SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Stallions
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Classifieds
    • Horse Trailers for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Thursday, September 21 2017 / Published in General

Christine Traurig on Riding & Dressage

A sought-after trainer and clinician, American Olympic dressage rider Christine Traurig was born and raised on her parents’ breeding farm near Verden, Germany. She rode and trained for the Hanoverian Elite Sales in Verden before moving to the United States in 1982, where she assisted Bernie Traurig in operating an import and sales business of dressage horses and jumpers. Christine and Bernie were instrumental in establishing the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Team and Federation. With her equine partner Etienne, Christine was a member of the 2000 Sydney Olympic bronze medal team. She now operates Christine Traurig Dressage Stables, Inc. in Rancho Santa Fe, California. She conducts clinics and symposiums all over the U.S. and in 2015, was appointed to the position of USEF National Coach for Young Dressage Horses. Do you have a question you want Christine to answer? Send questions to editor@sidelinesnews.com.

What are some ways riders can plan practice time outside of lessons?

Time outside of lessons can be planned and structured in several ways, all of which should be discussed with the trainer. Here are a few ideas:

  • Study videos taken of previous lessons and/or tests at shows.
  • Study videos of riders in the top of the sport.
  • Read books written by classical masters from the past and present.
  • Keep a journal and write down key things one has gotten from a lesson that day, and memorize key terminologies.
  • Watch other students in your barn take a lesson.
  • Exercise: Go to the gym to build strength, flexibility and fitness.

What’s your advice on finding the right bit for a horse?

Some important criteria in finding the right bit for your horse are:

  1. What discipline you’re competing in, and what bits are allowed according to those rules
  2. The size or width of the horse’s mouth, not only relating to the width between the corners of the mouth but also the width of the lower jaw/bars of the horse’s mouth. The bit must not be too wide otherwise it pinches the bars of the lower jaw when ridden in contact on the bit and in flexing, yet not too narrow so it doesn’t pinch the corners of the horse’s mouth.
  3. The height of the palate. Horses with a low palate often resent a single jointed bit or a bit with a high port because it presses against the palate.
  4. The sensitivity of the horse’s mouth and/or the rideability issues that need to be considered when choosing the thickness of the bit.
  5. The metal or material. Some horses prefer a “sweeter” metal, others don’t care. Some horses prefer a plastic or rubber bit over a metal bit.

Do you use cavaletti?

I find cavaletti to be an excellent addition to training. Aside from their training effects, they are useful to add variety to the horse’s program. At the walk as well as the trot, they help the horse to lower its neck, stretch and use its back. The mechanical range of motion in the shoulders and all four legs can be improved. Suspension in the trot can be improved as well. I have used them on a straight line as well as on a 20-meter circle.

What’s most important to consider in buying show attire?
I find it most important that the show attire is up-to-date as far as fashion is concerned. Today we have a wide variety of designs in boots, breeches, coats and tails as well as helmets. I personally prefer subtle classical base colors. A little bling and accents are beautiful. Too much color and bling take away from the harmonious look between horse and rider. The color of the horse is also very important when choosing the show attire: navy blue and black go with any horse’s color. The accent colors should also go well with the horse’s. I think the rider also needs to choose what suits and fits his or her body type the best.

Have you ever disagreed with a judge’s score? What did you do?

Yes, I have disagreed with a judge’s score at times. Sometimes we have the opportunity to talk to the judge about it outside of the competition if the judge initiates and offers the conversation. It is not correct to confront the judge about it. We have to remember that the judge scores in the very moment and from his or her perspective depending on where he or she sits. It is always helpful to ride in front of a panel of at least two judges (front/side) to get input from different views. Discrepancies in the judging are part of our sport, but I have always taken every comment seriously even if I don’t agree. I try to improve by comparing and measuring up to the riders that beat me and trying to figure out how to improve myself and my horse.

Are there specific current riders you recommend watching to study good form?

