Classical Dressage Art in Motion

I recently attended an FEI Clinic in Westchester, New York, along with about 35 others, where my coach Greta Kemmer was holding a 'Fix Your Ride' style dressage event that was very well received and lots of fun. Greta lives in Switzerland and grew up as part of a large equestrian family in Germany before she married. At the end of the clinic there was a wrap up party and it was great to hear the lively discussion that came up about the wide divide in sponsorship between Europe and the U.S.A. and how it could be improved on this side of the pond. While there are often much bigger purses to be won in Europe and dressage events are well attended by folks from all walks of life, in the U.S.A. the purses have been improving. The attendance sadly however, not so much. Take the events in the Wellington 'fish bowl this winter season. Robert Dover was remarking that the turn out in the stands was very disappointing and worried that sponsors would disappear as a result. A very real...

Like most riders of a certain age for me the question of fit and fitness in the saddle poses a significant obstacle to progress in my riding. Yes I have my excuses. A surgery nearly ten years ago that wrecked my hormone balance. But you have to take care of the yourself don't you. Actually, on reflection the surgery I underwent was possibly not the best option. Unfortunately my doctor did not relay to me the hormone impacts that would result from a fairly minor procedure. Not a major event in the grand scale. Though at the time I was very stressed. Certainly nothing compared to what others have suffered and continue to suffer. Net result was a massive weight gain, an incremental advance in all you don't want reflecting back at you in the mirror. In fact, you wonder where you've gone. Inside you feel the same. Outside you are completely different. And yes, people treat you differently. That's your own fault though isn't it. You should diet, exercise and get on it. ...