Too Hot To Trot dressage competition brings riders and horses from ‘all over the Southeast’ to Stable View

Aug. 09--The Too Hot To Trot dressage competition at Stable View on Wednesday didn't live up to its name.

And that was a good thing.

Even though it was humid and the forecast was calling for a high temperature in the low 90s, the weather didn't stop the horses that were entered from trotting, walking and cantering.

Sanctioned by the U.S. Dressage Federation and the U.S. Equestrian Federation, Too Hot to Trot was an official qualifying event for the Great American Insurance Group/U.S. Dressage Federation Regional Championships.

"We have riders from all over the Southeast," said Show Manager and Secretary Amber Lee. "There are more than 80 horses here, and a hundred dressage tests are scheduled to be ridden today."

Those in attendance included Jodi Lees of Campobello. She is a trainer, rider and judge.

"Dressage is about the correct training of the horse," she said. "It's also about building the horse's physique so that it can be a better athlete."

A horse's ability "to carry itself well and be in balance with its rider" also is important, Lees added.

As a rider and a horse work together to get better, their challenge in dressage is to continue to progress through a series of individual tests that have an increasing level of difficulty.

"Each test has a specific set of required movements and directives, and the rider is trying to show the judge that a horse is capable at a certain level of training," Lees said.

Stable View is at 117 Stable Drive, which is northwest of Aiken.

For more information about the equestrian center, visit stableviewfarm.com, call 484-356-3173 or send an email to [email protected].

Stable View also has facilities for weddings, family reunions and other events.

Dede Biles is the Aiken County government, business and horse industry reporter for the Aiken Standard. Follow her on Twitter @DBethBiles.

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