For many young dressage athletes, the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions represents the pinnacle of their season. The competition is a place where top combinations from across the United States come together to compete at the picturesque HITS Lamplight Equestrian Center. Among the classes offered, the Dressage Seat Medal Finals stand out as a unique opportunity designed to develop and showcase the fundamentals of equitation. For 2023 bronze medalist, Claire Tucker, the experience has been formative and rewarding.
“Equitation is the best foundation you can have in your riding,” Tucker explains. “It sets you up to do everything the correct way, so you’re not giving your horse mixed signals.” Under the guidance of her trainer, Tillie Jones, Tucker spent the first five months of her training on a lunge line, focused solely on balance, position, and moving with the horse. That early emphasis stayed with her. “My trainer made sure I could give my horse the best and most clear communication possible,” she says.
At the 2023 Dressage Seat Medal Finals, Tucker’s dedication paid off with a bronze medal. But for her, the event was about far more than being in the top three. “It was incredible to meet so many other riders with the same goal of improving their riding. The Finals are the first step as you move up the levels [in dressage.] You can’t move up successfully if you aren’t riding effectively.”
Tucker believes that the Finals serve as an important steppingstone into higher-level competition. “It gives riders the ticket to compete in an amazing atmosphere that is Festival,” she notes. “It’s not high-stress, but you still get your first taste of what it’s like to be in front of a bigger crowd, talking to press – everything that you would do at a big competition. It’s so fun – you're sitting with your competitors waiting for your pattern, and everyone’s equally excited to be there.”
When asked what advice she would give to others looking to qualify, Tucker stresses the importance of preparation. “Practice makes perfect, so doing dressage equitation classes before regionals will help,” she says. “You need to know what the judges are looking for, what they want athletes to work on. Even after you do qualify, doing more medals classes at recognized shows before you go to regionals or the championships is beneficial. You can always improve.”
A critical element for Tucker has been her partnership with her horse, Finnur, who she will be riding in this year’s competition. She describes him as “the sweetest boy, though he can be a little spicy!” Their harmony in the ring has been years in the making. “He’s not super easy to sit to. I’ve learned to move well with him, so we have the harmonious look that the judges look for. I’m very grateful to have a horse that is so well-suited for equitation classes.”
She encourages other athletes to bring their own horses to medal classes when possible. If riders are borrowing a horse, she stresses the importance of getting to know them as much as they can before competing. “You know what your horse is going to feel like in the ring and it takes time to build your seat connection. The point of the class isn’t just to ‘sit pretty’, after all. You’re encouraged to move with your horse and be effective.”
For Tucker, the Dressage Seat Medal Finals have been more than just a competition or another ribbon. They’ve been a proving ground, one that has helped her refine her skills, deepen her partnership with her horse, and prepare for the bigger stages ahead in her career. As she looks towards the future of the sport, she and many other young athletes know that their foundation is built in the equitation ring, and it will continue to carry them forward.
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