USEF Young Horse Training at Riveredge with Scott Hassler

Sunrise at Riveredge

On my arrival at Riveredge, the location of the USEF Young Horse training session with Scott Hassler, I felt like a kid their first time at Disney. The widest rubber paved aisles I've ever seen, big beautiful stalls with dutch doors opening outward. Acres and acres of green fields. A state of the art under water treadmill in the therapy room. And so on and so on. My jaw was dropping every time I turned around. The indoor resembled the interior of the most beautiful ark, with polished wood and the most perfect mirrors you ever saw. A lovely observation area at the end of the arena, as well as another behind it being constructed, complete with balcony.



So for three days I had the opportunity to watch Scott teaching both his students and the other young horse trainers in this most lovely setting. I watched his wife, Susanne, ride beautiful stallion after beautiful stallion. She is such a lovely rider, as were all Scott's students! I met my babies granddaddy, "Harmony's Rousseau", and watched Susanne put him through his stunning paces. It was all so very interesting and educational. The highlight for me however was definitely my time with Ruby.

Scott has a very clear and systematic approach that was easy to follow and understand. Availability (something my students hear about frequently as well) is key. Much focus was given to acceptance of the aids. Once my horse was more through and relaxed in his back, the opportunity for some lovely collection arose, and Scott saw it and was right on it! Ruby showed Scott his breath taking big boy trot. He recognized Ruby's special talent for collection, calling my wonderful little guy a "Special gift". Everything we had been currently working on, Scott helped me take it a step further, and sent me away with a very clear picture of his program for the upcoming months, focusing on developing Ruby's strength and responses for better throughness, collection and expression. It was so incredibly helpful to have someone of his caliber give me feedback and focus. I can't wait to see where it goes over the upcoming months!

Thank you so much to the folks at Riveredge and the USEF for this wonderful opportunity for Ruby and myself! Look forward to visiting you all again!