The first U.S. Young Horse Dressage Training Session of 2013 wrapped up at Shannondale Farm in Alpharetta, Georgia on Sunday 3 February 2013. A diverse group of young dressage horses, representing a multitude of breeds and varied levels of experience, were selected for the training session with U.S. Young Horse Dressage Coach Scott Hassler.
Hassler commented, "we had another very successful training session in this area. It is always encouraging to see the number of interested breeders, owners and young horse trainers who choose to audit these sessions. It provides the setting to have great discussions. With eight out of the 10 horses bred in the USA, I hope to see quite a few of these horses in the FEI ring in the future."
The open training session was well attended by breeders, sponsors, horse owners and local young horse enthusiasts. Hassler led a discussion in the evening using video footage from the Bundeschampionate in Warendorf and the World Young Horse Championships in Verden.
"As a longstanding enthusiast, supporter and breeder/owner of young horses who compete in the U.S. Young Horse Dressage Program, I continue to be inspired by the program and the U.S. Young Horse Dressage Coach, Scott Hassler," said Annetta Coleman of High Valley Hanoverians. "Through the Young Horse Training Sessions, the trainers of these equine athletes have direct access to the astute, effective and encouraging coaching style of Scott Hassler. Similarly, Scott's ability to share background and teaching moments enables auditors to take away keen insights that can be applied to their own young dressage horses."
Participants in this first training session included:
Rider/Horse/Age/Owner/Breeder
- Jessica Barns - Ezabella HF / 4 / Julie Ballard Haralson / Julie Ballard Haralson (USA)
- Michelle Folden - Monticello VT / 4 / Dr. Heather Will / Virginia Tech (USA)
- Sandie Gaines-Beddard - Flairance / 6 / Sandie Gaines-Beddard /Clemens Von Merveldt (GER)
- Kim Gentry - Leonardo / 6 / Kim Gentry / Oak Hill Ranch (USA)
- Ashley Marascalco - Rebellienne HVH / 4 / High Valley Hanoverians / High Valley Hanoverians (USA)
- Stacie Myers - Finneus / 4 / Gina Fisk / Gina Fisk (USA)
- Rick Sauerman - Ralahari / 6 / Parvin Work / Oldenburg Farm, LLC (USA)
- Janet Stone - DeLovely fcf / 4 / Lisa Brown / Janet Stone (USA)
- Anneliese Vogt-Harber - Hot Black Chocolate / 6 / Anneliese Vogt-Harber/ Hugo Schmidgall (GER)
- Laura Wharton-Mero - Oh Fiddledeedee / 5 / Patricia G. Borders / Patricia G. Borders (USA)
The two day clinic's mounted sessions, lectures and video review were extremely informative for everyone that attended.
"I think it is great that Scott, USEF, and Markel, have come together and take the time for the lecture-discussion as well as the video review. I believe being able to see the videos and quality of horses, riders, and training of the young horse world championships helps raise the standard for all of us young horse riders, trainers, breeders here in the U.S.," said Folden. "It is great to have these visual aids as we can carry them home in our minds and strive for more from ourselves and our horses."
The next Young Horse Dressage Program event will be an observation session in Wellington, Florida followed by another open training session on March 2-3, 2013 at Oak Hill Ranch in Folsom, Louisiana.
Related Links
Hassler and Steinberg Ready for 2013 USEF Young Horse and Youth Training and Observation Sessions
Training the Young Horse with America's Best