01/26/2026
Mary's January Florida winter training Update;
As a “USDF Dressage Foundation” grant recipient, I was able to utilize a portion of the funds to attend the 2026 ADEQUAN / USDF FEI-LEVEL TRAINERS CONFERENCE at High Meadows Farm in Loxahatchee, Florida January 19-20. I found the trainers conference to be an excellent opportunity to observe elite horse/rider combinations demonstrate accurate movements under the instruction of Olympic Gold Medalist Heike Kemmer and L4/FEI 5* Judge Christof Umbach.
Just a few of several take aways from my experience.
Back to basics, basics, basics. No matter what the horses level of training was, the horse must remain active behind and not lose the “tempo” in all transitions. For example, something simple like free walk to working walk to collected walk, down the long side of the arena - The horse must stay in front of the leg as if it is ready to trot (but does not trot) during the time you shorten the reins from the free walk to collected walk. Make sure you keep positive tension going in the hind end, wither and shoulders stay up in front as the hind end steps closer to the horses center of balance in a forward thinking walk tempo.
Even working on a more complicated skill such as canter pirouettes, remember the basics. Whatever exercises you choose to prepare the horse for the canter pirouette, the second the pair loose the “tempo” behind you must get out of the movement, go forward, just a few strides, to refresh the canter “tempo” and then return to the exercise. Keep the horse in front of the riders leg by creating positive tension or activity in the hind end with the wither and shoulders up, then allowing a few steps of working pirouette and get out before you or the horse looses its balance or tempo.
The last take away I will share is after a period of intense work for both horse and rider, Heike Kemmer would have the rider allow the horse to stretch long and low, for one or two circles, to allow the pair a brief break and then return to the exercise or take a brief walk break before the next exercise. This was a way to reward the horse, prevent fatigue and stretch the horse back and neck out between difficult sets.
It was a rare opportunity to see such quality work over a two day period orchestrated by Olympic Gold Medalist Heike Kemmer and L4/FEI 5* Judge Christof Umbach. The USDF FEI - Trainers Conference helped motivate me and gave me the opportunity to sharpen my trainers eye so I could enhance my coaching skills. It was truly an elite experience for all who attended.
https://www.facebook.com/thedressagefoundation