All riders at the top of the sport are worth watching not only because of their form but also because of how their form affects their performance in the arena throughout the test or in certain exercises. All riders at the top have good form, but all have a certain typical look to their form and that is so inspiring to watch.

What are the advantages of spending time training in Europe?

Spending time in Europe is a must for all riders, whether that is competing or in a training or apprentice opportunity. There is no place else where you find such accumulation of quality in horses, breeding, horse shows and training stables, where horses from the ages of 4 to grand prix are being trained under the same roof. Many of our top horse and rider combinations have spent time in Europe training and showing. The efforts made by our federation to send as many combinations as possible to Europe to compete has most certainly helped the U.S. to establish itself as one of the strongest nations in the sport.

Double D Trailers Info

Tagged under: christine traurig, dressage, q&a

What you can read next

Paul O’Shea and Instant Karma Capture $30,000 Manchester & the Mountains
Sedora Belle – Adoptable Horse
Dog of the Day – Dre

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Follow on Instagram!

sidelines_magazine

Sidelines Magazine
Annette Longenecker wasn’t just born into horses Annette Longenecker wasn’t just born into horses—in a way, she was born into her career. She grew up in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where her parents ran a farm. Her mother taught, and her father had a jump business and then created one of the first horse show software programs: Ryegate Show Services, Inc.

Riding all her life, Annette spent many years as a groom and loved it, but knew it wasn’t what she wanted to do as a career. After she finished college, Annette’s father recruited her to help process entries at Ryegate. Since her father, Lloyd Longenecker, founded it in 1981, Ryegate has provided show management and office staff for some of the largest shows in the country. Now, Annette has taken over from her father and directed the company as it focuses on managing memberships and rankings for organizations such as the North American League, WIHS Championships and Equitation, Rolex/USEF Computer Ranking and National Medal Series (THIS NCM and Ariat NAM). Ryegate also provides scoring software for use with video walls, and production teams for hunter and jumper shows.

“Besides running Ryegate Show Services and its various organizations, I can be found in the show office, running a scoreboard or judging jumpers at most shows,” Annette said. “I love getting to wear a few different hats at the show.”

When she’s not busy at a show, Annette lives in Annville, Pennsylvania, with her “fur-baby,” Maggie Mae, and enjoys spending time with her many godchildren. Though she doesn’t currently own any horses, Annette rides when she can at Rolling Acres Farm with Patty Foster, Ashley Foster-Worthington and Mary Lisa Leffler.

Read this month unbridled with Annette Longenecker by clicking the link in our bio. Never miss a story by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine! 🦄
📸Photo by Sheryl Sutherby

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #horselover #instahorse #love #cheval #showjumping #horselife #photography #nature #pferde #horseofinstagram #caballo #riding #horsebackriding #pferdeliebe #caballos #horsepower #horsephotography #instagram #Sidelinesmagazine
A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself The spor A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself 
The sport of eventing is a demanding and mentally challenging discipline that requires a combination of physical and mental fortitude from both the rider and horse. While having a coach can be incredibly beneficial, self-coaching can also play a crucial role in a rider’s success.

I think that given the opportunity, most riders would like to be coached every day. The reality of life in the horse world, however, is that the majority of us need to absorb as much from the lessons we have on a limited basis and then practice those skills at home to improve.

When I am riding, I try to have a plan for the horses each day and focus on what I’m looking to achieve. It’s important to be aware of the steady improvements rather than trying to solve everything all at once. This is especially important when teaching horses new movements or exercises that they might struggle with, and we need to give them time to learn and understand what we are asking for.

I have a couple of quotes that I use regularly when I’m teaching, and these are mottos that I hold myself to in my daily work as well.

The first is, “If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten.” This is a quote that was said to me many years ago when I was still motor racing and I keep it in the back of my mind each day. It’s easy to get stuck doing the same thing every day with your horse and bad habits are hard to break, from both riders and horses!

