Classical Dressage Art in Motion

    2021 seems to have been a particularly long and difficult year thus far. Obviously Covid hasn't helped much. The loss of my father just before Christmas 2019 has taken its toll and even the passage of time barely dulls the feeling of loss. On top of that the July colic of our 2nd statesman Grand Prix horse Tigger that required the decision to euthanize him still has both hubbie and I reeling. Personal health issues, haymaking weather making the season inordinately long and the like, have all hampered attempts to get back on the horse.   I'm just reviewing Robert Dover's new book for Catskill Horse magazine," The Gates to Brilliance." I suppose in a way in dressage terms I grew up with Robert's influence. The 1980's to early 2000's were a time of international competition and travel for me. Horses were very much front and center of a busy working life and hubbie Paul and I enjoyed many adventures both together and separately throughout those decade...

When I first arrived in the United States of America, I was in my twenties, and was an ardent writer with no outlet. My father arranged a very special interview for me when I was back in London in my late teens and headed to college. It was with a leading advertising firm on Fleet Street. The powerhouse street that used to engage all major journalists in Britain. Home to the most revered journalists of the day. The large conference room was daunting. Little me sat at the end of the shiny mahogany table as instructed by a friendly assistant. The lady did look quizzically at my green Paddington Bear duffel coat, Levi jeans and black clogs, (it was what I was wearing at short notice when dad called to say, head on over to Fleet Street NOW). The table was so long and the room so big that it took the tall, immaculately dressed 'Director' a few minutes to reach me. This gentleman guided me through studios of photo shoots of various food products that were ongoing. He indicated ho...