Judge Your Ride Clinic rates a 10
By Jayne MacAulay
In early May 2012, Toronto Cadora’s Judge Your Ride clinic offered riders a chance to practise riding a test in front of a judge without the stress of actually being at a show. After all, the club’s founder, Christilot Boylen, insists “perfect practice makes perfect.” (Pine Ridge Farms, of course, made a perfect venue – we’re grateful to owners Gary and Jeannie Vander Ploeg and to John G and Marnie for their support.) Participants rode a test and then with Schoenhardt’s aid, worked on smoothing out the rough edges.
Riders and auditors alike picked up useful tips and enjoyed the friendly but fair approach of coach and “r” (recorded) judge, Rebecca Schoenhardt, a former Ontario team Young Rider who also made the Canadian Dressage Team listing three times. As well as coaching, Schoenhardt holds a degree in human kinesiology and is currently studying for an MBA at the Schulich School of Business. In February, she was appointed to the Dressage Canada board.
The loss of three “entries” due to an injury or a family emergency was disappointing for the organizing committee but made for a less hurried day and lots of opportunity for Schoenhardt to answer questions from spectators. Clinic combos included Chester (1st Level), ridden by Emily Banks-Ng; Illiado (2nd Level) and Samaia Goodman; Rocket Girl –aka Geeske – (Training) ridden by Catherine Gartner-Hillock; White Socks (4th Level) and Bille von Roeder; Orka (3rd Level) and Tamara Williamson; and Brinley (PSG) ridden by Sue Pallotta.
Illiado, a six-year-old PRE gelding owned by David and Ulla Sonshine has progressed nicely in Level 2. Schoenhardt remarked on the harmony between the horse and his rider, Samaia Goodman of New Zealand. She had Samaia practise doing shoulder-in to renvers movements, moving the horse from three- to four tracks without creating too great an angle. “Travers and renvers are the same movement, just on opposite walls,” Schoenhardt pointed out. This manoeuvre seemed to benefit almost all of the horses in the clinic.
For walk half-pirouettes and turn on haunches, she advised the rider to walk almost to the fence before turning, which helps the horse on the turn and is within the area required by the test.
At the end of Samaia’s second and final test ride, Schoenhardt noted that second level can be an awkward age where horses perform well and at other times, they don’t. Illiado, however, seemed to be on his game for this performance, boding well for the upcoming season of showing.
Geeske (Rocket Girl) at first showed her lack of experience. The lovely 10-year-old Friesian mare could achieve 7s and 8s, Schoenhardt said, but needs organizing. Lines were often wiggly and circles too large as the mare was falling through the outside rein. “At training level, I’ve seen far more challenging rides,” she said. Lines and the frame were better in the second ride and the trot more forward. “Err on the side of too little contact,” she advised the rider.
A spectator commented that braiding would show off Geeske’s lovely neck. The clinician suggested Gartner-Hillock use a hairnet as well as a bun-catcher for herself, to keep her wisps of hair in place. A controlled, tidy picture of horse and rider makes a good first impression on judges.
Riders need to be calm before the show, she told Gartner-Hillock and spectators. Breathe and relax for 10 minutes; think of the test in slow motion. You need to accurate during the test. If you allow the horse to rush, it will end up on the forehand.
Fear of the announcer’s table at the corner of the ring proved to slow White Socks somewhat the first few times the 15-year-old Hanoverian mare had to pass it. “Cut off the corner a bit to get through the test and avoid shying,” Schoenhardt told rider Bille von Roeder. Adjust and choose a better place [within the allowed area] to do the pirouette for 4th level. The judge will realize you know what you’re doing. Don’t make it too small if that’s a problem. Small size is only part of the mark, she noted. Preparing for the pirouette is part of it, too. The mare has an uphill trot and the frame and positioning were good. She lost the shoulder during the half-pass left and became tight in the back after the scary corner and didn’t accept the aid for cater at C. Since preparing for a pirouette helps that, Schoenhardt worked with the rider on the problem.
Orca, a 12-year-old pinto gelding, has been working with rider Tamara Williamson to conquer third level. He has good rhythm and a worker’s attitude, evident during the first test ride. The extended trot can be a challenge at third level, said Schoenhardt. It’s one of the details to work on to add marks. Let the outside of the stirrup iron touch the line of the 10-metre circle in the test so that the circle doesn’t become 11 metres, she told Williamson. The half-pass needs more energy; the walk is clear but half pirouette could be better. Again, she advised walking almost to the fence before beginning the movement. “Stay collected to the bitter end of the walk pirouette turn,” Schoenhardt advised. “Like you’re saying to the judge, ‘I’ve started and now I’ve finished.’”
Orca moved a step after halting at X. Establish the halt by letting him be a little less round going into the halt, Schoenhardt said. In the extended walk, allow a longer frame but not loopy reins. She also advised Williamson that before the extended canter, it helps to set it up by taking one step of shoulder-in before asking for the extended canter.
Sue Pallotta, rider/owner of Brinley, a 10-year-old Canadian Sport Horse mare about to move into Prix Saint Georges, felt the clinic helped her in that goal. “Rebecca was so nice, but also very accurate at scoring my rides (she was tough but in a good way). I wanted a true picture of where I stood for the level I rode and that is exactly what
I got, so now I know what I need to improve on to achieve higher marks.”
Chester, the 23-year-old cob, ridden at 1st Level by Emily Banks-Ng was the first entry (and missed by this writer). Emily, however, had a good ride and a lucky day, winning two of the door prizes offered at the clinic: Senso Insulation T-shirt (a TC Silver Sponsor) and a DVD – Complete the Connection Workshop – donated by Hilary Balmer.
Other prize winners: Toronto CADORA seat cushion – won by Tina Irwin; Schleese saddle fitting $100.00 gift certificate (a TC Gold Sponsor) – won by Samaia Goodman; Omega Alpha ball cap & CHILL – won by Ophelia MacDonald; Equine Thermal Imaging $100 gift certificate towards a farm call to image horse & saddle, courtesy of Barbara Fogler – won by Jaimey Irwin; Bakers Saddle & Harness $25.00 gift certificate – won by Hilary Balmer.
Toronto Cadora gratefully acknowledges the support of our sponsors for this clinic. Gold sponsor: Schleese Saddlery Service; Silver sponsor: Senso Insulation Ltd. Door prize sponsors: Bakers’s Saddle & Harness; Barnmice.com; Canadian Horse Journal; Omega Alpha Equine; Hilary Balmer.