Teaching in the gorgeous October sunshine this morning brought home how passionate I am about dressage. I came to this sport via the long route, from show jumping and eventing but I have to say it has been the most emotional, challenging and hardest discipline to conquer. I may not be the best of the best in the saddle, I may not have the most talented horses but I believe my passion and knowledge that I have gained along the way make up for that and if I can pass this on and make someone elses journey that bit easier I am very happy to do so. Two scales of training were broached this morning, suppleness and straightness, the two seem to go together. If the horse is bringing his quaters in and giving too much bend to the same side it is because he does not want to load the outside hind. As such we have to ride a little in renver to stretch the opposing muscles and straighten him. Horses find this difficult if they have been crooked for a while so short and sweet and many breaks help. The rider then has to learn to coordinate the aids without confusing the horse and getting frustrated. This is difficult if the horse gets fractious and throws his toys out of the pram but the rider must be brave and firm and not lose faith and keep asking until he responds, then reward. Of course if both rider and horse lose the plot all is lost! Lots of praise for both horse and rider and attention to being black and white so that the horse is never in any doubt of what is required. In fact, just like any relationship, each must know where they stand.
Last week I met up with an old school friend from our time in Germany. It must be 35 years since we saw each other. I entered the pub and recognised her immediately as she did me! We sat down and resumed conversation as if it was yesterday! The years wound back and I was a school girl again in year 4 slightly podgy, with the world at my feet and waiting for exciting things to happen. Two and a half hours later we were still talking, reminiscing and making plans to catch up with the rest of the gang in Germany next May. Since Carolann has returned to my life things have become more clear and more positive. The strangest thing is that she has been living ten miles up the road for the last 20 years! We must have passed each other numerous times! Its thanks to the Kent School website that we found each other again and linked up on facebook where we have found many others from that time. Listening to how somebody elses life has evolved is like reading a good novel. She was unsurprised that I was still involved with horses and I am unsurprised that she is an independent woman doing a highly emotional job. Its a shame we don't have time machines, I would love to return to my old school for one day in that time if only to tell everyone how lucky we were. Standing on the old playing fields smoking with the crowd while John Graves read to us from a letter he had received. I remember seeing the duty teacher walking the perimeter and getting closer so we all dogged our ciggies out and kept trying to tell John to do the same. He was so engrossed in his letter that Mr English arrived and stood amongst us staring straight at John. Eventually John looked up, the two eyeballed each other while John dropped his fag and smiled disarmingly. Nothing said, Mr English walked away and we all sighed with relief. And yes I was a little in love with John but after a couple of dates he was stolen away by another girl and I was heart broken (for about 2 weeks)! Who can forget the excitement of falling in love and being asked to the dance? Waiting for that first kiss....delicious!
First times are always the ones that stay in the memory and are as clear as if it was yesterday. The first day at school, the first kiss, the first time you drove a car, the first horse you rode, the first flying change the first piaffe steps. Please God let me have more firsts!
Friday, 28 October 2011
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
First debut!
Well Lucy did a grand job today at her first affilliated show. 65%+ and second in the non qualifier novice so on her way to getting to the regionals.It was lovely to get the marks deserved from a fellow judge/rider who knows her stuff and is at list 2. Oh my, what was the judge in the second test on? She did a really flowing rhythmical test and I thought, 'marvellous, at least the same mark. We can put this one to bed and concentrate on the other horse.' Never be seduced into thinking that you have it sorted! There is always a judge to prove you wrong! I am not ageist but there is a time in life when one should give up the judging especially if you cannot see! The test comments were so different to the test I watched I even queried if they had written the wrong name on the sheet! Oh well perhaps the guide dog did the judging! Never mind Lucy next time will be better. Its not just at this level though unfortunately. My friend who has a horse destinied for Grand Prix had some severe marks last time out and was, quite rightly very upset! Unless there are real training issues we need to be much more rider friendly as judges.
We still have lots of work to do to get Otto more on the hind leg and to get Lucy using her seat and leg more effectively but a good start!
