Pivo Meets: Georgina West — Grand Prix Dressage Rider
Welcome to Pivo Meets, a series where we get real and chatty with the faces of Pivo. This May, we had a chat with Georgina West.
The under-25 Grand Prix dressage rider Georgina West, is an accomplished, young rider who decided to follow her passion for horses. Based in Cotswolds, she took up dressage riding full time after graduating. She has been riding since a very young age, since her mother always loved and owned horse. She now showcases her skill and commitment to developing both herself and her horses!
Here’s a look into her journey, how Pivo has helped her with training and everything that she has to share with the world.
What inspired you to pursue horse riding?
I started riding ponies from a young age as my mother has always kept her own horses. I stopped whilst I was studying at school and only picked up dressage whilst studying at University College London. My mum purchased a beautiful 6 year old dressage mare as an owner who I instantly fell in love with and decided I wanted to learn to have her as myself one day.
Who have been the biggest influences or mentors in your journey, and how have they shaped your approach to training?
My biggest influence has been Jessica Werndl and her brother Benjamin.
I was very lucky to be able to go out and train at their yard for 4 months in Bavaria with my three mares. It was a truly incredible experience and her horsemanship and love of the horses is something that always inspires me.
What does a day for you look like? How do you incorporate Pivo into your training routine?
When I am not working I am riding my two mares at a yard in the Cotswolds. My Pivo Pod has been just a fantastic tool at the moment for rehabbing my international Grand Prix mare. Not only can I film her and track her progress and soundness, I can also send clips to the farrier and vet whenever I need too. It’s been so helpful.
With my young mare I like to film our rides when I want to ask questions or have any queries and it allows me to send this through to my trainer.
What drew you specifically to dressage, and what aspects of the discipline do you find the most rewarding?
The beauty and elegance of the sport initially attracted me to the discipline. I loved the concept of dancing with your horse. I am a complete perfectionist and so the discipline is perfect for me. I also, as mentioned, fell in love with the mare my mum purchased in 2016 and I knew I wanted to ride her one day and so dressage was the route I chose.
How do you balance preparing for competitions with continually improving your own technique and the horse’s performance?
I like to watch myself back often as I find something might feel great but not always look it! I always work on my own fitness and balance as I believe we have to be as flexible and supple as we expect our horses to be.
Which features of Pivo do you find the most helpful during your practice sessions, and why?
I find the auto zoom and tracking so helpful. Especially as I ride my mares in quite big indoor arenas. The Pod is perfect for tracking us and is such a great tool.
Could you share an example of a specific movement or skill you refined using Pivo’s Horse Tracking and video analysis?
Teaching my 6 year old mare a canter half pass. It is something she finds a little harder. Being able to watch myself back to check her bend and flexion in the movement. Also if my position might be blocking her.
For riders new to dressage or just starting their journey, why would you recommend using Pivo or similar technology?
I have told many people to get a Pivo. Especially those who are not based full time with a trainer but who want to check their movements or send queries to their trainers. It’s also great for lessons and online tutorials for groundwork with young horses.
Some equestrians are hesitant about adopting tech. What would you say to those who are unsure about using video-based training tools?
Pivo can be used in so many ways. It’s only an aid and therefore if they want to improve their horse then they shouldn’t be hesitant to adopting it into their routine. It’s also simple to use for equestrians who aren’t great with new technology but also it is extremely discreet. It’s just the perfect tool and there really in my mind there is no reason to not adopt it into anyone’s routine.
Looking ahead, what are your short-term and long-term aspirations in the world of dressage?
To finish the rehab with my Grand Prix mare and be able to compete her internationally again. She’s for sure my horse of a lifetime and it would be amazing to be able to do some more big shows with her. I would love to take her to Europe for some shows and Olympia and Windsor international would be incredible. These are shows I’ve been going to as a spectator since a young girl so it’s always been a dream to attend. I would also like to do a season in Wellington Florida.
With my young horse I would love to get her to Grand Prix. She has all the paces and a beautiful way of going. It’s just a long process that takes time and patience. I’m sure with the correct training and time she will make it as she has all the talent and natural ability to do so.
Finally I love breeding so being able to produce some more young horses for sales and competitions is a really fun side project for myself. I tend to sell two of my young stock per year.
Save 10% when you shop Pivo with Georgie. Use discount code GEORGIEWEST
Connect with Georgina West – https://www.instagram.com/Georgiewestdressage
Read More: Forward and Down: The whys and the hows, the do’s and don’ts
Responses