George Morris shows riders how to prepare their horses for the Grand Prix of Brookwood as he rode Ariel Black’s mount, Bizette B.

Antioch, IL – June 20, 2015 – Today was the final day of the United States Equestrian Team Foundation’s George H. Morris “Gladstone Program” Training Session at the beautiful Annali-Brookwood Farm, organized by Diane Carney. The six-day training session gained rave reviews from riders and Morris himself, for organization, the choice of the various professionals who made presentations, and the support of the sponsors who made the session possible for the future team riders. The facility, Rush and Caroline Weeden’s home base, was a perfect location, offering large indoor and outdoor arenas with manicured footing, two grass jumping fields, large airy stalls, turnout paddocks and a perfect lounge area for the presentations.

Morris was already on a horse by 7:45 am; Michael Tokaruk’s Zig Zag PCH was the first to put footprints in the manicured outdoor arena. Morris calmly put the 8-year-old mare to work, allowing her to become familiar with her new surroundings. There was plenty to take in, including the 10-foot water with Shamu across the diagonal, another liverpool at the USET jump, the Gladstone-Brookwood planks, a red brick viaduct wall by the gate with no wing standards and a wide oxer-vertical-oxer combination along the side of the ring.

The first group of riders followed Morris during the flat work, focusing on the suppleness of the horse through shoulder in and haunches out exercises. After a short flat work session, junior riders Morgan Dickerson and Hunter Holloway and professional riders Kelly Smith and Michael Tokaruk were ready to attempt the challenging track. The second group of riders with professionals Brandie Holloway, Sarah Vogus and Liz Atkins and amateur riders Caroline McLeese and Ariel Black, could not wait for their turn to try the Brookwood Grand Prix.

The group warmed up over sections of the course at a time, working their way to the USET liverpool and on to the 10-foot water. The great group of horses and riders had no issues at the water.

“We need to jump more water,” said Morris. “It should be a part of every jumper’s program and should be included in every horse show. They don’t have issues with water in Europe because it’s part of their everyday routine.”

Each rider took their turn at the track which began with an oxer at the far end of the ring followed by a turn across the middle of the ring right behind the 10-foot water to a skinny black plank, then completing the “S” turn left to the USET liverpool in six strides, then six strides to the red wall by the gate. From there it was across the diagonal to the 10-foot water with Shamu to four short strides to a red gate with no ground line. Finally, riders went around the end of the ring back to the first oxer and seven strides to the triple, finishing with an inside turn and a gallop to the Gladstone-Brookwood planks.

Morris discussed five qualities of a team rider, which are ambition, emotion, management, selection and lastly, talent. Ambition is the desire inside the person to go somewhere. Emotion is the maturity and ability to control emotion. Morris used Olympian Beezie Madden as an example for emotion saying she has ice water in her veins, which is why Morris had her as the anchor on the team. Management is the ability to manage the care of the horse and the program of the horse and rider. Selection is the ability to choose good horses. Talent is the skill and ability of a rider, which is the fifth factor. Riders must have the other factors to make it work.

“Rate yourself on a scale of 0-100 in each category,” said Morris. “Beezie is almost a 500.”

Morris started the second session by riding Ariel Black’s mount, Bizette B, with the other riders in the group following him like the pied piper, imitating his classical dressage.

The weeklong session had horses ready for the challenge, as this group also executed the track, including the water, without any issues.

Morris closed by reminding riders to “pay their dues” by working hard and learning from others.

“Get educated; read books,” said Morris. “Watch Beezie and McLain Ward and Laura Kraut. Learn from great riders like Jennifer Alfano. Learn what they know in the barn and on a horse.”

“Classic dressage makes the horse accept our aids and makes better horses, which makes better jumps,” added Morris. “First is always impulsion; second is straightness of the horse.”

Riders then spend time summarizing their week and sharing their future plans at the farewell luncheon.

