Boot Camp Day 25

The lesson with Karen on Gryphon focused on transistions, particularly into and from canter. Karen used a sand bag analogy: if you sit in the saddle with your butt equally balanced and across the seat as a sandbag, then you will ride with the same efficacy as would said sandbag. The sandbag, after being carefully placed and balanced in the saddle, would roughly bump a stride or two then fall to the ground once the horse started forward in canter. If one affixed the sandbag to the saddle, say at the pommel, the sandbag would pop up out of the saddle on each canter stride. Even so with my butt.

The solution: yes, ride with the seat "flat" on the saddle and balanced over both seatbones, but also use the balls of your feet with soft knees and shoulders back and down with engaged "armpit" muscles and elbows down to keep you balanced over the saddle and not flopping loosely like so much sand in a bag.

Think of a dot painted on the rider's point of hip right where the breeches pockets might be, moving in a circle during each canter stride: in collected canter the circle moves more in a vertical oval, while in extended canter the circle is more of a horizontal oval.

Important for me is quietly having the rhythm of the transition in my head, and not hurrying the transition. Rather, calmly and quietly establish a good balance with the horse in self carriage and light in the hand, then quietly give the clear aid for the canter trans (for Centerline horses that is to step into the inside stirrup and think of turning the rider's sagital plane slightly to the outside), wait for the horse to respond, then calmly continue the new canter rhythm enforced by your quiet seat (ie ball of foot in stirrup, soft knee, upright position).

Summary of pearls:

• Quietly establish the rhythm, whether that is counting, feeling it as a musical beat, or however, but never rushing rather calmly directing the balance and rhythm with your position. Maintain the rider's correct position asking for balance and lightness even when mistakes occur, and before, during and after all transitions. Test that the horse is balanced and light in the hand at all times.
  
• Avoid trying to be a "balanced sandbag." Rather use the balls of your feet from the stirrups, soft knees, shoulders back and down with armpit muscles engaged to stay kinetically correct in the canter stride. Use these aids to ask the horse to lift his whithers in collected canter or free his shoulder in extended canter.
  

Protective Headgear Bulletin

Protective Headgear Rules for Dressage

Effective March 1, 2011, the following rules apply to Dressage Competitions and Regular Competitions holding Dressage classes:

1. Riders under age 18 must wear protective headgear, as defined by DR120.5 and in compliance with GR801, at all times while mounted on the competition grounds. This includes non-competing riders as well as those competing at any level.
   
2. While on horses competing in national level tests (Fourth Level and below), riders must wear protective headgear as defined by DR120.5 and in compliance with GR801, at all times while mounted on the competition grounds. This includes non-competing riders on horses competing in national level tests.
   
3. While on horses competing in USEF or FEI Young Horse Tests, and FEI Junior Tests, riders must wear protective headgear as defined by DR120.5 and in compliance with GR801, at all times while mounted on the competition grounds.
   
4. All riders competing in Para-Equestrian tests must wear protective headgear at all times while mounted on the competition grounds. Riders who compete in PE tests must wear protective headgear on every horse they ride, no matter the level or test.
   
5. All riders of any age while on non-competing horses must wear protective headgear at all times while mounted on the competition grounds.
   
6. All riders under age 18 and all riders while on horses competing in national level tests, who choose to wear Armed Services or police uniform, must wear protective headgear as defined in DR120.5 and in compliance with GR801 at all times while mounted on the competition grounds. Riders age 18 and over who wear Armed Services or police uniform on horses that are competing only in FEI levels and tests at the Prix St. Georges level and above must wear either protective headgear or the appropriate military/police cap or hat for their branch of service.
   
7. When a horse is competing in both national and FEI levels or tests (e.g. Fourth Level and PSG), the rider must wear protective headgear at all times when mounted on that horse on the competition grounds and during all tests.
   
8. While on horses that are competing only in FEI levels and tests at the Prix St. Georges level and above (including FEI Young Rider Tests, the USEF Developing Prix St. Georges Test and the USEF Brentina Cup Test), riders age 18 and over are not required to wear protective headgear in warm up or during competition. However, these riders may wear protective headgear without penalty from the judge.
   
9. In FEI-recognized (CDI, CDI-Y, CDI-J, CDI-P, etc.) classes, FEI rules take precedence and protective headgear is permitted but not required.
   
