that riders help and support one another in the journey.
After lunch, each participant first completed the obstacles as an Ease of Handling ride, while I filled out a score sheet so they would have something to take with them to guide their future practice. After a short break to let their horse recover, they then rode the same course, but this time we timed it. I explained to the participants that normally they would not do the Speed trial if they were riding at the Introductory level, but that I wanted them to get a feel for how they could still maintain a quiet, soft ride with their horse yet shave precious seconds off their time by selecting course lines with the speed test in mind.
As each horse/rider pair waltzed through the Ease of Handling course and then picked up the pace slightly to boogie in Speed, all in attendance saw firsthand how much horses and riders alike came alive and seemed to enjoy adding a little “zip” to their obstacle performance, all the while maintaining quietness and relaxation in the obstacles themselves.
Lots of laughter, big smiles, and bright-eyed horses filled the arena as—once again—a pony turned in the fastest time of the day, underscoring the truism that extra agility and the ability to maneuver well in tight spaces often comes with smaller stature.
I truly do love teaching these introductory clinics because it is so gratifying to see people become more attuned to their horses and horses more willing to listen to and trust their riders. Equally gratifying, though, are the opportunities such events provide for people to support one another, to cheer each other on, and to willingly accept the challenge of becoming more aware of how their attitude, posture, focus, and ‘self-talk’ can either bolster or degrade their ability to achieve their goals.
Although many equine activities provide similar opportunities for such growth, in my fifty years with horses and horse people, I have yet to find anything else that so consistently fosters strong improvement in horsemanship while simultaneously helping people become kinder and more supportive of one another. No wonder Working Equitation is catching on so quickly across North America!
while maintaining quietness and relaxation in the obstacles themselves.
Lots of laughter, big smiles, and bright-eyed horses filled the arena as—once again—a pony turned in the fastest time of the day, underscoring the truism that extra agility and the ability to maneuver well in tight spaces often comes with smaller stature.
I truly do love teaching these introductory clinics because it is so gratifying to see people become more attuned to their horses and horses more willing to listen to and trust their riders. Equally gratifying, though, are the opportunities such events provide for people to support one another, to cheer each other on, and to willingly accept the challenge of becoming more aware of how their attitude, posture, focus, and ‘self-talk’ can either bolster or degrade their ability to achieve their goals.
Although many equine activities provide similar opportunities for such growth, in my fifty years with horses and horse people, I have yet to find anything else that so consistently fosters strong improvement in horsemanship while simultaneously helping people become kinder and more supportive of one another. No wonder Working Equitation is catching on so quickly across North America!
A happy Haflinger, one of the clinic participants beaming after meeting the challenges presented by the obstacles. Photo by Tenara Blood