Going the extra mile
Feed experts TopSpec are once again inviting applications for their generous training bursary. Amy Schiessel explains why it’s been so beneficial to her
WHEN Amy Schiessl scored an international personal best of 69.5% at the young rider European Championships in 2016, representing Great Britain aboard her partner of 10 years, Mr Mercury, it marked the pinnacle of her dressage career so far.
But this year, since becoming the TopSpec sponsored rider for 2016, Amy has achieved yet another lifelong goal — riding at grand prix on a horse she has trained, aged just 21. Add that to becoming medium gold regional champion on the seven-year-old Knoxx’s Figaro this summer, and it’s been quite a season for the young rider.
We find out some of the secrets to her success, from training and planning to feeding for optimum performance.
AMY says: “With £1000 to put towards training this year thanks to the TopSpec sponsorship, I have been able to spend more time working with Nicky Barrett, my long-term trainer. I work with her about once a week, and she gives me exercises to incorporate into my schooling in between sessions.
“One such exercise is my favourite for helping generate expression and impulsion, and I use it to help improve the quality of the medium and extended paces.
“In trot or canter I simply close with my seat and rein to ask the horse to collect and sit on his hocks for a few strides, before pushing him forwards again. I repeat this several times, both on circles and straight lines, each time trying to make the transition snappier. The quality of the trot or canter will gradually improve; the horse will become lighter in the hand and more uphill in his frame.
“Some horses are able to sit more than others, but this exercise is valuable for every horse, no matter what level they are at.
“You can do anything within the pace when a horse is light on the forehand and really sitting back on the hocks — you can use it as preparation for lateral work, or to set up for an expressive extended trot or canter. Use your corner to collect, then make a deliberate transition in and out of the extended pace; the judge wants to see a clear difference.
“When riding extended canter imagine you’re travelling up a steep hill — the rhythm shouldn’t quicken, but the canter must be bigger and more uphill. One of Nicky’s tips for riding the extended canter is to make the distance between your hips and hands smaller.”
COMPETING on the international stage and at higher levels inevitably brings extra pressure and nerves, but Amy has an effective routine for competition days, to ensure she performs at her best.
“I always allow myself plenty of time for everything on show days, and about 90 minutes before my test I’ll head into the lorry for some peace and quiet on my own,” reveals Amy. “I’ll visualise myself riding the test, starting by imagining riding down the centre line and how I’m going to prepare for my halt.
“When I’m working in at a big competition, I stop myself looking at all the other horses, instead focusing on my own horse without comparing myself to others. What you see in the warm-up isn’t the whole picture anyway.
“I make sure I have the same people around me at shows: Nicky working me in, and my mum there too to keep me positive. You must stay confident and try to ride as you would at home — a dressage test is very unlikely to go wrong in the way a jumping or cross-country round could, so don’t worry too much. Ride for your own maximum in every movement, even if that’s a seven, and don’t fixate on your weaker movements as they only account for one mark in the test.
“And don’t forget to smile — if you look and feel positive, the judge and your horse will pick up on it.”