10. All riders while on horses competing in national level classes such as Equitation, Materiale and DSHB Under Saddle are required to wear protective headgear at all times when mounted on the competition grounds.
    

Protective headgear is defined as a riding helmet which meets or exceeds ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)/SEI (Safety Equipment Institute) standards for equestrian use and carries the SEI tag. The headgear and harness must be secured and properly fitted. Any rider violating this rule at any time must immediately be prohibited from further riding until such headgear is properly in place.

Recommendation to competitions:
In order to distinguish riders who are required to wear protective headgear from those who aren't, it is suggested that entry numbers in a different sequence be assigned to the entries in each group (e.g. use numbers from 1-700 for entries where riders must wear protective headgear and use numbers from 800 and above for entries where riders are not required to use protective headgear).

Short summary statement for use in prize lists:
Effective March 1, 2011, for dressage: Anyone mounted on a horse must wear protective headgear except those riders age 18 and over while on horses that are competing only in FEI levels and tests at the Prix St. Georges level and above (including FEI Young Rider Tests, the USEF Developing Prix St. Georges Test and the USEF Brentina Cup Test).

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United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. 4047 Iron Works Pkwy, Lexington, KY 40515 859-258-2472 webmaster@usef.org

Boot Camp Day 23

Today's lesson with Lurena reinforced what I've been learning throughout this entire time of intentional education: simply, the rider must dictate and maintain the proper balance by keeping the seat "flat" onto the saddle; requiring the horse to travel in self carriage by quick half halts up (even "shaking the horse off of the rein"); and never dwelling on the rein but continuously cycling through the quick-half-halts-followed-by-completely-giving-one-rein-the-other-rein-or-both-reins maneuver.

Some epiphanies, in no particular order:

• When the rider thinks and feels things are getting easier, i.e. the horse is traveling lighter and in self carriage with seemingly very little assistance from the rider, this means the horse is actually working much harder and engaging new muscle groups, and more frequent rest periods or changing the exercise to a different gate is in order. The muscles used to articulate the joints and carry the horse in a more uphill, "sitting" posture must be developed systematically over time and when the horse does engage those muscles in a nice way she should be allowed rest breaks. Avoid the temptation to say "oh this is so nice and easy" and ride 'round and 'round while the horse is actually working much much harder; rather respite this hard work with a tangible reward.
  

• When mistakes occur (and they will), the rider must remain in balance and insist that even the mistakes are done in balance and light in the hand. Follow the exercise through to completion: completion being when you've achieved a balanced and light in the hand approximation of what you set out to do and only after the mistakes have been corrected or addressed and the horse is traveling in balanced self carriage, through the aids and light in the hand. Only then allow the horse a break or rest period that they have rightly earned.
  

• If you want to give the horse a "light day" or an "easy" ride, work for less time (say ten or fifteen minutes) of high quality rather than allowing the horse to go around for any amount of time on the forehand or in an otherwise incorrect frame. The horse never has to guess if this is a day she can travel 'round with her snout up or if this is a day she'll actually have to be on the bit. Consistency is what makes it "easy" for the horse.
  

• Trail rides can be a great way to encourage a very good free walk. However insist that the horse travels in a relaxed way: that the head is out in front swinging from the shoulders as a part of the overall swinging back. Never allow the horse to travel with her head up, thus tightening the back and neck. If she pricks up her ears and shoots the head upward to gaze around, quietly insist with the rein that she keeps her head out in front of her body to swing with the back in a high quality free walk. She doesn't have to march around on the bit, but even when on the buckle she should have her head slightly lower and in front of her body to encourage a good free walk.
  

Best Petsitters Ever

Michelle and Tracy Galle care for Prissy and Rosco whenever we're out of town, and walk our dogs weekly while I'm away at work. Owners of the doggy daycare The Best Little Dog House in Texas, Michelle and Tracy also operate the dog walking service For the Love of Pets. I recommend them wholeheartedly.

Boot Camp Day 16

Lurena's lesson today was a real epiphany. Delphi is blossoming at Belle Terre; Lurena believes Delphi has superior gaits than what Delphi has shown heretofore. It's my responsibility to ride to a level of excellence.

To improve the walk, insist that it is light, balanced, but briskly marching. If it's not, do something (anything) sideways such as leg yield or shoulder in. Delphi traditionally responds by slowing or "sticking" in the lateral work at walk so I reinforce the marching walk with a kick or whip tap. Once she is "opened" and marching in the sideways walk work, I allow her to travel straight in the better walk.

