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The Gifted FundJennifer StoreyUSDF Region 2The Road from Mediocrity
Through all of this, I was constantly reminded to allow him to carry himself -- to extend my reins up and forward on his neck to check his carrying ability. Being an ex-bodybuilder has been bitter sweet in my riding. It has helped me with my athleticism in riding but it also has allowed me to hold a fair amount in my hands without really being conscience of it. So I need to make him light and not to hold him. I am now more aware of when he begins to settle into my hands. When he begins to settle, I can fix it by keeping him active behind and laterally supple and then allow him to carry himself by giving my reins. My other epiphany was the use of my outside leg and to keep my low back soft in the medium and extended work. I did not realize how lazy I had become with using the outside leg to support the horse. It was amazing to see how such a small detail made such a big difference! In the same fashion, by keeping my low back moving with the horse, it allowed Apollo to better use his own back and the improvement in the quality of his medium and extended trot was huge. The second half of my week focused on taking these newly confirmed and refined basics into the movements. It was amazing to see the difference in the half pass work with this new greater flexion to the inside and improved self-carriage. My half-passes to the right were improved 100%. I could now give my inside rein within the movement and he maintained his position. His inside shoulder now could move more freely that he wasn't leaning on my right leg. We schooled the full pirouette at canter and again the improvement in the basic work showed here as well. His shoulders were freer to move, he had better self-carriage, and better positioning to the inside without falling onto the inside shoulder. There was marked improvement in my changes as well. The quality of his gaits had improved to allow bigger and more expressive changes. A year ago, 50% of the time our changes were late behind. Now the only time they are late is if I am caught holding to tightly on my left rein with the change from right to left. I left my week with much homework. I find myself riding and I hear Nancy's voice reminding me not to settle into my comfort zone. To ride in your comfort zone is to ride mediocre. I must ride more boldly forward in trot and canter instead of settling for what is easier and more comfortable at times. I need to take this same boldness into each movement and to give often. I am grateful to The Dressage Foundation and Carol Lavell for giving me the opportunity to improve my horse and myself. I am excited to continue in this new vein of training and take the results into the show ring later this summer. Thank you again. Respectfully submitted, Jennifer Storey Region 2 |
Gifted Fund ApplicationApplications for the 2012 Carol Lavell Gifted Fund, for training in 2013 are due in The Dressage Foundation office on or before September 15, 2012.Information - Read before completing application! |
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