Jennifer MacPhail

My Gifted Week


My Gifted week started on Monday, January 26. My horse Amalfi and I made the 3 ½ hour drive to Scottsdale, AZ to ride with Kim Yacobucci. Amalfi is a 19 year old Thoroughbred who was trained through Third level before I bought. I starting showing him at Training level in 2006 and we have shown through Second level so far. Last year Amalfi had major surgery to remove a cyst from his sinuses and reconstruct his face. He recovered perfectly and was able to go back to full work.

My goal for the week was to make progress towards Third level and feel the amount of collection needed for the level. The first thing Kim addressed was the connection, or lack of it, and the unsteadiness Amalfi had in the bridle. I wanted him to stretch in the warm up but without enough energy pushing over his back, all I had been getting was a relaxed horse with a dropped back. Once we got him nicely forward and stepping into my hand, it was fairly easy to adjust his frame.  If he tried to drop too low in the neck I could half halt him back up, maintaining the connection and roundness over his top-line.  After our lesson I gave Amalfi a bath, let him graze a bit and tucked him into his stall. At home he usually lives in a pasture, so a stall full of shavings is a treat!

Tuesday I warmed up my horse the way we had finished the day before.  Kim was pleased with the changes and worked on my seat in the sitting trot, as well as keeping my hands more still. I also had a longe lesson on another horse for still more sitting trot practice. After my lessons I took Amalfi to see an acupuncturist and his farrier, for new shoes. 

I stayed in a lovely casita in the hills of Cave Creek that week, about fifteen minutes from the barn. Just outside my room was a steep mountain with hiking trails. Early every morning I put on my workout clothes and climbed up as far as I could. By the end of the week my stamina had improved which was very rewarding. Kim told me that fitness was a big part of making progress in my riding and I knew she was right. Since that week I’ve lost weight and continue to work out several times a week. Kim was correct, of course, it really has helped my riding.

On Wednesday I rode Amalfi with Bobbi, Kim’s assistant trainer. We continued the work of the previous two days and had a great lesson. Then I rode a horse named Ilford who belongs to Kathy, Kim’s barn manager. Ilford is an experienced FEI horse who has a lot to teach. The first step was to make sure he was off my leg, since a horse with that much power who is behind the leg is not safe. Ilford and I worked out some of the basics and after riding his bouncy trot, I got to canter and do flying changes. What fun that was! Learning to feel when the horse is really collected and sitting in the canter was something I could take back to Amalfi as we move towards Third level.

On Thursday and Friday I had the privilege of riding with Kathleen Raine, who had come to the barn for a clinic. I’ve seen Kathleen teach many times but this was the first time I’d ridden with her. I was nervous at first but she got me so busy that soon I was just riding my horse and having a great time. Kathleen has a real gift for calmly asking you to do a little more, and then a little more. Before you know it, you’re doing something you would have thought was “hard” but it’s really not. I still hear Kathleen’s voice in my head sometimes saying “And bend ‘im. That’s right!” or “Yes, THAT round.” After an amazing, tiring, wonderful week, Amalfi and I packed up and drove home Friday afternoon. I could’ve stayed another month but I’m very grateful to have had my wonderful week. I feel I made progress towards my goal of showing Amalfi at Third level this year. I know what amount of energy, collection, and straightness is needed and I can sit his medium trot. The flying changes are not difficult when all the basics are correct and the quality of the canter is there.

My sincere thanks to The Dressage Foundation and Carol Lavell.

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