Randi Phillips

Randi and Olivia

When the realization that I had been awarded the Carol Lavell Gifted Grant for Region 5 set in, I wanted to do my training immediately.  Having access to an indoor ring in the New Mexico winter is a luxury I wanted to take advantage of.  I chose to work with Ulla Hudson, born and trained in Germany, she is a certified Riding Instructor by the German National Equestrian Federation (German F.N. Trainer "A" license).  Ulla has received the German Silver and Bronze Medals, and the USDF Bronze and Silver Medals, and has received her USDF Gold Medal.
Ulla was instrumental in my decision to purchase an unbroken 4 year old Dutch/Thoughrobred mare and while we have worked together since, Olivia and I have not had the luxury of consistent training. I am so thankful to Carol Lavell and The Dressage Foundation for this wonderful gift and opportunity.
Upon my arrival, Ulla and I discussed my goals and our plan for the week.  I had organized my goals into two buckets:  those for Livvie and those for me.

Olivia:
•    To have her work over her back and come through from behind
•    To increase strength in her hind end
•    To obtain more self-carriage at the canter

Me:
•    To learn how to engage an effective half-halt every time by using my core muscles
•    To learn how to use my leg aids without gripping and without being a limp noodle
•    To learn how to have an independent seat at the sitting trot

My proposed training plan included two lessons per day and at least one partial lunge-line lesson with a deep concentration on my position and use of my core muscles.  We discussed other issues that had developed between the application and the start of the program and determined that learning how to effectively use the warm-up would be invaluable.  Ulla suggested we start with unmounted work using the I-Gallop and large Pilates ball.  We used the I-Gallop, an electronic simulator of horse gaits, to allow me to feel the exact movement in my body while at the walk, trot and canter.  The I-Gallop was great because I experienced the movement without any concern to control, make round or keep the horse forward.  I discovered that, without the horse underneath, my body could actually relax and follow the movement.  The Pilates ball helped me to find my balance without gripping and develop a soft draping leg.

Ulla gave me Harry Boldt’s book, Das Dresseur Pferd. Because it is in German, Ulla translated some of the text but the pictures were the best part.  Boldt used  overhead pictures to illustrate the correct positioning within a movement.  I don’t think I have ever really known the correct bend for a circle, half pass or leg yield.  The overhead view demystified the proper angle for shoulder-in, haunches-in and the illusive renvers.  I can’t wait to my next show, I feel like I have stumbled upon the holy grail of dressage knowledge!
Unfortunately, my plan for lunge-line lessons was thwarted by an injury to Ulla’s shoulder.  As an alternative, Ulla instructed me how to properly lunge a horse.  In the past I had used the lunge to let Livvie buck and have been guilty of not letting my horse know I was the boss. Without realizing it, I slouched resulting in my being a passive participant in our lunging sessions.  In turn, Livvie followed my lead and was quite passive about going forward.   Ulla helped me to stand tall and to use my body language to communicate. I learned to treat the lunge line as if it were a rein and to use half halts with the same finesse as if I were in the saddle. 
Next began the warm-up.  Livvie can be quite lazy so we returned to the basics of getting a horse forward without constant nagging with my leg and a counterproductive driving seat.  Ms Olivia hates when I nag and pump!!!  Ulla constantly reminded me to use my core muscles to sit still and feel the horse’s natural rhythm.  By using the 20 meter circle, I could more easily feel the rhythm down my inside leg, by remembering to breathe I could more easily maintain core engagement, and by remembering not to pull I could more effectively use my lower leg within the rhythm.  Once my core muscles were engaged it was easier to keep my shoulders down, my elbows soft, at my side and relaxed with a strength I don’t usually have.  As my body position became more correct, I was able to bend the horse around my leg and to maintain better contact with my outside rein.

Among my goals for Livvie is for her to learn to work over her back and come through from behind and for me to understand how to help her to do so.  She often starts with a small slow pony stride.  In my effort to quicken up the hind legs, I sometimes chase her onto her forehand. Ulla helped me to distinguish between a trot that is running and one that is lively from behind and waiting in the front.  We accomplished this by working on the illusive “half-halt”.  Timing and rhythm, timing and rhythm, timing and rhythm and practice, practice, practice.  Eventually, I began to understand when to use leg, when to hold my core, and when to use the outside rein. 
Two years ago Livvie suffered an injury cracking her pelvis and had 4 months stall rest.  Although she came back sound she starts with an initial stiffness and shortness on her right hind.  To counteract the stiffness, Ulla suggested I start lunging to the right.  Normally, I start lunging to the left but this small simple change allowed Livvie to work out of the stiffness quicker and she seemed to be much happier from the beginning. 

Three days into the program and I am determined that Livvie must go forward from the moment I mount her.  Ulla reminded me to sit down on my seat bones allowing my leg to lengthen, to hold my core to prevent me from pumping my pelvis and to maintain a loose leg in position so that I could use my leg when I needed to but also allow it to return to neutral when Livvie responded.  Ulla helped me to realize when Livvie’s reaction was enough and when it wasn’t.  It was this I found to be most beneficial.  I am not sure I have been clear when Livvie responded appropriately to my aid and when she tuned me out.  Today, I felt for the first time that I let Livvie know I was boss while lunging her.  I stood tall like a bear and she moved forward.  It is a sheer delight to be in the driver’s seat—even if it is on the ground. 
Livvie was forward during our mounted session but has discovered a diversion from work she decided is too hard. Livvie’s tendency to pop her shoulder or drift through the corners (especially to the right) needed to be fixed.   Ulla guided me through the steps necessary to keep her straight.  With a firm outside rein, my outside leg between the girth and her shoulder, I paid special attention to both my body and Livvie’s that neither one of us were over bent.  No surprise the right lead canter depart has also given me trouble but I applied the same principles of straightness and had some lovely canter departs and downward transitions. 

The last piece of the puzzle for me is the sitting trot.  Countering my natural stiffness has been a long time challenge and Livvie’s bouncy trot hasn’t made it easy for me to follow her movement.  Ulla instructed me to rise to the trot and then sit four strides and rise again.  At first it was mechanical but the counting helped me to get tuned into the horse’s rhythm and acted as a reminder when I lost the rhythm.  Eventually, four sitting strides became a twenty-meter circle,  then a long side and then the entire arena. 
Our last day was filled with both sadness to see the week come to an end and great joy at what we had accomplished. We reviewed the week and developed a plan so that I can continue making progress while working on my own.  My final gift of a great week --- the First Level test; sitting to the trot, smooth canter departs and riding my horse rather than her riding me!!!

Small simple changes make a world of difference. Something clicked and both Livvie and I finally got it.   I am well on my way to understanding the mystique of the illusive half-halt.  Receiving the Caroll Lavell Gifted Grant was an amazing experience.  Repeated exposure to what is right, encouragement to go for it and the opportunity to practice with a watchful eye has changed my riding.  Thank you everyone for making this happen.