Heather Blitz Clinic, May 1 & 2, 2010

Southern Maine Dressage Association (SMDA) was pleased to host our Spring Clinic with Heather Blitz at Pineland Farms Equestrian Center on May 1-2, 2010.

Heather Blitz is an international Grand Prix Rider and a popular clinician in Europe, Denmark and the USA. She has been training and competing in Europe for the last three years, and has recently returned to the U.S. Heather often teams up with Mary Wanless and Hillary Clayton, and she offers a unique perspective that focuses on the effects of the rider’s body and aids to the horse. [For] many (most?) of us, a special focus on rider position is a refreshing change and we saw some almost unbelievable results.

We had a terrific line-up of riders ranging from Training Level through Grand Prix. Heather gave each rider her full attention, and worked with them to make seemingly subtle changes to their position that often had dramatic results. She used many visual images to help the riders, with the overall theme that the rider’s body should flow with or “match,” rather than impede or drive the horse’s movement. Heather noted that “Dressage riders tend to be industrious and hard workers. Sometimes we do too much!” She encouraged riders to learn to appreciate the quiet zone.

We had an information-packed weekend at the beautiful Pineland facility, and both the riders and auditors were grateful to Heather Blitz for making the trip to Maine for our clinic. Dressage is a lifetime of learning, and we are appreciative of the knowledge shared with us at our Spring Clinic with Heather Blitz.

Article reprinted with permission of Horse's Maine