Cross Training!

Idols???  I think it's good that we have role models in our lives that we look up to for guidance in training.  Ingrid Klimke is just that person for me!  She competes in both Olympic level Dressage and Eventing, double gold medal winner, and the daughter of 6 time gold medal winner Reiner Klimke… this family is definitely doing something right!  What I love about her system is that every horse cross trains in her program.  Her recent Grand Prix Dressage mount “Franziskus” can easily show jump around courses.  Ingrid is the master at incorporating caveletti into her everyday training.  It’s addition gives importance to not only keeping a horses body fit but paying close attention to the horses mental well-being.

I am personally a strong believer in cross training even if the horse is being developed solely for the discipline of Dressage.  For both the adult and the young horse, it gives them something else to “play” with and to focus on, avoiding being drilled.  Slowly raising the rails off the ground encourages the horse to develop more push, articulate their joints more, develop cadence / carriage, and can condition for more advanced movements such as piaffe or passage.  Canter rails in various patterns can encourage a high degree of balance and straightness often critical for success with tempi changes.  For horses being developed in jumping disciplines, it is a great tool to practice timing, connection to fences, rhythm, balance, varied striding- all without jumping the horse over obstacles thus preserving soundness. Cross training is only option and not required in each students training program.