This leads me to my next quote, which is, “If what you are doing isn’t working, try something else.” It really is as simple as that! Many riders I see keep asking a horse to do something the same way over and over with an ongoing negative response and they wonder why things don’t get better. In these circumstances, I recommend that the rider change something, even if it’s wrong.

Read the full article by clicking the link in our bio! Don’t forget to keep your eye out for our April subscription!
📸Photo by Alex Banks Photography
The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here and we are so excited to feature three-day eventer Liz Halliday on the cover! Big thanks to photographer Melissa Fuller for the beautiful photo of Liz and Cooley Nutcracker- Liz Halliday-Sharp - HS Eventing. Liz and her horses have taken the eventing world by storm - and find out how Liz is at the top of the sport as a female eventer! As the horse world gears up for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event 2023, it's the perfect time to enjoy our eventing issue!! We also feature eventer and woman entrepreneur Frankie Thieriot Stutes, who is not only an eventer, but also runs Athletux and FRANKIE CAMERON handbags and accessories. And don't miss our eventing story on Robert "Bobby" Costello, who will be leading the US Eventing team to the 2024 Paris Olympics- and US Equestrian has named Bobby the eventing technical advisor/chef d'equipe!! Liz, Frankie and Bobby all have GREAT stories - don't miss any of them and don't forget to get your tickets for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day event! We are also excited to introduce you to hunter-jumper rider Casey Lorusso Smith, who is not only a talented rider but also a psychotherapist and incorporates horses into her career. If you are up for adventure, then read the story on dressage rider Priscilla Baldwin who certainly doesn't let any grass grow under her feet! We also head to the west coast to catch up with hunter-jumper trainer Jim Hagman of Elvenstar Farm, we feature beautiful art by equestrian artist Tammy Tappan, and we get to know Miranda Jones and her family. Miranda is not only an attorney who spends a lot of time in the courthouse, but she's a rider and spends lots of time riding, and is joined by her daughters also! We are excited to feature Stephanie Lightner in our Unbridled column, and don't miss our columnists George Williams, Robert R.L. Jacobs and Margie Sugarman! It's a great issue - and you can read it online, but don't forget to go to the website and order a subscription and get every issue delivered to your mailbox!! Enjoy this issue and enjoy the ride: Link in bio!!
It's finally Spring🌷🌻☀️! Get your barn s It's finally Spring🌷🌻☀️! Get your barn set up with a Pyranha SprayMaster Misting System. 
✅Provides whole barn insect control! 
✅Easy to install with basic tools!
✅Electric pump & programmable automatic timer!

Get yours today!
@pyranhalife

#pyranhalife #madeintheusa #pyranha #equestrian #horselife #horselifestyle #barncare
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • MATT JOHNSON
    Farms & Estates ENGEL & VÖLKERS, Florida Serving Wellington since 1998 561-313-4367; wwwMattsells.com

    [Read more]

  • BARNWARE®
    Custom Entrance/Stall Doors & Grills 910-944-8110 www.barnware.com

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • Get More for Your Money with an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
  • Longines Global Champions Tour of New York Returns to Governors Island
  • A Paris Horse Adventure: Saut Hermes 2022

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • Will Coleman Retains Yanmar America CCI4*-S Lead in Dramatic Show Jumping at Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International
  • First edition of the World Sport Horse Sales was a hit with $410.000 for the most expensive horse
  • Liz Halliday-Sharp Takes Third Victory in $50,000 Grand-Prix Eventing Festival at Bruce’s Field

Category

Recent Posts

  • April 2023 – Table of Contents

    Subscribe for just $9.95 or Order Individual Is...
  • Building a Bond With a New Horse

    By Margie Sugarman I just bought a new horse. I...
  • Developing Healthy Relationships With Your Barnmates

    By Rob Jacobs The purpose of this month’s colum...
  • The Value of Self-Coaching

    By Liz Halliday-Sharp The sport of eventing is ...
  • Unbridled With Annette Longenecker

    By Britney Grover  Annette Longenecker wasn’t j...

Copyright © 1987 - 2021 Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!