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The Gifted FundMichele NolteUSDF Region 6 Nine Lessons that Opened a Door My objective was to improve my downwards transitions especially canter / trot. To enable my objective, Jacqui Oldham sought to make my half halts effective. First by educating my inside hand to lift up (not back) and to hold until my horse softened then to immediately reward by releasing and pushing her forward. When I adjusted to the increase in pace, I realized that when she was going forward, she softened easily, stayed soft longer and went straighter. On the last day, I actually felt suspension in her trot. Second to encourage more response to my leg, turns on the forehand where added as a warm-up exercise. After an explanation of the difference of the leg aides at the walk (alternate legs follow the swinging motion of the rib cage.) and trot (versus steady), the turn on the forehand was done on a square. Each step was a separate request ending with the outside leg to prevent rushing. Later leg yielding on the short wall was added. Still later a turn on the haunches was added then developed through a square. In addition, it was heavily stressed to establish the correct posting diagonal to encourage bend through the rib cage. Thirdly the outside hand was grounded against the saddle to prevent it from flopping and confusing my mare's attempt to stabilize her frame. Needless to say this was not all done at the first lesson. Rather a little theory each day followed by lots of practice in riding accurate figures, then homework assigned. Although I was pushed harder then I have ever been pushed before, I didn't get frustrated, as each lesson was a baby step from the previous day. In each lesson, the theory was reviewed (usually simplified as I have a tendency for paralysis through analysis) and more accuracy required in the circles, shallow loops and corners. After warm up on the sixth day, Jacqui Oldham's working student, Brittany Moore briefly schooled my mare at the canter. This gave me the opportunity to see her under saddle in the canter for the first time. Later that evening, reflecting on why I am having so many issues, I watched videos. The first was a video of my current lesson and then an old video where I was competing at First 4 on my previous horse, an AQHA mare. The next day I was able to admit that I had been expecting to start riding my new horse right where I had left off riding the previous horse. When I first started riding the previous horse, she was 15h 2", broke, with typical AQHA gaits. Husband would team pen (chase cows) on her one weekend and I'd show her the next. He earned money on her and I got scores in the high 60's at Training 4 and low 60's at First 4 before she was retired due to a trailer accident. When I first started riding the current horse, she was 15h 3", unbroken with Thoroughbred gaits and fortunately for me the kind Andalusian mind. Jacqui named the issue Second Horse Syndrome and added that is was not an unusual rider fault. The ninth and last day was testing. I warmed-up then rode Training 1. This gave me an opportunity to show that I had been able to incorporate the previous eight lessons into my riding program. It wasn't the best ride and it will probable take several more months of practice before we're confident in each other to head down the centerline. From the digital pictures, I can see that I need more relaxation in the lower back to follow her longer strides. At the present, two canter circles are all I can manage before tension creeps in causing me to stiffen which causes her to pull against my hands. Before training with Jacqui, my downward transitions from the canter to trot caused my mare to plant her front feet and crash into the trot. It was a totally jarring and unnerving experience for the both of us. Developing the half halt enable me to flex her at the poll and bend her in the rib cage so that she would soften in the bridle. When I now ask for a downward transition she will step under herself remaining balanced into the trot. Those nine lessons have opened a door where I had run into a brick wall giving me not only have the tools to proceed, but a better comprehension of what my new horse needs from her rider. Michele H. Nolte Gifted Grant |
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! |
