Every single one of us needs to be nurtured by an inspirational equestrian from time to time. Riding horses, whether you are conscious of it or not, is an art form – and like all artists there is something to be said for inspiration in order for us to be at our best. In our ever vigilant quest for perfection it is easy to miss those small nuggets of wonderful from inspirational equestrians that are out there, waiting for us to notice them. Are all riders perfect? No! Are all horses of top breeding and flawless athletic ability? Ha, you jest! But nothing in life is perfect and if we sit around waiting for perfection we will likely miss out on the beautiful, inspirational equestrians who are plugging away in their own quest for perfection. Without further ado, I offer up 3 random, yet equally worthy, INSPIRATIONAL EQUESTRIANS!
Ivy Schexnayder
I read the Classical Dressage yahoo group where Ivy posts frequently asking questions and showing her progress through video. She rides this wonderful Quarter Horse named Jackson and I readily watch every video she sends to the group. In some ways she reminds me of myself, but in all ways she encompasses the spirit that I hope to always approach my horses with. Together they are doing really incredible things, which is why she is on my list of Inspirational Equestrians. This video is a culmination of a year of video clips rolled into one, and at the end the piaffe work is just lovely.
Visit Ivy’s Website
Anja Beran
Anja Beran, a student of Marc de Broissia, Manuel Jorge de Oliveira (seen riding with Anja in the many online videos) and Luís Valença, is without a doubt an inspirational equestrian. She has a thorough background in Classical Equitation / Dressage and it shows. What I love a great deal in her work is the obvious relaxation and correctness of work. All things are done in lightness and thus appear seamless.
Visit Anja Beran’s Website
Editing Carl Hester out of the group. For a time I liked his style, until it became obvious he was “drinking the kool-aid” of hyperflexion. Now he’s barred from my personal accolades. Have a recommendation of who should take his spot on the list? Post them in the comments below.
Carl Hester
Recently I compared Carl Hester’s style of riding to that of Edward Gal, needless to say Edward Gal is not one of my inspirational equestrian references. I quite like a quote of Carl Hester’s - “You can’t blame your family for everything,” which I see as an extraordinary ability to take responsibility for your own life and its direction without blaming every fall or scrape on your upbringing. There are few Dressage Competitors at his level that I can bear to watch ride, but his rides have gone on to make me smile in enjoyment. Carl Hester has a sort of repertoire with his horses that is not commonly seen in the sport, and in doing so has earned a place in my heart as an inspirational equestrian.
What inspirational equestrians push you to go out and become a better rider?
I love discovering and adding to my list of Inspirational Equestrians and would enjoy finding out who inspires you!
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