Workshop: Transitions (Part One)

This past weekend Lucy and participated in Sandy Savage's workshop on transitions.  There were five riders and numerous auditors, including my friend Heather who flew up from Southern California.

We trailered Lucy down to Clay Station Ranch in Wilton Friday afternoon.  It was "only" 103 when we arrived.  Sandy had arranged for Lucy to have a stall with a run-out/small paddock.  I unloaded Lucy and walked her over to her stall while Brett and Heather lugged over her hay.  They set the hay in front of her stall and then went back to the trailer to unhitch the truck.  There was a gallon milk jug hanging from the top rung of her pipe corral stall door.  You know the kind: you put in a packet of stinky stuff, fill it with water, flies crawl inside and drown.  Well, I had the brilliant idea of moving the jug so it would be swinging outside of her stall instead of inside.  I lifted the jug and tried to squeeze it between the bars.  It got a little stuck, I pushed... and dumped the dead flies and stinky water on the top of my head.  It ran down my face, soaked my tee-shirt and trickled into my bra.  Great.  Now I smelled like cat pee and the workshop hadn't even started.

The barn owner told me that there was a shower in the lounge, and Brett had a clean teeshirt in his truck.  I headed to the lounge.  ...and the shower would not go on.  A breaker had flipped and there was no power to the well pump.  No water in the lounge.  Sandy happened to be in the lounge and knocked on the door.  I was standing in the middle of the bathroom, stark naked, reeking.  She grabbed two water battles from the cooler and passed them in to me.  Remember, it was 103F so I didn't mind at all that the water was really cold.  I stood in the shower and dumped them both over my head.  I put my bra (which still reeked) back on and Brett's tee shirt.

Sandy did a lecture and demo ride on Releve at 5:30.  Afterwards, we snacked on cheese and had a glass of wine before heading home.  The truck smelled like cat pee the whole way home and I'm surprised they seated us at the diner where we stopped for dinner.  It took two nights of aggressive shampooing to get the smell completely out of my hair.

Sometimes, I am such a dork.

The rest of the clinic was awesome.

Let it Be, Let it Go

Today was another cold bright day. Low of 23F and the high just creeping past 40. The ice we've broken on the water troughs and tossed aside each of the past mornings doesn't melt; the pile of broken shards just grows taller. Much of the ice on the grass and in frozen puddles isn't melting either. The arena sand is as hard as cement.  And the sun isn't warm enough to dry anything that does melt.  The ground is a soggy, frozen mess.

I suppose I could have ridden Lucy today. But I didn't want to ride her on the frozen sand and, to be honest, it was just too darn cold to be appealing. My competitive drive has gone into hibernation; perhaps permanently. And the weird thing is, I'm okay with that. Maybe it's our climate, maybe it's my job, maybe it's my age. Most likely, it is a combination of all three.

When we were living in Southern California, I worked from home two or three days a week. The nights were often cold in the winter, but the days were almost always comfortable. It was unusual for ice not to melt. I rode 4-5 times per week, year 'round. The arena might be frozen in the morning, but it would be soft by mid-day and I could ride on my lunch. In the summer, I rode before work -- shifting my hours so that I arrived in the office (on the days I went in) at 10am. From the standpoint of having time to train my horse, my job was perfect. But I wasn't happy at work. I was bored and I didn't like the direction the organization was headed. I needed to make a change.

Now, I am at my desk (almost an hour away) by 8am. In the summer, when I get home there is enough light left to help Brett with chores. In the winter, it is dark when I pull in the driveway at 6pm. The job is very interesting, very challenging, and I am far from bored. I am often tired and occasionally stressed -- but, overall, I am happy with the change. However, it is impossible to ride during the week. The weekends are available -- weather permitting. The weather did not cooperate in December; we had rain every weekend. I didn't ride once.

The funny thing is, I'm okay with that. The part of my psyche that pushed me into the barn every day, come hell or high water, has melted into something softer. I still need to spend time with Lucy and Jackson but I don't need to be riding -- and if I'm riding, I don't need to be constantly pushing for the next level.

Don't get me wrong. Riding correctly is still incredibly important to me. I still would rather be in the arena, riding Lucy in a balanced, fluid and soft canter than anything else. Lucy and I communicate beautifully. We make each other happy. I want her to last for many more years. Lucy has a history of joint issues from her years as a jumper. My plan is to let her be a muddy princess in the pasture this winter, with no shoes and no demands other than an easy ride on occasion. She can rest her joints so she is strong in the spring.

In 2015, I anticipate riding regularly in the spring and fall. I'm not going to stress about it in the winter or summer. I'm going to let it be.

Learn by Doing

Learn by doing is the motto of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo where both Brett and I (and my son Kyle)went to school.  I was a lit major so the motto didn't mean much to me... learn by... reading a book?  Writing a paper?  But, it was very applicable to Brett who started out as an architecture major and to my son, a computer engineer.