To improve the trot we worked on softening the reins with quick (and they can be quite firm) half halts and quick gives. If Delphi attempts to dive down, or run, or alter the balance so the trot gets uncomfortable to sit, I must remain in my own correct balance and dictate the balance in which I want her to stay. It's up to the rider to maintain the correct balance, even when the horse makes a mistake or tries to evade.

To improve the canter, also soften the reins with quick half halts up and quick gives. Lots of counter flexions and true flexions create throughness. Especially in canter, if Delphi dives down, breaks to trot, changes lead or otherwise makes a mistake, I must keep my position up and back with my seat flat on the saddle (don't tilt forward). Partiuclarly when a mistake occurs, I keep my upright balanced position and say "Fine, make a mistake, but it better be balanced and it better be light." Of course it's fine to make a correction, but insist the horse is balanced and remains light throughout.

A trap I've fallen into when Delphi breaks, or runs, or swaps lead in counter canter or whatever, is that I stop the exercise to re-group (or at best lean forward to keep her going) but thereby give her a break or assist her by adjusting to the balance she has dictated. Instead I should just say "Too bad" and maintain my up and back position, giving the upward half halts and keeping her balanced and engaged through the exercise's completion. Of course Delphi thinks this is way too much work and has been complaining about it to Lurena, but with the new expectations placed on her Delphi is becoming more attentive (her ears stayed back in a pleasant, floppy way on me during most of the ride rather than pricked forward spoiling for something else to do) and indeed more capable of showing better gaits and maneuvers.

Boot Camp Day 11

During my schooling ride on Gryphon today we were able to test some theory from a George Williams clinic my barn buddy Ceil shared. The theory states one must first have latitudinal flexion created in part by the inside rein, and only then can one get longitudinal flexion with help from the outside rein. Gryphon was quite willing to demonstrate this: once soft on the inside rein (latitudinally), I was then able to get him quite soft longitudinally on the outside rein. Then the cycle would repeat and Gryphon was traveling lightly and in self carriage with me cycling through the latitudinal then longitudinal aids with NO mauling or dwelling on the reins. Basic yes but it really helped me as a rider to be aware of how the rein aids (supplemented of course by all the other aids: leg, seat, etceteras) were coming through.
The aid for canter is very subtle with Gryphon. It is similar to the aids for shoulder in, but the rider must remain straight and balanced, turn the rider's frontal plane slightly to the outside with an ever so slight nudge onto the rider's inside seat bone. Gryphon happily canters off in collection from this very subtle aid but the rider must first prepare by having him through the aids, light in front, and organized for the transition.
Once in canter, I again was able to prove the George Williams theory that the horse must stay in front of the leg. Test this by leg yielding away from the rider's inside leg: if the horse is not very willing to do so then he is no longer in front of the rider's leg. Gryphon was indeed willing to yield obediently away from my inside leg. And of course the latitudinal and longitudinal circuit testing was ongoing for canter as well. Voila: another satisfying instance of the lecture being proved in the lab.

Hurtling Through Space

There are possibly things to do of an afternoon that are more fun than medium trot with Gryphon, but I'm sure I don't know them:

Pre-Boot Camp Flying Changes

Although the changes were coming along, we certainly had to cowboy through the first several attempts. Here is some footage of Delphi trying (in spite of her rider) to learn flying changes:

Boot Camp Day 5

Delphi is doing extremely well at Belle Terre: as soon as I mounted she was much lighter in the hand and quite prepared to travel in self carriage. After viewing the photos of my riding session from today however, I need to abandon the training level riding style, shorten my reins, soften my knee, deepen my seat and channel my inner Edward Gal and be the dressage rider.

Witness:

