Last weekend we were very fortunate to host a clinic with Tristan Tucker. For anyone who has not seen Tristan's work you can find him at TRTmethod.com and you can find his alter ego Brett Kidding on youtube.
I am grateful to be able to get a date in his busy calendar. Tristan is inspiring on many levels. His ability to communicate with the horses in a positive and productive way is always amazing to watch. I also feel that with every student he finds a way to encourage them to be the best they can be without ever being negative. I personally learn as much from how he delivers the information as what information is being delivered.
This past weekend we had a wonderful group of diverse horse enthusiasts. High level horses that needed to find a way to deal with the stress of the environment and lower level horses that are trying to find their balance and learn to accept the aids better. It is my dream to be able to bring this information out to more and more people so that they are able to get the maximum enjoyment out of their horse experiences while their horses are understood better and able to benefit from this education.
The way that Tristan is able to read each horse is extraordinary, and although he understands the reason for the mistakes the horse makes he does not justify the need for it to continue. He is able to help the horses to find better answers to hard life questions and he is awesome helping his students to get through the fog of doubt and indecision and get on the right track quickly and with confidence. I am also positive that when people go home from this weekend of learning they have many more valuable tools in their tool box to use in all of the challenging situations that arise when we are training and showing horses.
With the speed of technology these days we are informed of news so quickly and from all corners of the earth. It is heart wrenching to hear of all the tragic accidents and injuries. So many times these things can be prevented by being better prepared and with more education. I for one am very motivated to help anyone who comes into my path to better understand how to communicate better with their horses and I know this will push the enjoyment level up for many horseman, dressage riders and kids. This year for the second time I was able to participate in the Pony Club Festival at the Kentucky Horse Park as an instructor. It was awesome to catch up with some colleagues I have not seen in a while. It was also super exciting to work with these talented and enthusiastic kids. My ability to help these kids has multiplied ten fold because of the work I have done with Tristan, it adds a whole new dimension to the training system that I already have in place and it is so much fun to always be progressing and exploring the limits.
All the best for you and for your horses!
Nancy
Monday, August 28, 2017
Sunday, August 13, 2017
To Catherine Haddad Staller and everyone that took offense
It came to my attention that Catherine's blog from the chronicle several years back made another journey around face book the last couple of days. I had spoken briefly with Catherine about it when it first came out, and I am still interested in her point of view.
I for one appreciate what she is saying. The part that people are taking offense to is only 5% of the point! I did not spend as much time in Germany as Catherine did, however, I do feel her frustration. I personally have spent a lot of time and money trying to learn how to ride dressage. I do host clinics with top trainers. I do this so that I can continue my education.Thankfully due to my time in Europe I understand that there is a system to training and I pick trainers that are consistent with each other and my core beliefs. Did you notice the part where she said "the trainers need to work together"? When we have these clinics and invite other trainers from the area to join we are improving our sport. I am not saying our students should not participate, I do not think she is saying this either, what she is saying is that TRAINERS should participate! I went to Europe to learn, definitely when someone that is such a top trainer is nearby I can travel an hour or two to watch or take a lesson. As trainers we need to continue our education. We need to keep developing our eye, our feel and technique. Training horses is a journey, not a destination. In every sport, in everything! we are always learning, growing, evolving. We must stay close to the masters of the sport so that we grow in the right direction. Our students should benefit from our knowledge and should trust us to put them in positive, constructive learning situations.
People blame the judges for some of the things that are going wrong. I do not think this is entirely the problem. Just because you ride a test and the feeling was bad but the score was good does not mean you need to continue to train that way!! The problem is that because trainers do not continue their education they let the horse shows train them. In America the fundamentals are lost! Seat work, balance, suppleness all get diluted into a show frame, scores and horses that are far from relaxed and through.
