When working on your position, think "waist down, waist up". Below your waist everything goes down: seat bones, legs, heels, your entire center of gravity.
Above your waist, everything lifts: chest, diaphragm, chin, and most importantly, eyes.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
Work you way through the warm up
Warming up for a class at a show can be intimidating and distracting. Knowing the "arena rules" can help you navigate through the traffic so you can focus on your horse and riding.
First, pass left hand to left hand as if your are driving. If you are working on a circle and another horse/rider comes along the rail, pull your circle in and allow the other rider to pass on the outside.
If you are traveling in the same direction, the slower rider should be on the inside track.
And please, for the sake of other riders, do not stop on the track to adjust tack or talk with your trainer.
If you need passage (ie. diagonal) always say "please".
Courtesy and consideration are important. The golden rule always applies!
First, pass left hand to left hand as if your are driving. If you are working on a circle and another horse/rider comes along the rail, pull your circle in and allow the other rider to pass on the outside.
If you are traveling in the same direction, the slower rider should be on the inside track.
And please, for the sake of other riders, do not stop on the track to adjust tack or talk with your trainer.
If you need passage (ie. diagonal) always say "please".
Courtesy and consideration are important. The golden rule always applies!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Championships
As we are about to leave for the championships, I am reflecting on years past.
Many of you don't know how SWDC began and also how lucky we are to have our regional championships right here in Houston EVERY YEAR!
I attended my first Regional Championship in St Louis, MO. That was in the 80's and we only had four regions in the US. It was a long haul and meant taking off several work days and spending a lot of money!
So, SWDC was formed so that we could compete in a champs and stay closer to home with friendlier rules.
Then USDF divided the country into more regions, 9 now, so that no one would have to travel far. Houston just happens to have the largest venue, Great Southwest EC so we usually get the bid. However, our region covers five staes and many of the competitors have to make quite a trip to be here.
When you meet someone this weekend from out of town, appreciate their efforts.
And know that this show is a culmination of efforts from years past.
But mostly, have fun and enjoy the efforts of those past volunteers who brought the show and sport to this moment in time.
Many of you don't know how SWDC began and also how lucky we are to have our regional championships right here in Houston EVERY YEAR!
I attended my first Regional Championship in St Louis, MO. That was in the 80's and we only had four regions in the US. It was a long haul and meant taking off several work days and spending a lot of money!
So, SWDC was formed so that we could compete in a champs and stay closer to home with friendlier rules.
Then USDF divided the country into more regions, 9 now, so that no one would have to travel far. Houston just happens to have the largest venue, Great Southwest EC so we usually get the bid. However, our region covers five staes and many of the competitors have to make quite a trip to be here.
When you meet someone this weekend from out of town, appreciate their efforts.
And know that this show is a culmination of efforts from years past.
But mostly, have fun and enjoy the efforts of those past volunteers who brought the show and sport to this moment in time.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Think like a horse
If you were a horse your happiest moments would be secure, unchanging and in a herd.
They are prey animals, as oposed to predators like us (even vegetarians!). Their survival depends on following the herd leader with unquestioning obedience. In nature, if the herd leader says, "Run!" they must do so immediately or the consequence might be death.
Our domesticated horses are not evolutionarily far from this sentiment. That's what makes them trainable. The desire to obey and be "with us". When we ride, we are a herd of two and it is imperative that the rider is the herd leader. Otherwise, our mount loses confidence which can produce undesirable behavior in many forms.
Think like a horse and take charge (with kindness of course!)
They are prey animals, as oposed to predators like us (even vegetarians!). Their survival depends on following the herd leader with unquestioning obedience. In nature, if the herd leader says, "Run!" they must do so immediately or the consequence might be death.
Our domesticated horses are not evolutionarily far from this sentiment. That's what makes them trainable. The desire to obey and be "with us". When we ride, we are a herd of two and it is imperative that the rider is the herd leader. Otherwise, our mount loses confidence which can produce undesirable behavior in many forms.
Think like a horse and take charge (with kindness of course!)
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Lemony's Nicket
While I was in Verden, Germany for the World Champion Young Horse competition, I saw the Hanoverian year old stallions compete as well. The classes were run like the US Materiale with three horses going at once. My very favorite, and the winner by the way, was the young stallion, Lemony's Nicket. He's a beautiful bay by Londonderry out of a Weltmeyer mare.
Well . . . I must have great taste because I've just read that he sold for 900,000 Euro at the Verden auction to none other than Harmony Sport Horses of the US.
He will apparently stay in Germany for now. Look for great things from this handsome young man! I have a special feeling about him.
Well . . . I must have great taste because I've just read that he sold for 900,000 Euro at the Verden auction to none other than Harmony Sport Horses of the US.
He will apparently stay in Germany for now. Look for great things from this handsome young man! I have a special feeling about him.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
10 reasons I like the drought
1. No mosquitoes (or at least very few)
2. Haven't cleaned my horse's feet in three months.
3. No mowing.
4. Clean horses.
5. No muddy paw prints on the kitchen floor.
6. Fire ants are suffering
7. I now sit outside at night for dinner
8. Haven't had sauna in the arena (much)
9. Have put off replacing gutters to the tune of 5K
10. And the number one reason I like the drought . . . no rain rot/scratches/dew poisoning on the horses!
2. Haven't cleaned my horse's feet in three months.
3. No mowing.
4. Clean horses.
5. No muddy paw prints on the kitchen floor.
6. Fire ants are suffering
7. I now sit outside at night for dinner
8. Haven't had sauna in the arena (much)
9. Have put off replacing gutters to the tune of 5K
10. And the number one reason I like the drought . . . no rain rot/scratches/dew poisoning on the horses!
Friday, September 2, 2011
travels abroad
This august I traveled to the Netherlands, Germany and Finland for the most wonderful "horsey" vacation . Well, actually I was teaching in Finland but got in lots of sightseeing as well.
The first event was the world championship of young horses in Verden. This was my third year to attend and the horses and riding were the best. In the past, the judges seemed to reward tension and "passagy" trots if they produced brilliance. That has thankfully changed. In most cases, the warm-ups and the rides presented very good basics with incredible impulsion and confidence. Of course these were young horses with rowdy crowds, so some tension is inevitable.
In the end, the fabulous mare, Woodlander Farouch from Great Britain won the 5 yr. champs, while Astrix from the Netherlands repeated his win from the previous year and took home the 6 yr old title.
You can watch both on youtube!
More later including pics!
The first event was the world championship of young horses in Verden. This was my third year to attend and the horses and riding were the best. In the past, the judges seemed to reward tension and "passagy" trots if they produced brilliance. That has thankfully changed. In most cases, the warm-ups and the rides presented very good basics with incredible impulsion and confidence. Of course these were young horses with rowdy crowds, so some tension is inevitable.
In the end, the fabulous mare, Woodlander Farouch from Great Britain won the 5 yr. champs, while Astrix from the Netherlands repeated his win from the previous year and took home the 6 yr old title.
You can watch both on youtube!
More later including pics!
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