Diary of a Dressage Rider

Ok, I contemplated doing this for quite some time and have finally decided to give it a go. I have been working for nearly 10 months now with an absolutely amazing horse with a troubled past. We have made great progress and I am hoping that our efforts will inspire others to strive to achieve harmony with their horses. This first post is a bit lengthy. It is an introduction and history lesson. It will outline my background and the background of this special horse. Future posts will be an ongoing "diary," if you will, of our training and progress.

The Intro...
In April of 2010, my position at a therapeutic riding center was abolished due to lack of funding. Losing the job of my dreams, left me feeling totally empty until a friend of mine contacted me about starting a therapy center of her own. She asked if I would be willing to help her. Horses and children being my passion, I said I would... And so my adventure began.

The Cast of Characters...
My friend is a Grand Prix Dressage Rider and USDF Gold Medalist, who spent 2 years in Germany training under Conrad Schumacher. She has competed worldwide and has determined that her passion lies in helping people with disabilities to achieve their greatest potential through equine assisted therapy. She and her mother (also a USDF Gold Medalist and Olympic level judge) operate Hobby Horse Hill Equestrian Center (more info available at www.hobbyhorsehill.com)

I am a former hunter/jumper turned dressage fanatic who specializes in turning troubled horses around. My love of horses started before I could walk. My mother was a riding instructor and avid horse woman. Consequently, much of my time was spent in a baby carrier beside the pasture or barn. I started riding at the age of 3 and never turned back. I spent every spare moment with my horses. Having managed several riding facilities since graduating with my MBA, I have found that my passion is in educating people about horses and horse behavior in order to develope synergistic relationships. Now married to the love of my life and mom to two beautiful, horse crazy little girls, I am also dedicated to teaching children the benefits of riding and encouraging their enthusiasm and love of learning through equine assisted learning.


Toby is a gorgeous 12y.o., 17 hh Hanoverian gelding. He was imported from Canada at 2 as replacement for his new owner's FEI horse. After some basic training, Toby was turned out to pasture when his new owner lost interest in Dressage. There he stayed with his pasture buddy for nearly 10 years. During his pasture time, he was used occasionally as a trail horse, but nothing more was done with him. When his owner's parents (the people financially responsible for Toby) decided that it would be best to sell him, they contacted my friend to see if she knew of anyone who might be interested. Given his temperament and his lack of training, she knew that it would be a hard sell, but she would see what she could do. Soon after, Toby moved into her barn and has been in training ever since to try to make him saleable. Unfortunately, Toby is very nervous and very, very particular about his riders. Few people were able to ride him because Toby simply turns his brain off and melts down when he becomes too stressed. Then, let the spooking begin.

A little history...
Toby had been at the barn almost 6 months when I started helping my friend with her therapeutic riding program. He had stressed himself into losing quite a bit of weight and was not taking to his new environment very well. My friend asked if I would be interested in riding him (not mentioning much, other than he was "a little nervous"). My friend knows that I like spirited horses, especially big red-heads, despite my small (5'3") stature. When I saw him for the first time, I fell in love with his expressive eyes. You could see into his very soul. He has a heart of gold, but fear that goes deep.

Our first 6 months were spent just trying to make it through 30-45 minutes of riding without his brain shutting down. We worked through spooking at shadows, at himself in the mirror, even at sand that would hit the kick boards when he would trot around the arena. Toby even successfully executed 1/2 pirouettes in three strides or less. He even seems to grow about a hand when other horses enter the arena. It has been quite an exciting ride so far...LOL.

We participated in our first schooling show after only 2 months of riding and scored in the mid-50's at Introductory level (a huge fete given we couldn't even walk or trot consistently without spooking when we started). Initially, he had a lovely habit of evading the bit by pinning his chin to his chest.


And now, on with the story...
After 10 months, we are developing a solid rhythm in his walk and trot. He has a beautifully relaxed and swinging free walk that overtracks by over a footprint. He is leg yielding along the rail, turning on the forehand, executing 20-meter circles (instead of amoebae) in all gaits and has limited his spooking to only truly scary things like cats or birds in the arena and those ever dangerous, horse-eating shadows. We are also able to re-engage his brain after spooking and continue our work as if nothing happened. Although, I have been unable to purchase Toby at this point (due to my lack of employment), our relationship continues to grow. He looks forward to me coming to the barn and will turn down grain, hay and treats for one of my neck rubs. All in all, I'd say we're making great progress.

Future posts will include video clips, pictures and some quick notes about our rides. I invite comments, critiques and insights (disclaimer: constructive or positive only. Not nasty or derogatory, please). Barring any major catastrophes, this will be an ongoing diary of our quest in the hopes of achieving our USDF Gold.