I will do my best to get a schematic of the course posted soon. Also, I’m sorry if my notes are on the “short” side. There is more to come. Happy reading and riding!
Day 2, Wednesday
Session 1
Riders tracking left, practicing riding with the motion at the walk, ahead of the motion at the posting trot and canter. GM had the riders also ride behind the motion, this isn’t a desired position in most cases, but is needed at time, ie schooling the open water (stay tuned).
Then they proceeded to executing a shoulder in at the sitting trot, to a serpentine, three loops, keeping an inside bend (created with the inside LEG not the inside rein).
Repeated to the right, and then started over the cavaletti set up along the long side nearest the auditors. First over the single cavaletti for rhythm, being sure the horses keep their rhythm, not getting ahead or behind the leg. Then on to two cavaletti, for progression, then to three cavaletti, this exercise is to keep horses ACTIVE but not faster.
He had Lillie K. demonstrate the pulley rein [for halting, installing the half-halt, etc]. You set your inside rein into horses neck and pull up/back with outside rein (higher for jumpers, lower for hunters).
Then all the riders went back out on the rail, tracking right and had them practice halting with pulley rein, then at the canter in galloping position (2pt). To intensify it, you can slip your inside rein over to the outside shoulder.
GM got on Chase B.’s horse, a lovely, bay gelding. He warmed up the horse and demonstrated the pulley rein, and then the automatic release over the in and out at the short end of the ring (oxer to vertical) both directions. He also demonstrated a too commonly seen fault today, jumping ahead.
Then the riders were to school over the liverpool that was angled toward the rail on the far side of the ring. GM had them start slow and ride a little behind the motion, particularly if unsure about how horse will react. Cluck, spur, stick…depending on how it needed to be ridden.
GM was disappointed, saying “these horses are too easy, how dreary. Let’s get some tough ones out here!”
Then he had them do a bending line, left lead to liverpool, to the triple on the diagonal, then halt, using the rail and turning right not left off the diagonal (to prevent horses developing a drift). GM was sure horses keep their horses walking with impulsion inbtw turns.
For lateral suppling, he had them do the bending outside line, liverpool off left lead, then left, 7 strides to scoop jump, then right, 5 strides to triple bar, then had them do this the opposite direction. Then up 4 holes, off the left lead, GM had them do then direct 6 to 5, then off the right, the direct 4 to 6, which requires contact, having horse “in the shoot.” Then off the left, the VERY direct [straight] 5 to [steady] 4, requiring pace and not turning too early.
As they cooled off their horses, GM was sure they put their stirrups back to the flat length NOW and making it habit, to keep from forgetting and riding in too short of stirrup, creating a short, cramped leg.
GMisms for the session
“The greatest principle…take and GIVE.”
“Legs and seat…MORE than hand.”
“This country has the case of the slows.”
“Great horsemen do the opposite of what a horse does. Not easy to learn.”
Session 2
GM had them warm up similarly to the first session.
Then @ the trot, GM had them alternate btw shoulder in and haunches in, 10 strides of each.
At the canter, they rode a serpentine (3 loops), maintaining the counterlead.
Then he reviewed the pulley rein for turning and had them demonstrate this. You set the outside hand, and inside to turn.
GM rode Kate’s horse, to demonstrate LEGS.
To improve straightness, GM had them jump over the green box, and he would point left or right, and rider was to use opening leading rein to turn.
GMisms for the session
“There is correct and there is correct. Almost correct is WRONG.”
“Kick yourself in the butt and get the precision, this is exact riding.”
Session 3
Nutrition with Purina. This was a great session. I feed ONLY Purina in my barn, love the feed and company. Makes for happy horses, inside and out. I didn’t take specific notes during the presentation, as I knew most of it. They reviewed their published data and research on many of their feeds. I like a company that can back up what they are saying with published data in peer reviewed journals, etc. Check out the live feed.
