I have just returned from teaching on Aspire Grassroots clinic at Lindrick Livery and what a great weekend that was! I hope the pictures tell the story well and that you enjoy the wonderful set of them taken by Ceri of Pure Essence Photography (Check her website HERE if you would like to book a photo shoot 🙂 ) I will be writing more about the exercises shown on below pictures in Aspire’s bi-monthly newsletter coming up on the 14th October so if you would like to read some of my thoughts on those simple body awareness techniques, sign up HERE 🙂
When schooling we communicate with a horse via diagonal aids (inside leg – outside rein, outside leg – inside rein) to help with balancing the horse (prevent over use of either sides). For this communication to work well, we need to be aware of cross-coordination in our own body…Fabulous, little 3 year old ex-racehorse in early stages of re-training. Learning to move like a riding horse.Addressing posture and effectiveness of the legIntro to an exercise which helps with control of the horse’s shouldersWhen schooling we communicate with a horse via diagonal aids (inside leg – outside rein, outside leg – inside rein) to help with balancing the horse (prevent over use of either side). For this communication to work well, we need to be aware of cross-coordination in our own body…When we sit on a moving horse, we don’t always feel how physics and motion disorganise our position and as a result destroy our balance. Testing Olivia’s front to back stability here.When schooling we communicate with a horse via diagonal aids (inside leg – outside rein, outside leg – inside rein) to help with balancing the horse (prevent over use of either side). For this communication to work well, we need to be aware of cross-coordination in our own body…Introduction to a simple yet powerful exercise: “monkey” position – which helps with getting the idea that joints need to be relaxed for the posture to become effective, it’s the muscles that need to work…Awareness of own crookedness is a first step to understanding schooling of the horse – simple exercises can awake muscles that we didn’t know existed 🙂Learning about horse’s posture via becoming a horse 😉Another version of the “monkey” position – which helps with getting the idea that joints (hip, knee, ankle, elbow, shoulder) need to be relaxed for the posture to become effective, it’s the muscles that need to work…In-hand work to help with crookedness3 year old ex-racehorse Casper learning to yield from the “leg” in-handLaura having a go at “monkey” exerciseSearching for strengths and weaknesses in rider’s body as far as balance in the saddle is concerned 🙂Cantering on foot to address excessive shoulder movement – fun and very effective to build awareness 🙂As Ceri, the author of the photos said “Never too early to start 😉 ” My cracking little client – grand age of 5 – on his pony, preparing for simple and fun coordination exercises.Everybody understand various instructions differently. How do you soften your hand/elbow/shoulder? What does it mean “give” with your hand? Here Louise is feeling the difference between locked and “soft” elbow.Quick video feedback before proceeding with exercises. Visual feedback never lies and helps immensely with speeding up learning process.Every movement of the horse needs to be absorbed by rider’s joints. If one or more joints “block” the motion, harmony can’t be achieved. Here the rider is experimenting with passive joint movement to determine which of her joints (hip, knee or ankle) is the one she blocks the movement with.Learning to move on large circles in balance and relaxed posture without the rider. A 3 year old ex-race horse Casper – I can’t wait to watch his improvement over months to come. He has wonderful brain and fantastic attitude.Learning how rider’s crookedness affects turns and circles – and finding ways to correct a few issues 🙂Short in-hand sessions for 3 year old Thoroughbred, Casper.Posing with a lovely young rider and her wonderful pony, Mouse, who sadly decided not to smile with us here!Louise and the lovely Henry – great partnership! Henry is now 3 months into post kissing spine operation and looked and worked very well!
If you would like to organise similar clinic at your yard, give Wiola a shout! Anyone welcome 🙂 More details below:
Sometimes I get asked by people where does my energy come from and let me tell you this not so secretive secret – it’s from all the Aspire work! When I do an away weekend clinic which technically takes 4 days including travel days, like the one just gone at Lindrick Livery in North Yorkshire, the real tiredness only really hit afterwards. The actual teaching part is as awakening and energising as life can be.
The most energising part, however, is doing it with like-minded people who really want to improve and are driven not only by that improvement but by wellness of their horses. This means that the focus is not on what different bit/noseband/lunging system to use but what exercises to do and how to improve own awareness in order to have a so called happy athlete working for the rider.
Collage of riders who took part in the July clinic (sans one rider whose videos I deleted by mistake 😦 ) – 5-6 July 2014. Yes, we accidentally timed it with Tour de France going through Ripon! It was rather exciting to search for yellow bicycles everywhere! :))
I would love to know if you take part in various clinics at your yard – please leave a comment! How often do you have organised, structured lessons with homework to work on with your horse between the lessons? I notice a big difference in the riders’ skills in Yorkshire since March this year when we did the first clinic together. This was the third one.
If you are on a smaller yard or at DIY livery where there are not many training opportunities and would like to organise Aspire Grassroots clinic do get in touch (aspire @ outlook. com). It doesn’t matter if you are 13 or 73 with a flashy warmblood or hairy pony 🙂
In fact, even if you don’t get Aspire Grassroots Clinic to come to you, I would really encourage you to get together with friends at your yard and organise regular training at the level suitable for everyone – it is a great motivational tool, brings a little change into training routine and gives you tools to work on on everyday basis. I visit DIY yards with lovely horse owners who struggle to get an instructor to come out to them or perhaps there is nobody in immediate area who suits rider’s preferred training methods. Organising a clinic is a way to go dear grassroots riders 🙂
P.S. Thank you to Ceri Dickinson for organising the Aspire Grassroots clinics and for Lindrick Livery for hosting them. See you at the end of August!
The lovely Lindrick Livery, one of the yards where we go to run our Grassroots Clinics have kindly opened the places up for outside riders for our July clinic there. If you live nearby and would like to join us, please don’t hesitate. All levels of riders are welcome, the only requirement is that you want to improve your riding and your horse’s way of working with you.
Many riders struggle with one thing or another for years and our clinics are designed to get to the bottom of the problem, chew it and enjoy the outcome. There are no quick fixes in our coaching and we never use any gadgets (although we might get creative with various props to improve rider’s body awareness 😉 but there might be many eureka moments instead!
Please see the poster below for info for outside riders and contact Ceri Dickinson to book your place.
Well I had a bit of luck recently! As explained in a previous blog, I gave up working with horses just over a year ago as I wanted to set up my photography business and felt that, with horses being more lifestyle than job, the two just didn’t mix. Well, following a random conversation with an old friend, I am excited to be back working with horses in a position that will allow me to do both! Perfect! I am now working part time on a livery/hunting yard which allows me to be back in the countryside I love, earn enough to survive and give me the time I need to build my business.
Official Blog by Aspire Equestrian Riding Academy 