Watching the working in I was amazed by how many people walk on the track and don't ride left to left! They pass so close sometimes its dangerous! I have to say I would be rather nervous riding a young horse amongst that lot! and are the whips getting longer? Do novice horses require so much whip and spur? What will happen when they get higher up the levels if they need all that for impulsion now? I'm sad to say Lucy was the only rider stretching her horse at the start and at the finish. Horses cannot work in the same outline continuously with out damaging muscles and ligaments.
Talking of backs, I am pleased to say that more and more of my clients are having their own backs done when I go to treat the horses. This is so beneficial as a crooked horse makes a crooked rider and vice versa. Its that time of year when riders should be checking their saddles for balance and getting themselves sorted before winter training commences ready for the championships. A stitch in time saves nine! One of my calls today was in Gloucester, a repeat treatment on a lovely horse who had previously had an accident in the field. The improvement after his first treatment had been astounding and today he couldn't wait for the Oscillator to work on his sore muscles, so much so that he dragged me into the box before his owner arrived at the door! Bless him, horses do show their appreciation in their own funny ways.
Im very excited because my Fritz Stahlekker DVDs have arrived, so I will be spending this evening watching and learning work in hand. The housework will have to wait! Its a shame that the Global Forum will not be televised as I would be glued to that too! Especially as Carl and Charlotte are giving a demo and talk. UK under 21s went on a yard visit to Carls yesterday and have reported that they had an amazing morning watching and learning from Carl and Charlotte. They now realise what hard work and dedication is needed for this sport, but they also saw that they needed good nature and humour to get them through too. How lucky are these children to have the best in the world on their doorstep?
We still have lots of work to do to get Otto more on the hind leg and to get Lucy using her seat and leg more effectively but a good start!
Watching the working in I was amazed by how many people walk on the track and don't ride left to left! They pass so close sometimes its dangerous! I have to say I would be rather nervous riding a young horse amongst that lot! and are the whips getting longer? Do novice horses require so much whip and spur? What will happen when they get higher up the levels if they need all that for impulsion now? I'm sad to say Lucy was the only rider stretching her horse at the start and at the finish. Horses cannot work in the same outline continuously with out damaging muscles and ligaments.
Talking of backs, I am pleased to say that more and more of my clients are having their own backs done when I go to treat the horses. This is so beneficial as a crooked horse makes a crooked rider and vice versa. Its that time of year when riders should be checking their saddles for balance and getting themselves sorted before winter training commences ready for the championships. A stitch in time saves nine! One of my calls today was in Gloucester, a repeat treatment on a lovely horse who had previously had an accident in the field. The improvement after his first treatment had been astounding and today he couldn't wait for the Oscillator to work on his sore muscles, so much so that he dragged me into the box before his owner arrived at the door! Bless him, horses do show their appreciation in their own funny ways.
Im very excited because my Fritz Stahlekker DVDs have arrived, so I will be spending this evening watching and learning work in hand. The housework will have to wait! Its a shame that the Global Forum will not be televised as I would be glued to that too! Especially as Carl and Charlotte are giving a demo and talk. UK under 21s went on a yard visit to Carls yesterday and have reported that they had an amazing morning watching and learning from Carl and Charlotte. They now realise what hard work and dedication is needed for this sport, but they also saw that they needed good nature and humour to get them through too. How lucky are these children to have the best in the world on their doorstep?
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Im back!!
Hurray!! I have my blog back! Goodness lots to catch up on, where to start?
Lets start with the great hat debate which continues to cut up a storm on the BD forum. It is now a fait a complit so skid lids it is all round, until you get to advanced of course when you can wear your much loved and very expensive top hat. The rules though are a mockery! It is laughable that those who do not own a tailcoat and compete in a short jacket must wear a skid lid! Really! What does the length of a jacket have to do with safety? Quite honestly it is a farce and if not so sad would be laughable! I know the people at BD work hard for the company but just like the government it is time to listen to the members! Riding a horse is like a game of Russian roulette, you may pull the trigger and nothing happens or you may find yourself at the end of a bullet! Do I feel safer with a skid lid on? Not really. They do move no matter how well fitting (since they come in sizes and are not made to measure)even with the harness at its tightest, and oh Lord don't they make your head sweat!
