California Dressage Letters February 2022

February 2022 ~ Dressage Letters ~ Page 2 By Nan Meek More than 200 auditors gathered on Saturday, January 22, for California Dressage Society Presents – A Masterclass in Suppleness, with presenters Amelia Newcomb and Erika Jansson at the beautiful Starr Vaughn Equestrian in Elk Grove. Amelia began the day with “Suppleness 101” and the philosophy that suppleness is a game changer. In a short introduction, she explained that suppleness is defined by the FEI as the ability to adjust the horse’s carriage longitudinally and the horse’s position laterally. Her handout clearly showed where the horse bends and the anatomy of bending both laterally and longitudinally. Suppleness is both physical and mental for horses and riders alike, Amelia told the rapt audience. It can even fix fear. In an illuminating description of how fear is the enemy of suppleness, she gave examples of how suppleness fixes fear: For the horse, solutions to fix fear include bending, shoulder-in and leg- yielding, positioning the horse’s head down, and getting the horse on the aids. For the rider, fear solutions include breathing, lowering the hands for a lower center of gravity, visualization, and consistency. “Suppleness is more than being bendy,” one auditor was overheard to remark to her neighbor, as Amelia paused before beginning to work with the demonstration riders and their horses. In-hand, then Training Level up through Grand Prix, she showed how suppling exercises at every level improved gaits, self-carriage, and joy in movement. Going above and beyond, the demo riders showed not only how to ride the suppling exercises properly, but were also willing to demonstrate how NOT to ride them. Difficult as it was, they also demonstrated how a rider’s bad position can literally prevent the horse from doing what the rider mistakenly thinks they are asking of the horse. Laughs and applause greeted these attempts at bad riding from some of the best riders in CDS. Moving up to the trot, the value of cavaletti work became even more apparent. In addition to the straight line of cavaletti, Erika asked riders to ride a bending line in each direction. That appeared to be a bit more difficult but still very achievable for all the horses, which ranged from large ponies to a very tall horse. Jennette Scanlon, who demonstrated Third Level exercises on her own and the Scanlon/Brommann family’s Zoltaire and rode Julie Smith’s D’Julio in the cavaletti demonstration, remarked, “It was exciting to see so many people come together to share their enthusiasm to learn more about dressage and the value of a supple horse. The atmosphere was positive, and everyone laughed, asked questions and appreciated the horses demonstrating the exercises.” Ari Lopez, who rode Lynn Radkowski’s Ravenna N in the Prix St. Georges demo, described Amelia Newcomb as “a gifted instructor who worked clearly and concisely with the riders and horses at each level. The leg yield-to-medium-trot exercise, and playing with canter transitions within the gait, really helped Ravenna. I also have new exercises from watching the other demo rides that I am excited to take home and use with my other horses!” Ana Gilmour rode two horses, her own Bravissimo at Training Level and Nicole Wertz’s Ellexuus Knight “Ellie” at Grand Prix. “I have followed Amelia’s exceptional teaching videos online for years, so I was thrilled to find out she was presenting. Knowing how well Amelia communicates information, I encouraged all of my students to attend, which they did. I am continuing to hear a big amount of excitement and positive feedback throughout the dressage community for what a wonderful weekend of learning it was.” Thanks go to all the demo riders, who also included Craig Stanley, Sandy Savage, Ellie Kennedy, Cathy Divodi, Jessica McKendree, and Faith Dalessandro; to the CDS Board – Joan Williams, Patricia Hart, Melissa Creswick, Karen Nocket, Sara Mosqueda, Lynda Palmer, Maya Dalla Valle, Michele Vaughn, Ruth Shirkey, Nancy Szakacs, Jaclyn Pepper, CDS Central Office stars Paula Langan and Kathie Powers; “our” USDF representatives, Region 7 Director Carol Tice and Vice President Kevin Reinig; the sponsors GGT Footing and Trafalgar Square Books; the fabulous vendors; and all the wonderful volunteers who make events like these possible. California Dressage Society Presents – A Masterclass in Suppleness After the lunch break, Erika Jansson demonstrated the extraordinary effect of cavaletti training. She explained that cavaletti work “lubes the joints” and helps improve straightness and tempo, as well as the rider’s body position. She also explained that she sets the trot poles four feet apart and the canter poles nine feet apart. Four demo horses and their riders, one of whom had never ridden with Erika before, began at the walk over poles on the ground set in a straight line. Erika gradually added more poles, and one-by-one raised the poles onto small blocks, so that horses were naturally encouraged to lift their backs and step further under themselves. Full coverage in March Dressage Letters ARI LOPEZ / RAVENNA PRIX ST GEORGE CATHY DIVODI CRAVEA / UNA MORENA WITH ERIKA JANSSON PHOTOS BY TAMARA WITH THE CAMERA