What would you put in a presentation about dressage/equestrian sports?

[FEI_JR2004]

My company has an annual event where the company shuts down for two days and both employees and external speakers teach classes on whatever they’re passionate about. Last year, I took classes on fire building, tarot cards, dog training, flower arrangements, iPhone photography, and more. This year, sadly, the event had to be cancelled because of COVID-19, BUT my team has decided to do our own virtual version. So, I have an hour to teach a class on dressage, horses, etc., and I’m trying to figure out what will be interesting!

So far, I have a video introducing my horse, explaining his breed, and explaining what a dressage court is. I’ll obviously explain a bit what dressage is, and tell people all the different way you use your legs and hands (so they don’t still think it’s as simple as kicking to speed up and pulling the reins to slow down). I’m thinking I want to incorporate the video from Andreas Helgstrand’s WEG freestyle with Matine because non-horse people seem to really like that, and I thought it might be fun to talk about top-level competition and how horses travel (both trailer and plane).

Any other ideas? What do you find non-horse people are usually most fascinated with?

[Mardi]

May I suggest that you feature an American rider, instead of a European ? The Matine video, while nice to watch, is dated. Sadly if someone asks where is the horse now, what will you say ? Find a more recent award winning freestyle, where you can proudly showcase a top American rider, and afterwards, tell them what the horse is doing now: retired, pregnant, still competing, etc. That will create an emotional link. Americans love Americans who win, and they love a happy ending. Your audience will remember that.

[FEI_JR2004]

@Mardi

May I suggest that you feature an American rider, instead of a European ? The Matine video, while nice to watch, is dated. Sadly if someone asks where is the horse now, what will you say ? Find a more recent award winning freestyle, where you can proudly showcase a top American rider, and afterwards, tell them what the horse is doing now: retired, pregnant, still competing, etc. That will create an emotional link. Americans love Americans who win, and they love a happy ending. Your audience will remember that.

That is a great point, Mardi! Maybe I’ll use Debbie and Brentina’s World Cup-winning ride. Everybody loves some Aretha.

[Rosewatt]

A friend and I (who are both riders) once did a presentation for horseback riding in a kinesiology class. We took the presentation in the direction of biomechanics and how rider position (muscles,movement etc) influences the horse’s biomechanics. Basically, trying to answer the question of why riding/ dressage is a sport (an ever exhausting question).

[wildlifer]

A big pile of burning $$. :winkgrin:

[thara96]

I recommend you include a short explanation of each of the different dressage levels. You could also answer questions afterwards about dressage as well. A picture of a dressage horse is also a good idea too.

[xQHDQ]

Maybe something on how fragile they really are even though they are so big: colic, lameness. My nonhorsey friends are always amazed at how easy my horses hurt themselves.

[MissusS]

I am a (very) beginner adult rider. I have been listening to the Stacy Westfall podcast and am amazed at how much of a direct link there is between working with horses and leading a business. Season one of her podcast could actually be listened to as leadership training if you use that lens!

So what about making a few connections between training/working with your horse and how those skills translate directly into being a more effective leader? (I would totally sign up for your class! What a great idea at your company!)