MEMORIES and REFLECTIONS in Holland
Big farm machinery coming down the roads…they really invent interesting farm equipment !
There were at least one hundred bicycles next door when my neighbor throws a sweet sixteen party for her daughter. A great summer party !
Little bunnies and baby ducks and chickens…foals, lambs….lilacs in Holland. Its spring and its beautiful here !
White asparagus is sold everywhere. You can buy it from the farmers wife in her kitchen…its prepared in every kitchen at this time of the year. Amazing !
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Writing about my riding is something I have always wanted to do but until recently I never considered going “online” to narrate an adventure…
Day One, Post 1
What I did today : 0ur ride started out really free today. The forward button is several mph faster than when I arrived and I can feel Linghs back legs powering under him. The canter is easier, but I do not let him “get long.”.. We worked alot on that this winter. Yesterday I worked on moving forward in the canter, then giving a slight looser rein, then when I brought my hands and reins toward me, towards my body, he collected, then I repeated it asking him forward again with my seat and no leg. I did this exercise quite a few times but without increasing my leg pressure, at any time. My engine was going and he didn’t need any extra legs.I also am working on keeping him straighter, not bending.
When it came time to practice my pirouettes down the centerline I was able to use this “collection of energy” to move him forward and back as I needed in the exercise. This movement is getting better and better.
My ride on OZ was amazing today. He just seems to be a happier and happier horse. He lost a lot of weight on the trip and now with exercise and good nutrition I hope he looks better soon.
Day 2, Post 2
My feelings today ? Watching the videos of my rides is often disconcerting. What feels right and better than the day before doesn’t look right to me. Another point of view, your instructor, your ground person or eyes on the grounds can also juggle your “take” on the day. What do you believe and how do you progress then ? It has to be satisfactory….that’s my answer. You have tried your best that day and its incredibly helpful to see your videos – the replay of the ride. It makes me feel I can certainly do better, that’s for sure and that’s the humility of riding. I am always searching for that perfect ride. Lingh, btw, was perfect . He makes it feel easier than it is. Spent an hour in yoga after riding and that’s always great for the mind.
Day 3. Post 3
How many instructors are there that you can emulate the way they ride ? “ Do as I do” , a few instructors/riders can really say that. How many of us can follow our teachers around in an arena, a field or on a trail ride and copy their technique ? I used to do that a lot when I was riding western. There were so many “secrets” that I hadn’t a clue about, and I wanted to understand what these riders were doing. I followed them. I stayed far enough behind, kicked when they kicked, pulled my reins when they did, bent in the same directions and did the same movements. Guess what happened ? It was a flowing amazing riding experience. No more stops and starts, just riding, asking the horse to get loose, bend more, keep up the paces. It was a super ride!
What happens when you ride on your own ? You must not get lost out there. Make a plan, ride your tests backwards if you don”t have a training plan.….Do not stop and start, stop and stop. Ride !
I unlocked several secrets of my own today. When I watched my last video on Lingh I saw that my legs were too far back on his barrel. Not today. Today I made sure they stayed quietly right near by the girth, my spurs and heels off the horse and I used my legs ONLY when I needed him to go forward. Then, when I used my leg, he really reacted. Just like that instructor galloping ahead of me showed me. The reflections of my body on the horse appear in the mirrors and are now correct and I liked what I saw and Lingh I think enjoyed the ride too.
Much earlier in the morning Oz worked very nicely. For him it was a good day of basics and working again on my position in the canter. He needs to get stronger and the outdoor arena is huge so he has lots of room to move and muscle up.
Day 4. Post 4
After 3 days of working on a new technique ( sitting a bit back in the saddle ) I was able to use this new position quite effectively when I practiced one half of the grand prix today on Lingh. It was definitely a conservative effort but still correct from my point of view as the rider. What was obvious on the video was suddenly at the end of the area at the letter “A” I changed the position of my upper body and leaned forward. I tried to figure out why that occurred in that exact place. I could see that when I had finished the corner and started toward the next corner I felt he was behind my leg so I increased my leg pressure back on his barrel, which cause me to tip forward. Not only did this leg pressure not work, he was still behind my leg as I got into the corner and the movement that I had planned next I could not begin immediately. I went back and fixed the position problem, kept my leg more forward and the redo was satisfactory. Position, position.
It was a bold supple ride today and for the Saturday at the end of a work week I think he worked well in the movements I planned for today – half pass trots and canters; canter, halt to trot; canter forwards to canter collect; canter pirouettes right and left.
The unexpected always occurs when you are least expecting it…always remember that !
I had just collected my reins and he was quite contained in energy when a couple motorcyclists zoomed behind the arena on a ditch trail. The noise was so intense Lingh thought we were being attacked by something and he jumped so far forward but because my reins were plenty short it was an actual magical moment in feeling the power of a horse. He’s an amazing athlete and boy was he awesome today
The nicest difference that took place today was a change in bits for Oz. I found a different Pelham for his double bridle and I believe he was so much more comfortable. He was a bit under the weather yesterday with a higher than average temperature- 101.4. The difference in the kind of hay we feed here may be the culprit so we are watching him carefully.
After this week of riding I feel stronger, Lingh is in better shape, we are being careful not to work too much as it takes time to get show ready.
My best regards, Karin and Lingh
