Davidson, a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist (1976 and 1984) and two-time Olympic Silver Medalist (1972 and 1996) in Equestrian Team Eventing, as well as a three-time individual world champion, agreed to come to Lebanon to share his experience and knowledge with riders.
Working with Davidson is a rare opportunity for students, said clinic organizer Melissa Miller.
“He doesn’t do many clinics at all,” said Miller, a Hamilton resident and owner of Melissa Miller Eventing, where she teaches students and their horses dressage (flat course work) and eventing (jumping). “He’s very selective about events and clinics. I took lessons with him in Florida last winter and it was an amazing experience. I knew my students would benefit from his teaching, so I just asked him. I was surprised when he agreed.”
One of Miller’s students, 15-year-old Hannah Scheid of Mason, arrived at Dancing Horse Farm early Sunday morning to get her horse, Murphy, ready for their session later in the day and to watch some of the first groups of the day. Scheid said her Saturday session was her “first big eventing clinic” and it made a significant impact on her.
“It was a wake-up call for me,” Scheid said, shaking her head and smiling. “A real eye-opener. Bruce pushed me out of my comfort zone and I realized I need to build even more confidence than I already have.”
During Sunday’s first session, Davidson stood in the center of the eventing course with three students and their horses preparing them to make their first jumps of the day. He said the secret of jumping lies within communicating with the horse about pacing, both for the run and for the jump.
“What is your horse saying to you?” Davidson shouted out to the three students riding around the instructional course. “What feedback are you giving your horse? A horse’s instinct is the total opposite of a human’s. At least that’s what it’s been in my experience and many times, the horse is the one who is right.”
The rider establishes communication with the horse through a variety of verbal and nonverbal cues and every rider’s method is unique to the horse’s personality, he said. Some riders pat their horse’s head, while others add or release tension on the reins. As each horse and rider team cantered toward the jumping fence, Davidson made suggestions on how to tweak their pacing, direction and jump timing. The adjustments were slight, ones only a true master would be able see, and effects of the feedback were immediately noticeable as the riders and horses jumped higher each time.
Hannah’s mother, Tracy Scheid, admitted to some fear whenever she watches her daughter and Murphy attempt a jump.
“Sure, I kind of hold my breath,” she said. “But, I know the instructor and the staff have safety at the top of their list. At the same time, it is exciting to see Hannah learn so much.”
The level of investment for an equestrian parent goes far beyond the monetary value, which is in the thousands between the horse purchase, boarding, lessons, food and more. The hours and sweat labor that go into owning a horse and training with it can be immeasurable. For Tracy, though, the investment is worth it.
“It is an incredible self-esteem and confidence-booster,” she said. “Hannah has shown us her level of commitment in how many hours she dedicates to taking care of Murphy, her lessons and competitions. It is amazing to see how she’s grown and what she’s accomplished since she began.”
Hannah said the clinic has brought out new and exciting goals and opportunities.
“Working with an Olympian, I can’t even begin to describe it,” she said. “This is somebody who has done it all and seen it all who is working with me to push me harder so I can be better. It can be a little scary, but he was able to bring things out of me I wasn’t sure I can do. At this point, after my experience this weekend, I can’t see myself staying on the ground anymore. I want to keep jumping and see where we go.”
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