Sutherlin, OR—The Dutch Warmblood Studbook of North America (KWPN-NA) reports that the 20th Annual Meeting held in Wellington, FL March 6-8, 2008 is one of the largest ever. The three-day event featured equestrian sports’ luminaries, including John Madden, Geoff Teall and Scott Hassler, who provided practical, interactive demonstrations with top horses and riders. The result: take home information on how breeders can market, care for, train and show their youngsters.
Hassler reviewed the three ways for dressage horses to progress up the horse show levels: the young horse classes, the traditional training, first, second, etc. levels, and the non-showing horse that debuts at the FEI levels. Hassler does not believe that any particular way is the best way, but told breeders to let each horse tell them how to train and show it.
With each of the demonstration riders, Hassler insisted that they get the relaxation of the horse’s topline and the energy moving from the hind legs to the bit before any movements or figures were attempted. “Every ride on a young horses is the chance for a good experience. Show him how to use his body—that will make him an athlete,” he explained.
Throughout the day, Hassler reminded each rider of the virtue of patience and positive rewards. “Teach them to respond to an aid. We have to show him how to become an athlete—show them, not force them, show them.” While dressage is a discipline that seems to demand seriousness and concentration, Hassler encouraged the riders to not get caught up in being perfect. When questioned as to who should ride young horses, Hassler answered that brave and playful riders were best suited to working with youngsters. “You have to ask [the horses] to go forward and be prepared to accept the consequences,” he said.
Throughout the day, Hassler used exercises that asked the horses for forwardness, suppleness and expression. He encouraged riders to balance challenge with less pressure. He explained, “This is a really hard sport on the horses. This sport is so intense. Kids in school need recess. ” He encouraged trainers to let their charges have an opinion and he differentiated having an opinion versus resistance. Hassler told the riders to “coach” their horses through the training session. And for those who question the validity of the young horse classes to produce grand prix stars, Hassler said that his office was doing research on this subject and he believes that horses that are brought through the young horse program are going on to successful FEI-level careers.
After the inspiration from Hassler, the meeting attendees headed over to Tuny Page’s Stillpoint Farm to visit with Grand Prix riders Liz Austin and Karin Reid Offield who showcased their horses, including Lingh and the Idocus’ son Olivier. The event capped off with the awards banquet. Merijane Malouin was the Member of the Year. Siegi Belz-Frye received the Breeder of the Year Award and Idocus was named the Horse of the Year.
About the KWPN-NA
In 1983, the Dutch Warmblood Studbook in North America was established as the North American Department of the Royal Warmblood Studbook of the Netherlands (KWPN) in order topromote breeding and enjoyment of the KWPN horse in North America.
To learn more about KWPN-NA membership, stallions and breeding, visit www.kwpn-na.org.
