I would enjoy reading interviews about some of the Paralympic coaches. One such coach, Robert Louie Plagge, I would like to see an article about him. I'd like to see articles about how to get started. I'm in a therapeutic riding center studying Dressage. Although I am only a few miles from the Virginia Horse Center, it may not be possible to find trainers beyond the one I have. I may not be able to tolerate going any where else to train. I feel lucky to have, what I have by way of Dressage training. Lexington has France Yeardley who is a FEI competitor, and judge. I don't know if she has any experience training disabled riders. I may not be able to afford her, is the other problem.
The first year I got started in the Dressage program, there was the question of adaptive saddles. Would I be able to find one with support. I ended up using a punishing Western saddle. Finally, my second year I was introducted to a custom made Passier Eventing saddle. Loved it. I felt very secure in it, with the addition of the neoprene attachment. This year I am using a Smith-Worthington custom made saddle. I sit fairly deep in that saddle, and it has good leg support. I feel very balanced in it. I have had trouble in the past feeling balanced enough. I've never seen an adaptive saddle, ever. I'm thinking that you would have to have one made. I just don't know. I have used jumping saddles, just to have leg support.
There will be a NARHA Region 3 show know as TRAV at the Virginia Horse Center in October 2005. I will be competing in it taking my Dressage test, doing Dressage Freestyle, and other classes. Is this all there is for me? Are there other shows I could be doing?
Last year at TRAV, my normally laid back horse became a nervious nellie at the Horse Center. It might be interesting to read how other disabled riders handled such problems.
I have to use visual aids for my tests, due to a visual impairement. I'd like to read about strategies for test riding. I have had to use orange cones to get my 10 m circles just right. Especially in the dimly lit indoor arena, it is important to use an orange cone to know exactly when to start turning my horse. The worst event for me, is the Obstacles. I have 5-10 minutes to learn the course. I find that to be hard, having not very long to learn something. The other events, at least I have practiced those for months. I'm wondering about articles about learning something in 10 min., how to cope, especially if you have learning problems. I have been scared a few times. Generally I am very relaxed, centered rider. There are a few Austic riders who have very tense muscles. My muscles are tight, perhaps tigher than most persons. Maybe the issue of fear, can be adressed? I know one rider, one of my friends who is very tense. Sometimes I wonder how she can stay on, she is that tense.
Dillion
http://percheronridersdressagejourney.blogspot.com/