Lexington, KY – The seventh annual George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session presented by USHJA and Adequan wrapped up Sunday January 6, 2013 with riders putting the skills they learned over the week to the test. Participants had the unique opportunity to train with legendary horseman and former U.S. Show Jumping Chef d’Equipe George Morris during the Training Session held January 2-6.
Over the five-day Training Session riders took part in daily mounted sessions which included flatwork, gymnastics, work without stirrups, and jumping a course. In addition to the mounted sessions, the 12 rising stars in equestrian sport learned valuable lessons in stable management and veterinary and farrier care. The unmounted sessions were taught by industry experts including Anne Kursinski, Dr. Tim Ober, Dean Pearson, and Dr. Deb Bennett.
On Sunday, riders tackled a Steve Stephens designed course that they had helped set the previous afternoon. The final day of the Training Session allowed for participants to put together all of the skills and lessons learned from the week, once again under the meticulous guidance of Morris.
Participants in the 2013 George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session presented by USHJA and Adequan included:
Gabrielle Bausano
Claudia Billups
Olivia Champ
Stephen Foran
Ana Forssell
Frances Land
Abigail McArdle
Kilian McGrath
Meg O’Mara
Jacob Pope
Dana Scott
Catherine Tyree
“The clinic was wonderful. Not many people get the chance to learn from the best. Being able to watch Mr. Morris ride and also to be able to train with him for these past few days was unbelievable,” said Land. “We also had the opportunity to work with Karen Golding in the barn and she is amazing and knowledgeable beyond belief. The whole week was so busy and flew by. We were waking up at 5:30 AM and not finishing at the barn until 5:30 PM. Such long days but it was well worth it.”
This year’s Training Session was again made possible through the support of many of the top equine organizations in the industry. USHJA and Adequan returned as title sponsors in 2013, and were joined by SmartPak, Practical Horseman, and Equestrian Sport Production as event sponsors.
On January 6, everyone involved with the Training Session had an opportunity to commemorate the week’s achievements at a celebratory dinner hosted by Karen Lloyd and the USET Foundation. Learn more about the evening here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/news/9448/2013/1/8/karen_lloyd_and_uset_foundation_hos.aspx.
The aim of the George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session is to develop a pipeline of young “horsemasters” for future U.S. Equestrian Teams.
The Training Session was once again streamed live on the USEFNetwork.com presented by Smartpak and video from all mounted and educational sessions can be seen here: http://usefnetwork.com/featured/2013GeorgeMorris.