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Major Anders Lindgren Scholarship Recipient for 2000
SUSAN HOFFMAN PEACOCK (CA) was the 2000 recipient of the 2000 Anders Lindgren Scholarship. However, due to world situations, Susan did not go for training until 2003. Susan spent the month of December at the stable of Herr HinnEmann in Voerde, Germany. Her travelogue diary could be published as a short story, but for the purpose of education we are using what Susan learned from her HinnEmann experience in the following article:
Ten of the things that I learned While Using my Scholarship
1. Dedication
When the horses were worked they were ridden with dedication to the art. By this I mean that they were expected to perform with quality responses to the aids. The horses were never allowed to be lazy in the response to a half halt or a driving aid. I am in no way saying that Mr. HinnEmann was ever unfair to the horses. On the contrary, He was one of the fairest riders that I have ever worked with. When the horse was correct in the response, he sat still and allowed the horse to enjoy the movement that had been asked for. This style was very fair to the horse, as they never had to decide if the aid was given or if it was a mistake of the rider that should be ignored. The horses didn't make decisions. They just followed the rider's lead. When the horse was slow to react, the message was clear and direct. One of the most memorable examples of this was on one of my first days in Germany. Mr. HinnEmann was riding a stallion that wanted to have control of the ride. This was not allowed. The corrections were severe and forthcoming because the stallion was not backing down. Mr. H. persisted in his corrections until the animal understood that he was to follow the rider's requests and not lead the ride. As soon as the horse was submissive the discussion was over. The rider was never angry. There were no emotions attached to the corrections. The bad behavior was just not allowed. When it was over, it was over. Plain and simple.
2. Time frame
The horses were worked in short sets. The more advanced the horse, the more short sets were performed. The work sets were not the same activity performed again and again. Different exercises or movements were mixed in for variety. The walk breaks were filled with active walking.
3. Work schedule
Every horse was out of the stall every day. Even on days off the horses did something physical whether it was turned out or hand walked. Often on light days the horses were saddle walked for a long period of time. This differed from other barns that I've worked at that felt that the horses needed one day to just relax and feel that the had no demands on them.
4. Formality/Tradition
It was important to look your best to be your best. This does not mean that you have to have the latest or greatest outfit. This means that you should have pride in your daily appearance as well as your horse's turn out. One of the working students let me make a horse ready for Mr. H. There was one very, very bright red saddle pad that never needed to be washed. They all chuckled and peaked around the corner when I picked up that pad (It was really clean and new!!) and put it on one of the stallions. I proudly took the horse out to the arena to saddle walk the horse before his workout. I was met with the most intriguing look from Mr. H. " I think you need to change that pad before someone sees him in that costume!" I walked back into the barn to a fit of laughter. Who knew?!?!
5. Work in Hand
The advanced riders in the barn only did this work. One day, every horse was doing in hand work. The youngsters were taught to walk/ stop/ walk. The older horses did a little piaffe/walk/piaffe. That was it for the day. They just had a short taste of the work and back to the stall. No fuss. No hassles. Very little pressure. They all stayed relaxed and happy.
6. Responsibility
The job of the groom was taken very seriously. The groom was a young girl and she was responsible for the care of the horses. She did a very good job of it too. One day there was a crowd of riders and everything was happening at once. One of the stallions went to the arena with a saddle that didn't fit him very well. Everyone heard about the importance of good saddle fit and that a poorly fitting saddle is a crime. The horse's comfort and happiness was truly the most important issue at Mr.H.'s stable.
7. Trust in your employees
It was very obvious that M. H.'s employees had a lot of responsibility. They also had trust. The rider's would take horses to shows, events or kuers with full knowledge that they could do a good job and that they would represent the stable well. This trust led to an atmosphere of mutual respect that was quite refreshing.
8. Half halts
Every ride. Before every corner. Before every movement. Half Halts! Use them! Quiet ones in the movement. Supportive ones through the movement. Directive ones to change within the gaits. The way to get the quality higher is to ride more and more effective half halts. This means that you must sit softly and steady on the horse without getting in the horse's way before and after each half halt.
9. Impulsion
When the horse feels the rider's leg increase or decrease the pressure it must react. Horses will not have impulsion if the horse is dull to the rider's aids. Mr. HinnEmann works his horses so that they are very attentive to the aids, but not afraid of them. This goes back to the fairness issue that I mentioned earlier. The horse will not be able to respond to quiet aids if the rider is not still with their body and quiet in their mind. Focus from the rider is imperative if they are going to ride a horse that is truly in front of the leg. One of my favorite exercises was when the horses were asked for transitions within the gaits. They didn't come above the bit. They didn't change the tempo. They didn't change the expression on their faces. They just took different size steps. It was amazing to me. It worked because the rider's had focus and calmness to their riding.
10. Simplicity of training
I went to Mr. HinnEmann's farm at a wonderful time. He and Coby Vaan Baalen have just published a new book. I arrived the week that it was translated to English. The book details Mr. H.'s system of working the horses through the training scale. I was allowed the opportunity to ride many of the horses that are highlighted in the book. What a treat! I also got to read the book from cover to cover and then try the concepts on Mr. HinnEmann's horses in front of Mr. HinnEmann!! You couldn't ask for more!!!!
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