Wednesday March 26, 2003

The Heidelberg Cup

Young Rider Jodie Kelly On Track for NAYRC

When trainer Scott Peterson of Blythewood, SC had ridden Weltkaar to a certain point, he decided that the big, sensitive gelding would be better suited to his former student Jodie Kelly of Destin, FL. “I sold him to her for a good deal but it was worth it to me because they are so good together,” he said.

Kelly agreed, “As big as he is, Weltkaar is not really a man’s horse. He’s massive but sensitive.”

She competed the 18.2hh gelding at fourth level last fall and he was super. He has won all three NAYRC qualifiers that she has entered this year, so is now qualified to go to Bromont, Canada this summer.

Kelly has been training recently with Betsy Steiner in Wellington, FL. A petite rider who has been successfully campaigning Robert Dover’s former mount Rainier, Steiner has a quiet but effective teaching style that appeals to Kelly, who said that she was on a good track with her riding before but that Steiner has helped her put all the pieces together. “She’s demanding but in a kind way,” Kelly said. “I always try as hard as I can. She expects a lot but is also kind and encouraging and supportive of me and of the horses. She uses more of a reward than a punishment system.”

Steiner is the author of a book on riding that is due to be released in May. In the book she includes Pilates exercises for riders, and Kelly said that while spending the month of January in Wellington training with Steiner she also went to Pilates classes twice a week. “I loved it and could really tell a difference in my fitness,” she said.

Kelly and Weltkaar won both the team and individual Young Rider tests, and placed second in the freestyle. Heavy rains on Friday left the footing heavy in Clarcona, and Kelly said that she could feel its effects on her gelding. “It really sucked the life out of him,” she said. “We went right after the storm and it was very deep. He was there as much as he could be.” Saturday’s sunshine dried the footing out a bit and made Weltkaar happy. “At this point he’s really good and tries really hard,” said Kelly. “We’re working on making him more extravagant; he’s good, but we want to make him great.”

Kelly also rode Manhattan, a nine-year-old Dutch horse by Unicorn; Leiden, a 10-year-old that she raised from a foal and trained herself; and On Broadway, by Juventus, who was at his first show. Leiden, 18.1hh, is still developing the strength needed for the upper levels, but she hopes that he will be her Young Riders horse next year.