The Gifted Fund
Laurie Ryan
USDF Region 4
Training Week at Black Star Sporthorses
| Before I begin my summary of my week of intensive training, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Carol Lavell for creating the "Gifted Fund" for adult amateur dressage riders and the Dressage Foundation for selecting my application for Region Four. I can truly say that if it were not for this scholarship, I would not have had the means to participate in something like this. I was actually in the middle of job-hunting prior to my trip and I know this is a big shock, but prospective employers are not exactly impressed with my endeavors in the dressage world nor my being gone for a week. So, temp work at Kelly Services has been my friend along with resurrecting my hand decorated china horse show award business that has helped quite a bit financially as I start on my dressage journey. This journey began on Saturday morning, July 9th as I headed out with my mare Maddie, my 13-year-old daughter Katie, and an assortment of luggage, tack, and 10 big boxes of awards that I had arranged to drop off for a customer on the way to Dallas in Oklahoma. This was my 1994 Dodge's first really long trip (410 miles) since the wreck of 2004. I am pleased to report that the truck, Maddie and all humans did just fine on this trip. |  |
I had chosen Lisa Blackmon with Black Star Sport Horses to be my destination for my training week for many reasons. She was very highly recommended with an extensive background in classical training. She was also very approachable and friendly. The driving distance was "doable" and it really helped out a lot that she not only provided a stall for Maddie but a room for me and generously offered me the opportunity to bring my daughter, who was a big help videotaping my lessons.
We began by me riding Sunday for Lisa as a "get acquainted" session and an opportunity to give some background and discuss my goals. Maddie is a 7 year old 15.1 h Mustang/Trakehner cross, bred by Jana Wagner. She is built like a baroque horse, very powerful and naturally round. I have owned her since she was a yearling and started showing her at Training Level as a 5 year old where her average scores in recognized shows were 65%. Financial restraints plus getting her younger half-sister started under saddle curtailed showing in 2004. So, one of our goals was to solidify her basics so we could move up to First Level. On top of everything else, I am trying to do this without the aid of regular instruction (definition of regular instruction = ANYTHING more than a clinic every 3-6 months, although I have finally just starting riding with someone regularly- yippee!). Lisa and I discussed that great scores at Training Level do not constitute thorough basics instilled in the horse. I am sure Maddie would be happy "looking cute" and not really working correctly and continuing to shine at Training Level. My week with Lisa was focused on disrupting Maddie's plans and truly starting to work in dressage…..
Some more notes from our first ride:
Monday, July 11
I rode Maddie first and then Lisa got on her. The first order of business was the issue of Maddie ignoring my leg. I really learned what it is SUPPOSED to mean when you put your leg on. It does not mean a hesitant, lumbering gait forward, but to move off promptly without arguing. Lisa pointed out that I was using so much lower leg when moving her and asking for more forward that my seat was getting disengaged and it was decided spurs would be a good thing to try. The horse must move forward off the leg in order to engage the hind legs. This concept sounds so elementary but it is crucial key for any success I may have in the future. That is how dressage is; it is pieces of very simple building blocks. A great exercise that Lisa had me do is to ride a 10m circle in each corner on the short side, then do a shallow loop through "X" and repeat. This helps with asking for the correct change of bend.
After I put Maddie away I hung around so I could watch Lisa and her assistant, Emilee Reed ride the other horses. I really enjoyed this very much and got lucky when Lisa asked if I would like to ride "Kamonda", a lovely 12 year old 3rd level Dutch mare that was going back to work after being off for a few years having babies. This was a great opportunity to work on the concepts I was working on Maddie with, on a trained horse that will give the right response when asked correctly.
Tuesday, July12
Today I rode Maddie twice- each for short periods of time- once in the morning and once in the evening. Right off the bat I asked for more prompt transitions and more forward, meaning more correct use of the hind leg. Lisa explained that our game plan was to follow a sequence that included asking her to move off the leg and then to ride with bent, elastic elbows to channel the energy, as she will seek the contact. In addition to the change of bend exercise, I also did an exercise aimed at slowing her down at the trot to almost half-steps (using seat, not hand) but not breaking to the walk- keep her energy and then move forward immediately. Lisa reminded me to not "throw away" the outside rein all the time. The evening ride was much better and was evidenced as we viewed the video, comparing her gaits from the morning to the evening.
