Lisa, Tania, Joanne,and Kate after Yvette Truesdale’s dressage clinic at Scarvagh House

We are a nation of weather watchers but for the equestrian community it’s on with the layers, on with the wet gear and on we go!

Not so for those participating in the second of their three clinics at The Dressage Yard, Scarvagh House. Spring had arrived and most appreciated the little breeze which kept the riders comfortable as they practiced their ‘homework’ while warming up.

Having checked that everyone was happy with the progress they had made since the first clinic it was time for Yvette to move everyone on and develop the excellent work they had achieved so far.

Robyn, Malachy, David and Victoria enjoyed their training clinic at the Dressage Clinic

The new challenge, as with all Yvette’s challenges, required thought and coordination from the rider and not a small amount of cooperation from the horse. Both parties stepped up to the mark and it was soon very obvious that even more improvement was being made by horse and rider.

The stern concentration on the faces of the riders had changed by the end of their hour session to smiles and delight, even the horses were relaxed and chilled with the work they were doing. The onlookers were impressed by how one simple exercise, correctly executed, could change the whole presence and way of going for rider and horse in partnership.

Pamela, Jane, Victoria, and Amanda after their training with Yvette

Two days of clinics go so quickly, there may be hard work but then there is always the lighter side, the chat, the banter, the making of friends and the looking forward to the next weekend on 29th and 30th March which is the last in the series of three.

So as not to end on a low note The Dressage Yard is delighted to launch the next clinics. These will be run on consecutive weekends, 12th/13th and 19th/20th April. Participants choose a Saturday or a Sunday and attend one clinic per weekend.

Susan, Claire, Leonie, and Rosemary after Yvette Truesdale’s dressage clinic at Scarvagh House

For those who are on the current clinics the topic will address a subject many of you have asked to be covered and so would be a follow on. For those who have not been to The Dressage Yard clinics it will be a place to begin.

‘Techniques and skills for riding a dressage test’ – Yvette will help participants with the basics; important rules, turning the horse and rider out for a competition, learning a test, movements, breaking tests down, using your test sheet and finishing by actually riding of a test. Everyone is welcome from the walk/trot level through to the professional rider. The clinic will include an hour of riding followed by a discussion session with Yvette, addressing specific concerns. Each day will take two hours in all and participants attend two clinics at a total cost of £50.

Emma. Emma, Carol & Becky

Sometimes you just have to be there to experience the moment and last weekend was one of those moments! Saturday morning arrived bringing with it the sunshine and just like everyone who visits The Dressage Yard at Scarvagh, the sun wanted to stay.
Four sessions per day over two days, one hour of training and afterward a chance to relax, discuss the work produced and enjoy a bit of craic. That’s how we like to do things at The Dressage Yard and with all sessions filled it was very soon apparent that’s how our guests wanted to do it too.

As this was the first of three weekends, Yvette took the opportunity to spend some time at the beginning of each session getting to know her participants both rider and horse and to understand where they felt they were with their work and where they would like to be. The assessment exercises produced some lovely work from many of the partnerships and gave everyone a place to move on from.

Katie, Emma, Aine & Eileen

By the end of each session it was obvious to all, even those on the ground watching, that confidences were building and for both horse and rider progress was being made. The ambience of their surroundings and Yvette’s quiet and precise way of training had worked their magic on all those attending.

On the second day the sun had a lay in, and rain visited, but it wasn’t there to spoil the enjoyment, as it was only wet between the sessions when untacking and whilst enjoying a well earned cuppa. This allowed participants the pleasure of their riding in the dry and therefore took nothing from the horse and rider’s concentration allowing Yvette to progress each partnership from their starting point to a place with new challenges.

Amanda,Jill, Emma & Heather

By the afternoon, as if by magic the sun came out so the weekend finished as it had started in glorious sunshine and everyone had experienced the hospitality, the training and the craic which are all central to the ethos of The Dressage Yard and to our methods of training, where we believe the way forward is in the teaching of how flatwork can be the secret ingredient to success in every equine discipline.

Thank you to everyone who signed up for our clinics, we had a great time and are really looking forward to our next weekend together on the 15th and 16th March.

Email: thedressageyard@outlook.com

Pictures courtesy of Natasha from Equi-Tog

Email: info@equi-tog.com

The evening will start at 7.30pm with Yvette talking through different school movements and at the end of the evening she will perform Dressage to Music. An evening not to be missed!! Prices are €10 per adult and €5 per child.

On Sunday 31st March, Yvette will also conduct group and private lessons. She trains with world renowned trainers Conrad Schumacher and Ferdi Eilberg and she is based in Crossgar, Co. Down where she schools dressage horses for clients long and short term and coaches many riders. She also travels extensively to conduct training clinics and demonstrations. Private lessons – €90, Group lessons – €35.

For bookings, which are essential, please contact Equestrian Centre Business Manager, Jenny Richardson on +353 (0) 47 88535 or Email: jrichardson@castleleslie.com

The evening will start at 7.30pm with Yvette talking through different school movements and at the end of the evening she will perform Dressage to Music. An evening not to be missed!! Prices are €10 per adult and €5 per child.

Yvette will also conduct group and private lessons.  She trains with world renowned trainers Conrad Schumacher and Ferdi Eilberg and she is based in Crossgar, Co. Down where she schools dressage horses for clients long and short term and coaches many riders. She also travels extensively to conduct training clinics and demonstrations.  Private lessons – €90 euro, Group lessons - €30 euro.

For bookings, which are essential, please contact Equestrian Centre Business Manager, Jenny Richardson on  +353 (0) 47 88535  or Email: jrichardson@castleleslie.com