Interactive Training Demonstrations
Young Horse – PSG/Intermediare

March 15, 2008
by Emily Covington

A lovely spring day  set the tone on Saturday March 15  as Hassler Dressage presented their first public clinic, an Interactive Training Clinic: Young Horse to Prix St George/Intermediare conducted by Scott Hassler. The Hasslers are located at the picturesque Riveredge West In Chesapeake City, their current training base, while construction begins at the grand 600 acre Riveredge main property across the road. Manicured shrubs and lovely clusters of spring flowers greeted nearly one hundred visitors as they drove the tree lined drive to the main barn and training complex. Old friends and new settled quickly inside the oversized covered arena. 

Many know Scott from his USEF Young Horse Coaching duties. He  can claim credit as one of the main motivating forces behind development of the young dressage horse programs in this country. From the FEI Young Horse classes to The Young Dressage Horse Training Symposiums, Scott has been a passionate advocate of developing a cohesive and comprehensive program for US dressage. Attendees at the Interactive Clinic were fortunate to see how Scott's young horse program integrates into a system to produce happy and able horses at the advanced levels of sport.

Use Strengths to Help Weaknesses

The first horse out was an athletic bay four year old Sandro Hit gelding. Ridden by Brooke Doss and owned by Highlife Farms, Sandro Welt had been at Riveredge for only two weeks. Though he must have been surprised by the new crowd in his arena, Brooke settled him carefully with much tact. Scott introduced this horse as an example of one who was being considered for the FEI Four Year Old Tests. While clearly demonstrating that he had the talent, the question was whether he would be a good candidate for the tests. Scott explained that this was currently an open question and that the answer must be to let the horse decide- we must assess the individual horse. In this case, the horse is not yet showing the strength that we need to see for the test. Only time and training will tell us if he will be able to achieve the balance and contact required for the Four Year Old tests.

As Brooke piloted the gelding around the arena, one could clearly see him begin to settle and relax in the work. She used frequent large and flowing changes of direction and change of gaits. Scott commended her for this, and spoke of riders all too often staying in one gait for too long. Especially with young horses, he stressed it is good to mix it up; to school transitions frequently- change often from gait to gait, side to side. These are all pieces that fit into the tests, he said.

Scott  spoke of using a horse's strengths to help his weaknesses;  use the horse's highlights to make him feel good about himself. Sandro Welt offered much swing and elasticity by nature. As he became mentally relaxed in the work he became more beautiful, more confident in his body. Soon he was able to begin small transitions back within the trot. Though never shutting him down, or diminishing his appetite to go forward, Brooke used this particular strength of the horse (the ability to collect) to develop increased connection and balance, something that might not be appropriate for a less able horse.

Scott spoke of "using our best horse." He encouraged riders to do the more challenging work when our horse feels good. If that shows up earlier in the ride, it's great to use it, rather than waiting until the horse is tired. This gives the horse confidence as well.

 As the pair finished their work, Scott summed up that this horse demonstrates that we must have patience; build the body of the horse always with the horse's welfare in mind. This particular horse is very talented in his natural cadence, athleticism and energy. We can use those strengths to improve and move past weaknesses.

Not Behind Schedule

When he is told that ones horse is "behind schedule" Scott  will often reply "What schedule?" He insists that each horse be looked at as an individual, with needs specific to building the body and mind of each horse. The next clinic horse, a beautiful five year old chestnut mare by Londonderry, was such an example. This mare wowed the audience with her stately and elegant bearing. Lowara, owned by Crosiadore Farm and ridden by Ulla Peterson, was stunning with her cadence and suppleness. Scott explained that this mare had taken time to have a foal, and now at five was just beginning her sport career. This tempted the question about what was the right path for her.

Scott explained that Lowara needs time to get stronger. He shared his personal observation that horses who have a special gift for cadence, often need more time to develop strength. Therefore, a gifted horse who needs time to get stronger would do well to show in the Materiale classes, where they can get out, get experience, and still display  their quality but with less  of the specific demands required by the FEI Young Horse tests.

