By Abigail Holzman
My name is Abigail Holzman, and I have been riding since I was four years old, but I only just started dedicating my time to dressage about two years ago. I recently participated in the Region 6 Youth Outreach Clinic with my horse, Be My Lady, AKA Lady.
Lady is an 11-year-old Westphalian mare whom I have had for about ten months. She was a big step from the little 13-hand pony that I had in the years prior. We found her while searching for a new horse that I could take up the levels; of course, she wasn’t what I thought I would end up with, but I’m glad I did.
For many years, Lady was a broodmare with little training and lots of time off. It took some time, but eventually, we started to click. We showed through First Level, earning scores in the 70s with the help of my trainer, Mallih Ataee. When I felt like I couldn’t break through in my training, she really pushed me, and without her, I wouldn’t be where I am now.
Our scores improved with each show, and every ride got better. Even the bad days made me appreciate the good ones. Lady truly showed me that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that you have to keep going, no matter what.
This was my first Youth Outreach Clinic, but I was also lucky enough to participate in the FEI Youth Clinic last year with my pony, Pete. During that time, I was in the process of moving barns and looking for new horses. That clinic opened a door to the dressage world and to our region for me. I was very excited that I got to attend the Outreach Clinic with Lady this year. I was hoping to just have a good time, learn lots, and meet new people.
We got there, and right away, I saw so many great friends and riders who we only otherwise see at shows. I watched many rides, with many different horses, and each horse and rider pair taught me so much about riding methods and partnership in general. While I rode, I learned a lot about myself and my horse – not only her habits, but my habits as well.
I rode with Jesse Collins, who helped me a lot with consistency and gave me techniques to help set myself up for success. I learned that basics are very crucial, and without them, you can’t move on. For example, straightness and half halts are both essential to your riding and overall performance. After lots of transitions, things started getting good, and I felt great about my rides.
My favorite thing about the clinic was how everyone was all a team. Everyone supported each other, and we all learned about the importance of teamwork. Even though we weren’t all at the same level, we all supported one another in every way possible. We took our rides and our experiences in the sport, and it brought us all together.
I certainly hope that I can attend the USDF youth clinics again, and I hope all the youth riders in our country take part in great opportunities like this one to become better riders. Dressage is not easy, and all dressage riders can agree with me when I say that, but we all have hard times, and no matter how hard it is, all we can do is push through and never give up.
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