Skip to main content
MENU

Jean Rude (Region 4)

2015 Gifted Recipient

Patricia Becker, left, coaches us through the trot/almost walk/trot exercise to activate the haunches.

 

Horse: Hot-Royal Hit

Trainer: Patricia Becker

SUMMARY

Hot-Royal Hit and I were able to achieve our stated goals during our week of Gifted Fund training. The ability to focus for five consecutive lessons towards these goals in a systematic way allowed for greater gains in learning than could have been achieved with intermittent lessons at home. In addition, the high performance riding and training I observed for many off-horse hours provided deep visual learning opportunities that enhanced the training experience overall.

GOALS FOR TRAINING

I applied for the Gifted Fund to help me reach my primary 2016 goal: To make the move from 2nd to 3rd Level. Specifically, I hoped to gain a feeling for the degree of engagement and carrying power required for the movements at 3rd Level, and to understand the preparation and aids for the flying change. The opportunity to work with intense focus on these goals with an experienced FEI trainer and competitor would allow me to develop the muscle memory needed to continue working productively on 3rd Level at home.

THE TRAINING PLAN

1. Responsive to the “Touch”

Working within Patricia Becker’s system and philosophy, we first ensured that my horse was highly responsive to the lightest leg aid, and that I learned to take my leg off when not actively giving an aid. My goal was to be consistent in my expectation for his response (a prompt “yes ma’am!”), and consistent with correction or praise. Hot became sharper and more in front of the leg. I learned from Patti that “in front of the leg” describes a state of mind in which the horse is actively listening for the next aid and eager to respond. I think it’s key that she describes the light leg aid as a “touch.” This gives me a vivid sense of how small the aid can be, and still be sufficient for the horse to feel and answer. This level of responsiveness, I learned, is imperative for going up the levels, as transitions come closer and closer together and a horse behind the leg for a moment won’t have a chance to be prepared and successful in the movement.

2. Activation and Engagement Through Transitions

Our second area of focus was the activation of the hind end through transitions.  On a 20-meter circle and down the long side, I gave Hot a “touch” for more forward energy, but kept his frame the same by sitting tall and closing my fist on the rein. This half halt asks for a more educated response than I’d ridden before, by giving a more subtle driving and seat aid, and expecting more engagement.  My objective was to feel the hind end come under and the shoulder raise for a “light off the ground” feeling in trot. This active trot with buoyant energy must become my standard for every day work. 

3. Quality of the Gaits

I learned that developing the quality of the gaits appropriate to the level is as important as learning the movements themselves. We worked on greater activity and engagement and a “shorter wheel base” for the medium walk expected at Third level. We worked on raising the shoulders in collected trot and adding more expression. For canter, we worked on establishing marked jump and throughness from the first stride – this is the canter required for the single flying change. This aspect of the training was helpfully underscored by auditing Patti’s training rides throughout the week. Getting that picture of correct movement in my mind, and connecting the visual with how that rolling, active three-beat canter felt, was key.

4. The Flying Change

I rode my first changes on Hot on the first day of training, which was so exciting! We continued systematic work on the single change throughout the week, giving me confidence in my ability to prepare the horse on the approach and aid him in the correct timing. I made mistakes, and each time, I learned more about riding the single change. Like the importance of not asking for a change when the canter is not correct (not forward, crooked, lacking jump). Or how to complete the corner before coming to a walk to reward my horse, rather than stopping right away to congratulate him!  I learned I should remain centered and firm in the core and give a quiet aid for the change, rather than throwing myself towards the new lead. Patti assured me that in our work at home, working on the canter quality is of greater importance than “practicing” the change.

Detailed notes on our five training rides, and additional photos, can be found here.

OUR PARTNERSHIP NOW

Hot and I have begun our homework in earnest here in Iowa. We’re focusing intently on straightness and jump in the canter. I’ll continue to ask for much more engagement at walk and trot than I was previously, keeping those pictures of upper level performers in mind. I feel more in charge of my horse generally and he feels more confident and secure in the aids. We’re beginning to put together the 3rd Level test elements at home with the goal of competing sometime this season. He gave me very nice half passes at trot today, and his best medium trot he’s ever done at home. I’m excited about our progress, and inspired by the ideal of our sport, which I had a chance to be fully immersed during my Gifted Fund week. We’ll return to lesson with Patti once a month to keep our training consistent and our progress on track.

At the end of my final lesson, Patricia and Freedom joined Hot and me for a hack on a beautiful spring morning at Fireside Farm.