Elizabeth and Romeo ~ Perfect Athletes

This photo was taken in July during the Junior Young Riders Dressage Competition at Morven Park in Virginia. Seventeen year old Elizabeth is riding an imported Hanoverian gelding named Romeo. They are riding a First Level Test.

For a horse to work as pleasantly as Romeo is in this test, his back must be strong and supple. A supple back makes for a happy, healthy horse. A horse whose back is conditioned properly will be able to "track up" like Romeo is doing here.

Tracking up means that his hind legs come up under his body easily, and his back hoof lands in the same spot his front hoof did. He has to be able to stretch his back leg forward enough to reach that spot, and the first step in doing that is by having a strong and supple back.

In this photo you can see how Romeo's back left (or inside) leg is moving well up under his body, and that hoof is about to land in the exact spot where his front left hoof was. A horse that isn't supple and cannot track up efficiently, will not be able to bring his back leg forward that far.

Elizabeth spends many hours a week working with Romeo. Like any athlete, he requires thoughtful and expert conditioning as well as a good balance of free time to rest. The result is a well ridden test like this one, which earned Elizabeth High Point honors at this very competitive show.