Silversands - a lovely couple of days

[siglavy]

Well thankyou for the warm welcome at the Silversands clinic.

I thoroughly appreciated the format of several horse and rider combinations working on individual things.
in this way they got several private sessions inthe space of a 2 - 3 hours with time to experiment withthe information before doing some more. Much better in my opinion than being in the spot light for 45 mins and then having to wait till next day for more or having a group lesson where everyone is doing the same thing.

I also liked the fact that Steve instead of asking if anyone had any questions he instead questioned forst the riders and then the spectators one by one "what have you learnt today" so gettign a response very clever.

I am impressed that the message was NO PULL and even with Karons mare offering some very challenging behaviour Steve offered NO PULL.

I hope to post a video next week of what I have learnt and put into my training with Romeo - the do less and less and get results works very well with the French Classical ethos. I have been ridng in the play paddock doing gates, pulling ropes and standing on podiums in a rope halter.
I would hope to be able to ride Romeo in a bit or with just a peice of string round his neck and it look and feel just about the same.
Thanks again - I now have a challenge which has made me more interested in riding again. Funnily this ambition has always been ther but I just burried it.

My main challenge now is that of - perhaps for a dressage test - eek- getting the reins to look straight (so looking like contact for the benefit of the judges) without Romes thinking it is a feel. If you get what I mean
Silversands people - answers on a postcard please!

[Karon]

even with Karons mare offering some very challenging behaviour Steve offered NO PULL.

That was so, so hard to do too! Especially when the message was also "don't step back"..... - hard to concentrate on not doing two things at once I've had a practise today and I think we did OK - some nice circling with a soft bend and quarters not moving in towards me. Also tried a concentrated effort at sticking to the same principles on a hack and had a lovely light, soft horse - even when she shot off in trot when something spooked her she came back under control so quickly.

Glad you had a good time, it took me ages on Tuesday to click who you are!!

[siglavy]

I think much of the audience was willing you forward Karon. It was lovely to here folks laughing with others - a very supportive environment.

I have to say I am going a bit intensive with the ground work and "play" and school ridden stuff for a few dasy before I go out for a hack alone and I am looking forward to having a more positve time regarding napping.

[Karon]

I loved the idea of a bell ringing every time I stepped backwards - or pulled. I was thinking perhaps I could rig up something that would give me an electric shock every time I did that

[tazzle]

it is a great format isnt it

it also allows us to be comfortable with allowing the horse to relax after a time of doing something and getting it right instead of having to just keep going to squeeze everything out of a scheduled 45 mins as it were. I love just being able to do that...... allow horse to process something new and relax a little between each good try .... and / or just get somethig great and stop.

My main challenge now is that of - perhaps for a dressage test - eek- getting the reins to look straight (so looking like contact for the benefit of the judges) without Romes thinking it is a feel. If you get what I mean
Silversands people - answers on a postcard please!

aaahhhhhhhhh now there IS a question. I do get what you mean ...... not sure re the answer at the mo will have to think cos each time I start to write summat down I think of a "but"

[siglavy]

laura - the "but" is right where I am at!
I will work on following a feel and lightness for a while .
I have just signed up for the club which for me at the moment with lack of funds and most clinics being hours or continents away for most things - the club will enable me to have access to assesment at a bite size regular cost that I can simply absorb. So heres to some learning andcoaching.

AND THEN.... I will creep up on Steve with my rein question and probably get the answer that I am expecting and I perhaps don't want to hear...... ie - not possible without losing lightnessof feel and I may need to sacrifice it to compete. Eh - you never know though.

[el]

i am jealous!!!

[siglavy]

Karon -I think electrocution is a bit extreme! I would be more than happy to come over as volunteer bell ringer for half a day!
You're not THAT far away from me.

[nicxf]

sounds like you all had a really good time - gutted I missed it this year and missed the opportunity to see some of our forum stars in action. (though have to say I was having a lovely time on the Isle of Wight mith my sister. )

[Karon]

PMSL, don't worry, I'm bad enough with electric fences so no chance of me setting up trying to give myself a shock deliberately

[breakfast]

Just work right in front of an electric fence- firstly you won't want to step back and secondly your horse won't want to push on your space in case they find themselves on the fence. Best of both worlds

[Karon]

;D You could be sure I'd either step back anyway, or would fall over backwards! I was sure I was going to trip over the pole with the exercises with Rash.....