A group of dedicated young riders gathered at Bong Bong Race Course, the home to the Bowral Dressage Club on Saturday, December 3 to attend a training day and protocol day.
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Grand Prix dressage coaches Michelle Baker, Dave & Robbie McKinnon along with, Mark Dowling of Centennial Winery, a qualified dressage judge and adult rider/penciler Cassie de Reu, judged the young riders protocol test, all of which came together to help the ambitious team.
The training & protocol days allowed young riders to connect and work one-on-one with some of the most successful Dressage riders in Australia.
Riders said it was a fun, as well as an informative and educational day.
The calm, non-competitive day allowed a change of environment from regular lessons.
The day consisted of a lesson with either Robbie, David or Michele followed by a dressage test of the rider’s own choosing, judged by Mark.
The riders were able to work on their flaws in the lesson, then put what they had learnt to practice in their dressage test.
The riders were then coached through their test and received feedback on how to improve their individual dressage scores.
Over lunch the young riders were lucky enough to be in the presence of Australian Olympic Equestrian star, Sue Hearn.
Sue’s presentation to the young rider team included a slide show presentation, while she spoke about her breath-taking adventure to the Rio Olympics with her horse Lloyd (Remmington) where they finished 54th in the individual and 9th in the team competition.
The Highlander competed with the Australian dressage team at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro.
Hearn was first reserve and was added to the team two weeks before the Rio Opening Ceremony.
She was also the reserve rider for the dressage team for the Sydney 2000 Olympics but did not get the chance to compete.
Hearn made her Olympic debut in Rio aged 60, the oldest member on debut of the 2016 team.
The team finished the Olympics in eighth position.
Sue inspired the young riders to perform at their best ability, and that their goals could be achieved. The meeting with Sue also proved to the young riders that their dreams could become a reality. Bowral Dressage Young Riders Club would like to extend a warm invitation to any young riders to join us by becoming members of the Bowral Dressage Club and joining in the young rider fun. For more information about the Bowral Dressage Young Riders Club, visit http://www.bowraldressage.com.au/.
-Katie Beresford
