Dorothy “Dottie” Morkis Clinic

              On Saturday, October 14th and Sunday, October 15th, 2006, dressage Olympian Dottie Morkis came to St. Andrew’s and gave a clinic. Private and group lessons were available to all students who wished to participate.

              One of the recurrent themes in the clinic was the importance of the rider’s core. If a rider collapses and loses their back they lose the horse and the horse goes behind the leg. “Your hip bends, not your back” Dottie told one rider as well as pointing out that “If he can feel a fly on his back, he can feel you kicking his sides” and if you drop your back it is an invitation for the horse to do as he pleases. One rider remarked that she learned that “If my posture was correct, it translated to correct and quiet hands, effective leg aids, and a much more harmonious ride overall.”

              Being able to ride an accurate test is extremely important and Dottie had many words of wisdom for the St. Andrew’s IDA (Intercollegiate Dressage Association) Team. Dottie stressed that the rider must steer the horse with their eyes, “don’t just ride a circle, look for the letters”. Too many precious points are lost when a rider misses a letter and has a poorly planned and thus inaccurate test.