Whilst teaching ths week I started to touch on the biomechanics of the horse and rider. Not everyone is born with innate feel, although I believe that everyone has the ability to develop that feel if directed correctly. Starting with the way the horse moves in the walk and trot and what it feels like under the seat, really opens the riders eyes. Watch most riders rock back and forth in walk or swing through their backs with a collapsed stomach, now watch the horse from the back and observe his pelvis. It moves by dropping oneside and then the other. Once a rider feels this they can follow with the seat and a loose hip and thigh, the upper body then becomes still and only the pelvis absorbs the movement. This happens in the trot too. If the legs are relaxed in the walk the rider will feel the rib cage move away from the riders leg as the hind leg swings through. This will be the moment when the rider can influence the hind leg when asking for more engagement in the trot. Having studied the top riders for years, wondering and wishing, no yearning to do things the way they do, I now realise that this is what they feel albeit without having to think about it! If only I had discovered this at 16! More and more riders are questioning and asking to understand the biomechanics of riding. Good for them! and good for those teaching and explaining why if you use gripper muscles your knee and heel will draw up, but if you use your flexors your thigh will remain relaxed while allowing the lower leg to turn 30 degrees which allows the leg to cuddle the horse and become more effective. So many for so long have been trying so hard with tight muscles and ineffective leg aids because of wrong timing and lack of understanding. The forum is full of those who cannot sit to the trot. Small wonder if the buttocks and thighs are in spasm! Anyway, all this paid off when Lucie and her horse Arnie qualified for the regionals. I am a very proud surrogate mum!The icing on the cake was when Horse & Hound called Lucie and interviewed her about her wins over the last two weeks. Considering she bought this horse for a pound she has done brilliantly. We know we have loads of work to do before the regionals and we are not resting on those laurels! Pride comes before a fall so although we are excited (please forgive us!) we know it is not all plain sailing!
Its a long time since I went out on a girls night and this thursday Cheltenham had better be ready when Claire, Dawn and myself hit the town! What to wear? How do Cougars behave on a night out? Come on girls send me some tips please! And how much should one take out to spend? Its years since I went to a club or bar, I have to admit I'm a bit nervous. The other two are gorgeous and articulate, witty and bright. I think I am going to look like the dippy blonde with little to say!Apart from that they are both a foot taller than me although they have promised to wear flat shoes if I wear very high stilletoes! I can already feel the twisted ankles!
Busy week ahead which includes a lesson with Carl on wednesday and lots of lovely horses to treat and teach. I love my life and my work its just a shame it goes by so fast! Christmas is but a few weeks away! and then another year will dawn.
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