My friends that stable my horses for me and I all do the dressage and
some jumping lessons with a trainer when we can, more so in winter months.
It has had unbelievable benefit for us and the horses performance. They
learn to bend and use the "engine" more efficiently etc. I of coarse learned
more how to be a centered rider.
I started doing this 2 years ago when I realized I was somewhat of a
crooked rider and after many years of 50 milers and LD's my
horses were becoming 1 sided in there muscle development ( I assume due to
my equitation or lack of). This was picked up by the trainer in our
very first lesson without any suggestion or hints about my riding by
myself. I was impressed as I knew I had a problem but not why or how
to correct.
Our Trainer, like yours, also giggles at how open minded we Endurance
types are and loves our eagerness to learn.
We try to take an equitation lesson with one of another of our
endurance horses once a week schedule permitting and have for many
years.
Our horses (and us) are usually trained by high level dressage
instructors who have the patience and sense of humor to work with endurance
horses and riders. Our horse, Jayel Super, after bucking me off twice
in the first couple of weeks we started him under saddle, was sent to Gail
Carmona's for training. Gail, I believe, was the first person in the
U.S. to ride an Arab to Grand Prix level and is a Grand Prix level
judge. I fondly remember the look the night we first went to
Gail's with our furry unclipped endurance horses at a barn full of elegant
dressage and other show horses. Our horses had their layers of winter
dirt (two were greys of course). But Gail did not mind. And
without Gail's training Jayel Super may not have been rideable, much less had
the successful career he has had.
We are now learing the techniques of
Jean Claude Racinet on the French school of lightness, which I believe is
well suited for Arabs.
Most of the top riders I know take lessons or go
to clinics to improve their riding.
If my memory is correct Becky Hart
had significant back problems after winning her first world championship and
was told to stop riding. Instead she took centered riding lessons and won two
more world championships. (mb - please correct if my memory is
wrong).
