Sources:
Dressage - Finnish Equestrian Association
From the perspective of a school judge - Dressage Riding Support Association (kouluratsastus.net)
Photo: Amanda Prittinen's archive
Introducing the Talent Team: Amanda Prittinen
In early spring, Biohansa was looking for representatives of different horse breeds to join the new Talent Team project. The aim was to gather a diverse team to represent Biohansa in competitions in their own breed and in their own region, and possibly also in international competitions. In total, we received close to 70 applications from different riders, harness teams, dressage riders and trotting enthusiasts. The characteristics of the applicants varied widely, so choosing the team members was very challenging in the end. There were plenty of great candidates!
In the end, four representatives were selected from the applicants to join Biohansa's Talent Team . Each of them is skilled in their own sport and actively competes successfully. The Talent Team's goal is to support these team members and at the same time make Biohansa's products known through practice. We will introduce all the team members on our blog in the coming weeks. Next up is dressage rider Amanda Prittinen .
Dressage is like figure skating
Dressage is comparable to figure skating or classical ballet. The horse should move flexibly and with strength. The less aids the rider uses, the better. The cooperation of the rider should be so seamless that the horse seems to perform the movements only with the power of thought. In competitions, judges evaluate the performance based on, among other things, movements and precision. Like figure skating, the program includes different patterns that are performed in a certain type of step. Points are awarded from zero to ten. In addition to traditional programs, there are also free programs that the riders plan themselves to the beat of the music.
The judge's starting point for the assessment is four different aspects of the overall impression, which include the horse's movements, agility and obedience, and the rider's aids. Good, tactful and clean movements are the pillars of dressage. For the rider, pulling on the reins, kicking with the heels, digging with the spurs, and vocal aids are considered faults.
Dressage is considered the foundation of all English-style riding. All tasks from the elementary lessons onwards are based on its exercises. Although, so to speak, all basic riding is dressage in one way or another, some strive to train further, all the way to demanding classes. In show jumping, training also relies on the basics of dressage between jumping.
International competitions in sight
Amanda Prittinen is a 14-year-old young rider from Kälviä. Amanda has two ponies that she competes and trains with diligently. Roman is a 16-year-old WPB gelding and Dancer II is a 17-year-old German riding pony gelding. Amanda has been a member of the Finnish national team for three seasons and she also represented the country in the 2021 PM competitions, where they achieved team bronze. Her achievements also include regional championship bronze, regional indoor championship silver, and several placements and victories.
- This has been my second season of competition with Dan and my very first with Roman, Amanda says. - I mainly compete in FEI pony classes, but also in open easy A classes. The goal is to compete in international competitions next season, she adds.
The current season has been very good for Amanda and the ponies. There have been placements in both individual and team performances. In addition to everything, Amanda also participated in the Finnish Fjord Horse Championships in the summer on a training horse from her home stable, as Amanda's mother, Sirpa Muhonen, has run a riding school for 38 years. So despite her young age, she has had time to accumulate a lot of experience here and there, which is always only positive!
Amanda updates her Instagram account with race results, pictures and videos, as well as other training news. It's worth following!
Biohansa sends its best wishes to Amanda, Dani and Roman for the competitions of the current season! We hope for continued successful cooperation in the future, as we are pleased to announce that the Muhonen team also uses Biohansa products.
For example, check out Biohansa's bedding products via this link . Remember to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media to receive information about new products and current topics in your email. Also give us feedback on what topics you would like to read about on Biohansa's blog!
Sources:
Dressage - Finnish Equestrian Association
From the perspective of a school judge - Dressage Riding Support Association (kouluratsastus.net)
Photo: Amanda Prittinen's archive
Sources:
Dressage - Finnish Equestrian Association
From the perspective of a school judge - Dressage Riding Support Association (kouluratsastus.net)
Photo: Amanda Prittinen's archive
