It’s not every day you get a lesson from a true master of the sport, but more than 1,000 spectators and a handful of lucky riders got just that opportunity when Carl Hester, dressage master, travelled to Canada last October for a masterclass at the Caledon Equestrian Park northwest of Toronto.
With a stunning selection of horses from four-year-olds to grand prix veterans, and a lineup of riders which included members of Canada’s Olympic dressage team, the weekend was a treat from start to finish. The star of the show, of course, was Hester himself. Humorous, self-deprecating, and with a laser-sharp eye for exactly what each horse and rider combination most needed to work on, he both entertained and educated the audience for two full days.
While most of us may never have the chance to compete in the Olympics, or even ride a grand prix horse, we can all learn something of value from Hester. Throughout the clinic he provided tips and prescribed exercises that every rider, at every level, can work on at home. Here are three of our favourites; each can be performed in walk, trot, or canter, depending on the level of difficulty desired.