The first U.S. Young Horse Training Session of 2012 was held over the weekend at Shannondale Farm in Milton, GA with USEF Young Horse Coach, Scott Hassler. The ten participating horse/rider combinations included two four-year-olds, six five-year-olds and two six-year-olds.
The two-day training session, which was open to auditors, included a well-attended evening lecture offering a unique opportunity for riders, owners, breeders and other young horse enthusiasts to gather, discuss the program and ask questions on topics including young horse judging, presentation and breeding.
"This new concept of an open training session was very rewarding since it offered both young horse training and an opportunity for breeders to come together," said Hassler.
The majority of the participating combinations plan to compete in the designated young horse qualifying competitions in hopes of earning an invitation to the Markel/USEF National Dressage Young Horse Championships, August 24-26 2012 at Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, IL.
"Overall, I'm very pleased with the quality of horses and riders,” commented Hassler. “We had several riders who have participated in the program in past years, but we also had some new riders who we hope to see lots of this year. We also had several quality US-bred horses which is always exciting."
Participants Jennifer Dipple Flowers rode Nancy William's Friesian mare Zucci Royal in the clinic and told Eurodressage that "the clinic was a fantastic learning experience! The facility was beautiful and the clinic was well organized by the GDCTA. Scott Hassler was a very positive clinician who made a difference in each and every horse throughout the clinic. With his fantastic understanding and knowledge of the young horse, he guided me through different techniques and exercises that helped me get Zucci to improve the quality and correctness of her gaits."
This training session was the first in a series of Markel/USEF Young Horse Training Sessions planned for 2012. The next session is scheduled for April 14-15, 2012 at Twinwood Equestrian Center outside of Houston, TX.
Related Links
Ten Horses Selected for First 2012 U.S. Young Horse Training Session in Georgia
U.S. Young Horse Dressage Training and Observation Sessions Announced for 2012