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August 23, 2007

Ninth Annual Dressage For Kids Youth Dressage Festival

Attitude Most Impressed the Judges

The written test phase of the Youth Dressage Festival was held on Monday and the riding phases began on Tuesday. And while Tuesday was certainly a wet day, it was by no means a dreary one, and that’s what so impressed many of the judges. Several of them who had gathered in the VIP pavilion for Tuesday evening’s festival dinner had nothing but good things to say about competitors, especially their attitudes.

“I’ve been so impressed with the level of sportsmanship shown by the kids and also with the level of volunteerism,” said Janet Hannon. “I judge all over the country and this competition is unique.”

L-R- Margaret Freeman, Karin Offield, Susanne Hassler, Scott Hassler,Janet Hannon, Lendon Gray

Hannon, who lives in Colorado, judged at the Youth Dressage Festival last year. She’s been so impressed by the event that she’d like to start a similar one in Colorado. Karen Reid-Offield, who’s also serving as a judge at the Festival, backs the idea of spreading similar festivals around the U.S.

“This is as good as it gets and I think that if we could make five of these events possible in the U.S. from Florida to California, we’d really have something going. I hope people use this as a model. I love it. And now that they’ve been doing this one for years and have all the logistical parts worked out, they can provide a model for how to do this,” she said.

Hannon and Reid-Offield weren’t the only judges impressed by the attitude of competitors. So too were Scott Hassler and Margaret Freeman, who has judged many times at the Youth Dressage Festival, including the first year.

“The attitudes I saw today were so positive. And the kids seriously wanted your feedback. They were very appreciative,” Scott Hassler said. “Their attitude was so good. I’d watch them leave the ring even after having a not so good ride and they were still very kind to their horses. The horsemanship was excellent.”

Freeman has a bit of an historical perspective and she thinks the riders have gotten better and better each year. “The idea of sportsmanship and caring for your horse and doing the best you can even if it doesn’t work out, has been building over the years. Sportsmanship is a huge part of this show and that’s not always the case at shows.”