Alex and Izzy's Adventures!
Hi everyone of Toronto Cadora Youth!
I've decided to do some blogs about my experiences working as a dressage student with Belinda Trussell while here in Florida so that everyone might share in my adventures with my horse Izzy and I.
A little about myself first, my name is Alexandra and I started riding when I was 12. I quickly gravitated towards dressage after having tried other disciplines and found that out of the others I loved dressage the best. After a couple years I bought a 3 year old horse who I had been riding previously by the name of Azriel, now known as Izzy and proceeded to train her along with the help of my coach. I knew I wanted to get more serious with riding and training so I applied for a working student position at Oakcrest Farms at 17 and now nearly 2 years later it's the reason for where I find myself today.
Belinda is here in Wellington, Florida competing in the winter show circuit with her Grand Prix horse Anton and I was fortunate enough to come along for the season with Izzy. The experience thus far has been amazing and Florida has brought on a whole new level of learning opportunities. Just week 2 in Wellington, Belinda's long time coach Christilot Hanson-Boylen was here for a week coaching Belinda and also Sussane Dutt-Roth who is stabled here with us. I learned a lot watching and listening to her coach both and am always amazed by how much knowledge she has of the sport. Also in the same week Belinda trailered over to Tuny Page's place to ride in the clinic with Robert Dover. I was very excited to meet Robert Dover and just as excited to watch him teach a lot of our Canadian riders. Following later in the week was the Gold Coast Opener CDI that took place this past weekend where I got to groom for Belinda. It was really great grooming for her because I got to watch Christilot coach her and warm her up before her class and watch a lot of the other riders warm up and compete. Robert Dover was of course also there and listening to him give advice and teach in the warm up was also a great experience. The best part of the weekend was when Belinda won the Grand Prix Special with a 68.25! I'm very excited for her and pleased that all their hard work showed in the ring. Team Canada also won the CDI GP and the Freestyle making for a very rewarding feeling for Canada.
Back from the show Belinda continues to train for the next show, and I continue to work with Izzy which has been going well. We both enjoy the warm weather! That's everything so far, but there will be lots more to come.
Hope you've enjoyed sharing in my first adventures in Wellington!
Until next time,
Alex