01/16/2024
USDF FEI Trainer’s Conference Notes with , Sven Rothenberger, and Lilo Fore - Day 1
- Go forward without speeding up and come back without slowing down. Tempo control!
- you should always feel the extension in the collected gaits (pushing forward tendency) and collection in the extended gaits (sitting and carrying)
- the “ideal” rein aid is just closing the ring finger around the rein. But horses are not 100% on the aids, 365 days a year. You then need to turn the wrist in and sit in.
- how many times should you do an exercise? As many as it takes for the horse to gain some clarity - even if it’s a tiny amount. For some horses, it was 3 times. For others, it was 10 times.
- the neck is the easiest part to over bend and the haunches are easy to push out. The ribcage is the hardest part to access. Focus on being able to yield the RIBCAGE between your legs. Nose should not turn past the point of shoulder.
- riding with both reins in one hand allows horse to come out to your hand and makes you ride from the seat more.
- reins are for receiving and recycling energy, not supporting balance.
- in haunches in, BOTH shoulders should be pointed up the line. Don’t allow the outside shoulder to point out. This ensures quality of bend.
- For tense/sharp horses: it’s important to take all of the time required to establish relaxation. Otherwise, everything you teach the horse will be built on tension.
- it’s always good to end on a note where you know you can do more, because the horse is willing and understanding, but you choose not to. ❤️
Not going to lie - I woke up at 4am wanting to throw up from the thought of being put under the microscope in front of 300+ people. Ended the day thrilled with how much Heiren tried for me and I’m so happy to let us all learn from things that aren’t “good” - passage that’s too slow and out behind, canter without enough jump, trot-piaffe transition that isn’t forward thinking enough, slow timing, etc. Things can always be better, that’s what makes it fun! Thanks to the clinicians and USDF for an educational day, looking forward to tomorrow!
Kelsey Dunlap is a USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold medalist and USDF Certified Instructor thu 4th level
