“Showing in a dressage sport horse breeding show differs from a regular dressage show, especially if you have no experience in the field….  It takes time to train a young horse to perform well in the ring.  To be truly successful you need to work with the horse for quite a while before you enter the show.” (USDF Dressage Sport Horse Guidelines.)  Preparing and showing a young horse for the show ring gives it an all important “first step” to becoming a ridden show horse as it learns the basic cues and manners needed.  Trainers have commented that it is much easier to “start” a young horse under saddle that has had experience in the in-hand classes.  So, even if you have no intention of showing, or winning a class, the discipline and experience gained by working the youngster provides a great basis for further training.  Those showing mares and foals in-hand also need to know the specific training needed to show each to its advantage.  Mature breeding stock also benefit from “tuning up” for in-hand shows and inspections.

Showing in hand involves specific knowledge of just how to set the horse up or move the horse in hand in order to show it to its best ability.  Take advantage of our Spring 2010 (May 8th) clinic to learn-or perfect-these techniques.  Thanks to the generosity of Bobby Murray  (instructor),  Brookside Equestrian Center (host site in N. Smithfield, RI) , and NEDA volunteer organizers, we are able to offer this clinic on a very low cost basis and are inviting participants and auditors from warmblood breed associations, non-warmblood breeds with in-hand sport horse classes such as the Arabians, as well as Pony Clubbers, 4-H members and college equine program students.

The instructor will be Bobby Murray, well known sport horse handler and clinician as well as Stallion/Young Horse Manager at Pineland Farms.  Bobby has had many wins at prestigious sport horse shows around the country including the NEDA Fall Festival and Dressage at Devon, which in turn resulted in numerous USDF DSHB Horse of the Year awards.  Bobby also prepares stallions, mares and foals for breed keurings and inspections.  He takes great pride in presenting each horse to the best of its capabilities and talents.