“Real riding takes real effort,” said training session organizer, Diane Carney. “George’s endless support of correct riding as it relates to quality performance is the goal of every horse person in the saddle. Organizing the training session for Gladstone and George was a privilege. It was my responsibility to coordinate a week with top industry professionals on every level from barn management and world-class veterinarians and farriers, to Olympic riders and equine business experts, in pursuit of a standard of excellence. Horsemanship 24/7 makes the ‘Gladstone Program’ different than a normal clinic. This week was team building and, I will add, inspiring. It was my pleasure to support the GHM Gladstone Program along with the help of the many sponsors. I had the right facility and the right support people to do my part in bringing the GHM Gladstone Program to the Midwest for a second year.”

Thank you to the presenters, Dr. Deb Bennett, Dr. Marvin Beeman, Anne Kursinski, Brenda Mueller for Chicago Equestrian/Phelps Media Group, DiAnn Langer and Billy Liggett. Also thanks to Harriett Bunker, Dr. Mark Cassells and the Brookwood Farm staff for their hours of assistance in making it all happen. Finally, a special thanks to Rush and Caroline Weeden for the use of their beautiful facility.

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.

For more information on the USET Foundation, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org.

The USET Foundation has been awarded Charity Navigators’ highest honor, a Four Star rating for good governance, sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
USET Foundation
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

“This is what the clinic is about,” said Morris of Kelly Smith’s ride.

Antioch, IL – June 19, 2015 – Day five of the United States Equestrian Team Foundation’s George H. Morris “Gladstone Program” at Annali-Brookwood Farm was review day in preparation for the Grand Prix of Brookwood. The participants of the training session have had daily riding sessions with Morris entailing flat work, gymnastics and no stirrup work. Morris continues to emphasize the importance of impulsion first and then straightness of the horse.

The first group worked on three basic turns, the turn on the forehand, the turn on the haunch and the turn on the center. Morris emphasized the placement of the hind legs in relation to the front legs.

Morris demonstrated the different turns on Caroline McLeese’s horse. The first group also worked on the rider’s position using a cavaletti to practice riding with the motion of the horse, and not ahead or behind the motion.

Rider Kelly Smith of Portland, Oregon was a key demonstrator in the session with her difficult mare. Throughout the weeklong session, Morris worked with Smith to get the mare to accept her aids without fussing. Morris had Smith canter the cavaletti on a large circle over and over, switch directions and canter it the opposite direction over and over. The repetition and the constant contact with the mare’s mouth had her cantering and jumping with her neck and body in perfect flexion and no head flipping.

“That is the entire clinic right there,” said Morris. “This is what we’ve been talking about all week, getting the horse to accept us.”

“The basics are the cake; the flat work and the stable management is the cake,” summarized Morris. “Competition is the icing.”

Morris talked about how the top horses are treated well starting in the barn. They are the ones that are barefoot in the snow for a month before shipping to Wellington. Good horsemen like John and Beezie Madden and Jennifer Alfano do this.

Morris also suggested riders striving for higher levels of competition get technical advisors. Technical advisors are more than trainers and can advise as to showing schedule, strategy, what stock might be needed to achieve goals and barn organization.

The second group worked on position of the rider.

“Beezie is the most technically correct rider in the world,” said Morris. “Her base is so excellent, she can concentrate on the horse.”

The group continued to work on position as they executed downward transitions, tracking and counter canter to counter canter flying changes.

Then Morris drew a box in the sand in front of the cavaletti and told riders to put the horse in the box at the take off to the jump to practice collecting the horse’s stride.

He then demonstrated the exercise on Brianne Goutal’s outstanding horse, Bizette B, who Arial Black was fortunate enough to have for the training session.

Morris emphasized the importance of classical dressage for both the physical well-being of the horse and conditioning, and second, for the mental well-being.

“When the flat work gets better and better, the jumps get better and better,” said Morris.

After lunch the group participated in a lively discussion on conformation and soundness as Dr. Marvin Beeman of Littleton Equine Medical Center in CO, continued his presentation from yesterday. Dr. Beeman answered numerous questions from the group on conformation defects, soundness and treatment options. Dr. Beeman offered the group years of expertise as an Olympic caliber veterinarian. Not only is his resume impressive, but also his devotion and love of horses is even more impressive. Dr. Beeman has dedicated his life to horses and the opportunity to speak with him is inspiring.

