FEBRUARY 2006 • VOLUME 6 • HORSES For LIFE™ Magazine

EAST MEETS WEST – A GROUNDBREAKING CLINIC TEACHES DRESSAGE ACROSS DISCIPLINES

In the multifaceted world of equestrian endeavors, from racing to driving, from English to Western, at first glance one may at times be hard put to find commonalities between disciplines – other than it involving a horse, of course. However, two disciplines from the so-called English and Western worlds, respectively, lend themselves easily to comparisons and are widely regarded as cousin events – dressage and reining.  Both require of the horse supreme gymnastic ability and athleticism, coupled with grace and agility, not to mention absolute control, finesse and precision on the part of the rider.

t least, 14-time World Champion Reining trainer Craig Johnson and I, Susannah Cord, of an infinitely more humble resume but a dressage trainer nonetheless, thought so.

I was raised in Denmark on the classical principles of dressage as a foundation for anything I’d ever want to do on a horse, always mindful of the importance of an independent seat and the positive effects of a solid basic foundation. Again and again I was reminded by my instructors of the importance of a gymnastically fit horse. Little did I or my instructors know that I’d be applying them to western riding one day. But they were right - dressage has been an excellent foundation for me to spring from. And when Craig (Johnson) and I discuss training, we find we want the same foundation on our horses, we look for the same building blocks. Then we may put it to work in different applications, but basic dressage is basic reining. Basic english, basic western…basic horsemanship.

In an effort to bring awareness to the common ground between these disciplines, as well as highlight the universal usefulness of the principles of dressage, we combined reining and dressage in one clinic, under one roof – and under the tutelage of a one of a kind master of the equestrian arts, Walter Zettl. Okay, so I also just really wanted to ride with Herr Zettl again….

Thus, I discovered that Herr Zettl enjoyed teaching western riders and gave the experience of ‘crossing over’ and value thereof as much significance as I do, if not more. A few weeks later, while mixing feed and ruminating about how to pick Herr Zettl's brain some more, the idea was born to create a clinic around this interest.

The first ever ‘East meets West’ Clinic aka ‘Dressage and Reining w/ Dressage Clinic took place in September 2005 at the magnificent Stargate Sporthorses in Bartonville , Texas . Keeping in mind a comment made by Hr. Zettl, that too few professionals take the time to ride in clinics themselves, we chose to invite professionals only to ride in the clinic, while open to any and all auditors, who were encouraged to attend all lessons. Four dressage riders and four reiner riders participated, riding in individual lessons. Other than Craig and myself, local dressage trainers Audrey Zequeira and Mary Claeys, reiner trainers Brent Loseke and Clint Haverty started off the list when a phonecall from Pat and Linda Parelli respectfully requesting an opportunity to ride with Hr. Zettl completed the list and brought a whole new aspect to the clinic. Not to mention sparking heated and often rather deploringly erroneous and vicious debates on several internet forums….

The clinic kicked off on a Friday evening with a lecture by Herr Zettl, due to limited space only attended by riders and sponsors of the clinic. Needless to say, I was on pins and needles, wondering how this novel situation with its unusual mix of participants would unfold. I watched and held my breath as Herr Zettl talked about the origins of dressage, going on to the reasons for dressage, how to and what for, all underlined by photos and diagrams. What I saw, as I observed the cowboy hats in particular, was the initial reserve and uncertainty melt into nods and mumbles of agreement and understanding, as well as raised eyebrows as new understanding dawned and heretofore not thought of applications and techniques met with approval. By the end of the lecture, Herr Zettl had not only broken the ice with his humour and charm, but won the respect of and breathed enthusiasm into the previously wavering students-to-be. One of my volunteers later told me she overheard Clint Haverty, who had perhaps had the most doubt regarding attending this clinic mumble, “This guy really knows what he’s talking about…”. The next day his wife Liz smiled as she relayed his building excitement at the prospect of riding with Hr. Zettl the next day.

The next day arose and if I was on pins and needles the evening before, I was seared through by them that morning. I was the first ride, and though I felt confident our volunteers were well in charge of auditor registration and the clinic schedule, it was difficult to focus on the ride ahead. I kept asking myself “Whose great idea was this anyway?” The first time ever I put on a clinic and this is what I do? Every second another challenge not foreseen arose.

But excitement at the learning opportunities that lay ahead about eclipsed all else. Nonetheless, as I rode in on my, shall we say…enthusiastic? Thoroughbred gelding, Major Tom, all I could think about was whether the clinic was unfolding as planned and hoped for – letting go of the reins of the clinic and picking up the reins of my horse seemed impossible. It was later remarked that I looked nervous about my ride – my ride? Not at all, but I was in a panic about the clinic! But soon enough with Hr. Zettl's voice in my ear I settled down to the business of riding and my horse with me. We finished in relatively short time, satisfied with having soothed and suppled, calmed and softened and centered both my horse and myself. With 20 minutes to go, Hr. Zettl could so easily have asked us to go on, and try to perform more impressive feats other than quietly circling and transitioning till we came through, but once again we were reminded that it’s about the journey not the goal – we had achieved what was feasible that day. We had gained a center and a focus, and it was time well spent. Next please…

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