Training the next generation

At the end of Friday’s dressage session, spectators were treated to a brilliantly informative demonstration by coach and five-star rider Kylie Roddy FBHS, who offered an insight into some of the techniques she uses to help set up these combinations for a future on the biggest stage.

Kylie introduced the riders, Amelia Walker and Holly Needham, who rode eight-year-olds, and Sam Gillespie and Amelia Winter, who brought six-year-olds.

“My aim today is to give these horses a lovely time and to educate them about what is going to be expected of them in the future,” explained Kylie. “It’s a great opportunity for them to jump in the main arena because one day they will be in here jumping for real.”

First, Kylie emphasised the importance of a relaxed warm-up.

“When you’re working your horse in, relaxation has to be at the forefront of your mind,” she told the audience. “Achieving relaxation is the most important tool we can give any rider because the horse’s brain is the way into his body and if he is settled in his mind, he will give you more access to his body.”

The session included exercises for six- and eight-year-old horses, focusing on rhythm, balance and line.

Kylie explained the building blocks to creating a correct jump.

“We've got rhythm, contact, balance and power,” she said. “Each horse has its own order of importance, so the priorities will be different for each horse and will likely change as the horse gets older.”

“In human terms these horses are triathletes — they've got to be able to be ballerinas, they've got to be gymnasts, and they've got to be long-distance runners.”

As the session progressed, the horses grew in confidence both with the exercises themselves and with the atmosphere of the main arena.

“These horses and riders are the future of our sport and what’s really important is that we put in the time at this stage in their careers to make sure things are done correctly and methodically,” said Kylie. “I’m absolutely certain that one day we will see some of these horses in the starting line-up here at Defender Burghley."