Maintaining sensitive training at the highest level

Several of the leading US dressage riders and trainers have formed an unofficial group in Wellington to continue the training methodology and team harmony developed by Debbie McDonald. McDonald, who led the USA to Olympic and World Championship silver medals, now spends more time with her family in the west of the country.

The group includes Adrienne Lyle, Kasey Perry-Glass, Allison Brock, Ashley Holzer, Katherine Bateson Chandler, Olivia LaGoy Weltz and Katie Duerrhammer. The aim of the project is to maintain the principles of soft and sensitive training at the highest level.

Adrienne Lyle explained that she had worked with Debbie for 20 years and would follow her philosophy even if she was not physically present, and that the group would be supported by mutual coaching and the involvement of external trainers.

Another sign of this collaboration is participation in private training courses with renowned coaches such as Kyra Kyrklund. There will also be a book club in which works on mental preparation for competitions, such as Inner Excellence, will be read and discussed. Ashley Holzer emphasized that this positive dynamic is of great importance for the success of the US dressage riders.