My First Wellington Experience

The Beginning of My First Wellington Experience

By Ruby Lewis, HDS

My name is Ruby Lewis. I’ve had the tremendous opportunity to be a part of the Winter Intensive Training program (WIT) with Dressage 4 Kids (D4K). This is my first season in Wellington and I’ve learned so much in just a few weeks! In every educational experience with Lendon Gray you have mounted lessons and unmounted lectures. Lendon has brought out multiple fantastic trainers and riders to educate the WITees off and on our horses.

 My favorite lectures have been with Christian Simonsion, Reese Koffler-Stanfield, and the tour and demo rides given by the Tubmans. Christian talked to the riders and me about his journey in dressage to become the rider he is today. One of the tips he gave was to take lots of videos and watch them back after your ride as well as before you compete. This helps you develop a better understanding of what your instructor is telling you. Reese gave a lecture on how to conduct an interview. In the WIT program, we are given the privilege to interview a top rider in Wellington. Reese gave so much useful information, something that stood out to me was “always say yes to opportunities.”

 The opportunity I said “yes” to was working for Reese Koffler-Stanfield on Mondays.  Which has been incredible! Being able to watch her ride and work with young horses has truly been a great experience. I have learned from watching and listening to her coach riders and train horses. I love working with Reese. It’s always a highlight of my week. 

We had the privilege to tour Sarah and Lee Tubman’s facility. Oh my gosh!!! The organization and the demo rides were phenomenal. Lee Tubman’s presentation was  educational. I learned a lot from watching Sarah and (their working student,) Marin Roth ride. “If things are going wrong, don’t panic, adjust.” -Lee Tubman

 Listening and watching others have helped my riding improve tremendously. I have five lessons with Lendon every week and I can already feel the difference in my horse (Sunshine) and my riding. Sunshine has become more rideable,  supple, and relaxed throughout her body and mind. I am very excited to continue learning and improving with Sunshine. 

 Wellington is unique, it’s been an experience of a lifetime for me so far! The amount of amazing trainers, farriers, and vets that are within minutes away is incredible! The friendships I’ve developed with my fellow WITees are VERY special to me. I can’t wait to learn more from this program. I am beyond thankful to be here and can not wait to share what I’ve learned with others when I return to Texas.