BD Convention supported by The National Saddle Centre

last updated on December 01, 2011 13:46

Dressage fans were offered an insight into the Dutch system of training, as current world team gold medallist Imke Schellekens -Bartels and her family took to the stage to host the 2011 British Dressage convention supported by The
National Saddle Centre, Hartpury College 26-27 November.

Demonstration rider, 18 year old Samantha Thurman-Baker was praised by the audience for her attention to detail and quiet riding style. With her own ten year old grand prix gelding Spring Pascal, the youngster, who is usually trained by Carl Hester and her mother Dianne, worked with the Bartels on calming techniques. “He’s a very hot horse,” Sam explained. “It was an amazing opportunity (to train with the Bartels), as we need as many options as we can to calm him down. It was just what both he and I needed. The similarities to our usual training were that we focused on getting him down and through; before he’s down in the neck and listening we can’t move on. The main difference for us was the focus on his straightness through the body; the straightening work definitely made him concentrate more.”

                                                                                                      all round!

 

As Saturdays lesson started it seemed this was going to be a big challenge. Pascal looked amazing showing his best passage, piaffe and extended trot but never quite achieving the required ‘baby’ trot. 

Sunday’s lesson was a definite improvement where he progressed to a little canter and flying changes. The audience were encouraged to applaud and as he relaxed they stopped, which seemed to help. It was great experience for him and hopefully he will have learnt a lot from the weekend.

This score was enough to achieve the target set by the team selectors of 69% to qualify them to be invited to ride at international events.

Well done Joanna!