Member Name: Laura Dwyer
Age(optional):50
Horse(s) Name, Breed, Age: Laitin 16 year old Oldenburg Stallion
Dressage Experience/Current Level/Goals: In April of 2010 I made a decision that changed my life. I decided to move Laitin to Leap of Faith Farms and started taking lessons twice a week with Rachel Saavedra. My goal was to finally show Laitin myself and was hoping to earn my Bronze Medal with him. The lessons progressed quickly and my first show out in June we showed 4th Level and Prix St Georges I went on the qualify Laitin for the Championships last year and earned my Silver Medal. My goal for the coming year is to ride an Intermediare I Freestyle
Trainer/Barn Affiliation if any: Dressage Trainer at Leap of Faith Farms in Walnut Creek
Laura Dwyer and Laitin at EB La Jolla Show - photo by Debbie Hansen
Recent Achievements/Of Special Note: I recently attended the CDS East Bay Chapter Show at LaJolla Equestrian Center and Laitin and I made our debut at Intermediare I. We had a fabulous outing and scored 69.4% and 68.9%. On a side note, thank you to all the volunteers who make that show possible!
At what point in your life did you realize you were “A Horse-Crazy-Person”? Mid-life horse lover, or did you become involved in horses at a young age? I have always been horse crazy! I grew up in the city of Seattle where horse back riding was out of the question. Then our family moved to Oregon when I was 12 and there were horses in a pasture right across the street. I started climbing the fence to play with the horses and one day the owner of the property caught me and chewed me out for it. He showed me out the front gate on the opposite side of the pasture and asked me to walk around if I wanted to see the horses. It was a good 3/4 mile walk, but I did it everyday and one day he asked me if I wanted to learn how to ride. Well you bet I did, so I learned to ride on his wild TB gelding in his calvary saddle. It was certainly sink or swim and I chose to hold on. The good thing was that I developed a very good seat!
What is the most important lesson your horse has taught you? That anything is possible. There was a time that I never thought I would be able to ride and compete Laitin. I always watched from the sidelines as Rachel rode him from CDS First Level Champion to Horse of the Year at Prix St Georges in 2006. He had a few injuries that I patiently rehabilitated him from and now look at where we are. Truly an amazing thing has happened.
Why or how did you pick Dressage as your riding sport? I have ridden horses for years and the jumping position I was in really started to take a toll on my lower back. I found that dressage (especially all those abdominal muscles required for the sitting trot) has actually strengthened my back and abdomen. I always admired the beauty of the sport and am now happy to stay away from the two point position required for jumping.
Laura Dwyer and Laitin at EB La Jolla Show - photo by Debbie Hansen
What is the most important atribute you value in your equine Dressage partner? Kind/Forward/Safe(ish)? Laitin has an unbelievable willingness to work coupled with an incredible natural talent for dressage. I have to admit though that my favorite thing about him is how he greets me everyday with a huge whinny! It always makes me smile.
What was your most memorable “ah-ha” riding moment or breakthrough? This is just an impossible question to answer because I keep having them on a weekly basis. Some of the standouts have been: Finding the correct timing and dosage of half halts for the tempi changes and then riding the correct count in the 4′s, 3′s and 2′s. The revelation of just how much has to happen in those 4 corners of the dressage court, half halt and create self carriage (this is not a time to rest)! and the importance of starting and ending every movement with a half halt. The list could go on and on, but these are just a few.
What do you wish you would have understood earlier in your riding life that you appreciate now? I spent years as a Hunter/Jumper trainer and wish that I had switched to dressage sooner. I love the intricacies of dressage and the true harmony that comes from the centaur feeling of being one with your horse.
Who is your favorite clinician/trainer and why? Rachel Saavedra has been paramount in my dressage career. I would not be where I am today without her. I have admired her riding and training for years and have always tried to emulate her position and approach to dressage.
What is the most common correction you hear from your trainer/clinician when you ride? Ride more half halts!
For Trainers: What is the most satisfying teaching moment you have experienced with a student? I think the most exciting thing that can happen is when a student feels self carriage and understands what they have done to get it. That light in the bridle, yummy feeling is something they always want more of once they get a taste of it.
What is your favorite Dressage memory? I took Laitin down to the Championships in LA last year and I was walking into the Equidome on Laitin for the warm up day. I looked around me and was surrounded by all the hanging flags and the spectacular riders. I looked up to see Rachel down at the end of the arena preparing to coach me and the emotion of the event took a hold of my like nothing I have ever experienced. I burst into tears at the thought that I was there with my horse and I was the one riding him!
What advice/guidance would you give to a newcomer to the Dressage sport? First and foremost, buy a horse with a good disposition, the conformation to do the job easily and with gaits that are appropriate to your level of riding. Secondly, be ready and willing to work hard, be patient, and remember that dressage is a very difficult and often humbling sport. Thirdly, have fun and make the most of the time you and your horse have together. If things aren’t going well, get help from a qualified instructor.
What is your favorite Dressage book or publication? I love The Complete Training of Horse and Rider In the Principles of Classical Horsemanship by Alois Podhajsky. He talks about compassionate training throughout the book and covers the theory of classical dressage in depth.
What other interest, achievement or activity do you have that might surprise your fellow EB CDS Members? I am the mother of three boys and our family motto has always been “The family that plays together, stays together.” We are a very active family and therefore I snow ski, snowboard, waterski, wakeboard, golf, workout at the gym when my body isn’t too spent from riding, and have even gone skydiving. I have a wonderful, supportive husband whom I have been married to for 29 years. He doesn’t ride horses, but has always at least tried to understand my obsession with them. I know he thinks I’m crazy to handle these large animals, and sometimes I think he’s right, but I always see these gentle giants as giving creatures we are most fortunate to have in our lives.
