Here, a rider from Region 2 shares an update on her story that was originally posted in August 2023. Check out how she and her mare have fulfilled their destiny so far!
By Chandra Thurman
Kassie and I have officially settled in Lexington, Kentucky. We have officially been here for over two years and couldn’t be more thrilled. Moving from our small hometown in Kentucky to a busier city has been an adjustment, but it’s been a blast.
As far as riding, being under the eye of an upper-level dressage rider has been amazing. We are working hard at First Level work and finding some really fun buttons that Kassie has.
Kassie has gained weight and muscle that I’ve never seen before. And I’m using muscles I didn’t know existed. Kassie feels like a true dressage horse with the new work ethic she’s shown. She’s now eager to work and is proud of herself… she even loves to show off her walk-canter transitions. She’s truly settled and happy. But as fun as it has been, it does not go without struggles.
I don’t think enough people talk about restarting and resetting in your riding. After years of incorrect and unsatisfactory training, it’s a bit of a shock starting under a professional dressage trainer. I am learning about being crooked in places of the saddle that I never knew about, correct ways to ask for collection, using my aids, and more. My trainer has opened my eyes to knowledge training in and out of the saddle, and it’s been a game-changer.
Over the last seven years, I liked dressage, but it just felt like it wasn’t enough. I didn’t feel the passion for it I once did. It can take a toll on you mentally, not feeling like you are enough or doing enough. It felt like something was missing in our riding, and that particular thing was my trainer. He has made me fall in love with dressage again. Once you find the best support system at a barn, it explodes into something extraordinary. It makes me feel seen, treated as an individual with my horse, heard, appreciated, and I just couldn’t be happier.
Finding your barn and your people will make all the difference. It will make you love this hard sport that we may struggle to find our footing in at times. I promise you will find that trainer, barn, and support system – don’t give up.
I’m so lucky to have found my forever barn home, and I’m excited to see what Kassie and I do in the future, and what’s to come.
