The Art of Training Young Horses: Becky Moody’s Approach
Training young horses for competition is no small feat. Renowned dressage trainer Becky Moody offers a fresh perspective that not only challenges traditional equestrian techniques but also emphasizes patience, balance, and individualized training. With her own home-bred horse, Jagerbomb, reaching remarkable success at the Paris Olympics, Moody’s approach is both credible and inspiring. Let’s delve into her training philosophies to uncover the secrets behind her success.
Patience: The Untold Secret to Success
Becky Moody believes in moving at the horse’s pace rather than forcing arbitrary timelines. “The most important thing is that the horses go at the rate that they need to go at,” she asserts. Whether a horse is three or four, what matters is its readiness—both mentally and physically. Moody recounts waiting another year before starting formal training for a horse not yet mature, allowing it extra time for development. This refreshing take on patience underscores its vital role in developing champions.
Selecting Young Horses: It’s More Than Just Movement
Many trainers prioritize spectacular movement when selecting young horses, but Moody takes a different route. She values ease, balance, and energy over flamboyant movement, explaining that “spectacular movement isn't necessarily good movement.” Rather, she seeks horses that show a natural ease in motion, focusing on their overall temperament and conformation. For Moody, a horse’s movement can always be developed, but its mental disposition and natural grace are key.
Training Philosophy: Holistic and Balanced
Moody’s philosophy is simple yet profound: training should be varied and never excessive. “Young horses are engaged no more than three times a week and enjoy extensive hacking,” she outlines. Focusing on the horse’s mental health and physical well-being ensures they not only perform but thrive. Her approach suggests dressage tests are best viewed as a series of exercises that enhance a horse’s suppleness and balance, not merely a checklist to complete.
Individualized Early Development
For Moody, backing a young horse relies on observing each animal's behaviors. She adapts training methods based on a horse's reactions, citing an example with her horse, Magic Dream. This horse showed a naturally positive temperament and responsiveness early on, indicating a high level of trainability without initial riding trials. It’s this intuitive understanding and adaptation that sets her training methods apart.
Achievements through Collaborations
Becky Moody credits part of her success to collaborations with top coaches, including Carl Hester. These partnerships have proven invaluable, helping her achieve personal bests with Jagerbomb at major events. Her journey with Jagerbomb illustrates that dedication and strategy transcend wealth and privilege in the competitive equestrian realm.
Conclusion
Moody’s insightful methods speak volumes of a training style where patience and ease prevail over rushed progress and rigid expectations. Trainers and riders could benefit from adopting her holistic approach, focusing on ease, balance, and the mental and physical well-being of the horse. Becky Moody continues to inspire, providing valuable lessons for those striving toward a successful career in equestrian sports.
For further reading on Becky Moody's philosophies and detailed interviews, visit Horse & Hound's official website at horseandhound.co.uk.
