DRESSAGE DAILY
Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Posted by Contractor
US DRESSAGE FESTIVAL OF CHAMPIONS


By Lynndee Kemmet for DressageDaily.com

Morelli, 63, lives right down the road from the U.S. Equestrian Team headquarters in Gladstone, New Jersey, where the annual Dressage Festival of Champions has been held since its inception in 1991. And that’s a good thing, considering that she’s competed in the event pretty consistently since the first year.
In fact, she’s not entirely sure, because she hasn’t thought much about it, but it’s occurred to her that she’s probably competed in the Championships every year for the past 16 years. The way she figures it out is by counting the medals of participation accumulated in a wicker basket in her kitchen.

“A lot of people dream of going to Gladstone, because it’s a big deal, but then they don’t make it. I guess I’ve always taken it for granted. But you shouldn’t take anything for granted, Morelli said.
Cathy Morelli - Dressage National Championship Record Holder
By Lynndee Kemmet for DressageDaily.com
Double Masectomy - Advantage in Riding!

“They think they got it all and I didn’t need chemotherapy. They’re quite sure it didn’t spread and they got it soon enough,” Morelli said. The cancer reappeared in one breast but she opted to have both removed, which, she said, would also make her body more balanced. That was because she also chose not to have reconstructive surgery after doing a bit of research and talking to others who had. After her own experience, she thinks more women should consider this option.
“For me, it was the right decision. I healed much faster than the first time around and I’ve been told with the reconstructive surgery there’s a long healing process,” she said.
In fact, Morelli jokes that her surgery is a great advantage for a rider. “There’s definitely an upside for riders – no bouncing up front. After the surgery, I actually felt the best when riding. I had more trouble sleeping. I guess my body is so used to riding and being active that I actually felt great when I rode.”
Cathy Morelli - Dressage National Championship Record Holder
By Lynndee Kemmet for DressageDaily.com
Longevity in Dressage With Her Riding and Her Horses

“I’ve had some nice horses and they’ve had longevity too,” she said. “It’s nice to make it to the Championships so often and usually when my horses have made it there, they’ve been there several times. I guess I’ve been lucky to have horses that have been nice enough to do it. And a lot of times they’ve been difficult horses that I’ve had to retrain. They’ve come in all shapes and sizes.”
Morelli is actually quite modest because she gives lots of credit to her horses and too little to herself. The horses wouldn’t be in the National Championships year after year were it not for her skill as a trainer and rider. A strong believer in the true classical system, Morelli has long advocated against the use of training “aids” such as draw reins. And, she’s been very opposed to some current training methods.
PhelpsPhoto: Cathy Morelli and Doublet at the 1998 USDF Regional Championships
Cathy Morelli - Dressage National Championship Record Holder
By Lynndee Kemmet for DressageDaily.com
A Classical Trainer With Her Own Spin on "The System"

Morelli admits The System isn’t a new way of riding, but rather a return to the correct classical methods. She believes that if more trainers and riders stayed true to the classical approach, their horses would last much longer, as her horses do.
“I don’t force my horses. I don’t use draw rings and things like that. I focus first on getting my horses balanced and as their hind legs get stronger, I then work on roundness and collection. If you try too soon for roundness you can injure them. I let them tell me when they’re ready to move on,” Morelli said.
Cathy Morelli - Dressage National Championship Record Holder
By Lynndee Kemmet for DressageDaily.com
Keeps on Ticking With BeSe and a Full Barn

Rosenberg then bought the horse so Morelli could keep working with him. She said he’s a super horse, but he’s not the only good horse she currently has in her stable. The talented horses now under her tutelage range in age from four on up. This leads Morelli to believe that she’ll probably be training and competing successfully for some years to come.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a time in my life with so many nice horses,” she said. In fact, despite her recent battle with cancer, she also can’t remember a time in her life when she’s felt better physically. “I feel like I’m 12 years old again.”
HorsesDaily Who's Who
Cathy Morelli
Related Articles
Posted on May 30, 2011
Posted on Feb 21, 2010
Posted on Nov 18, 2009
Posted on Aug 23, 2015