Single Horse Squad training

8 February 2023

A very productive start to February for the Single Horse Squad.

We held our first squad meeting to begin preparations and design our program in the run up to the 2024 World Championships.

Two days later we all travelled to the David Broome Event Centre at Cricklands for our first squad training clinic with Peter Storr, a 5* listed ridden dressage judge, trainer, and Director of Judging for British Dressage.

Peter’s knowledge and expertise was invaluable, and it was noticeable how quickly he was able to improve every driver and their equine partners in a matter of minutes.

Energy, suppleness, and straightness was the theme of the weekend for most drivers, who were looking to improve their horse’s trot and canter paces.

Peter explained how the collected trot is not ‘slower’ but, in fact, more forward and energetic, with every centimetre lost in the length of stride being gained in height.

With 'shoulder-in' being a movement that many of us have historically struggled with, Peter was also able to help develop our horses' lateral movement and gave many of us exercises to practice at home that will help develop our equines understanding of going sideways.

With such intense lessons, it was great to see a trainer also take time to consider the horses' welfare with walk breaks. While the horses were able to catch their breath, Peter continued to work on the drivers' connection with the horse through the reins and gave the drivers more information to think about and work on at home.

Team spirit was noticeably high over the weekend with everyone working and supporting each other.

Rosanna Walter-Symons attended in her new role as Performance Manager, taking notes so that she may help us all throughout the season.

Thank you to those who attended on foot or came along to spectate. With the use of loudspeakers everyone was able to benefit and learn from the instruction being given.

Luckily, the weather was very good to us and all the drivers, equines and spectators left mentally tired but with the enthusiasm to continue to improve on what they learnt this weekend in readiness for a competitive 2023 season. With further aim to maintain the momentum and continue progressing up until the 2024 World Championships.