FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
SIDELINES JUNE 2013 25
Janet Foy and her
Halloh with Bear and
Puffn.
Photo by Chase Coman
right amount of gaits
and physical attributes
and be realistic about
themselves. Not
everybody is going
to be a grand prix
rider, and buying the
horse is not the only
step. Dressage
is
about developing the
partnership.”
Nor is every horse
cut out for the demands
of dressage. “Did you
know in Europe that the judge can excuse you from your test
and say that you’re not up to the standard? In this country we
would be sued,” Janet pointed out. “It’s hard to watch a rider or
a horse when they’re totally over their heads. I love animals and
sometimes you have to tell people that their horse is struggling.”
In summer 2012 Janet added book author to her curriculum
vitae: Dressage for the Not-So-Perfect Horse, co-authored by
Nancy Jones, addresses issues enthusiasts encounter Riding
Through the Levels on the Peculiar, Opinionated, Complicated
Mounts We All Love. This work has been very well received. Its
241 pages are packed with all sorts of gems, such as tips for what
judges are looking for in the test movements, training suggestions
and exercises. Janet also helps riders to cope with issues of
behavior, conformation, age and unsoundness. Her down-to-
earth approach, humor and compassion come through loud and
clear in the introduction: From Rodeo Queen to Dressage Queen.
“I love when I get the opportunity to work alongside Steffen
Peters and Debbie McDonald – we feel very strongly that the
horse is our partner, not a machine,” said Janet, who participated
in the panel that picked the U.S. Dressage teams for the 2004
Athens Olympics, 2006 WEG, 2007 Pan Am Games, 2008 Beijing
Olympics, and 2010 WEG and judged the 2012 London Olympic
Trials. “We’re against abusive riding and over-riding. We try to
create the harmony. We all say that dressage should look like
ballroom dancing, not weight lifting!”
Yet, Janet will be the frst to admit that most people are lucky
to form that life-changing, once-in-a-lifetime partnership with a
horse. The horse and rider relationship comes down to building
trust with the horse. Keen and Hilda, Brentina and Debbie, Ravel
and Steffen, Moorlands Totilas and Edward Gal (NED) come to
mind.
“Looking at all the top riders in the world, I can’t think of anybody
where you could say that person had two magical partnerships.
Most people only ever get one,” Janet said.
If you are one of the tens of thousands of riders who have one
horse, you might fnd the help you need in the pages of Dressage
For the Less-Than-Perfect Horse. At the very least you will gain
a greater appreciation for your dancing partner. You never know:
some of your more realistic equestrian dreams might even come
true.
About the writer: Sidelines’ Lauren R. Giannini is an award-winning “wordsmith”
specializing in stories and photos about the equestrian world. Crazy about horses her
entire life, she lives in the horse and hunt country of Virginia. Lauren’s motto is “write,
ride - not necessarily in that order!”