As Ulla glided around the arena with Lowara, Scott shared that sometimes a horse like this will feel a little behind the leg. This is a normal stage, until the horse becomes stronger. In the canter, Scott encouraged Ulla to press forward before the horse needs it, then go back to light leg. Teach this early on in the training, to go forward before they tire. This will encourage the horse mentally and uses one's "best horse" most constructively . 

Scott concluded this session by discussing the difference between an instant response (such as asking the horse to bend right or left, go forward) versus responses that take time to develop ( a supple neck, balance or carrying on hind leg). Too often we are in a hurry, he said, and we have to learn to discern what will take time to develop. 

Building on the Good

Next into the arena was Windsor, a handsome bay son of Rousseau, owned and trained by Kelly McGinn. Windsor showed a different picture of a five year old. With already several years of a super training foundation as well as experience at shows, Windsor came in looking confident and sure. More schooled and clearly stronger in his body, Scott advised Kelly to move right into suppling work earlier on in the ride.

As Kelly rode 10 meter half circles to straight lines, leg yielding and multiple changes of direction, Scott explained how this horse is building further on suppleness and contact. The small details in the exercises reveal what needs work. We want to see not just the exercise itself, Scott explained, but how Windsor moves and flows from movement to movement. At this stage, it becomes more about the entire flow from transition to transition, from bend to bend, rather than the movement alone. This requires true suppleness, and Windsor and Kelly showed admirable ability to  accomplish this.

As the pair moved into canter work and flying changes, Scott again emphasized that we are not finished when we get the change but when the horse is once again cantering "through" after the change. This is the flow from movement to movement that will be part of the tests we show.

Windsor and Kelly showed wonderful solid work, and this talented pair exemplified a strong early training foundation. Scott showed how we keep building on this foundation - continuing to build suppleness as well as the bridge of the back- through complete transitions.

Ride The Mind As Well As The Body

Breathtaking describes the pair of Susanne Hassler and the stallion Davidoff Hit. The stunning black six year old was powerful, electric and showed extreme presence as he entered the arena. The pair began their warm up in an easy trot and this gave Scott an opportunity to discuss the mental aspect of the training the horse, as well as the physical.

He described "Davi" as super talented, as well as sensitive and sometimes playful.  Similar to children, Scott said we must absolutely respect their different personalities, that it is poor horsemanship to label them. He shared that it is wrong to try to make a spirited horse behave a certain way and that we must train their bodies with their personalities in mind.  Susanne's warm up consisted of lots of flowing transitions; leg yields, shoulder-in, haunches-in, half pass.  Scott explained how this was building on the previous ride; teach a flow from movement to movement, rather than the movement itself. 

Davi clearly showed a superb training foundation. With his strength and presence, excellent hock and knee action, he looked ready for a Prix St George test. This is where Scott said we must be patient as riders. At this point, for example, if one were to push the trot for more expression, this horse might become tense and quick. We would lose the relaxation and swing. Scott expressed therefore that we must wait until the horse lets us know he is ready, in terms of physical as well as mental relaxation.

Suppleness was another keynote for this horse. How many body builders have the grace of a dancer, Scott asked. And this is true of horses as well. Suppleness is earned from time. When the horse becomes increasingly limber, we can begin to develop power.

Scott and Susanne then began some ground work, developing piaffe with Scott on the ground. Scott described in this work that there are three  points he follows. First, there must be no fear from the horse. Next, don't overpower the horse and third, establish clear boundaries. Davi is very talented for the collection, yet Scott never asked for too much or for too long. In this way he gives the horse confidence while preserving the horse's desire to work. Here we saw again  how to use a highlight of the horse to help the weakness; from a talent for piaffe and collection we will eventually be able to make fantastic extensions. All the while, Scott cautioned, we must be patient and work with the sensitivities of the individual horse.

