Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
It’s a known fact that no two horses are the same. The same philosophy applies when creating strong relationships with my horses – the journey in building that relationship always looks a bit different but there are similar themes. Each relationship takes time, work, requiring lots of patience, and determination, but once you form that partnership, they will last forever.
Producing young horses has played a huge role in my success as an event rider and has been one of the parts of my career that I love the most; especially starting the four- and five-year-olds and bringing them all the way up to the top of the sport. Although this takes time, it’s well worth it in the end.
A few years ago, I purchased a going 3* horse and a going Prelim horse in hopes that they would become my next upper-level partners. Although they were great short term, in the long run, I didn’t know them as well as the ones I produced myself and our partnerships were not as successful as I hoped. Taking the ride over on an upper-level horse works great for some riders, but for me, this experience helped to reinforce my passion for developing young horses.
When looking to produce young horses, a key step is picking out the right ones. I tend to be drawn to the ones with quirky personalities which requires me to spend more time getting to know them in the beginning. While this does mean that it often takes more time for me to compete with them, the bond we develop is incredibly rewarding. By understanding each horse’s unique personality and needs, I can tailor my training approach to fit each horse individually.
Event horse or hunter derby champion? Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan demonstrate a textbook set of knees over the last element of the treble at CHIO Aachen (2021). Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Whenever an issue presents itself, I use it as a way to problem-solve and find a solution that works best for them. One of my 4* horses, whom I’ve had since she was five, fits my type for a quirky personality. When I first got her, we went back to the basics of lunging and groundwork, which helped her to feel more comfortable in her own body and taught me new ways to communicate with her. As she gained more experience, I noticed she wasn’t fond of doing straight dressage in the ring for more than one day.
I’ve since used this opportunity to find better ways to improve her flat work and strength. I’ve incorporated poles, hills work, and outdoor arenas into her routine. This way, I can improve her body while keeping her mind happy. Horses are such incredible partners, so I want to ensure they enjoy their work as well.
In my barn, I prefer to keep it smaller in order to create a personal one-on-one relationship with the horses. Currently, I have about 12 horses in training, many of which belong to Annie Eldridge. Annie has been one of my incredible supporters, sharing my passion for discovering and producing young horses through the levels. Since I’ve had many of my horses from a young age, I feel as though I get to know them well early on during groundwork and initial rides. I enjoy figuring out each horse’s likes and dislikes, what training methods and schedules work for them, and how to build the best possible partnership.
Having a smaller group of horses allows me to be the one to ride them every day and provides me with the flexibility to focus on their individual needs. This wouldn’t be possible without my supportive team tacking and untacking, which enables me to spend more time with each of my horses.
Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan.
Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Understanding each horse’s unique needs is one of the most crucial aspects for developing a strong, trusting relationship. Some horses can be more complex than others, which is when I go back to the basics. For me, this involves going back to the round pen to focus on groundwork and communication.
For instance, one of my horses had experienced anxiety when it came to mounting, so I dedicated three to four months doing groundwork in the round pen. I focused on building her trust in me and helping her be more comfortable in her brain and body, even when she felt worried or scared. I want my horses to know that I will be there to reassure them.
For the groundwork, I use a variety of techniques, some of which I have learned from studying others and some of my own. I have found that learning how to communicate with them on the ground makes a considerable difference when riding.
When I run into difficulties with a riding aid, I like to go back to the round pen and address it there from the ground. This approach helps us reconnect and allows the horse to work through some challenges independently.
Success with horses isn’t always linear and often requires a flexible approach. It can be challenging to not always be successful, but I have learned to keep the bigger picture in mind. During training, I constantly ask myself if I’m pushing too hard or not hard enough, ensuring I listen to the horses and adjust their routines if needed.
Ariel Grald competes for the U.S. at FEI World Championships for Eventing in Pratoni, Italy (2022). Photo by Tilly Berendt.
I have found that time off is never detrimental, especially for young horses, and they tend to come back better, even if the first ride back is a bit of a wild one. Having a team around the barn who know the horses as well as I do helps ensure that we know what’s going on with them at all times. This way, we can notice if they are acting differently on the ground or in their fields, not just while being ridden.
Ultimately, the key to building strong relationships with horses is understanding and listening to them. Each horse has unique needs, and it is important to celebrate the progress and know when to make adjustments. My goal is to ensure they enjoy their work and remain overall happy.
The bond we create with our horses is so special and like no other. It’s a continuous journey of learning and adapting, and it’s one of the most fulfilling aspects of being an event rider.
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