Lunge Lessons from the Abyss

In an effort to deepen and educate my seat, this week and much of last week was spent in a combination of lunge line lessons with and without stirrups, and much off lunge riding without stirrups.  (An aside-- when your trainer says "ok take away the stirrups" in 100 degree Houston summer heat you get immediate street cred from any barn buddies that happen to be within ear shot.)

DON'T WAIT is the take (to-the-barn-not-home) lesson.  From the mounting block I need to raise my expectations that Rijkens will be prompt off my leg and light in my hand.  If he isn't, I must create stored energy in him with my strong position, and even-ness in both reins (no knitting).  The rider must create the energy and brilliance in the horse that a really startling spook, such as from a semi truck or other very scary object, would create, but that it is controlled and submissive.  Yes I know it's not easy but if there is ever a time where I can cultivate this kind of awareness between a horse and me it is definitely with Rijkens.

Added to the lunge lessons and stirrup-free riding at home this week and last, my barn buddy Lisa has graciously allowed me to pick up a weekly ride on her wonderful horse Nate, a very close cousin of Rijkens.  The focus of those rides also has been to get to the point in an efficient way (a must-have in this Houston heat) with an emphasis on collection and engagement through the bio-mechanics of the centaur human-horse dynamic.

                               
                                Nate in his stall before our ride:

Silver Medal

Rijkens has allowed me to realize several life goals, including earning my United Stated Dressage Federation Bronze and Silver medals.  On April 29 2017 at the Shoofly Farm CDI HDS open show Rijkens earned my final score for our silver medal.

The local dressage community has been very congratulatory toward me on this accomplishment.  One well wisher, an "L" graduate and grand prix rider, added a warning to not be in a rush toward my gold medal, but to enjoy the moment, the learning experience and the journey.  She mentioned that she too often sees people surging straight from their silver on toward gold.  I appreciate and agree with her perspective, and even felt backwardly complimented that she thought I might even be capable of zooming toward that lofty goal.

A discovery I've made in dressage, as in anything academic, is the more you learn, the more you know you actually don't know.  Yes I've gotten a few rides down centerline at Prix St Georges, but I am far from being where I want to be in competently riding correct collection and engagement for the FEI levels.  I couldn't rush headlong toward my gold, even if that is something I want; I lack the experience at the PSG level yet to move onward.

The good news is I have a perfect horse to allow me that additional experience in the FEI ring.  Rijkens has been called "almost a really good horse" by someone whose opinion matters.  Meaning: he isn't necessarily a perfect specimen, but what he is capable of he does really well and occasionally shows brilliance.  Rijkens is a very good small tour horse, earning his adult amateur our bronze and silver medals, and qualifying this year (2017) for local SWDC championships with me at PSG and for USDF Region 9 open championships at Intermediaire 1 with our trainer.

For now I will continue striving in the Prix St Georges, with our eyes on I1 possibly next season.  I've now ridden the PSG in all of four weekend shows, so eight rides.  As my friend suggested, I am in no hurry to rush toward the big tour.  Admittedly I want to ride it one day, but for now my focus is on improving my ride in the small tour and learning all I can with the capable and wonderful horse that I have at the moment.