Refining Collection
 
Ashley Frechette riding her own Lugano were the next clinic participants. The eight year old Lugano was working in a double bridle and this provided Scott the opportunity to discuss when it is appropriate to introduce the double. When we can control the horse's body, and when we have a horse that is flexible,  Scott stated, when we can collect and can go forward - these are all components for successfully using the double. He also emphasized that the mouth is the absolute responsibility of the rider. Damage done by harsh hands will be extremely difficult to undo later.

Ashley warmed her horse up in a relaxed pace, letting him offer his natural trot. Lateral movements and flowing changes of directions helped Lugano to become more supple as the session progressed. Moving to the canter work enabled Scott to share a bit more about collection. The two rode a canter circle around Scott, always keeping in mind the horse's relaxation. Lugano clearly showed a gift for collection.

Scott asked Ashley to increase collection for a few strides, describing each set as a number. For example, if Lugano's regular collected canter was a number "7", Scott asked to take it to a "6." If Lugano maintained the clarity of the canter, if he was able to compress his canter while maintaining relaxation, then Scott may ask Ashley to take it to a "5." If the difficulty was too much, then Scott would ask to go back to a "6" for a moment, or even to "7 "again. He could then return to a "6" once the canter was refreshed, the horse was through. The point of the exercise of course was to be able to compress the horse in increasing degrees of collection for a moment without losing the horse's back, his relaxation or rhythm. The smooth transition from one degree of collection to another was also accounted for. This "Dial-A-Canter" exercise was wonderful in the sense that it asked as much as the horse was able to offer in his current degree of strength, without losing his eagerness or confidence in his body. Lugano showed a very clear talent and enjoyment for this specialty.  Scott explained that it was this strength, Lugano's ability to collect, that improved an initially unspectacular trot and made it into an absolute highlight of his current work.

Power and Strength

The accomplished duo of Teresa Butta and the seven year old Dutch gelding Unitas entered the arena next. This pair represented the U.S. in Verden Germany in the Young Horse Championships in 2006.  This attractive bay showed much maturity and power, with lots of expression in all gaits. This was another horse Scott said was gifted with  natural cadence and elasticity, and thus need time to become strong. Such horses do especially well with conditioning work, he said. 

Scott said this type may tire more quickly, and lots of walk breaks are helpful. In fact, Scott discussed the importance of frequent walk breaks in training sessions. He emphasized that a free walk not only refreshes the horse's muscles but gives the horse a break from intense concentration. We can't expect them to be fine tuned to our aids for such long stretches, he said, and a walk set in between working can help a great deal.

Unitas showed very special half passes, and from the trot progressed to canter work. When Scott felt it was time to do some half steps toward piaffe, he worked in much the same manner as with the stallion Davidoff Hit. First he ensured Unitas was not afraid of him or the ground whip. As he asked for Unitas to take smaller collected steps, Teresa's job was merely to help keep her horse soft in the poll and more or less on the spot. She sat in a light seat with a passive leg so that Unitas could begin to understand the movement from Scott. Much praise and a short walk set in between helped Unitas feel increasingly comfortable in this ultimate strength building exercise. As he finished on a stretching trot, one could clearly see that this horse's confidence as well as strength had been gained through the exercise.

Final Road To Grand Prix

The pieces of the building blocks began to fit together ever more in the picture of Lauren Sprieser and her elegant gray mare, Clairvoya. This ten year old Hanoverian mare has been shown successfully in the Intermediare classes. She was greatly complimented by the harmonious riding of her owner, and it was evident that the two had a strong relationship.

While their warm up consisted of exercises appropriate for a more  advanced horse, she built power slowly and carefully, allowing the mare to start in a relaxed rhythm, with lots of suppling work mixed throughout. The flow from one movement to the next in each transition was noted.