So when you go back now and read Catherine's blog again, read it believing that this lady dedicates a lot of her personal time volunteering for our sport. In addition to making money teaching clinics she gives her time for free to help move the sport in the right direction. As a clinician myself I am happy to train anyone who steps into my arena. I am also very happy to work with the resident trainer to create better teaching skills to move his/her students in the right direction. I know that Catherine feels the same way. What I also believe is that there are too many trainers out there unable and unwilling to teach proper basics. This is not healthy for our sport. It now becomes second and third generation misunderstanding. Where trainers are trained by people that did not ride their horses, did not teach them feel and did not teach them the fundamentals. Now these people are training a whole new generation, no idea of seat mechanics, balance and principals.. And to top it off they can afford to go to a show, but they cannot afford to go take a lesson. So they are getting trained at the shows by the judges.
Let's look at what she is saying. Why is the clinic filled with your students, not other trainers....... this is a good question. Try not to take personally that she does not want to teach your students, that is not the point. Her time will be better spent training people that train people, right? Then she would be touching even more riders. She asks us to work together to build up the quality of our riding, should we be annoyed? Or should we join her and say yes please!!
As someone who hosts clinics I hope to provide clinicians with riders and horses that will provide them inspiration and be able to understand the basics well enough that they can work on other things beside the basics. We all need to be reminded of the fundamentals, but when we go to a clinic with Catherine or Rein or Mr. Schumacher or who ever, we should be able to sit independently from our reins, swing with the natural movement of the horse and understand the basic principals of riding. If a rider is unable to do this his/her trainer should help develop these skills. The TRAINERS need to work together to uphold these basic skills. When we work together to host clinics, provide education and push the level of riding up we will all be better off. My students come and watch my clinics. They are happy to get the knowledge that I glean from my continuing education. When I host clinics it is not easy to get the trainers to join in. In order for us to afford these clinics we need people to join in. However, I can tell you that I have paid plenty out of my pocket to make sure I got my lessons. I challenge you to find any type of business that you are not required to go to continuing education. I also would tell you that it is not free. This is continuing education, it is our responsibility to our students and our horses. I have also benefited by my students paying for me to ride their horses in some clinics. I am very appreciative of every learning experience I am able to have. I would never truly fund a clinic by putting students of mine that are unable to do basics into a situation where they would be totally over their head, this would not be fair to anyone.
When these top professionals step out and address these undesirable subjects I think it is up to us to look at what they are saying with interest. Let's not take it as a personal affront, but instead a challenge to be better and do better. This kind of post does not gain Catherine ( or me for that matter) popularity. That is not what she is looking for, she is looking for progress, interaction and team work to make our sport better. I say "Thank you Catherine" , I will work to be a better clinician and student and I challenge all of you that complained about her point of view to try and look at it from another perspective.
I for one appreciate what she is saying. The part that people are taking offense to is only 5% of the point! I did not spend as much time in Germany as Catherine did, however, I do feel her frustration. I personally have spent a lot of time and money trying to learn how to ride dressage. I do host clinics with top trainers. I do this so that I can continue my education.Thankfully due to my time in Europe I understand that there is a system to training and I pick trainers that are consistent with each other and my core beliefs. Did you notice the part where she said "the trainers need to work together"? When we have these clinics and invite other trainers from the area to join we are improving our sport. I am not saying our students should not participate, I do not think she is saying this either, what she is saying is that TRAINERS should participate! I went to Europe to learn, definitely when someone that is such a top trainer is nearby I can travel an hour or two to watch or take a lesson. As trainers we need to continue our education. We need to keep developing our eye, our feel and technique. Training horses is a journey, not a destination. In every sport, in everything! we are always learning, growing, evolving. We must stay close to the masters of the sport so that we grow in the right direction. Our students should benefit from our knowledge and should trust us to put them in positive, constructive learning situations.
People blame the judges for some of the things that are going wrong. I do not think this is entirely the problem. Just because you ride a test and the feeling was bad but the score was good does not mean you need to continue to train that way!! The problem is that because trainers do not continue their education they let the horse shows train them. In America the fundamentals are lost! Seat work, balance, suppleness all get diluted into a show frame, scores and horses that are far from relaxed and through.
