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
Wednesday, April 12 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 do you tell your students to help them with their position?

I always tell my students: Think tall from the waist up, long from the waist down with your heels down and weight in the stirrup, with a straight line from the elbows to the horse’s mouth and thumbs up. Keep your chin up — the way you want your horse’s poll up!

Who’s your favorite grand prix horse, past or present, to watch compete and why?

One of my all-time favorites in the past was Corlandus, ridden by Margit Otto Crepin. He had such power and strong character yet such grace and lightness. And how could I not mention Totilas? I’ll never forget his piaffe-passage work, the ease of it, like there was nothing to it. The partnership between him and Edward Gal was obvious and then he leaves the packed stadium at Aachen on the buckle looking at the crowd! Just like Audrey Hepburn said of Michael Jackson: “You just can’t stop watching him.” And in the present I think of Valegro as an example of classical dressage, which, when I thought it doesn’t get any better, it got even better and more brilliant. Every decade, every few years, the sport gives us idols who we admire because they get under our skin, whether we’re professionals, amateurs, owners, breeders, juniors/young riders, little kids or just fans of the sport and horse. This is good for the sport and the popularity of it.

What do you look for in a young dressage prospect?

I look for three good gaits, of which the canter is very important because it’s the hardest to improve. Conformation: My father, who was a breeder, always told me, “You look at a horse from the bottom up. The foundation is what you build on, the feet, the legs, then upward.” Temperament is as important as talent. Talent is always compromised if the temperament (willingness to work with the rider, eagerness to please) is difficult.

How important is straightness in dressage, and how do you recommend practicing it?

Straightness is a prerequisite for collection in accordance with the scale of training. Straightness is the alignment of the forehand and hind end of the horse. Developing it starts with bending aids on bent lines (circles), suppling the stiff side and aligning the hollow or crooked side. When a horse travels on two tracks on a circle, meaning the hind feet meet the prints of the front feet, it’s “aligned” and straight. Straightness is further cultivated through shoulder fore and shoulder in.

What do you think jumper riders and dressage riders could learn from each other?

After years of having ridden jumpers on the flat, I’ve come to appreciate the feeling of a gallop in a two-point. Rarely ever do you see a dressage rider look for that opportunity. It’s good for the horses to move free and forward along a track or in a big grass field outside of the confinement of the dressage arena. Control is the ability to go forward without the feeling you lose control. As for the jumper riders, I think they should not look at dressage as what we ride from letter to letter, but how we develop the physical aspect of pushing and carrying, adjustability and prompt responses in the horses by gymnasticizing the body. A flexible, strong body is mobile and powerful.

How do you teach riders to lighten their seat?

I personally don’t believe in riding from a heavy seat. What does that even mean? That a rider puts all their body weight into the seat and presses it into the horses back? That alone is a concept that doesn’t apply to the modern breed of dressage horses. Going back, here in the U.S., the sport of show jumping was based on riding Thoroughbreds. Sensitive horses, sensitive backs and therefore ridden in what made the U.S. show jumpers famous for their style of riding: the forward seat (light seat/two point). If I had to teach a dressage rider to lighten the seat, I’d teach them the two-point so the rider feels that more weight in the stirrup means less weight on the seat bones and that eventually they learn how to adjust the ratio between the two.

What do you think is an often overlooked but important principle of good riding?

Today the rules and regulations of the sport are giving us many guidelines and principles to train and compete by. This is a good thing. Are there at times aspects which are overshadowed by the brilliance of a moment? Yes! And that’s in the nature of the sport too. One thing that I’m a stickler on is connection: the relationship of the hind leg to the bit through a supple and elastic top line. At times we see a light contact and expressive front legs without relating hind legs. Connection encompasses the harmonious acceptance of leg aids in relation to contact with the horse working through its body.

Double D Trailers Info

Tagged under: christine traurig, dressage, q&a

What you can read next

Champion Professional and Future Hunters Honored at 2012 Capital Challenge Horse Show
The Extraordinary Tori Colvin
The Critical Role of Coaches

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
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
Marie Meyers has been around the world because of Marie Meyers has been around the world because of dressage, but it’s her farm in Moorpark, California, that has captured her heart. The farm and the business that thrives there represent Marie’s lifelong journey—a journey made up of good friends, spectacular horses and relationships made to last.

