This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
your other stuff?” Davy and I are now fully outfitted and ready to get down to work. I don’t know if J.J. realized what she was in for. Before

she could teach me dressage, she had to explain things like quarterline, centerline, just how big 20 meters (or any meter for that matter) is and by the end of each lesson, where my right and left were! I would pass right by letters where I was to execute certain transitions. I could remember “All King Edward’s Horses Can Make Big Fences” but it wasn’t too helpful—and where did RSVP come from? Poor Davy, I wasted a lot of him going around that ring of alphabet soup! Armed with a great horse,

a fierce determination to get it right and a very patient trainer we started to make some headway. Suddenly, my new seat, leg position and stirrup length didn’t seem so foreign. I managed to subconsciously learn where the letters were in spite of myself. After a steady diet of humble

pie, I abandoned my ego as it was obvious my horse was smarter than me. If Davy didn’t get something right I learned to ask the question, “What am I doing wrong?”—a question riders don’t ask often enough! Through J.J.’s instruction I



their own horses. They school and show them sometimes without the trainer. Rings are not held up due to trainer conflicts elsewhere. You must be a prepared rider in case that happens! Maybe my jumper trainer spoiled me but I started to realize I was probably more of a queen than the other dressage riders were! Dressage does attract a certain personality. You have

to be a little “Type A” to have the desire to tirelessly work on achieving the perfect walk or halt or any movement with the precision and exactness it requires and settle for nothing less. It is not the immediate thrill you get from jumping but the little rewards you get along the way. Finally, my debut show

“I have gone from making fun of

learned crucial fundamental elements of riding. I learned to “listen” to his every movement. Its quality or lack thereof told me if I was doing something wrong. I learned where each of his legs was at every gait. I learned to maximize my aids by timing them exactly. I learned that riders don’t make horses but horses make riders. I learned that problems aren’t fixed by stronger bits, draw reins or harsher spurs. I learned to stay relaxed and calm at all times and never ever lose my temper out of frustration. I learned I am as accountable to my horse as he is to me. I learned my fitness as a rider is as essential as my horse’s. I learned to reward my horse’s every effort. I developed a new respect for dressage riders. At shows I learned dressage riders groom and tack up

dressage to discovering there is not nearly enough of it taught in every riding discipline today.”



meters that is! WT

About Jayne: Jayne and her husband Rich live on their horse farm in Woodbine, Maryland. Watch for Jayne and Davy Crockett back in action after a long winter break!

Warmbloods Today 63

was the PVDA Ride for Life. As I entered the ring I distinctly remember having a big smile on my face and thinking “I can’t believe I am actually trotting down centerline!” For the first time in quite a while I enjoyed being in the ring and it was reflected in my riding. We earned a first, second and third place at Training Level. It could not have been done without my trainer J.J. Tate who has patiently and expertly guided me and Davy every step of the way; plus my husband, Rich, whose support of my riding has always been unconditional; and finally, the one and only Davy Crockett—a most outstanding equine partner! I have gone from making fun

of dressage to discovering there is not nearly enough of it taught in every riding discipline today. Riders should not end up doing dressage like I did but should start out doing dressage! So my journey to centerline has come full circle—20 Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76
Produced with Yudu - www.yudu.com