On October 14th and 15th, OVS equestrians saddled up their horses and polished their boots before participating in a two-day dressage clinic with nationally famous dressage trainer and rider, Paul Belasik.
Seven students rode for thirty minutes each in intense heat while challenging themselves in new ways to improve their dressage. Students worked hard to put their horse on the bit, sit the trot, and improve their position while riding.
Since 2006, OVS’s Equestrian Director, Stephanie Gustafson, has invited Mr. Belasik to come to the Upper Campus to instruct clinics. Most of the students in the clinic this year have never ridden with Mr. Belasik before, and some of the students participating have never even practiced dressage. Even though the clinic was tough, the students found that with Mr. Belasik’s instruction they were able to move along very quickly and effectively, while enjoying the sport at the same time.
From novice dressage riders to students who are passionate about the discipline, the students learn many different things during the clinic. Equestrian is a sport of constant improvement, and with each lesson students are eager to learn something new, and most of the time they leave with more knowledge than before.
“The first [priority] is the importance of rider position because only through that can we have good control over our horses. Second is an understanding of the balance issues related to riding on top of a quadruped,” says Stephanie Gustafson. “It’s a complicated process but Paul breaks it down into manageable pieces, so it’s relatively easy to learn if one is persistent.”
Mr. Belasik teaches these clinics all over the country. He’s worked with hundreds of different students of all ages and skills levels who have top-notch horses and high-end barns. Even so, every time he comes to teach a clinic at OVS, he is in awe of how incredible the place is and the quality of the equestrian program.
“I am still amazed by what a special place this is…. In all the years, the students have been a pleasure to work with. Polite, enthusiastic, dedicated, and tough,” Mr. Belasik remarks. “There were many clinics when we rode horses in challenging conditions. The civility and dedication has not escaped me.”
At this year’s dressage clinic, Mrs. Gustafson advised senior Ellen Hou to have her lesson with Mr. Belasik filmed so she could include the video in her application to the Savannah College of Art and Design. The video counted as a portfolio for the equestrian program at SCAD, and because she created the video to send in, she could potentially get scholarships for the school.
Since SCAD is her first choice, and the school accepts equestrian videos as part of the application, Ellen grabbed the opportunity by the reins to not only improve her riding, but also help her apply to college.
“This was the fourth time I’ve participated in the clinic, and I really enjoy his teaching,” Ellen says. “I’m really happy that I got to show my passion for horses into my college application in a creative way.”