The winter school holidays are upon us. Due to the unpredictable weather conditions in winter, well, actually, any time of the year here in Melbourne, and in here in Upper Pakenham we even have weather that is different from the rest of the South Eastern Suburbs, we chose not to run holiday programs, providing private lessons for those who wanted to book.
Instead, we arranged a day for our Horse Mastery level students to school some cross country at Tooradin Estate. And what a day. Fifteen degrees, sunny, and no wind, absolutely perfect conditions.
We loaded up the truck and float, and made our way down to Tooradin with five horses. For homebreds, Comet and Luna, it was only their second experience of cross country. Oli also went for the ride, who says grand prix dressage horses don't do cross country?
It was a day of challenges for all horses and riders, myself included. Comet, under Mike's guidance, learned today to be straight to the fences, and actually remember to pick up his feet and jump. Kaitlyn, having recently purchased the lovely Luna from us, had her first experience of riding Luna over cross country jumps, and rode her superbly. Kaitlyn is learning very quickly to gently but firmly navigate a young, but talented horse, over jumps, and Luna's confidence in her is growing very quickly. Kaitlyn also gave a performance of some of the best trick riding I have ever seen, losing her balance at the first part of a related line, sliding off the side with both legs over the second part of the line, then some how throwing her leg back over the horse, sitting up and gathering her horse up, as Luna cantered away up the hill. I then directed Kaitlyn to come straight back through, with more balance and control, which Kaitlyn, not missing a beat, rode perfectly. Taylor had a rather cold, wet baptism to water jumps, when Gypsy decided to roll in the water . Hopefully next time, she will read the signs, and be quick to react if Gypsy decides to take a bath again! Taylor is coming back tomorrow to clean the saddle. Kai showed much improvement in his balance and resolve, today, pushing through some of his own fears and demons, to have a successful and happy day with no mishaps!
But isn't that part of riding? That good, resilient riders learn to push themselves out of their comfort zones? Once they learn to do that, then they learn that they can also push their horses, bit by bit, to develop relationships with their horses where the horse trusts and has confidence in the rider's leadership.
This is resilient riding. This is the foundation for respectful relationships.
Instead, we arranged a day for our Horse Mastery level students to school some cross country at Tooradin Estate. And what a day. Fifteen degrees, sunny, and no wind, absolutely perfect conditions.
We loaded up the truck and float, and made our way down to Tooradin with five horses. For homebreds, Comet and Luna, it was only their second experience of cross country. Oli also went for the ride, who says grand prix dressage horses don't do cross country?
It was a day of challenges for all horses and riders, myself included. Comet, under Mike's guidance, learned today to be straight to the fences, and actually remember to pick up his feet and jump. Kaitlyn, having recently purchased the lovely Luna from us, had her first experience of riding Luna over cross country jumps, and rode her superbly. Kaitlyn is learning very quickly to gently but firmly navigate a young, but talented horse, over jumps, and Luna's confidence in her is growing very quickly. Kaitlyn also gave a performance of some of the best trick riding I have ever seen, losing her balance at the first part of a related line, sliding off the side with both legs over the second part of the line, then some how throwing her leg back over the horse, sitting up and gathering her horse up, as Luna cantered away up the hill. I then directed Kaitlyn to come straight back through, with more balance and control, which Kaitlyn, not missing a beat, rode perfectly. Taylor had a rather cold, wet baptism to water jumps, when Gypsy decided to roll in the water . Hopefully next time, she will read the signs, and be quick to react if Gypsy decides to take a bath again! Taylor is coming back tomorrow to clean the saddle. Kai showed much improvement in his balance and resolve, today, pushing through some of his own fears and demons, to have a successful and happy day with no mishaps!
But isn't that part of riding? That good, resilient riders learn to push themselves out of their comfort zones? Once they learn to do that, then they learn that they can also push their horses, bit by bit, to develop relationships with their horses where the horse trusts and has confidence in the rider's leadership.
This is resilient riding. This is the foundation for respectful relationships.
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