The Interwebz....

How do I feel about the Internet and the dressage world?

I definately like how the Internet has brought the international dressage world to my fingertips. I can follow the competitive dressage world and star riders of Europe and Florida with just a few clicks. The rapid speed communication of the Internet has made it possible for us riders to support people like Courtney King Dye as she recovers from her traumatic accident; and, it has also allowed us a platform (or soapbox) to castigate questionable, harmful training (IMHO)like that of Patrick Kittel and the 'blue tongue' debate...maybe the web making it a better world for horse and riders alike.

It has sped up how I learn about dressage: with online blogs like the Incredible Jane Savoie's or dressagetrainingonline, with riding and sales videos on youtube (we can learn from the good and bad), magazine articles and training tools. We can keep online diaries of our own progress and follow and support each other as we make our through the riding journey. I definately like how the web helps me keep in touch with my horse friends, meet similar minded horse people. The Internet has given riders a voice.

Here's what I don't like: I think it has created a lot of online Monday morning quarterbacking. Every rider's journey is different. Every horse is different. Just because it isn't the way you would train or ride, doesn't necessarily mean it isn't right. Who defines what is pure or classical? Horses and riders are different today from when this sport was first conceived some 300 years ago. There's got to be some growth.

I think the Internet has allowed some people to have a soapbox for ridiculous platforms and created "experts" with dubious qualifications. Frankly, I want to be able to receive critiques from REAL WORLD trainers and experts, that I can see in flesh with tangible riding results.

For all of the friends and acquaintences that the Internet has brought me, I hope I never consider the Internet a crutch to avoid making friends in the real world. I will only consider you my REAL friend if I am communicating with you in the Real World. I want to talk with you on the phone, text with you, make some common bonds over a coke and pizza or a 'wine spritzer". I want to pet your horse or scratch your dog and I want you to do the same with me! I want you to see me ride, see me sweat. I want you to watch me make mistakes and correct me to make me honest in my training and my riding.

I don't want to create a make believe world where what I say online isn't what is really happening in the real world. I guess that is another reason why I wanted us (all of us hoochies) to create this blog. To bring us together but to keep it real. Lame, I know... now back to regularly scheduled programming.

Later this week, I hope to post a little bit about my training journey this summer- maybe Cheryl will share too. I had a lesson with our dressage yoda, Sue, last week. Talk about keeping us honest. Cheryl got told something that cut her to the quick, she said it was so bad (not hurtful) that she had to completely void it out. It must have made an impression because by the time I walked into the arena, she and Aragon where getting praises for their lovely trot-canter trannies. I on the otherhand was in need of some triage....in the 2 weeks since my last lesson soemthing if not everything had gone downhill. Sue quickly diagnosed the situation and got us back on track...She wants me to stop waiting every two weeks for a lesson and go back to a lesson a week until we are making progress again....talk about Truth in Training.

Last but not least...it is FREAKIN HOT in Texas. I want to send out some positive vibes and shoutouts to all of our ponies, esp. Christoff who's having a rough time with the heat this year. Red always has a problem with the heat, but we 'may' have it under control...but I don't want to speak too soon.