Source:  News Release

New England Dressage Association To Host Two Olympians During Spring Symposium

Millis, MA – The New England Dressage Association (NEDA) is continuing their dedication of providing top educational opportunities for members and dressage enthusiasts by kicking off their 2012 Spring Symposium with Olympic Bronze Medalists Michael Poulin and Carol Lavell. The Spring Symposium will be held April 27-29 at Apple Knoll Farm in Millis, Massachusetts.

Poulin and Lavell were teammates on the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Team, along with Robert Dover and Charlotte Bredahl, and hold the unique relationship of being teacher and student, mentor and colleague. “During the Spring Symposium, Michael and Carol will have the opportunity to discuss the importance of the relationship between a student and teacher in the sport of dressage. They will also explore how that relationship affects the learning and development of both horse and rider, whether training for the top or for your own personal goal,” said Linda Mendenhall, NEDA Spring Symposium Coordinator.

During the Symposium, Poulin and Lavell will also share their experiences of what it was like to train and medal in the Olympics as well as impart their wisdom as long-time devotees of the art of dressage. “The Symposium will offer something for everyone, from amateurs to professionals, and will feature lectures and workshops with demonstrations in the ring,” Mendenhall said.

The Spring Symposium will include Poulin and Lavell teaching about training methods that have delivered proven results to riders of all levels, including: How to work on your seat and see a rider on a lunge lesson; Lavell’s “Lateral Ladder,” a set of exercises to develop the horse and rider through the levels of lateral work; the basics behind training the 3P’s – Piaffe, Passage and Pirouettes; the aids for movements and how to understand their effect on the horse; and how to interpret and use the Training Scale to guide your riding.

Poulin, an FEI “I” Judge, has trained and coached multiple horses and riders to successful international competition and his well-known students include Lavell, Lendon Gray and his daughter Katherine Poulin. Lavell rode into the history books, and into the hearts of dressage riders all over the world, aboard her 17.3 hand Hanoverian gelding named Gifted. The pair rose to fame in the dressage world, garnering countless medals and wins throughout their career. Gifted was euthanized in 1997, at the age of 17, the same year he was inducted into the USDF Hall of Fame.

“It’s a really special opportunity to have the chance to learn from Michael and Carol and I hope NEDA members and non-members will take full advantage of this educational experience,” Mendenhall said. “I couldn’t be more pleased that we all have the opportunity to study with these two amazing people who have had such a dramatic impact on the sport of dressage.”

For more information on the 2012 NEDA Spring Symposium or to sign up and attend, visit the NEDA website at www.neda.org or email Mendenhall at hofmendenhall@verizon.net or call 978-448-0066.

Barnmice News is brought to you by EnglishHabit.com, your complete online English tack shop.