Abandon: leaning forward hunt seat style. Improve: bring my lower legs back and sit up in correct position.
Abandon: popping my seat up out of the saddle then driving the horse down onto the forehand. Improve: keep my elbows down with a straight line from firm wrist to bit; sitting up and reaching back actively with my seat each canter stride.
Abandon: too long reins and lack of jump in the canter stride. Improve: shorten the reins then activate the inside hind for more jump and collection.
Abandon: loose, floppy reins. Improve: uberstreichen is good, but I should shorten my reins so to be IMMEDIATE with both the giving of the rein and the QUICK half halt.
Abandon: leaning forward during uberstreichen. Improve: okay to show clear give, but keep a correct position and insist the horse returns back to the rider's proper balance; the rider dictates the horse's balance, not the other way 'round.
Abandon: too long reins that allow the horse to tighten or go inverted before the rider has time to react. Improve: shorten the reins and be ready with quick half halts as well as quick gives. Keep the reins soft but shorter and be ready with a corrective leg, seat, and half halt.
Abandon: this is a pretty training level trot, but too bad- we're NOT in training level anymore Toto. Improve: ask for more impulsion and collection with correct leg, seat, back and "armpit muscle" aids.
Abandon: pulling the inside rein. Improve: shorten the reins several inches and "fix" things with my leg and seat rather than my hands.
Abandon: allowing the lower leg to creep forward. Improve: keep my knee soft and lower leg back to activate the hindquarters; shorten the reins to receive the collection created by correct aids.

Learning the art and science of dressage takes a lifetime, and one needs patience and perseverance to succeed. Having high expectations for my horse is not enough. I must shelve the excuses and insist on personal excellence to grow into the grand prix rider I dream of becoming.

Postcards from Camp

Heard from Delphi today. Lurena said she bonded so quickly with Bailey and Gentle Rain, her paddock mates, that when she worked her the first time Delphi was calling, whippping her head around to gaze at the paddock, and in general being a first class brat. Delphi was really feeling good about herself because not only did she have the run of the largest paddock, after gobbling her food (a small dry quart only) she barged Bailey out of the way and gobbled Bailey's ration too. SO, Lurena promptly segregated Delphi to a paddock where she is alone and the only thing she can do to feel good about herself is squeal at the poor gelding Casper in the next paddock over. Hopefully, rather than running Belle Terre (a job Delphi's convinced should be hers) Delphi can now focus on her real job of dressage.
Lurena has been schooling Delphi in that ever important prerequisite to all things past second level: Self Carriage.

Casper the Friendly Horse:

When she's not bossing Casper around Delphi can view the sheep of Belle Terre:

Boot Camp Day 4

The lesson today on Gryphon was a breathtaking experience of *wow* medium trots, fairly good passage steps, exhilarating canter, and uphill shoulder in. By far the medium trot was the most spectacular; it was so much that the first attempt I wasn't ready and it actually took my breath away. Once I knew what to expect, I was able to sit for that amazing Trakehner extension that Gryphon does so well and for which his breed is becoming so famous.
The premium for me is allowing the horse to travel in self carriage: yes, I must half halt, but this should always be with my legs, seat and back while pushing my elbows down (think armpit muscles) but never pulling on the rein. Gryphon is quite capable and taught me how to allow a horse to travel in self carriage by giving half halts then keeping the reins soft, even "fluffy."
To improve, I should bring my lower leg back with a softer knee, allow the reins to be soft to promote self carriage, and I still could have more impulsion, forward, or just more GO in the lateral work. It was a good reminder of where I need to be to get Delphi to the next level.

Boot Camp Day 3

Day 3 had me riding Wizard again. He's going so well that I'm considering showing him this weekend in the Blue Fox fun show.
For now, I'll leave you with this lagniappe from today's boot camp: Karen schooling her Trakehner filly Lola:

Boot Camp Day 2

Two days in, and already I've ridden three different horses. First was Wizard, Centerline Training's Spanish barb who responded nicely to aids I've learned with Delphi. Next was Gryphon, Centerline's most accomplished Trakehner who reminded me that if I soften my knees and sit correctly, he's quite happy to move in a lovely forward and round way that is wonderful to ride.
Today I rode my barn buddy Judy's four year old Fresian who taught me that indeed even young horses respond to correct riding. To be fair, Karen Brown had just finished schooling him so he was well warmed up and on the aids. Nevertheless he was very patient with me, a stranger, and went really nicely:

Belle Terre Boot Camp

Day Zero:
Delphi started full training with Lurena Bell of Belle Terre Farm beginning January 3 2011. The goal for this period of intensely focused dressage schooling is for Delphi to learn, among other things, the flying changes required to get her through third level and beyond. Meanwhile, I will be supplementing my own education by riding the horses of Centerline Training and continuing lessons with both Karen Brown and Lurena.
When we pulled into the gate at Belle Terre, Delphi's buddy Bailey greeted us:
Though Delphi will be hard at work, she will also enjoy being turned out to paddock twenty four hours daily with her friends in the picturesque setting of Belle Terre:
I'm SO looking forward to this journey!