Following on from my experience at the Eckart Meyners clinic I am glad to say I have kept up my exercises and the difference in my seat is amazing. I no longer have to make such a conscious effort to sit to Risby's big movement, and Dotty seems to have found a whole new power gear and is feeling unbelievably strong and forwards going. I just feel like I can allow the horse's movement through my entire body in a more flowing and natural way with less tension (tension I didn't even realise I had until now its gone!)
I must have been very enthusiastic telling everyone about my experience, so much so that they asked if I would run a clinic at Pine Ridge Equestrian Centre demonstrating some of the exercises. Before I really had a chance to ponder it we already had a full house! All that anatomy study at uni was about to come in handy for "Mind and Body Part 1".
The weather was absolutely awful and I was worried people wouldn't turn up. I had planned on getting everyone to ride first, then do the unmounted exercises, then get everyone back on the horses to feel the difference. Incase the weather was really that bad I also prepared more theory to discuss. I made some handouts which was fun as the subject incorporated anatomy, riding theory and psychology, quite a challenge. Especially as the participants ranged from teenagers to older riding instructors, some on their own horses and some on school horses.
I was really surprised that ten keen people turned up! What a great turnout. There were seven riders and three who came to listen and try out the unmounted exercises. So we started off as I'd planned, with the riders warming up their horses in their usual way. I then made each rider in turn trot (sitting and rising) then canter in front of everyone, then we discussed which areas appeared to be blocked and the origination of these problems. A common issue was with the driving aids and several of the horses weren't keen to move forwards. There was also noticable lack of movement range within the pelvis amongst several riders. I really value everyone for putting themselves up for this as I know how intimidating it can be! But it is such a great way to learn.
So then it was onto mats and chairs to work on everyone's blockages. As there were so many people I tried to go through as many exercises as possible and chose certain people to try them out to demonstrate. Everyone was surprised when various exercises really highlighted their stiff sides or areas, really interesting after having watched them riding. The stiffer riders were more likely to find that their horses were reluctant to go forwards willingly, no surprise really. The interesting part would be to see what happened after they performed specific movements to increase their joint and muscle mobility and how the horses then responded.
So after an hour or so of going through exercises everyone was back on board their horses to see how they felt. There were some huge noticeable differences with the "lazy" horses suddenly becoming much more forwards going, and we even succeeded in having all 7 trotting round together at the same time which was a total improbability during the warm up with horses napping and some not wanting to trot at all. Really interesting stuff. There were some exclamations of "wow this feels so much better!" People said that they felt more in time with their horse's rhythm and could follow the movement more easily on turns and circles. I was pretty chuffed with this result for the first ever session.
This first clinic then led to another which was also fully packed and despite yet more awful weather, everyone did really well. We all went for a lovely meal afterwards to warm up and carry on discussing riding :-) There is now a third and fourth clinic being planned which is fantastic, I am really enjoying running them.
Risby and my new pelvis ;-)
12/10/13
Eileen O'Connor came to give me two more lessons on Risby and then Dotty which were fab as usual. With Risby we worked on getting him really swinging over his back in transitions and developing more "schwung". And with Dots we worked on straightness and getting her more even into both reins. We then had a lovely lunch afterwards. I'm really excited about the National Convention now, will be a fantastic weekend with Eileen and a couple of other friends, cannot wait!
Lesson with Eileen
17.10.13
Dotty went for her first ever Winter show and first ever BD at Saddlesdane in Faversham. The wind and rain was absolutely appalling, there were massive puddles everywhere. She warmed up like an absolute pro as usual in the outdoor school. We were soaked by the time we entered the indoor arena for her Prelim. There was lots to look at in the school with jump wings, mirrors, boards and a scary judges box. She was so so good (always have to remind myself she is only 4 years old!), plus the rain was hammering down on the roof. She went round the test with no mistakes like the good girl she is, but she was quite tense and didn't relax into the contact like how she normally does. Her canter transitions were a little exhubarant too bless her. Couldn't fault her at all, she has only competed in the heat of Summer and her last show was months ago. We got just shy of 63% due to the tension mainly. But its yet another positive experience for the little mare under her belt.
Following the recent hat recall by Uvex, I am now a happy owner of yet another lovely new helmet. They replaced my two year old one for free with a black Perfexxion. So I'm really happy to have both a black for competing and my dark grey one for every day. Thank you Uvex, the best, most comfy helmets ever :-)
And yet another last bit of VERY exciting news... I have been in contact with my trainer from Germany, Stefan Wolff, so the UK clinic really will be going ahead!!! We are aiming for sometime from late March onwards. I am now like a kid at Christmas! Watch this space :-D Here is a great article about him http://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2012/10/working-with-stefan-wolff/
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