So when you go back now and read Catherine's blog again, read it believing that this lady dedicates a lot of her personal time volunteering for our sport. In addition to making money teaching clinics she gives her time for free to help move the sport in the right direction. As a clinician myself I am happy to train anyone who steps into my arena. I am also very happy to work with the resident trainer to create better teaching skills to move his/her students in the right direction. I know that Catherine feels the same way. What I also believe is that there are too many trainers out there unable and unwilling to teach proper basics. This is not healthy for our sport. It now becomes second and third generation misunderstanding. Where trainers are trained by people that did not ride their horses, did not teach them feel and did not teach them the fundamentals. Now these people are training a whole new generation, no idea of seat mechanics, balance and principals.. And to top it off they can afford to go to a show, but they cannot afford to go take a lesson. So they are getting trained at the shows by the judges.
Let's look at what she is saying. Why is the clinic filled with your students, not other trainers....... this is a good question. Try not to take personally that she does not want to teach your students, that is not the point. Her time will be better spent training people that train people, right? Then she would be touching even more riders. She asks us to work together to build up the quality of our riding, should we be annoyed? Or should we join her and say yes please!!
As someone who hosts clinics I hope to provide clinicians with riders and horses that will provide them inspiration and be able to understand the basics well enough that they can work on other things beside the basics. We all need to be reminded of the fundamentals, but when we go to a clinic with Catherine or Rein or Mr. Schumacher or who ever, we should be able to sit independently from our reins, swing with the natural movement of the horse and understand the basic principals of riding. If a rider is unable to do this his/her trainer should help develop these skills. The TRAINERS need to work together to uphold these basic skills. When we work together to host clinics, provide education and push the level of riding up we will all be better off. My students come and watch my clinics. They are happy to get the knowledge that I glean from my continuing education. When I host clinics it is not easy to get the trainers to join in. In order for us to afford these clinics we need people to join in. However, I can tell you that I have paid plenty out of my pocket to make sure I got my lessons. I challenge you to find any type of business that you are not required to go to continuing education. I also would tell you that it is not free. This is continuing education, it is our responsibility to our students and our horses. I have also benefited by my students paying for me to ride their horses in some clinics. I am very appreciative of every learning experience I am able to have. I would never truly fund a clinic by putting students of mine that are unable to do basics into a situation where they would be totally over their head, this would not be fair to anyone.
When these top professionals step out and address these undesirable subjects I think it is up to us to look at what they are saying with interest. Let's not take it as a personal affront, but instead a challenge to be better and do better. This kind of post does not gain Catherine ( or me for that matter) popularity. That is not what she is looking for, she is looking for progress, interaction and team work to make our sport better. I say "Thank you Catherine" , I will work to be a better clinician and student and I challenge all of you that complained about her point of view to try and look at it from another perspective.
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
You have to go through it
It is funny! We all say riding horses is a lifestyle, that riding is so good for us because it parallels life. Many things that are true when we train horses are also important for us to pay attention in life. If you don't use it, you loose it! The strong side will become stronger and the weak side will be come weaker, if we do not pay attention. Another interesting thing to remember in life and in training horses is know what you want before you ask for it, then it is easier to bring praise and be grateful.
We are given rules when we ride: don't lean back, don't pull, don't lean forward, so many don'ts. As an instructor I believe it is much more important to talk about what to do, how to communicate with your horse, and teach how to ask your horse to be an active partner. The problem is you need to grow through it or else it becomes a monster. This means if we avoid something it will turn into something unavoidable. This means that if we don't let our horses make mistakes, if we fix everything and take too much responsibility they become dependent on us and they do not know their job or trust their own actions. Our students must be taught this way and must learn to ride their horses this way.
