LEINSTER Dressage held the first ‘Go and Try Dressage Day’ at Emerald Equestrian Centre last Sunday where youngsters from all equestrian disciplines enjoyed a fun and fruitful expert introduction to dressage.
A dozen children were offered a lesson from ‘Girls in Green’ Olympic team member Heike Holstein, after which they rode a test for judge Michael Moore, who also passed on some tips for success.
Holstein said: “They are the future of our sport, and I think it’s a great age to begin. It’s a lot of fun teaching them, and their different personalities and ponies.
“I think all the kids enjoyed it, and saw that dressage can be fun for everyone. They had a lot of advice from me and Michael, and they were all open to learning something new.”
Expert tutition: Annabelle Dunne listens to dressage expert Heike Holstein at the Leinster Region 'Go and Try Dressage Day'
The children came from pony club, eventing, show jumping and hunting backgrounds. The only qualifying criteria was that they were not already members of Dressage Ireland.
Heike, who evented and jumped as a teenager, as well as trying vaulting, added: “We saw several kids from jumping backgrounds, and I was telling them that dressage is really important to help you ride a course correctly, as jumping is basically dressage with obstacles.”
Former Irish pony team member Linnea Larkin then chatted to the children about her experience at the European Championships, and what it takes to get to the top in the growing sport.
Annabelle Dunne (11) said of the day: “I got some good tips, my pony Storm was better from my leg, I have loads of homework to do and it was really fun.”
Pippa Dunne receives top tips from Heike Holstein at the Leinster Dressage 'Go and Try Dressage Day' at Emerald Equestrian
Demystifying dressage
A further Leinster Dressage training day for children will be held this Sunday, November 29th in Thornton Park Equestrian Centre, Kilsallaghan, Swords, with Olympic team member Kate Dwyer giving the lessons.
Dressage Ireland chairperson Marguerite McSweeney said the initiative was sponsored by Horse Sport Ireland, which provided a generous package of €8,000 for each Dressage Ireland region to run a ‘Go and Try Dressage’ Day.
She noted that the success of the Dressage Ireland pony riders at the recent Pony Europeans in Hungary, and awareness of the senior dressage team which has qualified for the Olympics, had caused interest in dressage among junior riders to soar.
“This is the perfect way to allow junior riders to experience and demystify dressage under the guidance of HSI , international or Team Green coaches. Covid guidelines will be adhered to and implemented throughout the day,” she said.
“Regional committee members will be on hand throughout the day to give children an insight into dressage, the membership packages, training and competition structures. Children who have already followed a youth pathway from Trailblazer to international level will also be available at each venue to give their story of how they progressed from their early days in Dressage to competing for Ireland.”
As more regional dates and details become available, the links will be posted on the Dressage Ireland website and regional Facebook pages so booking can be made directly with the regions.