Marie was raised in Southern California, and spent her childhood playing just about every sport under the sun, but she didn’t discover riding until she was 14 years old. “I loved animals so much, so I started taking lessons. I did jumping at first, but I was very bad at that, for sure!” Marie laughed.

After some time, Marie moved on to take lessons at Foxfield Riding Academy and began riding dressage. “I fell into dressage by accident,” Marie said, “At the beginning, I thought it was extremely boring, but then I got hooked. By the time I graduated from high school, I had plans to travel to England to work for Franz Rochowansky, a former head of the Spanish Riding School.”

In 1988, Marie’s hard work paid off, and the pair was selected as alternates for the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. “They didn’t take the alternates that year, so we didn’t go to Seoul, but the experience, the training and the European Tour afterwards set me up for the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, Sweden,” Marie said.

In addition to having success representing her country, Marie was busy with her life—marriage, a business, teaching lessons and clinics. 

Learn more about Marie in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more 🦄

📸Photos by Lindsey Long Equine Photography, www.lindseylong.com

#dressage #equestrian #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #dressagehorse #equestrianlife #showjumping #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #instahorse #dressur #horselove #eventing #equestrianstyle #cheval #dressagerider #horselife #horselover #pferde #love #riding #jumping #pferdeliebe #horseofinstagram #horsebackriding #paard #dressurpferd
We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on o We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on our socials where we share some of the lovely stallions, and their breeders featured in each month's magazine. Our first feature on this #STUDSunday is...

 ✨ALVESTA OWAIN✨
Thistledown Arctic Lore x Alvesta Fairy Lustre
13.1hh, Welsh section B
Stud Fee $750 (plus collection)
AI only and EVA negative
Fairfield, VA

Contact Cheryl Maye at (703) 431-9096 for more information
https://www.mayeshowponies.com/more-info/stallions

You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

📸  SAS Equestrian
‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️ The purpose of this ‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️

The purpose of this month’s column is to help the young equestrians of our sport develop and maintain healthy friendships within the industry. Cultivating healthy relationships with other members within the industry is not as easy as one may think. As a young equestrian, it may be difficult navigating friendships at the barn and at horse shows. Typically, kids have friendships within the barn they ride at but also friendships with others from different barns in their area. 

Initially, it may seem as though making other friends in the sport would be easy and ideal; after all, there is the common interest of horses. However, because of the natural therapeutic benefits of horses, the sport has a history of attracting all types of people, with a wide range of personalities. This can be both an advantage and a drawback. We are now in an era that acknowledges the growing need to discuss and manage one’s mental health. 

One thing I have learned is that we are likely to notice mental health challenges at an age younger than most people may think. Some of the friendship dynamics I have observed over the years have caused me to pause and really think about the future of our sport. Without looking for a source to blame for the cause of this, i.e. social media, parents, school, teachers, etc., I think if all adults involved worked to encourage, affirm, love, and respect our youth, the likelihood of them developing authentic friendships with their peers may increase.

Both humans and horses were designed to have connected relationships. These relationships allow a greater sense of security when one experiences challenges in life. Cultivating the quality and authenticity of these relationships requires intentional work. 

Thank you Rob for providing your helpful insight on developing healthy relationships. Check out his tips in his column you can find in the link in our bio.
Never miss a story by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine🦄 

Photo by Blenheim Equisports

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #hunterjumper #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #sidelinesmagzine
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • AIKEN’S FINEST - DAVID STINSON
    Keller Williams Realty Your Best Friend In Real Estate (803) 640-0123 FineHomesOfAiken.com

    [Read more]

  • LA Trailer Sales LLC

    Aluminum Horse & Stock Trailers, Jim & Linda Link

    231 Will Link Lane Iron Station, NC 28080 800.350.0358 www.latrailersales.com Horse trailers, Stock trailers, Step up trailers, Aluminum horse trailers, Gooseneck trailers

    [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!