Posted, March 15, 2006

Wellington Young Riders’ Clinic 2006

Forums Give Young Riders the Unique Opportunities to Learn from Dressage Stars

Participants of the third annual Wellington Young Rider’s Clinic had the opportunity each day to join in a forum with the clinicians and other top names in the world of Dressage, getting the opportunity to ask questions like “What do you do for fun?”

“I’m living the dream life.” answered Leslie Morse USET member, contender for the World Cup spot, and 2006 FEI Aachen World Equestrian Games. “Everyday is a fun day for me riding my horses and doing what I love.” Leslie did add that when she gets the chance she likes to ski, cook, and read, but admits her life is her horses, and that’s just fine with her.

The other panelists Charlotte Bredahl-Baker, Kathy Connelly, Debbie McDonald, Roberta and George Williams, Steffan Peters, and Lars Peterson added a similar response.

When asked about media coverage, all American panelists agreed the American media is good to them, helping to promote the sport and emphasizing on the positive. “On any given day” revealed Morse, “Any one of us here could win. We all go into the ring devoted to riding the best test we can.”

But when the mike got to Ulla Salzgeber, multiple Gold medallist who best known for her partnership with the Russian gelding Rusty, the young riders learned it is not the same in Europe where being a Gold Medallist can launch an equestrian into the same status one would reserve for movie stars, or famous sports personalities in America.

“I cancelled all my magazines, and do not read them anymore.” confessed Salzgeber, who admits that she has experienced negative and critical press, which she found discouraging and distracting.

And on the subject of long and low, and over bending training methods which have caused much controversy in recent months, all panelists agreed, the stretching is helpful to most horses, but not to an extreme level.

Each of the young riders participating in this event, organized by young rider Mom’s Cetty Weiss, Carol Cohen and Arlene Page , not only had the chance to work with a collection of some of the finest trainers in the world, but through the forums, they got to know better the human side of their heroes, and what life is like for the elite Dressage athlete.

DressageDaily’s Mary Phelps, who has made a career with horses out of the saddle through photography, media and marketing, and also by being an equine insurance agent added at the end of Sunday’s session and important point. “The equestrian industry has grown in leaps and bounds in the past 15 years, and there are opportunities available to you, which did not exist when we were your age.” emphasized Phelps. "Learn the important skills college has to offer you, accounting, business management, marketing and graphic design as well as web development and technology. All of this will help you, whether you decide on a full time career as a rider and trainer, or get a job which will compliment your life with horses and support your horse habit.”

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