Olympic Training Taking Place at Florida Horse Park, cont.

Head Trainer Shares Tips

Capt. Mark Philips is working with the riders on their jumping skills. With a laugh, he said that the best learner is "one who listens…Good training is consistent repetition, but consistent repetition of the good things." When you are riding a horse, the great temptation is to ride with your hands instead of your legs and seat, which is one of the basics Capt. Phillips continually reiterates to the riders. "Better riders overcome that tendency." However, the best competitor is "one who wants to win and is prepared to work hard to win. They are willing to devote and dedicate their life to that training process."

The winter training sessions are ongoing learning experiences that consist of keeping up the muscle memory and correct process, he explained. "These are good riders and nice horses and if their basics are correct, they'll be able to do the job they need to do."

Spectators who watch the training sessions should keep in mind that "the best riders work just as hard, if not harder, than the riders in the lower levels. You may think you are working hard at home and the top riders are finding it easy. The top riders are not finding it easy. They work extremely hard to achieve the level of performance they do," said Capt. Phillips. He added that the April 17-19 training sessions will consist of "getting the horses into the best position we can" for the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, April 27-30.

Capt. Phillips is also the course designer for the Florida Horse Park's first internationally-recognized three-day event. Being held April 20-23 in conjunction with the Festival of the Horse, presented by The Star Banner, many of the short-listed riders are planning on testing some of their "new" skills during this event. Nathalie Pollard is one of those riders.