Even though the motto didn't mean much to me during college, it is completely applicable to our life now.  In many ways, we learned by doing at Aspen Meadows and have improved upon the model up here.  Brett built a Marriott chicken run and hen house at Aspen Meadows.  He built the Ritz Carlton up here -- the run and the hen house are both huge compared to what we had down south.

Lately, though, I've been thinking about the phrase in relation to how I learn when I ride.  I love taking lessons; having eyes on the ground to watch and correct is key.  Lessons also give me the tools to advance.  But, I don't really do my learning during the lesson.  I learn at home, on my own, feeling my way with my horse, remembering and applying what I heard and felt in the lesson.

It's like GPS.  When I am driving somewhere and I use GPS, I don't actively think about where I'm going and I certainly couldn't repeat the route without the GPS.  If I look at a map, get my bearings, and then navigate to the location on my own it is hardwired into my memory.  Likewise, when I ride, I listen to the instructions and apply them but I'm not really feeling independently how and when to apply the aids.  It is when I get back home and apply the lessons, that it becomes hardwired.

Lucy and I have been making great progress.  When I work with her on relaxation, I apply the lessons Sandy has taught me but I apply them when I feel Lucy needs direction.  This week, I've been working on my position.  Lucy and I have figured out how to get her to stretch and I really need some more tools to use before progressing much further with her.  But, I have plenty to work on with my own position.

Right now, I am focusing on my leg and my seat.  My legs need to lay against Lucy's side at the girth in constant contact.  Not squeezing, but there.  Lucy is sensitive so if there is daylight between my leg and her side and then I bump her -- on purpose or not -- it startles her and we lose the focus and frame.  I've been working on keeping my legs on all the time without squeezing.  I tend to lose one of my irons at trot and canter so I know that I am squeezing with my knee or thigh.  I have to stop that.

I'm also working on having a lighter seat at posting trot.  Instead of thumping her back with each stride, I am using my core to keep myself steady and just brush the seat when I come down.  Well, I'm trying.  That's the goal.

Brett has been spending time on his rides with Mufasa working, at walk, on balance and bend.  Mufasa is getting it and this morning they had a great ride -- forward and relaxed and connected.  They learned that by doing.

How do you learn best?

Lesson with Sandy Savage

This morning I loaded Winston's saddle, bridle, and tack box into the trailer. I added a clean white pad with bright black piping - not one of the faded ones I use normally. His white schooling boots were dirty so I packed maroon Eskadron wraps. I made a couple PB&J sandwiches while Brett packed water bottles on ice. We loaded Winston and headed south to Wilton just before 11am.

Winston unloaded and went on llama alert -- head high, trying to lean on me for support as we walked around the grounds. "Winston, you are six years old. You can stand on your own feet and walk like a grown up." We walked out past the round pen, the tractor, the water truck, the barn and the covered arena. He nibbled on grass behind the dressage court. We walked back to the trailer where I grabbed the lunge line out of the trailer and then headed to the round pen. Winston was doing a pretty good imitation of an ostrich at first; head high, eyes darting back and forth, looking at everything. Then he went to work.

Back at the trailer, I wrapped his legs, settled the saddle on his back and slipped the bridle over his head.

He calmly walked with me back out to the dressage court where I walked him around inside the court, both directions, until Sandy arrived. His head was low and relaxed as we walked along. Periodically, he bumped my hand softly with his nose.

Sandy asked about Winston's history, what we had most recently been working on, and then asked me to start working with him like I would do at home so she could see where she could help.

I came home and listed eight "homework" take-aways from the lesson so there are plenty of areas where she is helping. Most of the help came in the form of instruction to help Winston be comfortable in the contact and for me to be effective. To start with, she changed how I hold my hands so that I influence the contact with my wrist instead of my whole arm. This frees up my elbow to operate like a shock absorber so the movement of my body doesn't smack him in the mouth. It also allows me to effectively increase or decrease the amount of contact needed at a given moment.

Winston wasn't too thrilled with the new effective me. He tried throwing his head up (I curled my wrist in, increasing the contact), he tried sucking back (I kicked him forward into the contact) and then he gave -- and I immediately went to a very soft place with my hands.

Sandy also taught me how to use half halts in the downward transition to keep Winston from running into the trot from canter. It. felt. awesome.

Winston and I were toast at the end of the lesson; happy toast. Winston was very pleased with himself and I was equally proud of him. Brett said we looked like we were back in business. I can't wait to practice what we learned today and I'm looking forward to the next lesson.

Lesson with Katy: 6

Having Katy work with Winston one day this week, while I was at work, was an excellent idea.  She got a better idea of what he can and can't do, he got a good work out, and I got a horse who had advanced a tad between my rides.  She is also reinforcing ground manners with Winston so between the two of us he is becoming a gentleman.  He stood quietly while I mounted up; no shuffling forward, no walking off when I was on until I said so.