Riders had the opportunity to hear from DiAnn Langer, the Young Rider Chef d’Equipe. She gave them FEI information and was available for individual strategy sessions.

The training session moved into the barn and continued with farrier Billy Liggett and his son Tim of Woodstock, Illinois. Liggett has been the farrier of choice for many Grand Prix riders in the Midwest and shared years of his experience with the group.

Riders then took a quick break to feed their horses and then headed to the outdoor arena to set the track Morris designed for the final day.

The training session continues tomorrow with the Grand Prix of Brookwood and a farewell luncheon with Morris.

The “Gladstone Program” is an intensive week of training and education for exceptionally dedicated and talented show jumping riders who are serious about their interest and desire to pursue a path that will prepare them for international competition. The training session continues through June 20, 2015. Auditors are welcome 8:00am to noon daily.

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.

For more information on the USET Foundation, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org.

The USET Foundation has been awarded Charity Navigators’ highest honor, a Four Star rating for good governance, sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
USET Foundation
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

George Morris rode Caroline McLeese’s horse without stirrups to demonstrate straightness.

Antioch, IL – June 18, 2015 – It was “no stirrup” day for the fourth day of the United States Equestrian Team Foundation’s George H. Morris “Gladstone Program” at Annali-Brookwood Farm. Morris, along with experts that include the Young Rider Chef d’Equipe DiAnn Langer, veterinarian Dr. Mark Cassells of Homestead Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Marvin Beeman of Littleton Equine Medical Center in Colorado, professional rider and horseperson Jennifer Alfano of Buffalo, NY, and professional and organizer of the training session, Diane Carney, provided valuable information to the riders for the future of their careers.

Morris put the riders and horses through their paces. No stirrups exercises included bridging the reins and executing the volte to feel the straightness of the neck of the horse and the outside rein. When the horse resists, the leg needs to close to keep the impulsion. When the horse gives us what we want we release the pressure, which is called reward.

Riders worked on transitions within the gates such as lengthening and shortening and moved into lateral exercises of shoulder in and shoulder four.

Morris continues to ride horses in each section of his clinics daily, including participating along with the others in the no stirrup exercises to keep fit. Morris continues to work on perfecting his ride, even after 70 years. He rode Caroline McLeese’s horse Caprisio and Morgan Dickerson’s mount, Undine, who is owned by Liz Atkins.

In addition to the sessions with Morris, Alfano has been working with the riders in the barn all week with Dr. Cassells, providing stable management methods and appropriate care techniques.

“It’s a great program and I thank Diane Carney for organizing it,” said Alfano. “I think all the riders really appreciate what they’re learning. Everyone is very capable in the barn already, some of them are professionals, so if I can help them to the next level, that’s a plus.”

“The program highlights excellence,” said Dr. Cassells, “whether it’s on the ground, in the saddle or general horse care. Diane (Carney) has arranged a fantastic group of riders, helpers and presenters to help riders get to a higher level. The riders are like sponges; they soak up everything they can get.”

The afternoon session featured Dr. Marvin Beeman, who was the vet for Calypso and Melanie Smith during the 1984 Olympics. He has greatly contributed to the education of equestrians across the United States and internationally. An innovator in the equestrian world, Dr. Beeman has been presented with many awards. He has been an equine practitioner since 1957, and his specialties include a variety of lameness and musculoskeletal issues.

When not caring for horses, you can find Dr. Beeman in the hunt field for the Arapahoe Hunt Club, (mounted fox hunting-whipper since 1972, huntsmen since 1986), playing polo (was rated at 3 goals) and trail riding (has been part of Round Up Riders of the Rockies since 1965 and is a current member of their Board of Directors).

Dr. Beeman discussed conformation: form and function. He used a picture of Secretariat as an example of the best conformation, even after all these years. He continued to show examples of horses throughout our history and the conformation that made them exceptional. He also discussed the best conformation for various disciplines as well as how conformation defects affect soundness. Dr. Beeman provided a checklist for reviewing conformation and soundness.

