I have been working with Christie Slayton for several months now taking dressage lessons to improve both my horse’s skill and my skill in this riding discipline. On December 10, 2009, I took a lesson from Christie as my final preparation for attending my first rated dressage show in Orlando on December 12-13. Now first I must tell you that 12 days prior to this lesson and show, I had an accident on my horse that resulted in a fractured rib, a cut in my chin that required 8 stitches, and severe bruising to my right hand and arm (my horse came through no worse for the incident). 

Through the wonders of modern pain killers, I was able to ride through my lesson with minimal groaning. What was significant about this lesson was that both Christie and I knew that I really needed to up my level of suppleness, connection and impulsion to achieve my goal at the rated show, which was to get a championship qualifying score in Training Level Test 4. Christie pushed me pretty hard at this lesson as well as at my schooling lessons at the show itself. 

As most dressage riders are aware, USDF describes a training pyramid that suggests a progressive approach to a horse’s education under saddle. The fundamental purpose of dressage training is to develop, through standardized progressive training methods, a horse's natural athletic ability and willingness to perform, thereby maximizing its potential as a riding horse. At the peak of a dressage horse's gymnastic  development, it can smoothly respond to a skilled rider's minimal aids by performing the requested movement while remaining relaxed and appearing effortless. Alf, having spent the first 9 years of his life being trained as a hunter, has surprisingly taken well to this new discipline.
Both of us have a few bad habits that need to be overcome but you can be sure that Christie is on top of us each time either of us lapses. Christie has been very good for both of us as she understands our background and can appreciate the changes Alf needs to make in his frame and I need to make in my communication through my hands, seat and legs. 

Our lesson on the 10th concentrated on maintaining a rhythm in the circles and keeping the connection on the straight line trot and canter. As we were also preparing to ride Level 1 Test 1, we worked on maintaining impulsion and keeping ALF forward in the sitting trot.

The sitting trot on Alf is a particular challenge because it is not easy to sit at all. And of course Level 1 and above requires the sitting trot. So I am going to have to get Alf balanced up to minimize the “bump” in his trot. Or else I am going to have to invent a spring loaded saddle pad!

As to the result of all our efforts, I did manage to acquire my first championship qualifying score for TL 4. Which means I can breathe a little easier since I am half way to qualifying for this class and I know that we are capable of getting a qualifying score. So I guess now I can claim I ride Dressage for real and it is not just a whim or temporary diversion.

I took Lookie to the DHD sponsored Clinic with Michelle Gerlach. We worked on bending correctly and relaxing. She was spot on with the observation that Lookie was dropping his inside shoulder when bending. We worked on exercises to strengthen Lookie’s shoulders and to get him better equipped for moving up the levels. The only complaint that I have with the clinic was that I didn’t feel that she pushed Lookie or I very hard. I would have liked to see a little more of a push to try different things and challenge the horse and rider combination more. I would take a clinic with her again.

Thank you Dancing Horse Dressage and Britta Johnston for the fantastic clinic. It was a fun experience to work with an upper level rider. Britta helped me to improve my weak skills, such as gripping the reins and keeping my hands steady. She gave me tips on how to work on my weak points and to keep my strong points strong. Overall, Britta encouraged me to work and improve on riding. - Deanna Metzger

Thank you Dancing Horse Dressage for offering such a great opportunity for participating in the Britta Johnston Clinic. It is not often that I get a lesson with someone of that caliber. I received a lot of insight as to behavior and training of Espresso and how to further deal with his “snarkiness” left over from his stallion days. The weather was also a bit windy so of course that added to the excitement of the day. Espresso’s barn mates were out yonder and her was not thrilled with having to actually “work”. We also learned something new – leg yielding in the trot. Although this was not intentional (Espresso has not done this before) we gave it a whirl and I was not going to tell Britta that he had not done it before! So this day Espresso learned something new very quickly. We only cantered a bit as the footing became too deep but more was learned from the walk and the trot work at this stage. I look forward to future clinics and events! – Sue Metzger