When we ride we need to create relaxation. The horses need to understand what we want in order to be relaxed. There will be times when they do not understand, this is the time to teach. Relaxation does not come from confusion, confusion builds stress. Get the point across as quick as you can so that you can bring praise. No, this does not mean that you should be mean, just know what you want before you ask and ask clearly.
Everyone has a right hand and left hand. Horses the same. One direction feels easy and one way feels difficult. Do we only ride the easy way? Do we only ride the difficult way? Many people stay in the difficult direction trying to make it better, showing the horse how hard it can be. Try to change directions often, try to bring the positives of each side to the common ground. Most people ride in both directions, however they will ride when going to the left as if they were going right. What does this mean? They will not change their posture for the new direction. Position left means left leg forward, right leg back, you have an inside rein and an outside rein. When you change to position right that means your right leg needs to come forward, and left leg back. Many times your horse leans on your right leg, so, in defense of your horse falling in you will by accident leave your right leg (inside leg) back to hold the horse up. The more this goes on the more the strong becomes stronger and the weak become weaker.
It will take your horse a little bit of stress to use the right side and left side the same. If you start early the lesson is learned easily and if you wait too long, the long side is a monster and the monster builds stress. No horse can function out of balance and with a long and short side that have not been kept in check. So go through it, help your horse, teach and praise.
The same is with round, above the bit or behind the vertical. So many people are afraid now to put the horses behind the vertical to get them round, sometimes one needs to find connection through putting the horse extra round. This does not mean short and up in the neck, it means low and deep in connection, once you find connection you can ride forward to it and the neck will get longer. You are doing yourself a disservice as well as your horse if you never get connected because then you cannot to get to the other side. The fear of having your horse behind the vertical will prevent you from accessing the back and hind legs. Ride from back to front, feel the back and hind legs, don't be afraid to bring the horse behind the vertical for a moment now and then. The same as go to forward to help the horse understand the forward aids or be clear with turning or stopping aids.
Sometimes you have to go through the mistake to correct it. Avoiding the mistake can create a lack of effective riding. Sometimes we have to make the mistake to truly know it and fix it, isn't this true with life? Stay relaxed through the mistakes, believe that they will get you to a better place of understanding.
:)
Ride forward, have fun!
We are given rules when we ride: don't lean back, don't pull, don't lean forward, so many don'ts. As an instructor I believe it is much more important to talk about what to do, how to communicate with your horse, and teach how to ask your horse to be an active partner. The problem is you need to grow through it or else it becomes a monster. This means if we avoid something it will turn into something unavoidable. This means that if we don't let our horses make mistakes, if we fix everything and take too much responsibility they become dependent on us and they do not know their job or trust their own actions. Our students must be taught this way and must learn to ride their horses this way.
When we ride we need to create relaxation. The horses need to understand what we want in order to be relaxed. There will be times when they do not understand, this is the time to teach. Relaxation does not come from confusion, confusion builds stress. Get the point across as quick as you can so that you can bring praise. No, this does not mean that you should be mean, just know what you want before you ask and ask clearly.
Everyone has a right hand and left hand. Horses the same. One direction feels easy and one way feels difficult. Do we only ride the easy way? Do we only ride the difficult way? Many people stay in the difficult direction trying to make it better, showing the horse how hard it can be. Try to change directions often, try to bring the positives of each side to the common ground. Most people ride in both directions, however they will ride when going to the left as if they were going right. What does this mean? They will not change their posture for the new direction. Position left means left leg forward, right leg back, you have an inside rein and an outside rein. When you change to position right that means your right leg needs to come forward, and left leg back. Many times your horse leans on your right leg, so, in defense of your horse falling in you will by accident leave your right leg (inside leg) back to hold the horse up. The more this goes on the more the strong becomes stronger and the weak become weaker.
It will take your horse a little bit of stress to use the right side and left side the same. If you start early the lesson is learned easily and if you wait too long, the long side is a monster and the monster builds stress. No horse can function out of balance and with a long and short side that have not been kept in check. So go through it, help your horse, teach and praise.
