Dressage4Kids Winter Intensive Training Program Advances Young, Up-And-Coming Dressage Riders
By Emma Miller
For many equestrians around the world, training in Wellington is a far-off dream. But for 14 youth riders, their dream was granted after being selected to participate in Dressage4Kids’ Winter Intensive Training Program.
Running from January through March, the program provides opportunities for young riders to participate in consistent and extensive training not only in riding, but in all areas of horse care, training and competition. Each day has a full schedule of learning, which includes fitness, dressage theory, horsemanship tests, riding lessons, field trips and lectures on many pertinent subjects.
Designed by two-time Olympian and United States Dressage Federation Hall of Fame inductee Lendon Gray, the Winter Intensive Training Program is designed for young dressage riders aiming to enhance their education and riding skills in a structured setting. The program started in 2012 and gives its students first-hand experience and exposure to the rich equestrian culture of Wellington. Since the Adequan Global Dressage Festival is nearby, participants have the option to compete in weekly shows if they wish.
“I wanted to create a program where the riders are getting as full an education as they can,” Gray said. “Fitness is part of it, and they get a lecture or a field trip every day. If you’re a working student, you may get to ride more, but are you getting the fitness and all of the other knowledge about the equestrian industry?”
Ranging from ages 11 to 19, the 14 youth riders who were accepted into the program either bring their horse to Wellington’s Hampton Green Farm or they can acquire a mount to lease for the season.
The participants adhere to an intense daily schedule that includes barn chores and caring for their horses, as well as the facility, before they begin their exercise program and lessons with Gray, Liz Caron, Stephanie Beamer and Anna Buffini. After the morning session, the riders attend educational lectures such as sports psychology, saddle fitting, how to acquire sponsorships and media training, in addition to balancing their own academic work.
“I try to expose them to as much in the horse world as possible,” Gray explained. “That’s what makes Wellington so special. I want to make it possible for as many kids [as are able] to participate. Very few of the kids are financially able to do whatever they want, so they fundraise to be able to participate. None of it would be possible without the support of Kim Van Kampen — it would just be way out of their price range. With her generosity, we are able to keep our expenses down.”
Leah Tenny of Maine explained what she sees as the most valuable aspects of the program. “The opportunities and the people we are being exposed to are really amazing,” she said. “Being immersed in these surroundings is really helpful for developing our riding.”
She also praised the physical-fitness component of the program’s daily routine. “One of my favorite parts has been the fitness,” she said. “We’re all getting really strong!”
Many of the students balance their academic work with their busy days of dressage education. Tessa Holloran, 12, from Massachusetts, participates in remote schooling while in Wellington — completing learning packets from her teachers while schooling First Level with a 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare.
“I love that you’re allowed to make choices about training and showing, and who you can ride with,” Holloran said. “All of the lectures are different and very helpful. We had an opportunity to go to the FEI-Level Trainers Conference, which we learned a lot from.”
Kendall Cox from St. Louis explained the value of the experience they are gaining in Wellington. “I love the Winter Intensive Training Program,” she said. “Riding one-on-one every day — you can have private, semi-private or group lessons, and we have four trainers. We get lessons every day from top people.”
Cox is leasing a horse while participating in the program, schooling at the Prix St. Georges level with hopes of competing in the FEI Young Rider division later in the season. Following the program, she aims to secure a working student position in the Wellington area before attending the University of Findlay in Ohio in the fall, where she plans to double-major in psychology and equine studies.
Throughout the duration of the program, the students have been welcomed into top-notch facilities to observe world-class training from Grand Prix trainers, including Catherine Haddad Staller, Alison Brock, David Marcus and Nicholas Fyffe.
In January, Marcus Fyffe Dressage hosted the young riders for a tour of the facility and an interactive clinic where they were able to ask questions as Marcus rode a developing young horse and Fyffe taught a lesson.
“This program did not exist when I was a child, and it’s something I would have killed to have been a part of,” Fyffe said. “I love to support the program because we will see in the future that these kids coming through the program are turning into talented and successful riders. It’s developing the sport at the baseline in this country.”
For more information about the Dressage 4Kids Winter Intensive Training Program, visit www.dressage4kids.org. Training Program.
