A masterclass.

A couple of weeks ago I found myself with one incredible opportunity: The chance to watch Charlotte Dujardin teach a masterclass at the Kentucky Horse Park.

#nerdalert

I had been in need of some serious cheering-up, and when Kelly of Team Engaged offered me the chance to audit in exchange for standing in as a local reporter for Dressage Today, um of COURSE I said yes!

If you want to read the article I wrote - click here. It's a more "professional" roundup of my experience. But, I know that my blog readers much prefer more of the bullet point approach, and the "real story" so to speak. So here goes.

Want to know the secret to Charlotte's success?

It was clear to me almost immediately.

DISCIPLINE.

Americans are sloppy. We are sloppy, we are undisciplined, we are apathetic. Out of shape. We try to take short cuts.

Total, utter SLOP. Literally and figuratively.

Charlotte - and those at her level - are just plain and simple BETTER. More disciplined, perfectionists. Totally focused.

That's it. That's the secret to getting to the Olympics people. Well, that and a good horse and a lot of luck and money ... but mostly, discipline.

I like to think I have discipline and dedication. I don't. I let things slide constantly. I accept "good enough" more than I should. The riders in the masterclass were all great riders on lovely horses, but they all had much of the same little issues - especially transitions. It starts to carry through to everything.

I miss summer.

----

After I got home, I immediately quit riding with a whip. Charlotte does not ride with one unless she is going to work on some piaffe work. It makes you use your legs more appropriately, and the whip does not become a crutch.

---

I have a renewed sense of motivation for 2018. Charlotte was inspiring, blunt, cheeky and gave each horse a pat and a "good boy." She is a true horse lover - clearly enjoying horses for who they are, and not a means to an end. I would see her again in a heartbeat.

Improvement from the first picture! My core got stronger, I lifted my hands, and Hampton
had developed better self carriage. 

---

I may never see the inside of an International arena (although I do have a goal to ride in a CDI rated show one day ....) but I CAN make myself and my horse better.

And that is what I consider success.

-----

Other notes I took: 

● If you make a mistake, keep going.

● Every transition should be a good one.

● Eat, sleep and dream about doing good transitions

● Short reins, hands forward

● Transitions are the foundation.

● It’s about discipline.

● Add power, not speed

● Try not to overprepare for the flying changes

● Think shoulder-fore when you turn down centerline

● Don’t just work on what’s easy

● Dressage is about repetition

● Understand what your horse is capable of doing

● The horse’s head must be in front of the chest for straightness

● Choose a couple of things to work on each day. Do not drill and exhaust the horse.