Just got back from riding Edelrubin, my 2006 Westfalen we purchased in March from the Munster-Handorf Elite auction, at the NEDA Fall Symposium with Steffen and Shannon Peters. It was a lovely weekend with nice but sometimes chilly weather. The farm at UMASS is one of my favorites to participate in programs at. Jerry Schurink has been the director of riding there for years, and really does a super job, providing us with great stabling, wonderful footing, and a lovely facility.
It was an interesting weekend with a variety of horses from Training level to Grand Prix that Steffen and Shannon worked with. There were some solid horses, as well as a few with some interesting issues. Steffen rode several beautifully, even some that were particularly difficult. Ruby and I had a wonderful session where Steffen was quite complimentary of both the manner in which I worked my young horse, the training that had been put into him, and Ruby himself. (Who can't love the handsome little bugger?) He was very impressed with Ruby's connection and work ethic at his young four years old. He emphasized the need for me to get an easier response to my leg aid at all three gaits.
Watching the rest of the horses working, Shannon really focused on improving some of the riders various positional issues. Sitting up taller, turning the belly button towards the inner ear to keep the rider properly aligned with the horse, softer hands, etc. Steffen was a bit more about the effect of the aids, making sure each rider didn't support too much with the aids, and getting each horse to take on some of the responsibility in staying responsive and in front of the leg. With one of the Grand Prix horses, his thought was, "You don't need a better piaffe....you just need a more reliable one!" But with him it was clearly about getting the reaction to the aids as quickly and easily as possible.
Even with the most difficult situations, Steffen was able to take things well in hand, and make the best of a horse that didn't always want to cooperate. But even in those situations, it was about getting the horses reaction. One one big FEI horse who was running through the half halts - it was impressive to watch him correct the lack of the reaction to the half halt by using the whip instead of the hand. And it worked.
Lots of good stuff to think about, but little Ruby and I are going to stay focusing on his basics for now, and start preparing for the five year old test next year. I think the best tip of the weekend came from my old friend Jeanne MacDonald, who helped me with my walk. It's funny how the most learning comes from places when you don't expect it!
But I think the best part of the weekend was the hanging with old friends and making a few new ones! (Yes even I am not so old that I know everyone yet.) Jen Wilson-Horr and Suzanne Markham and I wound up with our own little private stabling area. We got to meet Allison Brock, who's stallion Roosevelt is not only absolutely beautiful but quite the personality as well! Martyna Echilczuk and Tycho were also a wonderful pair to watch. Martyna moved here from Poland. She trained with Tycho in Holland for a bit, and is now breeding Dutch horses up in New Hampshire.
The banquet was a blast, with a new format that include some very wild dancing on the dance floor! Larry Poulin can shake that funky groove thing for sure. The party ended WAY too early. But it does feel good to be home.
But next year....we're getting Paul on the dance floor....if we have to carry him out there!
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