Training Tips from Top Riders

The United States Eventing Association held a question and answer period with top riders at the 2009 USEA Annual Meeting and Convention in Reston, Virginia last December. The panel featured ECOGOLD-riders Karen O’Connor, Phillip Dutton, Buck Davidson and Allison Springer, who ride in ECOGOLD's Secure Saddle pad, as well as Mike Huber, Kim Severson and Will Coleman. Here are a few videos of their insightful answers to questions from the audience, filmed by the USEA.

Question: What is your take on schooling obstacles, like a water complex, on cross-country during the competition?
– Training tips from Phillip Dutton and Karen O’Connor

Question: What methods do you use to teach a young horse to do flying changes?
– Training tips from Allison Springer, Karen O'Connor and Mike Huber

Question: A rider with previous experience stops riding for an extended period of time, and becomes out of shape and overweight. When she returns to the sport, what are some of the things you would have her do to get back into shape?
– Training tips from Buck Davidson, Karen O'Connor and Will Coleman

Question: How do you know when it is the right time for a horse and rider to move up to the next level?
– Training tips from Allison Springer, Mike Huber and Will Coleman

Question: Assume a rider and trainer both decide that moving up from training to preliminary level, for example, is appropriate. But once that rider begins competing at preliminary, she has some issues and needs to move back down. How would you help her deal with those issues, regain confidence, and return to competing at that level?
– Training Tips from Kim Severson, Karen O’Connor and Phillip Dutton