Laura Graves

[Foxtrot_s]

I’ve got notes a mile long, but in particular would like to know about Laura.
She impressed me amongst all those wonderful horses and riders. Valero, of course has his own inimitable style with Charlotte, and each horse has its strengths and weaknesses.

Verdes, beautiful horse, with hinds stepping high and under in the P & P. She rides so elegantly, perfectly balanced over her heels with a quiet leg and spur finesse, not the bang, jab, bang we see so often. Her horse enjoyed his work and showed quiet confidence. Her hands are unusually high and wide compared to some.

By and large, I think the horses of today, while bred for the job, seem to be happier in the ring, less swishy and resistant than in days of yore.

Who trains her and - does she give clinics!

[alicen]

[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;8793094]
I’ve got notes a mile long, but in particular would like to know about Laura.[/QUOTE]

Notes a mile long, but none on how to spell the horses’ names.

http://www.horsecollaborative.com/13-things-you-didnt-know-about-laura-graves-superstar-verdades/

[egood]

I believe she trains with Debbie McDonald and yes she gives clinics.

Edit: Debbie McDonald

[Foxtrot_s]

Ouch - typos not allowed any more?

[Tami]

[QUOTE=egood;8793112]
I believe she trains with Michelle Gibson and yes she gives clinics.[/QUOTE]

She and Kasey Perry-Glass both train with Debbie McDonald.

[egood]

[QUOTE=Tami;8793166]
She and Kasey Perry-Glass both train with Debbie McDonald.[/QUOTE]

Yes, you’re right for some reason I was thinking Michelle, brain fart.

[Foxtrot_s]

I said he showed quiet confidence - that his a far cry from how he started from the article!

[J-Lu]

Her horse was an extremely difficult youngster. She’s a “one horse” person, and has intentionally built a relationship with this horse. Because of his personality and her initiative/talent, it has payed off in spades. He didn’t used to enjoy his work so much! She deserves all the credit for his happiness right now.

Horses today…well, they are sometimes better bred for the work (sometimes at the expense of a brain) and enjoy MUCH better conditioning (i.e. swimming, water treadmills) and health care (i.e. stem cell therapy, various extracorporeal therapies, major advances in equine surgery and rehabilitation), and major advances in tack, and massage, chiropractor, etc. there’s no doubt that today’s Olympic level horses enjoy benefits that “the horses of old” did not.

[Lori_T]

Laura was giving lessons to 2 friends of mine but stopped about a year ago to focus on Rio, but I am sure she will be back to clinics and lessons. She is building a farm in Geneva, Florida, northeast of Orlando. She is very soft spoken and quiet as an instructor. If I didn’t already have a dressage instructor I love, I would take lessons from her.

[belgianWBLuver]

[QUOTE=J-Lu;8793406]
Her horse was an extremely difficult youngster. She’s a “one horse” person, and has intentionally built a relationship with this horse. Because of his personality and her initiative/talent, it has payed off in spades. He didn’t used to enjoy his work so much! She deserves all the credit for his happiness right now.

Horses today…well, they are sometimes better bred for the work (sometimes at the expense of a brain) and enjoy MUCH better conditioning (i.e. swimming, water treadmills) and health care (i.e. stem cell therapy, various extracorporeal therapies, major advances in equine surgery and rehabilitation), and major advances in tack, and massage, chiropractor, etc. there’s no doubt that today’s Olympic level horses enjoy benefits that “the horses of old” did not.[/QUOTE]

Thank you j-lu i believe you nailed it with this post. Tons of respect for Laura’s perseverance and Diddy’s underlying talent that she brought to the surface front and center!

[hoopoe]

Debbie McDonald has been part of the influential training team of a rider in the last 2 Olympics. ( as far as I know, perhaps more riders?) Not counting her own appearances.

I find her equestrian history fastinating. I think she is highly underappreciated in the American equestrian scene. From top HJ to Dressage top rider, it is an amazing accomplishment

[Velvet]

I don’t think she’s under appreciated. Even the USDF sponsored regional adult clinics with her. People know she’s really good at riding and teaching.