By Julia Beall
Fox hunting was my passion for many years. I hunted twice a week as a member of Howard County-Iron Bridge Hounds in Howard County, Maryland, traveling to many “away” meets, from Florida to New York and west to Kentucky. I loved the thrill of the chase, the camaraderie, watching the hounds work, the beauty of the land, and participating in Hunt Night at Warrenton, Washington, and Harrisburg.
However, as I got older and my hunting horse needed to retire because of soundness issues, I decided to try dressage. I thought, “How hard can it be? It’s on the flat, in a ring, with no jumps to find!” How naive I was!
I bought a lovely, big, young warmblood named Apollo, and started taking lessons with Martta Roach in New Market, Maryland. So many of the things she taught me, I still hear in my head each ride, including, “The horse will always come to the rider’s posture.” I am grateful to Martta for giving me such a good start.
After I retired from my day job, my husband and I decided to relocate to Delaware. While I hated to sell our “farmette,” I thought the move would give me an opportunity to board my horse and become part of a dressage training program. Martta suggested I get in touch with Kelly McGinn.
Kelly has a lovely farm, takes excellent care of the horses, and is a gifted trainer and teacher. She has patiently worked with me for the last six years. Unfortunately, after a couple of years, I had to give up Apollo. As the dressage work became more demanding, he developed some difficult behaviors, including explosive bucking. A veterinary examination and X-rays revealed kissing spines.
After riding a young horse for almost a year, Ashley Ockels’ mare Bond Girl became available for lease. Ashley had shown Bondie through Third Level, but had purchased another horse to continue moving up the levels.
Bondie is a lovely 16.3-hand Brandenburg mare—with opinions!
The first time I asked her to canter, she stopped! I had a very tight leg, tended to lean a bit forward, and she was having none of it! It was humbling, to say the least. I thought I knew how to ride, but apparently, according to Bondie, I did not.
It is now three years later, and Bondie (and Kelly) has taught me SO much. I finally understand throughness, and I am having a ball learning flying changes and half-pass. Bondie is absolutely the best teacher and horse partner I could have. I am grateful for her every time I ride.
Going from fox hunting—or rather, “chasing”—to dressage has been a big challenge, so I am especially proud of having earned my USDF Bronze Medal. I now have “mad respect” for dressage riders. While it may look easy, it certainly is not!
Dressage is a sport I hope I can continue for many years. After all, it is good for the brain and the body, I have a wonderful barn family, and, most importantly, I am now completely hooked.
