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Dressage Site - Take a Look

March 11th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

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I came across this site today - Dressage Not Stressage

It’s a simple one page website which I would recommend you take a look at - it is a well presented site on various aspects of dressage.  The writer obviously knows her subject and writes with wit and humour as well.  It will only take you a few minutes - go visit.  It is an excellent introduction to one of the premier Equestrian Sports

Dancing With Horses - A ‘Must’ For Equestrian Sports

February 24th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Success in any equestrian sport is dependent on the rapport between horse and rider and it takes hard work to achieve that. Horses have personalities just like people and it is just as necessary to bear those in mind and work with them as it is with any social interaction. Dancing with Horses is an excellent book that I would recommend to anyone who is working to communicate with their horse and develop their relationship. Klaus Hempfling’s book has been around a while but is only recently getting the coverage and recognition it deserves.

To quote from an article in The Library Journal by Deborah Emerson

“The author’s approach combines his backgrounds in communications, theater, and dance with more traditional means. The result is an unusually harmonious relationship between horse and trainer, in which there is complete understanding and communication through body language. Hempfling’s method has proven successful with all breeds of horses and makes the learning process fun for both horse and rider…. “

There have been many reviews of the book but one particularly caught my eye as I think it summed up the benefits that can be achieved - it came from Tuike Ekroos of Helsinki and summed up the desperation some riders can feel

“I have a so called problem horses. He was almost dangerous to handle and not so much interested in me. Now I have found my way to communicate with him without using violence. This book is really easy-to-understand with its advice. On this book there is the Hempfling’s key philosophy but you can also find really concrete advice from this book. I really have to say i love Hempflings way to communicate with horses.”

Given that one can have so much success with a problem horse, you can imagine the benefits with a horse that is less difficult to handle. Dancing with Horses is a great investment for anyone who takes part in Equestrian sports.

Equestrian Sports – Competition

February 12th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

As a species human beings enjoy competition in all its forms whether it be a simple kick around in the park or taking part in a major event, either as part of a team or as an individual. Equestrian Sports fulfil this desire to compete ion every level, either as part of a team or as individual. You can represent yourself, your club or at the very highest level, your Country.

Riding demonstrate the harmony between Rider and Horse in a way that nothing else does. Men and women can both take part on level playing field which is rare in any sporting event. The speed and dexterity with which they and their mounts flash around the course can be quite astounding to a novice. This is the result of many months of training and developing the relationship between the pairing. Before this can be developed you first have to choose the horse you want to ride.

The size of the horse has to be one of the first criteria – what good is it to have a horse that can run like the wind and jump a mile if your feet dangle on the floor or you are too heavy for him. Next comes temperament, you need a horse that you can work with, they have personalities just like people and sometimes personalities clash. If you find that you rub each other up the wrong way it will show in the competition and you will always be fighting to control your mount. That can be disastrous in Dressage for example, where you need to work as one. The precise movements are almost a ballet and any disharmony would be like the orchestra playing out of tune.

In any Equestrian Sport the condition of the horse plays a major part, he needs to be healthy and happy, well fed, watered and groomed so that he is comfortable and ready for the excitement of the competition – after all you want to win a Rosette don’t you?

There are many competitions in the world of Equestrian Sports but there are some that stand head and shoulders above the rest – the Burleigh Horse Trials in the UK where the best three day eventers compete. The National Horse Show in America covers many fields of equestrian endeavour and is held in Palm Beach under the auspices of the National Show Horse Association of America who focus the competitions on good horsemanship.

One of the most popular events in the calendar is the Horse of the Year Show at Olympia, London, which is held in December each year. A huge party atmosphere prevails throughout the show which specializes in Show Jumping but with lots of other competitions thrown in as well. I have many happy memories of competing there, it was like the beginning of Christmas. The ultimate competition is of course, the Olympic Games where Equestrian Sports are one of the oldest categories.

Any competitive rider will love taking part in their chosen branch of Equestrian Sport and so will their horse providing an exciting show for spectators, the buzz is tremendous and if you win….

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