Show Theme "Horsemanship Through Understanding"
The theme of the 2011 LOPE Benefit Horse Show is horsemanship through understanding. At LOPE, we believe that horsemanship and education are the keys to finding ex-racehorses new homes and careers. Too often people assume ex-racehorses are high-strung, crazy or unsuitable for post-track careers — because they don’t understand the racehorse’s track training as well as his sensitive and willing nature.
Over the last few years, we have learned more about horsemanship technique, equine biomechanics and horse psychology. Hy Court Farm has been LOPE’s horsemanship sponsor since 2008 and has helped us discover such terrific teachers as Janet Manley, Tom Curtin, Buck Brannaman, Ginger Gaffney, Anja Beran and Linda Hoover. These teachers hail from many disciplines of riding (from jumping to dressage to western). Yet at the core, they all stress the same principles — the foundation work that is the most important to the horse’s development and well-being (whether as a pleasure riding mount or as a competitive performer in any discipline).
Being able to move freely and lightly, without tension or fear, is what all horses require to fulfill their potential — in physical, emotional and mental performance. Foundation work helps to balance a horse in all of these areas and prepare them for whatever their career will be in the future. At LOPE, we have found the simplest forms of foundation work often bring great benefit (and fun) to the horse and rider.
Basic level dressage work helps the horse build suppleness, lightness and back strength (all of which are assets to any riding sport). Trail horsemanship encourages a horse to be curious, builds his confidence and gives practical application to many of the dressage moves. Hunter courses in a natural, outdoor setting help horses develop boldness and flexibility in their jumping performance.
With this style of horsemanship, the kind of tack on the horse is less important than how he feels about himself, his work and his rider. The horsemanship foundation work is fun and beneficial to every kind of horse and rider — and at the very least can provide an entertaining new way to school your horse and develop a closer relationship with him!
