WATERBURY – More than 100 people traveled to Teikyo Post University in Waterbury hear the words and advice of Olympic rider and trainer Lendon Gray as she discussed “Dressage For Everyone.”

Ms. Gray emphasized the need to take the trouble to ‘listen’ to our horses and make sure they are happy in the work we are asking of them. She gave many examples of how she had varied the training for so many horses that needed very individual schedules.

“Any horse should be capable of doing a decent first level test,” she told the audience, “but after that make sure that he has, first, the temperament and, second, the athletic ability to go on to higher levels. You must be fair to the horse and find his niche in life.”

She also showed a video of her Pas de Deux demonstration with her Grand Prix dressage mount paired with a reining horse. A  video of the moving retirement ceremony of her famous partner Seldom Seen was another highlight of the evening.

Ms. Gray stressed the importance of a true partnership between horse and rider – with the rider being the senior partner, but never the totally dominant one.

NOTE: The Quiz the Experts evening lectures will begin on January 26 with an Olympic Evening - videos from the Sydney Olympics with expert commentary. Keep an eye out for further details!