The same is with round, above the bit or behind the vertical. So many people are afraid now to put the horses behind the vertical to get them round, sometimes one needs to find connection through putting the horse extra round. This does not mean short and up in the neck, it means low and deep in connection, once you find connection you can ride forward to it and the neck will get longer. You are doing yourself a disservice as well as your horse if you never get connected because then you cannot to get to the other side. The fear of having your horse behind the vertical will prevent you from accessing the back and hind legs. Ride from back to front, feel the back and hind legs, don't be afraid to bring the horse behind the vertical for a moment now and then. The same as go to forward to help the horse understand the forward aids or be clear with turning or stopping aids.
Sometimes you have to go through the mistake to correct it. Avoiding the mistake can create a lack of effective riding. Sometimes we have to make the mistake to truly know it and fix it, isn't this true with life? Stay relaxed through the mistakes, believe that they will get you to a better place of understanding.
:)
Ride forward, have fun!
Saturday, May 27, 2017
It's not if you lean forward or back, it's why.
I was riding around the other day while this idea mulled around in my head. It actually does not need to negatively impact your horse if you are just a little bit forward or a little bit behind the vertical if it is for the right reasons, however, I do not think that instructors always explain this.
When we ride dressage it is important to let the horse move through our hips, actually learn to follow the horses movement as the first step to developing ones seat. It is after we accomplish this we can ride with an independent seat. This means that we can apply a leg, seat or rein aid with independent balance. I can close my leg and my seat can still swing, I can steer my horse and my seat is still neutral. This is a very important factor.
If you lean forward because your hips are tight and your upper leg is gripping this will negatively impact your horse. However if you want to go more forward, add energy to the step or give your horse a little room to move you can bring the energy into the front of your body and give your horse the idea to move more freely forward without a big aid. Your hip joint needs to be allowing the movement through and your spine straight, core engaged and ankle and knee soft. This way you are able to keep your seat soft in the saddle without leaving the saddle, but create motion with your energy.
If you lean back because you need to balance on your hands this will negatively impact your horse, if you lean back because your lower back is tight and not receptive this will not act as the driving aid you believe it to be. If you sit a bit behind the vertical with an engaged core and loose arms and your tail bone slightly tucked you are not causing ill effects to your horse, you are putting yourself in the drivers seat.
We need to consistently work on our seat, balance and application of the aids to be the best rider we can be.
I hope this helps you think about how you affect and effect your horse with your posture :)
Please always feel free to email me nancylaterdressagehorses.com if you have any questions.
Ride Forward and Have Fun!
Nancy
When we ride dressage it is important to let the horse move through our hips, actually learn to follow the horses movement as the first step to developing ones seat. It is after we accomplish this we can ride with an independent seat. This means that we can apply a leg, seat or rein aid with independent balance. I can close my leg and my seat can still swing, I can steer my horse and my seat is still neutral. This is a very important factor.
If you lean forward because your hips are tight and your upper leg is gripping this will negatively impact your horse. However if you want to go more forward, add energy to the step or give your horse a little room to move you can bring the energy into the front of your body and give your horse the idea to move more freely forward without a big aid. Your hip joint needs to be allowing the movement through and your spine straight, core engaged and ankle and knee soft. This way you are able to keep your seat soft in the saddle without leaving the saddle, but create motion with your energy.
If you lean back because you need to balance on your hands this will negatively impact your horse, if you lean back because your lower back is tight and not receptive this will not act as the driving aid you believe it to be. If you sit a bit behind the vertical with an engaged core and loose arms and your tail bone slightly tucked you are not causing ill effects to your horse, you are putting yourself in the drivers seat.
We need to consistently work on our seat, balance and application of the aids to be the best rider we can be.
I hope this helps you think about how you affect and effect your horse with your posture :)
Please always feel free to email me nancylaterdressagehorses.com if you have any questions.
