I like the saying: Luck is where preparation meets opportunity.
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Well, that kid isn’t getting a sponsor to buy a million dollar horse and send him/her to the Olympics, but sponsorship can start smaller. She or he might get a second level horse to ride while the owner is out for the season with a medical issue. And be able to get scores toward a bronze medal. If the rider takes full advantage of each opportunity and shows appreciation, the size of the opportunities can grow over time, and maybe in 10 years someone will offer them the ride on a small tour CDI horse. Who might be a good Grand Prix horse in 2-3 more years with the right coaching. A huge long shot, but it can happen.
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I went to Portugal for a week of dressage training. The first evening I was asked about my riding skills, to help in the allocation of a suitable mount, and I said that I had never ridden a trained dressage horse. The following evening the groom said “You lied! You can ride dressage” and I said “Years of training, but I’ve never ridden a trained dressage horse before”. It was lovely: I would ask and the horse immediately would do. There was no intermediate stage when both sides had a few minutes of negotiation before settling into the dressage thingy. My basic aids could be refined because far less worked far better on a highly attuned and responsive horse. I highly recommend a vacation in Portugal or Spain for dressage horses, wine and food.
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Excellent column
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I like that statement as well…Lauren Chumley and Michael Bragdell both work with young horses and know of what he speaks. Both do well at shows and deserve Olympic sized recognition!
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