WATERBURY – The fourth Annual Dressage4Kids Weekend Program, organized by Olympic rider Lendon Gray and held at Post University in Waterbury in early February, was a popular event for participants of all ages.

There were two days of lectures and demonstrations and more than 120 people attended from Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire and Maine attended.

Well-known author Susan Harris gave two excellent talks and brought along her trampoline to illustrate how riders need to understand more about rhythm and balance and how important it is to their riding. Alison End’s now famous Balance Stool was also popular, with everyone getting the feel of how their position and balance can affect the horse and his gaits.

Dressage judge Margaret Freeman explained what judges look for and got everyone to judge some dressage rides. Ms Freeman and Fern Feldman gave some pointers on rules – something riders all hate to learn, but need to know. Clinical psychologist Dr. Leslie Weiss spoke on handling competition nerves and there was solid nutritional advice handed out by Mary Beth Gordon.

Lendon Gray delivered several popular talks to both adults and younger riders on topics including, Goal Setting and Basic Teaching Skills for the New Instructor.

Some group sessions and other lectures rounded out the weekend.