Wednesday, July 13
Today, Lisa had me ride Kamonda first so I could work on improving my issues on a trained horse first. These issues being an elastic connection (shorter reins, bent elbows, softer and not blocking) and asking for more forward response correctly without changing my seat. After cantering a few circles, Lisa directed me to ride her on the short diagonal, and then ask for a flying change by moving my outside leg back and step into my new inside stirrup. The first time, I did not move my outside leg back far enough and next time around, had a perfect change. Thankfully, all this is recorded permanently on videotape for my viewing pleasure.
I rode Maddie next and added some more new things, like spiraling in and out at the trot and canter. As the questions increase in difficulty, the appearance of the "alpha mare" side of Maddie shows up. After my lesson, Lisa demonstrated on the ground how Maddie's first instinct when leg pressure if applied, is to push into the pressure, not move away. The goal is to change that initial reaction
Thursday, July 14
Today, we both got to do something different. I had a lunge lesson on Maddie with Lisa's daughter, Jessica Blackmon. Jessie ought to know a thing or two about lunge lessons. Jessica was the winner of the 2005 USEF Dressage Seat Medal National Championship and attributes her success to the enormous amount of time she spent taking lunge lessons. This is my first lunge lesson and I was very pleased how well behaved Maddie was, like an old school horse. The basic routine included: starting out with stirrups, riding with arms out, then each arm up one at a time. Arms out, twist at waist to the inside then outside. At the trot, post two strides then sit two strides. Drop stirrups; take legs off one at a time then both at same time. Sit like I am holding reins with elbows bent, then do "juggling" with tempo of horse. Lean back behind the vertical, sit straight. Sit in two point; do all downward transitions from seat. Do all these things at walk, trot and canter with no stirrups. Jessie said I did a good job and was glad I stuck it out for the duration. Lunge lessons are quite a workout and I definitely felt it! In fact I think I still do, a week later. Lunge lessons are things that everyone agrees are beneficial but no one seems to do them. I am unsure if it is the lack of a game plan, the right horse, or what. But I intend on teaching my husband to hold on to a lunge line properly and will continue having lunge lessons, even if I have to have myself videotaped so I can evaluate my position myself. I feel am very lucky that Maddie is so well behaved (at least, in this venue) since a quiet horse that will not react too much to you plopping around is crucial.
This afternoon we took a break and took a tour of Texas Stadium. Next to dressage, the Dallas Cowboys are my next biggest passion! By the end of the tour, with the morning lunge lesson and Texas heat, I was basically a limp rag. But as I traipsed across the artificial turf I marveled at how soft and bouncy it was with the crumbled rubber underneath, and wondered what it would be like to ride on….
Friday, July 15
Today was my last day of lessons. It was also another day of "two-a days"- a 20 minute or so morning lunge lesson and an evening riding lesson. The lunge lesson included the same elements of the previous lunge lesson, but also included some more challenges such as doing more at the canter.
I would like to say that during my last riding lesson, Maddie was an angelic, compliant girl. But she was not. The Alpha Mare side was in full force. It was really hard work keeping focused and reacting correctly to Maddie's resistance (specifically to spiraling out at the trot). This is a great example where your agenda has to change to deal with what the horse gives you. I am glad that the issues came up while I had Lisa's guidance because I knew in 24 hours I would be home riding alone and would need to successfully handle reactions like this in order to progress. Maddie has been "coasting" for a few years and one week is not going to completely change any horse.
I learned an enormous amount during my time at Black Star Sport Horses and cannot believe the change in my horse. I am happy to report that I have been riding her at home and following the "recipe" that Lisa outlined for us. Like I said, sometimes it is the simplest things that can have the greatest impact. Having a high standard of what a correct "basic" really is will go a long way in the success of any horse or rider.
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