USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals 13 & Under riding his own Connemara-cross Kynynmont Shenanigans. Alexander’s goal is to be included in the Region 2 Junior Division level at NAJYRC this year with his own horse Uno, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood (Freestyle x Burggraf). “This week has been absolutely mind blowing,” says
Alexander. “Uno and I learned the beginnings of piaffe and passage while working with Robert Dover during our training sessions and I learned to push for greater movements. With Laura Graves, I learned how to better focus Uno’s energy and to use it to improve our work.” He adds, “It’s been amazing to experience all the different lessons and lectures. A lot of it builds on what [coach] Patti [Becker] has been teaching me, and it’s great.” On his Connemara/Selle Français pony, Alexander started
training with her in 2012. “When I first started with Patti, I had a bad habit of using my hands too much. She’s really taught me to use my core more and how to sit, and how to use all those muscles so that my hands can stay more still.” After Alexander trained the pony to Third Level, the young
rider and horse were awarded the U.S. Dressage Federation (USDF) Bronze Medal. Then Alexander’s family acquired Uno and, at one point, he was showing both the pony and Uno at Third before skyrocketing up the levels with Uno. “I was work- ing for about six to eight months with both horses. They each helped me progress as a rider to find my seat, the aids and discover the half-halts, along with the many other aspects of riding well.” “I spent a lot of time teaching Alexander the basics, how
to put the horse together and keep it on his aids. From there it has just gone on. He’s super driven. Teaching him the movements isn’t a problem. He’s very smart and learns really quickly,” Patti remarks.
Molly Paris Molly, 19, hails from North Carolina and has been coached by Jennifer Baumert for the last seven years. Molly competed in the NAJYRC in 2014 and 2015. This is her third winter season in Florida and while there she will be working at Havensafe Farm. In North Carolina, Jennifer coaches every day where Molly stables. Just last month, Molly acquired Countess (by Don), a
13-year-old Danish Warmblood already trained to Grand Prix. The pair is preparing for the Under 25 Grand Prix series. “I’m still trying to figure things out with Countess. She seems to know everything and is teaching me. She’s incredible,” Molly says. “Since she’s so new for me, George [Williams] and Stef- fen [Peters] helped me to realize that I could ask a lot more from her. At first, though, it felt a little like maybe I was push- ing her boundaries because she’s actually far ahead in her training compared to what I’ve been used to.” She likened the clinic’s week-long series of exercises and
educational opportunities to the training Jennifer has been providing to her. “What I love about Jen is when I go to clin- ics similar to this one and ride with top professionals like
18 March/April 2016
Steffen Peters coaches Molly and her Danish Warmblood mare Countess.
George and Steffen, I’m reminded of things she’s already told me.” Molly says that when she described to Jennifer some of the exercises covered at the clinic each day, Jennifer would confirm, “That’s right in line with what we’ve been working on.”
This is Molly’s second year attending the Robert Dover Horsemastership Week. “You get to know the other partici- pants and watch them come up the levels, to see them devel- oping with their horses. It’s not just about you; you really get to learn about everyone else and what they’re working on. That’s one of my favorite things here,” she adds.
Outside the Arena When not in the saddle, the participants attended plenty of lectures conducted by Dr. Rick Mitchell (U.S. team veterinar- ian), Jane Savoie (international rider and author), Janet Foy (FEI 4* and USEF “S” judge), Laura King (sports psychologist and performance coach), Charlie Tota (owner of The Dressage Connection and master saddle fitter), Endel Ots (who repre- sented the U.S. at the Young Horse Finals in Aachen in 2015) and Kim Herslow (who represented the U.S. at the Pan Am Games in 2015). “The lectures were great,” Molly says. “From a horse care and inspiration point of view, it was a really good opportunity for us.” Every day, the participants had to perform their own barn
chores. They also had a 7:00 am physical workout each day with a certified fitness trainer to help them learn about their core strength, how to build their core power and how their bodies would benefit their riding. “The morning workouts were doable,” Molly remembers with a chuckle. “I think we’re all a little bit sore, but it was really good for us.” Whether a rider, trainer, coach or auditor, everyone who
attended the Robert Dover HorseMastership Week clinic agreed it was a very special week. Special thanks from the participants go to Lendon Gray, Dressage4Kids, Robert Dover and Annie Cizadlo for organizing this spectacular educational event.
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