Hi Karen, I noticed your comment on the 2010WEG Group. It's so neat to see who is coming from where. I will be going to the Games, but I live very near Lexington, so it is not much of a drive for me.

Dear Dr. Sharf,

Reading your posts with great interest. I would love to connect here at your pleasure. I am new to the horse business, but enjoy learning about every aspect of horse health and rider training.

If I can be of service, please don't hesitate to call on me.

Sincerely,

Jay Hughes
H & H Horse
www.HandHHorse.com

Hi Karen,
Thankyou, I would appreciate any ideas, whenever you have a moment to spare!
Here's some background info: I am in my 30's, and have been competing in dressage since I was a child (with a few years off for university). I was lucky enough to be given very good schoolmaster horses, and began competing at Advanced level at the age of 14. After high school I travelled to the US and spent a year training with Lendon Gray, then I went on to the UK where I trained and competed for a few years. These were great opportunities and I gained a lot of experience on different horses, and learned how to stay relaxed under pressure.
I now have a lovely horse which I am hoping to take out in Grand Prix next season. I really enjoy competition, but I often come away after a test feeling that I could have given it more. It begins in the warm-up area: I'm quite good at getting the horse settled but have difficulty then getting him into top gear. I feel like I'm holding back (what for? the next time?). I know I need to do everything I can to do justice to my horse's talent.
How can we train ourselves to give 110% in the warm up and competition arena?

Thanks again, and I hope that you have time for some fun over the weekend!