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Wednesday, September 16 2020 / Published in General

The Summer That Never Was

By George Williams

The summer that never was: Yes, it sounds like the title of a book you might have read while at the beach during a normal summer. In many respects, as youth coach, this past summer basically feels like it never was.

Summer is when some of our most important events normally happen for youth in dressage, such as the European Young Rider Tour and the North American Youth Championships (NAYC). These represent the pinnacles of achievement for many. And they’re designed to be just that.

As a rambunctious 9-year-old boy, I had lofty dreams of someday competing in the Olympics in both dressage and skiing. I wanted to grow up to be like my heroes at that time, Harry Boldt (dressage) and Egon Zimmerman (skiing).

Most of us need aspirational events. They first inspire, then motivate us to learn, practice and work hard. They can become that big, audacious goal that allows us to set many smaller goals we want to achieve as we proceed on our journey. Having a dream is important, but learning to set goals is perhaps just as important to make what might be a vague vision become a clear reality.

Aspirational Events

No matter how one looks at it, the NAYC is a unique competition and an aspirational goal or dream for many. First, as an FEI continental championship, it’s played a special role in the development of U.S. dressage for approximately 40 years. Several of the movers and shakers of that era pushed it into existence.

General Jack Burton, Captain Jack Fritz, Captain Andy DeSzinay and Col. Donald Thackeray were some of the more outspoken proponents. Of course, it wouldn’t take long for Howard Simpson’s name and Tempel Farms to become synonymous with the event.

Over the years, it’s been hosted at many wonderful venues with a number of different organizers. Similar to the Olympics, World Championships and other continental championships, NAYC is a team competition providing the valuable experience of learning to work with others and being part of a group effort working towards the primary goal of earning a team medal. It’s an eye-opening introduction to all that it means to represent one’s country in an international competition.

Due to a special exception, the three geographically large North American countries are allowed to send multiple teams at each level. For U.S. dressage, that means we have the possibility of sending nine teams of four, one from each USDF Region, at both the FEI Junior (Third Level) and the FEI Young Rider level (Prix St. Georges). In other words, 72 U.S. athletes can actually compete.

Perhaps even more importantly, having teams from USDF Regions allows athletes from all parts of the country to participate and ensures that as a national federation and national governing body, US Equestrian has a vested interest in the growth and development of dressage throughout the entire country.

It’s hard to imagine a summer without the NAYC. It goes against the dressage circadian rhythms.

The same disturbed summer dressage rhythm can be said of the European Young Rider Tour.

Not only is being able to take our top Young Riders to Europe an incredible experience, it represents the highest level of recognition for their achievements.

The European Young Rider Tour has been in existence since 2015. The final highlight of the Tour is the CDIOY, held as part of the Future Champions competition hosted by Hof Kasselmann, Germany.

Prior to the Future Champions, the FEI Young Rider World Cup, held indoors during CDI Frankfurt, served a similar role. The World Cup only lasted a few years, and only one athlete per country was invited. Fortunately, the Kasselmanns created the Future Champions event and filled a tremendous need.

Unfortunately, it too has been a victim of COVID-19, and was no longer an option for our athletes.

Returning to Competition

There’s a lot of discussion about the importance of “return to competition,” not just regarding the how-to of physical distancing and other precautions, or regaining physical fitness and readiness, or mental preparation, but of the importance of competitions (especially major ones) in providing sustained motivation and interest.

I’m a firm believer that we first and foremost have to return to competition safely and when the time is appropriate. However, you can bet I’m looking forward to when we can.

These events certainly play a role in helping the development of our young athletes to become our future senior athletes representing the U.S. at prestigious world events. I believe they play an even bigger role in continuing to keep our sport interesting and relevant to our youth.

There’s no doubt dressage can be challenging, as the skill set needed requires hours of practice. Dressage can also be a lonely activity — although the friendships made are wonderful and can certainly last a lifetime. Let us not forget the challenges of keeping horses and riders healthy and sound, and then, of course, there are those odd times when horses have slightly different plans in mind than we do.

Continuing to bring youth into our sport should be a concern of all of ours. Where would we be if 30, 40, 50 or in my case 60 years ago, no one cared? While some may have taken up equestrian sports as adults, the chances are good their instructors took it up earlier. We all benefit from having youth involved.

Events such as the NAYC and Future Champions, along with USEF Festival of Champions with all of the National Championships for youth at the FEI levels, play a vital role in keeping our young athletes engaged.

While only a few get to stand on the podium, many more are motivated with a desire to try — perhaps not just for that event, but over much longer periods of time, and, thankfully, some even for life.

Photo by Ruby Tevis

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Tagged under: columns, coronavirus, covid-19, george williams

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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...

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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
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