Posted: February 23, 2006

Pros Picking Florida Horse Park as Training Ground for Young Horses Page 2 - By Shaneen Kohler

Former national coach of the Canadian Three-Day Event Team, Peter Gray, is spending time at the Florida Horse Park, as well. He feels the cross-country site is great for training young horses, partly because of its size. “There are very few galloping course left. A lot of the modern courses are confined properties that are twisty. They don’t give the positive experience that they could.” He added that the designs of the lower level courses were encouraging and the jumps were inviting. “The young horses I took there had positive experiences.”

One obstacle that he feels was especially beneficial in the young horse training process was the water. “The water had a clear approach; it was not a surprise.” The horses in Novice and Training had either a jump after the water or a jump well before the water. There wasn’t a jump to negotiate right before the water. “I felt that was encouraging,” said Gray.

The footing in the main ring was also on his mind. “It is absolutely spectacular footing.” It is important that young horses feel comfortable when in the ring. “It will change their whole outlook on jumping fences,” said Gray, who competed two horses at Preliminary Level at Ocala Winter II, Copyright and Atticus.