While riders went back to the barn to feed and finish up with their horses, Carney and Morris talked about their next project of commentating for the ASPCA Maclay Finals during the 2015 National Horse Show.

“I’m flattered to be included and look forward to being part of the discussion with George and Tori (Colvin),” said Carney. “I’m sure we’ll get a chance to cover a lot of different topics throughout the class and we’ll try to answer our viewers’ questions as well.”

“I know Tori Colvin will carry the ball since she knows the topic best off of last year’s win,” said Morris.

The training session continues tomorrow with a review from Morris and the conclusion of Dr. Beeman’s presentation. Bill Liggett, farrier, will also give a presentation.

The Gladstone Program is an intensive week of training and education for exceptionally dedicated and talented show jumping riders who are serious about their interest and desire to pursue a path that will prepare them for international competition. The training session continues through June 20, 2015. Auditors are welcome 8:00am to noon daily.

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.

For more information on the USET Foundation, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org.

The USET Foundation has been awarded Charity Navigators’ highest honor, a Four Star rating for good governance, sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
USET Foundation
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Morris rode Serah Vogus’s mount with the group to encourage them to copy his flat work.

Antioch, IL – June 17, 2015 – George H. Morris started day three of the United States Equestrian Team Foundation’s “Gladstone Program” at Annali-Brookwood Farm by riding along with his riders to encourage them to copy his flat work. Morris chose Michael Tokaruk’s horse for the morning session to demonstrate and review some of Dr. Bennett’s discussion from the previous day regarding flexion of the horse and correct position of the horse’s neck.

Morris worked on counter canter, transitions, haunches in and haunches out to supple the horse. He reviewed the importance of impulsion first when riding, then straightness and contact. Repetition of the exercises, not force, is what trains the horse.

When the horse fails to yield to the rider’s hand or leg, Morris explained to first rule out a physical issue. If the vet examines the horse and determines there is not a physical issue, then it is simply resistance to leg, seat and hand.

“The horse has to accept us,” said Morris.

The groups then moved on to the jumping exercises with a three-stride line oxer to an oxer with a liverpool, finishing with several circles on the backside of the line.

Next they jumped the viaduct wall with a 10-foot water underneath it, requiring riders to ride with leg.

The final line in the exercise was a 4-foot vertical gate, four strides to an airy plank vertical then three strides to an oxer which was three strides from the end of the ring. Riders jumped the exercise both directions.

Riders then put the entire gymnastic course together with circles at the ends of the ring to encourage straightness of the horse.

“It’s not the jumping that’s the problem; it’s the riding that’s the problem,” said Morris. “It’s between the jumps we need to get better. Most people are inept in how to work a horse. Good horses are ridden with leg.”

The recurring theme during the training session is the better the horses are ridden, the easier the bigger jumps become.

The afternoon session was a media presentation by Brenda Mueller on behalf of Chicago Equestrian/Phelps Media Group. Mueller owns and runs ChicagoEquestrian.com, a marketing and PR company with a Midwest market share and does freelance work for Phelps Media Group, an International media and PR firm out of Wellington, Florida.

Mueller discussed how and why riders should create a brand for themselves and emphasized the importance of getting the message out through the various media channels. She talked about social media dos and don’ts along with different suggestions for marketing their brand.

Input also came from DiAnn Langer, the U.S. Show Jumping Young Rider Chef d’Equipe, based on media experiences she has encountered with some of the teams to date.

The major theme was how to consider the brand and image of the U.S. teams for future interviews and press conferences. Tips were discussed on handling questions from the media before riders each had a chance in the hot seat during a mock press conference.

Three groups each had the opportunity to answer questions from their peers, who acted as journalists, firing questions that were challenging to answer. The answers were discussed so participants could understand the impact of their answers.

Riders then spent time in the barn with manager and Hunter Derby Finals winner, Jennifer Alfano, getting grooming and care tips while putting their horses up for the night.

The training session continues to day four with no stirrups during the riding sessions and discussion on conformation – form and function with Dr. Marvin Beeman from Littleton Animal Hospital in Colorado.

