This weekend I decided to expand my horsemanship and my learning and participate in a Centered Riding Clinic for Instructors at Katie Twombly's place in Beaverton,Oregon. This is my account:
Chanty and I arrived yesterday at the Crescendo Farms after a ride through the greater Portland area, a trip that includes highway driving with pockets of congestion and lots of rough patches of road at 60 mph. I feel bad for Chanty back there in her trailer with the sounds of trucks and cars whizzing past her or just the sound of air blowing across the metal of the truck and the wheels bouncing over the highway. I once read in an article from a John Lyons' magazine, that the only true way to know what a horse feels when they're in a trailer, is to go back and ride in one, but so far I've never tried that little experiment. It's probably because, we humans would rather not stand in a metal box with only a small window and a screen to look out as a means to travel even if it's just around the parking lot to see what it's all about. This attempt to empathize with my horse in every situation has been making it more likely that I will take my time and pay attention to her reactions in every situation.
And so, when I brought Chanty to her temporary "new digs" I was aware that she was feeling lost and looking for something or someone familiar. She whinnied several times and paced for a while in between bites of hay and took some time familiarizing herself with the stall which led out to a very spacious paddock and a view of her neighbors out in a large pasture. I was also aware of her frequent glances my way and whenever possible, I reassured her with a stroke to her neck and head and spent some time grooming her. Fortunately, she settled in quite quickly. And why wouldn't she. Crescendo Farms is a gorgeous facility, with large expansive pastures, beautiful stalls and an enormous indoor arena to die for. I could stay here forever.....
Today begins the actual course work and a chance to work with a woman, Dawn Ruthven, who studied with Sally Swift and whose own career with horses has included rider, competitor, teacher and judge. I am looking forward to a chance to expand my knowledge and open my mind to new experiences.
The day began with a warm welcome and introductions. We are fortunate to have a very small personal group of instructors under the expert guidance of Dawn and Katie. In just a short time, I am aware of a feeling of excitement, as I know that I have begun a new chapter in my life with horses. They say that when the student is ready, a teacher will be there to give you what you need. I would never have been able to appreciate what is being given to me in this clinic, just a few short years ago. We take small steps in our life that then bring us closer to another door to open, another opportunity of which to take full advantage. Dawn is "at least" 30 years older than all of us at the clinic, but she has the excitement, enthusiasm and love of learning of someone 30 years younger than me. It is obvious that she has a passion for teaching and is dedicated to bringing the vision of Sally Swift to everyone she meets at these clinics. I feel extremely fortunate to have this chance and will make the most of every moment.
We spent time going over the basics of Centered Riding, complete with demonstrations, with each participant taking turns as the "horse", kneeling on all fours. I have watched Sally's videos and read her book, but here I was practicing the "unbendable arm" with a woman who'd personally learned the technique from Sally Swift. It's like learning to swing a golf club from someone who learned from Tiger Woods.
Once we finished Dawn's discussion of the four basics, Soft Eyes, Breathing, Centering and Building Blocks, as well as grounding, we headed out to the arena to participate in the mounted portion of the clinic, taking turns observing and riding. We were all extremely impressed with the demonstration of how to ground your feet, which is essential to establishing balance and fluidity on your horse. Dawn showed how the tension in the pelvis and hips creates muscle tightening in the upper thigh, closes the angle of the hip, inhibiting the motion of the "following seat" which coordinates your body movement with the horse's rather than interfering with it. She asked the rider to drop the stirrup, allow the foot to hang and with her hands under the upper leg, attempted to lift it off of the saddle.
Like a lead balloon, the leg was almost impossible to move. Dawn began a series of visualization exercises for the rider to follow, each one designed to release tension and free up the muscles and joints and allow the body to absorb the motion of the horse. Once the rider relaxed, it allowed Dawn to move the leg with greater freedom and lightness-and this happened in JUST MINUTES!!! I was able to experience this first hand and I will never forget how it made me so much more aware of my own body. Best of all, Chanty remained relaxed and with instruction from Dawn, I was able to improve my posting and trotting in just one lesson. EUREKA!
I can't wait for tomorrow......
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