Freestyle night at the Masters was one of the highlights of my life as a spectator, and it wasn’t just about the quality of horse, or the grandeur of the whole scene. It was that there is no place in this country, coast to coast, to see such high-class riding.

So I was very surprised to see comments on the COTH bulletin board from riders who thought that the sponsors’ efforts could have been directed elsewhere to greater benefit, that they’d rather have a clinic for amateurs than a collection of elite competitors to whom most riders cannot connect.

Elite competitions aren’t just great for the participants, or for other riders at the top levels of sport. Of course, it’s plenty inspiring for us high performance riders, but even grassroots riders on common horses have plenty to gain from competitions like the Masters.

No, most riders will not ever ride a step of piaffe, much less appreciate the faultless transitions the Masters riders made. But all riders can watch the way Steffen Peters rides his corners. They can learn from Tinne’s position, from Tina’s hands. Whether a seasoned competitor, an aspiring rising star or a backyard rider with training level aspirations, we all have something to learn from top sport.

And just because most riders will never have a Ravel or Favourit doesn’t mean we can’t learn from that tier of horseflesh. Whether on warmbloods or walkaloosas, throughness is throughness; forward energy is forward energy. Compare the immobility of Steffen’s halt to the bounce of the three steps before it. Why can’t that be the image in the mind of a rider performing training level, test 1 at a schooling show—bounding energy proceeded by perfect stillness?

Sure, Akiko Yamazaki could have chosen to spend her money instead on a clinic for amateur riders. She could also have bought a car, or a labradoodle, or one hellova spa getaway weekend. Instead, she—and the Exquis corporation, and countless other generous patrons—chose to bring unbelievable dressage to our doorstep. And by the way, by doing so, they brought over foreign riders who spent their money at American hotels, American restaurants and American car-rentals. You know, support the Masters or the terrorists win. That kind of stuff.

Of course it would be terrific to have unlimited resources for all the clinics and educational opportunities our hearts could ever desire, from grassroots to Grand Prix. At the end of the day resources are best spent covering a wide range of opportunities to try and cover the greatest number of riders with chances to learn. 

And with webcasting like on USEFNetwork.com, competitions like the Masters can reach an even greater audience… well, when it works. Can’t win ’em all. For what it’s worth, I heard the reason the broadcast failed was because so many people tuned in.

While I’m sure it was frustrating that night, that level of interest from the national dressage community is a great sign for the future of our sport. Certainly it means that lots of riders, across the country and the world, riding at all levels, thought that they could learn something from watching the Masters. I hope they continue to think so, and that the generous individuals and corporations who saved this wonderful event from extinction will continue to support it in years to come.