The “Gladstone Program” is an intensive week of training and education for exceptionally dedicated and talented show jumping riders who are serious about their interest and desire to pursue a path that will prepare them for international competition. The training session continues through June 20, 2015. Auditors are welcome 8:00am to noon daily.

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.

For more information on the USET Foundation, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org.

The USET Foundation has been awarded Charity Navigators’ highest honor, a Four Star rating for good governance, sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
USET Foundation
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

George Morris demonstrated raising the base of the neck of the horse.

Antioch, IL – June 16, 2015 – Day two of the United States Equestrian Team Foundation’s George H. Morris “Gladstone Program” at Annali-Brookwood Farm began early at 7:30 am with Morris in the irons, quietly starting flat work with Kelly Smith’s horse. Alone in the ring, Morris put the bay thoroughbred mare to work while the curious riders started to file into the indoor arena to watch. All you could hear was the horse’s breathing and its hoof beats, as Morris transformed the horse into a soft and correctly shaped frame by the end of his ride. Without a word, Morris had taught the riders yet another lesson in flat work.

By 8:00 am, riders were mounted up and began working in serpentines and figures of eight, trying to apply what they had just witnessed. Morris emphasized that figures on the flat such as volte, figure of eight, turn in reverse and serpentine should be in every rider’s vocabulary and school. The exercises carried forward the message from day one’s work of impulsion and getting the horse to accept the inside leg at every gate and in transitions.

Riders were asked to do flying lead changes on a straight line and because of the previous flatwork of the serpentines and figures, the horses were light enough to execute it.

Morris noted, “Of course it’s great to have good horses and it’s hard to participate today without good horses, but riders have to be curious about every aspect of the horse to be good.”

The Gladstone Program offers riders opportunity to learn more than just sitting in the saddle. Morris went on to tell a story.

“I was in Wellington watching the hunter schooling ring from the grand prix ring. I saw one horse in that ring that looked like it was being ridden correctly. I couldn’t make out who it was, but I was curious as to who it was. So I walked to the hunter schooling area to watch and it was Carl Weeden.”

Weeden, with her husband Rush, are the facility hosts and owners of Annali-Brookwood Farm.

Morris told the group to watch the influential riders like Jennifer Alfano, Carl, Hunter Holloway, Tori Colvin and Diane Carney’s riders. Morris added they are consistent winners and have been for decades because their horses are properly cared for first in the stable, then ridden with impulsion.

The groups continued with jumping exercises, starting with the caveletti as the bridge to jumping. The ancient gymnastic, as Morris called it, was the trot jump with the 9′ trot rail to a vertical.

The groups then practiced the serpentine with four jumps, working on the same diagonal aids as the flat work to accomplish the task.

Morris concluded with his famous line heard in clinics across the country: “Perfect practice makes perfect.”

In the afternoon session, anatomy expert Dr. Deb Bennett continued her discussion about collection and anti-collection. She showed the riders a slide to help explain how anatomy affects proper shape of the horse when ridden correctly. The focus was on the horse’s loin and spinal cord and the ability of the horse to raise the base of his neck. This was a continuing theme from day one’s work with the model bones of the horse to explain the horse’s movement.

Dr. Bennett also expressed how passionate she was about horses having a good time being engaged in the work they are asked to do, and the riders enjoying the horse. She expressed that every horse needs creativity, not the same identical experience of horse showing week after week. If a horse is only showing, it is getting numb.

She concluded with the concept of training as getting the horse to want to do what you ask with their joy and expression being primary.

Riders then set the course for the next day and spent time in the barn with their horses under Jennifer Alfano’s watchful eye.

Riders continue on day three with the next stage of gymnastics and discussion on conformation; form and function with Dr. Marvin Beeman from Littleton Animal Hospital in Colorado.

The Gladstone Program is an intensive week of training and education for exceptionally dedicated and talented show jumping riders who are serious about their interest and desire to pursue a path that will prepare them for international competition. The training session continues through June 20, 2015. Auditors are welcome 8:00am to noon daily.

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.

For more information on the USET Foundation, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org.

The USET Foundation has been awarded Charity Navigators’ highest honor, a Four Star rating for good governance, sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
USET Foundation
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

George Morris demonstrates leg to hand and straightness of the horse on Hunter Holloway’s mount VDL Bravo S.

