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  • Practical Horseman

    BREAKING 70 PERCENT

    Aug 21, 2020 6 minutes
    By Shawna Harding with Hilary Moore
    Photos by Susan J. Stickle

    Coming down centerline during an international competition, I have to be very focused and secure in what I’m asking of my horse to push him to his limit. Every stride tests our years of training and trust, and I must ride every movement seeking the highest quality my horse can offer to maximize our score. However, when I first start showing young or green horses, I ride their dressage tests a little differently. I don’t risk everything during their first few tests because it is essential to me that this horse has a g o o d experience by completing a nice, calm, relaxed test. For a young or green horse, I have different competition goals. Don’t get me wrong, I am there to win, but I also have to know my horse’s abilities and limitations at that time. Pushing too much too soon and overfacing him at this level usually leads to negative experiences in the ring with lower test scores. Only as a horse continues to have positive

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    Fun Facts
    • “Trick For a Trim Looking Tail,” (at right) was one of the first grooming articles geared toward show jumpers (May 1973). • An August 1973 article entitled, “Show Jumping: Where Is It Heading?” featured a discussion on the “rapidly expanding sport

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