Kudzu Klinic with Susan Dye
by Jenn Greenlee

According to the weather report, Saturday, March 1st was due to be partly cloudy with temperatures in the low 60's. However, as most Georgians know, the weather report can be somewhat misleading. My horse and I were quite aware of this as we plodded through the drizzle in low 40-degree temperature. This did not deter Susan Dye's positive outlook nor cloud her eye for rider and horse strengths and weaknesses. Susan started with a brief description of 1.Relaxation 2. Rhythm 3. Tempo. Each rider demonstrated their understanding and competency in these three areas. The biggest lesson "My Buddy" and I learned was to relax and soften. Other riders in my group were Jane Grange and Vicki Truelove (owner of Avalon Hills Equestrian Center).
After a morning full of teaching and riding, everyone welcomed the opportunity to come in out of the mist for lunch and a lecture. We had the distinguished honor of listening to Ross Davis, a Professional Therapy Specialist. Ross discussed numerous stretches and strengthening exercises useful in "Injury Prevention for Equestrians". He even presented each of us with a packet containing sketches and descriptions of these exercises. Liz Heiden and Vicki Truelove got down on the barn floor to demonstrate several of these stretches. Another interesting ground exercise entailed the use of the Swiss Ball-found at your local Target store for under $6 bucks!-That is the right price for a teenager to pay for fitness equipment. Ross explained how we could use the ball to improve the rider's main support system, the torso. In closing, Ross reiterated the importance of stretching and strengthening for the equestrian athlete.
Well rested, Susan returned to mold a fresh, new group of riders. This is when I had planned to school the BN cross-country course at Avalon Hills. Once again, Mother Nature did not cooperate. I was disappointed until Vicki suggested that the footing in the jumping arena was perfect for practicing stadium. "My Buddy" and I had a blast jumping the wall, flower boxes, and the well. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day. I look forward to coming back and competing in April at the GDCTA sponsored schooling horse trials at Avalon Hills Equestrian Center.