Antioch, IL – June 15, 2015 – Day One of the United States Equestrian Team Foundation’s George H. Morris “Gladstone Program” at Annali-Brookwood Farm, organized by Diane Carney, began with a session of flat work. Heavy rains caused the sessions to be indoors today, but Rush and Caroline Weeden’s Farm had no trouble accommodating with their beautiful facility and roomy indoor arena. With the program’s barn manager, renowned hunter rider Jennifer Alfano and Olympian Anne Kursinski watching over, the opening group mounted up for the first lesson of the week.

Hunter Holloway, Morgan Dickerson, Kelly Smith and Michael Tokaruk were the first group, hand selected by Morris, to practice impulsion and straightness. Morris talked about the steps to make a good horse. The first step starts in the barn; care of the horse is of the utmost importance along with correct tack. If the horse is properly cared for, it will be a good horse. Second is the flat work followed by gymnastics. Together, it will make a good horse Morris emphasized.

Morris demonstrated leg to hand and straightness of the horse using Hunter Holloway’s horse VDL Bravo S. “We can teach you but you have to get it,” said Morris.

Group 2 then had their chance to practice their flat work. Liz Atkins, Serah Vogus, Ariel Black, Brandie Holloway and Caroline McLeese reviewed correct position of the rider and effective aids. Morris demonstrated getting the horse to stretch the neck by working the hind end effectively, using Liz Atkins’ mount, Carletta.

“Every day you get up and you know nothing,” said Morris. “After 70 years, I’m just starting to get it.”

He encouraged riders to read books and learn from other experts. Anne Kursinski was next to perform proper schooling of a horse on the flat. Kursinski not only demonstrated the principles of leg and hand, but she provided inspiration to the aspiring riders.

“You have to work at it,” said Kursinski. “I wish kids could get that. Jimmy Williams used to tell me I’d never be any good. It wasn’t until my third Olympics that he thought I was maybe starting to learn.”

Kursinski added, “Every day, I’m so thankful to have horses in my life and what they have taught me and the places they have taken me. They took me to the Olympics and Europe and so much more.”

She continued to stress to the riders to work hard and learn how to care for their horses with the help of good instructors, your vets, and farriers.

“It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts,” summarized Kursinski.

Dr. Deb Bennett from California conducted the afternoon presentation. She is known internationally for her scientific approach to conformation analysis and has made a career out of conveying a kind of “X-ray vision” for bone structure to breeders and buyers. Her background in biomechanics helps her clearly explain how conformation relates to performance ability. Dr. Bennett is the author of “Principles of Conformation Analysis”.

Dr. Bennett gave a hands-on demonstration using a model of the bones of the horse, provided by Dr. Mark Cassells of Homestead Veterinary Clinic, to discuss conformation and biomechanics. Riders had the opportunity to figure out how to put the neck bones of a horse together to see how it functions.

Dr. Bennett explained the top line of the horse is developed best by contraction and release. She recommended riders change up the exercises and ride off the rail to get the best results.

She then focused on the pelvis of the horse to teach riders how to best help their horses by understanding the anatomy. Dr. Bennett explained collection as the process of coiling the loins and raising the center of the horse’s back to finally raise the base of the neck producing correct form.

Riders then got to see the theories in action as Dr. Bennett used a horse to explain the anatomy and movement of the horse.

The group then set the jumps for tomorrow’s gymnastics and moved back to the barn to feed and complete their day with Jennifer Alfano, who provided them tips on care of the horse.

Day two for the group will consist of flat work and gymnastics along with more from Dr. Bennett.

The Gladstone Program is an intensive week of training and education for exceptionally dedicated and talented show jumping riders who are serious about their interest and desire to pursue a path that will prepare them for international competition. The training session continues through June 20, 2015. Auditors are welcome 8:00am to noon daily.

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.

For more information on the USET Foundation, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org.

The USET Foundation has been awarded Charity Navigators’ highest honor, a Four Star rating for good governance, sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
USET Foundation
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com