Ride Forward and Have Fun!
Nancy
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Winter in Ashby
Here I am spending my first winter in New England in a long time. So far it is going great! The facility we have to work in makes all the difference. Once we are inside we do not even know what is going on outside. I am also really (surprisingly) enjoying the seasons. I am having fun feeding the winter birds and have organized a heated bird bath for them! I have started growing Glorious's barley inside and that is fun. I think he appreciates it even more with the lack of grass.
The horses are going well. Glorious continues to be a pleasure to train, always eager to work and play. We have a challenge to keep things entertaining when we are in the indoor every day, but it is a good challenge to have and keeps my imagination alive. I have learned to be more relaxed about the week schedule and make sure to get outside when ever the weather permits, even if it was not the original plan.
We have added Tai Chi classes to our work week. Although I do not practice enough daily I have been having two classes a week and it has added a new dimension to my day. I have experience with Tai Chi and yoga from some years ago, but I had put it away for a while. Starting up again has made a huge difference in my balance and mindset.
It is wonderful to hear about how everyone is doing in Florida. I miss our farm, friends and the sport. However, I am so content to be here and working quietly everyday with this nice group of horses and people. I am lucky to have a super horse for sale "Bastian" who is a pleasure to ride every day. I am jealous of the person that buys that guy as he is a super friend and partner as well as being athletic and beautiful to watch.
Brittany and I are busy making plans for our clinic schedule. We have a new children's camp that will take place March 10-12, 2017. We excited to host the kids again. I believe that helping the kids to create a great partnership with their horses early on, teaching them about proper fundamentals and mindset will help them to be successful in their riding lives, but also happier and more productive in life altogether. We will also host our second Summer Dressage Camp at the end of June this year.
For the adults we plan a weekend in April, July and August this year. As well we look to host Tristan Tucker at the end of July. We are confirming these dates in the next week or so and then they will be up on the website.
I thought I would be home twiddling my thumbs all winter, not so! The horses are keeping me super busy as well as putting together work books and plans for the upcoming clinics. Please check back to see our clinic schedule and please contact me at nancylaterdressagehorses@gmail.com to schedule a clinic, lessons or training.
Ride well !
Nancy
The horses are going well. Glorious continues to be a pleasure to train, always eager to work and play. We have a challenge to keep things entertaining when we are in the indoor every day, but it is a good challenge to have and keeps my imagination alive. I have learned to be more relaxed about the week schedule and make sure to get outside when ever the weather permits, even if it was not the original plan.
We have added Tai Chi classes to our work week. Although I do not practice enough daily I have been having two classes a week and it has added a new dimension to my day. I have experience with Tai Chi and yoga from some years ago, but I had put it away for a while. Starting up again has made a huge difference in my balance and mindset.
It is wonderful to hear about how everyone is doing in Florida. I miss our farm, friends and the sport. However, I am so content to be here and working quietly everyday with this nice group of horses and people. I am lucky to have a super horse for sale "Bastian" who is a pleasure to ride every day. I am jealous of the person that buys that guy as he is a super friend and partner as well as being athletic and beautiful to watch.
Brittany and I are busy making plans for our clinic schedule. We have a new children's camp that will take place March 10-12, 2017. We excited to host the kids again. I believe that helping the kids to create a great partnership with their horses early on, teaching them about proper fundamentals and mindset will help them to be successful in their riding lives, but also happier and more productive in life altogether. We will also host our second Summer Dressage Camp at the end of June this year.
For the adults we plan a weekend in April, July and August this year. As well we look to host Tristan Tucker at the end of July. We are confirming these dates in the next week or so and then they will be up on the website.
I thought I would be home twiddling my thumbs all winter, not so! The horses are keeping me super busy as well as putting together work books and plans for the upcoming clinics. Please check back to see our clinic schedule and please contact me at nancylaterdressagehorses@gmail.com to schedule a clinic, lessons or training.
Ride well !
Nancy
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