British team young rider and Paralympic world champion Sophie Wells was the guinea pig rider in the Imke and Tineke Bartels' clinic at the 2011 British Dressage Convention held at Hartpury College.
In her blog on Horse Hero, Wells wrote that "I was, surprisingly, very nervous about the Convention. I’ve always been in awe of the guinea pigs, so it was an honour to be asked but a lot to live up to from previous years, although I was hoping that people would be able to relate to Reece as he’s got his problems and isn’t so established at Small Tour yet."
Imke's lesson focuses on tempo control and quick reactions to the aids. "They focused a lot on tempo changes, accuracy and reaction from the leg and hand. It made me much stricter with the reactions I want from the horses and not to accept something that isn’t good enough, which is easy to do. I came back motivated to prepare for Frankfurt!"
Sophie Wells is the British representative at the upcoming 2011 FEI Young Riders World Cup Final at the CDI-W Frankfurt on 14 - 18 December 2011.
Read Wells' compete Blog on her BD Convention experience on Horse Hero.
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Bartels Family Enthuses the Crowds at 2011 British Dressage Convention
Sophie Wells Picked to Compete at 2011 Young Riders World Cup Finals