hi all - well I was a bundle of nerves thinking about this clinic...there are quite a few spectators at these clinics and only 8 riders. The spectators sit above you in an indoor arena - tiered seats - quite intimidating - when you ride the long wall (B side) you can hear whispers....and candy wrappers etc! Andrew had a microphone system so we also had to ride past a loud speaker.
Anyway - despite getting the one and only head cold of the last 2 years, on Friday - I battled through and overheated in the ground work sessions and the riding, and tried to get the most from the weekend...
I am going to post some photos soon... Garbo was an angel - he was a bit worried about the long drive there - it was an hour - on motorways - but after there and back both days he was fine by the last trip home - but he was pleased to be home last night.
Garbo didn't spook in the indoor arena despite all of the above.... Andrew figured out that he didn't know that leg pressure back from the girth meant move sideways.
It was a long day sitting through 7 other lessons so by the time it came to our turn I was a bit nervous so some old habits crept in - it was really hard to concentrate and hear him sometimes... but Andrew figured out that his falling in and cutting corners is a symptom of his not understanding the leg yield aid.
so he got me to tap his side with the whip to reinforce the leg aid and I warned him that he would kick - of course he did - and buck - he told me to keep going till he got it.
Ten minutes later after providing the most interesting, amusing lesson of the day for everyone - Andrew asked if I wanted him to get on, I said ok.!!
He said at the moment he thinks the whip means leap! ie he is trying to remove the pressure any way possible. He persisted with Andrew too which was good (not just me) and after another few minutes he had him leg yielding beautifully across the arena both ways with just leg back and then I did!!
Well mine was not as pretty but hey!
No leaping or bucking.
He calls it conflict behaviour - when they don't understand, he had him leg yielding into corners after that and not falling in!
Amazing...
I'll post some ground work piccies and a short video as soon as I feel better...
Anyway - despite getting the one and only head cold of the last 2 years, on Friday - I battled through and overheated in the ground work sessions and the riding, and tried to get the most from the weekend...
I am going to post some photos soon... Garbo was an angel - he was a bit worried about the long drive there - it was an hour - on motorways - but after there and back both days he was fine by the last trip home - but he was pleased to be home last night.
Garbo didn't spook in the indoor arena despite all of the above.... Andrew figured out that he didn't know that leg pressure back from the girth meant move sideways.
It was a long day sitting through 7 other lessons so by the time it came to our turn I was a bit nervous so some old habits crept in - it was really hard to concentrate and hear him sometimes... but Andrew figured out that his falling in and cutting corners is a symptom of his not understanding the leg yield aid.
so he got me to tap his side with the whip to reinforce the leg aid and I warned him that he would kick - of course he did - and buck - he told me to keep going till he got it.
Ten minutes later after providing the most interesting, amusing lesson of the day for everyone - Andrew asked if I wanted him to get on, I said ok.!!
He said at the moment he thinks the whip means leap! ie he is trying to remove the pressure any way possible. He persisted with Andrew too which was good (not just me) and after another few minutes he had him leg yielding beautifully across the arena both ways with just leg back and then I did!!
Well mine was not as pretty but hey!
No leaping or bucking.
He calls it conflict behaviour - when they don't understand, he had him leg yielding into corners after that and not falling in!
Amazing...
I'll post some ground work piccies and a short video as soon as I feel better...