This gave Scott an opportunity to discuss what is needed for a coming Grand Prix horse. He explained that the most difficult aspect on the way to Grand Prix is the physical development of the horse; building the body. He broke it down further into three primary categories. For the Grand Prix, we need carrying power. This translates to collection. We need suppleness, and this is shown through and trained by the lateral aids. Lastly, we need response to the aids; the horse must react quickly and efficiently without loss of balance or suppleness. Scott emphasized that it is the rider's responsibility to identify which of these three things are weak and work on those. This is far more important than learning figures in and of themselves. Once this homework is done, the figures are the easy part, he said.

Lauren and Clairvoya were able to begin changes across the diagonal. As she moved from four tempi changes to threes and then twos, the mare clearly was prepared physically for the demands required. At one point,  Clairvoya  was not quite ready for the line of changes so Lauren circled her to prepare her quietly once again. Scott praised this and spoke of the importance of preparation.  We need to prepare our horses successfully for the movement and then let the hard thing come easy. When success in the changes came, Scott again advised Lauren that the movement is not complete until the horse is through. 

This was repeated in the collected canter and pirouette work. We need to look at the quality of the whole sequence; the carrying- going out- coming 'through.' Scott said that this sequence is what's important. This all ties in together in the Grand Prix test, and creates a flow from movement to movement. 

As Lauren and Clairvoya finished their fine work, Scott took additional  questions from the audience. Several asked about different work routines. He is a big advocate of working horses outside as much as possible, work that makes a horse happy and confident as well as building body. He also shared his belief in turn out for horses, to give them time to just be a horse. 

One audience member asked about a schedule for three year olds to which Scott replied he doesn't believe in a set schedule. While he fully respects the European program and three year old classes they offer, Scott shared that he is not a fan of horses that young having pressure. They need to go outside, gain confidence, do easy fun work. If they have a growth spurt, he said there is absolutely nothing wrong with leaving them alone for a while and coming back later.

Finally, Scott shared his passion for all horses, and that each has a value for where they can go, and which level they can achieve. As their  stewards, he said, we are responsible for discerning that process, and in keeping the horse happy, supple, beautiful and motivated in his work.

At the conclusion of the clinic, auditors were treated to an overview of the beautiful stallions of Hassler Dressage. Each was brought out, groomed to perfection to enjoy their moment in front of the crowd. Certainly a favorite was the German pony stallion Highlife's Bodyguard, who was presented most professionally by Scott and Susanne's own daughter Sara Hassler!

Auditors then reassembled to the friendly barn aisles to meet and greet each other and have an hors d'oeuvre or two. A spacious coach took visitors on a tour to the grand Riveredge, to have a preview of all the exciting buildings and plans to come.

We wish to thank all of our visitors for coming and spending time at Hassler Dressage for their inaugural educational event. Look for more events to come in the future. We are also pleased to offer a complete viewing of the clinic on a set of DVDs, which can be ordered through Hassler Dressage.

A special thanks goes to all the clinic riders and their horses, to Jann Clark and Melissa Wortman, whose graciousness and extraordinary organizational skills made the event flow so beautifully, to Paul Melzer for filming the event, to Emily Covington for her photography, to Richard Malmgren for his photography and handling, as well as Ashley Frechette, Martina Thiel-Poblotzki, Judi Gilsdorf, Anne Millman and all those from the barn floor who helped present stallions, horses and riders so professionally. Of course, many thanks to Scott and Susanne Hassler who both work with passion and dedication to further education in dressage sport.

Comments from our auditors:

--Nice variety of level of horses; super willingness from the rider/trainer.

--Scott has a great sense of humor, and his care and concern for the proper training of the young horse is an asset to our sport. This was a wonderful day--educational and entertaining! Thank you...

--Everything was very well represented.

--I loved the tour! Wishing you much success with your new facility; looking forward to other seminars and clinics. Thank you.

A 2-dvd set of this clinic is available for $35, including shipping/handling. Please contact our office to order your copy, or click on above image to visit our Products page, where the set can be purchased directly through Google Checkout.

telephone: 410-885-3824   |   fax: 410-885-3823
1455 Cayots Corner Road, Chesapeake City, Maryland 21915