Amy represented HMSG in the Inter-Schools Dressage Event at King's Equestrian, Bromyard, on 22nd October 2011.   A beautiful, sunny autumn day greeted us all in the morning and thankfully lasted all day until Amy’s performance.   In modern dressage competition, successful training at the various levels is demonstrated through the performance of "tests", a set series of movements ridden within a standard arena.  It requires intense concentration and yet the rider’s instructions appear effortless to the audience.

Riding “Leah”, a 15.2 dark bay mare, Amy won the Class 5 (Novice 20) and then came 2nd in the Class 6 (Novice 24).   Very worthy results and Amy is to be congratulated.

"If the art were not so difficult we would have plenty of good riders and excellently ridden horses, but as it is the art requires, in addition to everything else, character traits that are not combined in everyone:  inexhaustible patience, firm perseverance under stress, courage combined with quiet alertness.  If the seed is present only a true, deep love for the horse can develop these character traits to the height that alone will lead to the goal."

Gustav Steinbrecht, "The Gymnasium of the Horse" 1886

Photographs courtesy of LaudiPhotographic.