She was so cool to watch. I’m so sorry she’s gone. RIP beautiful dancer.

Comment on Betsy Steiners & Equestrian Pilates Program: Equilates by Desiree

Desiree — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 21:28:00 +0000

Do you have a DVD for equestrian pilates? I have been looking and cannot find!
Thank you
Desiree

Comment on Growing Elitism in Dressage? by Laura

Laura — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:42:52 +0000

I believe this problem is one that is relatively easily solved, just as it was many years ago in the hunter-jumper world.
We should always wish for those beautiful, expensive, fancy horses to be rewarded—they are a joy to watch, and provide inspiration to many dressage riders.
WHat is missing in our sport, however, is a place with meaning for the rest of us.
It used to be that the amateur-owner divisions of the hunters were relegated to the ‘back 40′ at the horse shows. It was made clear that, while tolerated, no one really wanted to see these classes or acknowledge them in much more than a perfunctory manner at yearly awards presentations. THe big guns, with expensive horses paid for by clients or sponsors, were given all the glory.
But a really bad recession in the 80′s did a number on that industry, with the adult amateurs deciding to stay home, and that put many of those trainers on notice that the money that was supporting those big fancy shows could, in fact, dry up.
And I think it was similar to what we feel as dressage riders—we work all week to afford our horses, support shows, volunteer at shows, take our kids to shows, and ride as often and as well as we can on horses that are olympic hopefuls only in our own silly dreams.
And our adult amateur awards are almost an aside to our national association, we are barred from attending many association sponsored clinics and events—they are only open to the elite of the sport, and while I am thrilled with the strong Young Rider program, I would be more thrilled with some of that opportunity coming my way as well.
I believe that the rank and file members of our sport MUST raise our voices and insist that USDF put more of their money and effort toward acknowledging the contributions of the adult amateurs. They ignore us at their peril.

Comment on Growing Elitism in Dressage? by Jay Jennings

Jay Jennings — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 05:13:15 +0000

Very true; it’s a problem that we need to address and take care of very soon.

Comment on Dressage Star Blue Hors Matine Euthanized by Tom W

Tom W — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 01:20:22 +0000

That is so sad.