I look back at dressage in the U.S.A. with a mix of emotions, pride and naive goodwill. Life was a little different for me here in the beautiful States because my heritage was different and also I suppose my view of Europe as a result.
Gosh. Back in those late 1980's dressage was in such infancy here in the U.S.A. Sorry, but it was. While I keenly followed Keen and Hilda Gurney as icons on this continent, and Charles de Kunffy gamely developed foreign (well, new U.S.A. green carders back then,) such as Gunther and Steffan, I confess to being a bit mesmerized by what was happening.
Today things have changed. A LOT. But while many of us sort our clinicians and horses from Europe as the 'go to' for advancing our skill set, today things have changed. Or, have they?
I have spent time intensively studying in Germany, Switzerland and Britain, Portugal. These experiences have been developmentally helpful. But definitive? Not so much. It amuses me today in a sad sort of way, to see kids ( our young American hopefuls) bombing off to Germany, Portugal or other 'abroad' places to seek some special knowledge. Their compatriots back home here in this brilliant country make comments like, "Can't wait for you to come back and train us with your knowledge." Well. O.K. There will be different knowledge. Or will there? Will it be the same as you can find here in the grand U.S.A.? Does sitting on a dozen different horses, trained or otherwise, with a good or perhaps big named trainer garner you the ability to train either a horse or rider when you arrive home?
For me I think you need to have taken what you have indubitably learned. Use it. Develop it. Experiment with it. ON YOUR OWN HORSES first. Because a lot is lost in translation. It is not fair to just bring it home and regurgitate it. Well at least not when you are relatively speaking, starting out. How does it apply to the very horse in front of you? His conformation? His temperament strengths and weaknesses. And pray be careful of those. That rider? That set of circumstances? Do you have that level of education? Experience? Perhaps not.
I am not suggesting that all experiences and gaining or education and knowledge are unimportant. It certainly has been capstone moments for me as a competitor/coach/trainer and horse breeder. And I am sincerely grateful for all those opportunities that were afforded me and that I ( and my family through their own sacrifices of my time and attention) afforded myself. However, I think it is important to have a much larger, all around knowledge before stepping into the role as trainer.
Someone once said, ' All you need to know as a trainer is more than the person riding in front of you.' Strangely I used to agree. Not so much anymore. You need a wealth, a half a lifetime of learning and proven experience in both competing and making your own horse to properly direct traffic in horseflesh.
Be fair to yourself. To the horses in your charge whether they are your own or those of your clientele. Don't underestimate how long a journey this learning path of dressage truly exhibits. That being said, enjoy every single experience of your time abroad. But do not mount horses you have not seen ridden. Stay safe and sensible. It'll be a lot easier to bring home what you have learned and use it in your furthering career if you are mentally functional. ALWAYS wear a helmet. Do not exhibit bravado. Listen to that Mom's voice in your head. If your gut says this isn't a good idea then listen to it. I cannot emphasize enough how many times in my experiences abroad ( and here) I have seen young rider and some older riders so keen for knowledge they are willing to accept any duty or 'ride' abroad. Please be your own advocate! And please, put aside the ego that will result in your ribs broken and maybe worse.
This blog is entitled 'Classical Dressage Art in Motion.' Please be sure you are part of the art and not just the motion.
Gosh. Back in those late 1980's dressage was in such infancy here in the U.S.A. Sorry, but it was. While I keenly followed Keen and Hilda Gurney as icons on this continent, and Charles de Kunffy gamely developed foreign (well, new U.S.A. green carders back then,) such as Gunther and Steffan, I confess to being a bit mesmerized by what was happening.
Today things have changed. A LOT. But while many of us sort our clinicians and horses from Europe as the 'go to' for advancing our skill set, today things have changed. Or, have they?
I have spent time intensively studying in Germany, Switzerland and Britain, Portugal. These experiences have been developmentally helpful. But definitive? Not so much. It amuses me today in a sad sort of way, to see kids ( our young American hopefuls) bombing off to Germany, Portugal or other 'abroad' places to seek some special knowledge. Their compatriots back home here in this brilliant country make comments like, "Can't wait for you to come back and train us with your knowledge." Well. O.K. There will be different knowledge. Or will there? Will it be the same as you can find here in the grand U.S.A.? Does sitting on a dozen different horses, trained or otherwise, with a good or perhaps big named trainer garner you the ability to train either a horse or rider when you arrive home?
For me I think you need to have taken what you have indubitably learned. Use it. Develop it. Experiment with it. ON YOUR OWN HORSES first. Because a lot is lost in translation. It is not fair to just bring it home and regurgitate it. Well at least not when you are relatively speaking, starting out. How does it apply to the very horse in front of you? His conformation? His temperament strengths and weaknesses. And pray be careful of those. That rider? That set of circumstances? Do you have that level of education? Experience? Perhaps not.
I am not suggesting that all experiences and gaining or education and knowledge are unimportant. It certainly has been capstone moments for me as a competitor/coach/trainer and horse breeder. And I am sincerely grateful for all those opportunities that were afforded me and that I ( and my family through their own sacrifices of my time and attention) afforded myself. However, I think it is important to have a much larger, all around knowledge before stepping into the role as trainer.
Someone once said, ' All you need to know as a trainer is more than the person riding in front of you.' Strangely I used to agree. Not so much anymore. You need a wealth, a half a lifetime of learning and proven experience in both competing and making your own horse to properly direct traffic in horseflesh.
 |
| Yeah I admit it ~ I fell ( more than 1x) for the lure of working in Germany |
Be fair to yourself. To the horses in your charge whether they are your own or those of your clientele. Don't underestimate how long a journey this learning path of dressage truly exhibits. That being said, enjoy every single experience of your time abroad. But do not mount horses you have not seen ridden. Stay safe and sensible. It'll be a lot easier to bring home what you have learned and use it in your furthering career if you are mentally functional. ALWAYS wear a helmet. Do not exhibit bravado. Listen to that Mom's voice in your head. If your gut says this isn't a good idea then listen to it. I cannot emphasize enough how many times in my experiences abroad ( and here) I have seen young rider and some older riders so keen for knowledge they are willing to accept any duty or 'ride' abroad. Please be your own advocate! And please, put aside the ego that will result in your ribs broken and maybe worse.
This blog is entitled 'Classical Dressage Art in Motion.' Please be sure you are part of the art and not just the motion.
Comments
Post a Comment