Bettina is considered one of the world’s foremost experts in work in-hand and she’ll be demonstrating the benefits of this skill for horses of all breeds and disciplines. The in-hand demonstrations will provide riders with exercises aimed at addressing specific needs, such as building up the topline, relaxation and flexion techniques for more nervous horses, as well as exercises for developing high-school balance.

On Friday, participants will travel back in time and experience
first-hand how the French system was actually taught in an academic setting when Bettina recreates a day spent in an academic riding school. By the end of the day, participants will understand the role of the French system in launching modern dressage training systems. Friday will be, in a sense, a day-long course in dressage history in which participants will learn about the roots of the French system, see demonstrations of 18th and 19th century techniques and will end the day seeing an application of those techniques to modern dressage.

Day two, on Saturday, will focus on application of the theory discussed the day before with Bettina demonstrating her skill at in-hand work for strengthening weaknesses in joints and suppling the midsection and lowering the croup of the horse. Ground exercises and training patterns will be introduced that are used by traditionalists like Bettina to improve the chiropractic health and physical strength of horses. A special feature will be a lecture, written by Gen. Pierre Durand, a French Olympian and former head of the France’s famous Saumur, combined with video footage from Bettina’s training with Oliveira. The day will also include an open forum in which participants can engage in discussion
with Bettina on riding and training theory and technique.

The final day of the symposium pulls it all together as Bettina demonstrates techniques, both from assistance on the ground and from the saddle, on perfecting more complicated movements such as passage, piaffe and pirouettes. “Finesse” is a word widely used by Bettina to describe a requirement of higher-level riding and how to achieve this perfection that results in lightness, roundness and increased suspension will be a focus of the final day. This last day will draw from Bettina’s years of experience as an exhibition rider with skill in developing exhibitions to music. Here she will draw the connection between the art and sport of dressage, showing how the craft of riding has been grafted onto the modern sport of dressage. She’ll demonstrate her technique for developing musical kur as she teaches participants such important aspects as how to sculpt artistic lines in the horse and develop beauty and fluidity. In other words, participants will witness the techniques used to create riding art that is pleasing to the eye and to the horse.

Riders interested in participating should keep in mind that Bettina’s main interest is in searching for those riders who seek a greater communication with their horses and who share an interest in exploring classical techniques that lead to a more artistic and beautiful expression and flow. Hence, level of rider and horse is of less importance than a desire to find the true art in riding. And it matters not the breed or discipline. This is a symposium that truly will reach out to all riders, so don’t miss this year’s NEDA Spring Symposium with Bettina Drummond!