FORHORSEPEOPLE • ABOUTHORSEPEOPLE
SIDELINESMAY 2014 93
and the other competitors, selectors, etc. I reallywanted tomeet
everyone and just show that I am still apart of the USA effort. It
truly was a fantastic few days and I learned a lot at all the high
performance seminars,metmany great people, andevengained
a few more exciting sponsors! David O’Connor gave me some
great ideas and some ‘homework’ to focus on through thewinter
and I havealready beenworkinghard on them.
What have you learned from David that has armed you for
2014?
David has helped me this year to think about my riding and
trainingabitmore, and to takeaslightlydifferent approach tohow
I warm the horses up, and how I teach them certainmovements
indressage. I findmyself usingmyseatmorenow, and inasofter
way, so that the horses can move their backs a bit more and
begin to be more sensitive and adjustable when I change my
weight and balance. I have alsoworked hard on keeping a good
forward rhythm around the turns to the jumps, which has in turn
helped the horses jump a bit more for themselves, and has also
helpedmeget away from the show jumping time faults that weall
hate somuch. I am hoping to begin 2014with verywell prepared
and confident horses that are competitive and ready to win from
the first event. Start aswemean to continue – that’s the plan!
Finally, if and when you relax, what do you do? (Besides
sleep!)
I am not very good at time off to be honest! Usually when at
home if I do have a quiet day (and I’m not on the computer) I just
hangout andwatchabit of TVand try to shutmy brainoff. I tend
tobe constantlyover thinking things, so chillingout isnot aneasy
thing forme todo.Wehave recentlycomeback froma real beach
holiday on St Lucia, and we had a great time snorkelling, eating
nice food and relaxing in the sun. My whole family are also avid
skiers, somy husband and I usually try to get out for a quick ski
holiday in theStateswhenever possible!
Footnote:During this interviewLizalsomanaged tosecure
anothernewsponsorshipdealwithuvexhelmets,distributed
byGEMTack in theUSA
.
About thewriter:MariaWynnehasspent her entire lifewithhorsesandher family
background is steeped in them. She is a proud (single) Mum of the adorable five-
year-old son named Theodore Denman, who is named after the 2008 Cheltenham
GoldCupWinner.
Lizmakes a splash in twoworlds – eventing and racing.
Photo courtesy of LizHalliday
