2023 Cynthia Aspden Youth and Young Adult Development Fund Recipient: Mary Chapman Martin

Photo by USA Dressage

In 2023, Mary Chapman Martin received a $1,000 grant from TDF's Cynthia Aspden Youth and Young Adult Development Fund.  Mary Chapman used her grant funding to take part in the 2024 Robert Dover USEF Horsemastership Clinic in Florida. 

I recently received the opportunity to ride in the USEF Robert Dover Horse Mastership Clinic. I learned an incredible amount of valuable information, and it was such an honor to have been selected to attend this event.  

On the first day, we attended the Robert Dover Theory Lecture.  We learned that the horse’s energy needs to be self-motivated through the hind legs. When a horse loses its balance or center of gravity, they fall forward. Our inside leg is the center of gravity to keep the horse on its hind legs. I thoroughly enjoyed learning each of the aids and how to use them to ride our horses correctly.  

During the week, I got to train with Katie Duerrhammer. It was a great experience. We worked on loosening up my seat, so I was not as tight on the horse. I did my first changes on a line, which was very fun. We also worked on trying to use the most subtle aids possible to ask for a movement. I had the opportunity to ride Stacey Knox’s Fernando V in the clinic, and I definitely felt like Fernando and I became a better team after working with Katie.  

Mary Chapman and Katie Duerrhammer

Rikki Keen taught us a lesson on nutrition. I learned that sodium holds onto water. She talked about how Body Armor is a great drink; however, it is low in sodium. You can pour a salt packet into the Body Armor, which will help meet your sodium requirement. You also need to have four to six meals/snacks per day to keep your energy at the optimal level. You need to fuel your body every three to four hours. I am so thankful for this lesson on nutrition.  

Lexi Swenson taught us about confidence, burnout, and time management. One of my favorite things that I learned was her quote, “The action of confidence comes first; the feeling comes later.” She also talked about how we can build confidence by looking back at what we already achieved. Genuine confidence is not the absence of fear. She changed my mindset, and I love her perspective on life.  

Carly Minister gave us a lesson on media. I learned that reels and videos are better than posts and pictures. She said, “Brands want to see who you really are, so incorporate your personal life into your equestrian account.” She taught us that we have the power in our hands and that we are capable of doing anything.  

Throughout the week, I got to work with Dr. Joanna Frantz. I learned that one of my hamstrings is shorter than the other. I had not been stretching consistently, and because of stress, that muscle had tightened so much that it became shorter. She gave me several exercises to do daily, and I have already seen an improvement. It is so important to not just take care of the horse’s body, but our body as well.  

Lastly, we had a workshop with Marlene Whitaker. She taught us the proper steps to creating a freestyle. She said, “You and your horse have to be competent at the level before doing a freestyle.” She taught us that you need to get a metronome and know your “dress size.” I love competing freestyles, and it was so interesting for me to learn how to make them.  

I want to thank every person that made this clinic possible. I learned so much.  It was an incredible opportunity.