This past weekend I participated in a cavaletti clinic taught by Emilie Christian. Cavaletti are small jumps, originally made of wood, used for basic horse training. Cavaletti were invented by Federico Caprilli and designed to help a horse improve its balance, adjust its length of stride, and to loosen and strengthen its muscles. By being set closer or farther apart than a horse's natural stride, they encourage lengthening or shortening of the stride. Spaced as ground rails between 3 and 3.5 feet apart, cavaletti encourage a horse to maintain a shorter stride at a trot or jog, spaced farther apart, a row of cavaletti encourage a longer, more extended trot stride. Zotti actually really enj

As a para rider I always have days where I'm feeling better than others. The past couple weeks have been more difficult for me physically. I tried to ride and my body just wasn't cooperating with me during my lesson last week. It's so frustrating to feel like I'm making progress, then take ten steps backwards. What I love about this sport, however, is the relationship with the horse. Horses are remarkable creatures in their forgiveness for our mistakes and their ability to read our emotions. Their willingness to try again and again is what makes this sport so addictive. Knowing that the correct answer is only a few strides away, and having a partner willing to keep trying, is why this sport