Dear Mr Cameron got his own way over the referendum but this, I predict, will be his downfall. Again, to ignore the people and break promises he made to gain power is a dangerous game to play! Are there any honest politicians out there?
My dear Lucy makes her BD debut tomorrow. She and I are very excited! She says I frazzled her brain on Monday and she now needs a new one. I say she has a good brain and just needs to engage it! Its true though, we don't work ourselves and our horses as hard when we are alone. It is only when we have a lesson that we feel the burn! After 20 minutes we forget our left from our right, cannot imagine how we have ever ridden a horse at all never mind a test! and to top it all our legs stop working and the harder we try the worse it gets! The length of rein is such a contention, too short and it feels like you are pulling, too long and the connection is lost. Keeping the hands light and infront of you and managing to keep the horse on the bit by way of tiny adjustments sounds easier than it is and takes more core stability and suppleness than most people give credit for. Reading some of the topics about this subject and how to achieve it does not shed much light as most are looking for a quick fix. Recently someone was advised to lunge their 3 year old in a chambon! And no Suzy, you cannot use a flash nose band with your double bridle! Oh dear we are back to 'on ze bit!' Its funny though because no matter how much you learn, how much you read or watch or talk about, it all comes back to this! Sometimes I think it would be easier to learn to ski jump!
The nights are drawing in so quickly now which makes the days seem shorter. What do people do with the long evenings? I mean you can't party every night! Maybe everyone goes to bed earlier? I will be finishing my course on line and hopefully writing a few more chapters. Other than that I would like to sort out the NHS and the state of the country so I may run for local government with UKIP! Now that would be fun!!
Lets start with the great hat debate which continues to cut up a storm on the BD forum. It is now a fait a complit so skid lids it is all round, until you get to advanced of course when you can wear your much loved and very expensive top hat. The rules though are a mockery! It is laughable that those who do not own a tailcoat and compete in a short jacket must wear a skid lid! Really! What does the length of a jacket have to do with safety? Quite honestly it is a farce and if not so sad would be laughable! I know the people at BD work hard for the company but just like the government it is time to listen to the members! Riding a horse is like a game of Russian roulette, you may pull the trigger and nothing happens or you may find yourself at the end of a bullet! Do I feel safer with a skid lid on? Not really. They do move no matter how well fitting (since they come in sizes and are not made to measure)even with the harness at its tightest, and oh Lord don't they make your head sweat!
Dear Mr Cameron got his own way over the referendum but this, I predict, will be his downfall. Again, to ignore the people and break promises he made to gain power is a dangerous game to play! Are there any honest politicians out there?
My dear Lucy makes her BD debut tomorrow. She and I are very excited! She says I frazzled her brain on Monday and she now needs a new one. I say she has a good brain and just needs to engage it! Its true though, we don't work ourselves and our horses as hard when we are alone. It is only when we have a lesson that we feel the burn! After 20 minutes we forget our left from our right, cannot imagine how we have ever ridden a horse at all never mind a test! and to top it all our legs stop working and the harder we try the worse it gets! The length of rein is such a contention, too short and it feels like you are pulling, too long and the connection is lost. Keeping the hands light and infront of you and managing to keep the horse on the bit by way of tiny adjustments sounds easier than it is and takes more core stability and suppleness than most people give credit for. Reading some of the topics about this subject and how to achieve it does not shed much light as most are looking for a quick fix. Recently someone was advised to lunge their 3 year old in a chambon! And no Suzy, you cannot use a flash nose band with your double bridle! Oh dear we are back to 'on ze bit!' Its funny though because no matter how much you learn, how much you read or watch or talk about, it all comes back to this! Sometimes I think it would be easier to learn to ski jump!
The nights are drawing in so quickly now which makes the days seem shorter. What do people do with the long evenings? I mean you can't party every night! Maybe everyone goes to bed earlier? I will be finishing my course on line and hopefully writing a few more chapters. Other than that I would like to sort out the NHS and the state of the country so I may run for local government with UKIP! Now that would be fun!!
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