We worked almost entirely on teaching Winston to bend through his body, step under with his inside hind, carry himself, and relax at the poll.

He knows what to do but it's hard work so sometimes he'd rather not try.  He figures that if he waits long enough, I'll give up and stop asking.  Sorry, Winston.  You may have a stubborn streak but I am determined.  I found that when he went into a "don't wanna do it" place, it was most effective for me to tune everything out (including Katy), go within, concentrate on what I was feeling and channel that determination.

 We finished up with some canter work.  I let Winston find his own balance and rode strictly from my seat.  Katy told me to ask for halt by sinking my outside seat bone at the same time I felt his outside hind land, and half halt.  Bam!  He went from canter to walk.  We have never done that before.  I burst out in happy laughter.  We ended on that successful note.  I swear Winston was grinning while we walked back to the barn.

Brett and Mufasa were up next.  They continue to work on similar concepts, getting Mufasa to relax and bend.  All this dressage stuff is very foreign to Mufasa, who has been a roping horse his whole career, but he tries hard.  He's smart and he learns.

Today was chilly so I made clam chowder (from my new cookbook) for dinner.

Lesson with Katy: 4

Sometimes you have to go backwards to go forwards.  Go slow to go fast.  Take as much time as it takes.  Have a solid base.  Dressage is about training for fitness, flexibility and strength.  It isn't about tricks.

Sigh. Tricks are so much easier.

We worked on my position.  If my hands drop, Winston's head goes up.  He's going to keep me honest.

We worked on Winston's work ethic (he needs one).

We worked on getting bend from JUST my leg.  If I opened my inside rein but my leg said bend (don't turn), Winston had to learn to step under with the inside hind and travel straight in shoulder-fore.

Winston thought inside leg meant go faster.  He tried to understand and he got there.

Our big accomplishment for the day.

We used a pattern set up with cones.  Two cones made a narrow gate at either end of the court.   A cone at X marked the width of 10m circle.  Starting at B, trot to the corner and make a 10m circle, coming through the narrow gate, using just your leg to get bend and steering.  Go on a diagonal back to B and then make a transition down to walk just before B and make a 10m circle around the cone at X.  Back at B, pick up the trot and go through the gate at C, back to B, walk, circle.  Change direction.  You can also do the exercise at canter to trot.  We weren't successful there.  Winston was too worried about the 10m turns at canter and couldn't think about bend at the same time.  So, we went back to trot-walk.

To transition from trot to walk, slow your posting and then sink into your seat and through your knees.  If you have ever water skiied, it's the same feeling as when you let go of the rope and sink into the water.

Brett and Mufasa worked on similar concepts.

Mufasa needs to relax and release his poll so he can work across his back and from behind.

They got a release and then did a turn on the forehand.

Katy set up cones to make a square and they did a turn at each corner.

Mufasa was getting it by the end.  The inside rein is open but it is loose.  Giving space, not pulling.

Lesson With Katy: 1

This afternoon was my first lesson with Katy Personius.  When she arrived, Winston and I were hanging out in the dressage court.  I told Katy about Winston's recent racing backwards and about my lack of confidence.  She suggested that I lunge Winston first so she could see how we work together and get a feel for his personality.

No drama there.  I took Winston over to the mounting block, took a deep brave breath and got on.  As we walked into the arena, Winston stopped and I felt the backward energy coming.  ...and guess what I was doing?  Choking him with the reins; channeling my fear into a death grip.  Katy had me completely release and ask him to go forward.  He did.  I was inadvertently taking his nervousness and escalating it into fear.  My bad.

We played follow-the-leader next, walking behind her.  Winston felt comfortable following and I practiced letting go of the contact.  He needs to move from my seat.  I know that in my brain; I just forgot to tell my gut.

 Katy focused on my position.  A lot.  My two biggest, consistent-my-whole-riding-life, challenges are (1) keeping my eyes up and (2) keeping my elbows bent and at my side.  I tend to look down at Winston's head or shoulder (same idea as driving a car - you look ahead at the road, not down at your hands).

Katy wants to start working with us on the basics.  We will focus on getting a regular tempo, on my position, on riding from my seat and not worry about contact until Winston stops worrying about it.  He's only six -- a teenager -- and he's a teenager with attitude.  I like how Katy works with Winston-tude.  She advised that I ignore his head tossing and get him to bend around my leg by using leg pressure; not by pulling his head around.  I like her approach.  Winston has beautiful gaits and carries himself in a lovely frame.  I don't want to mess that up.

We were both happy at the end of the lesson.  I am very interested in progressing by becoming a better, more effective rider; and by developing Winston into a happy, healthy athlete.  We finished the lesson with a free walk...

...and I big thank you from me to Winston.  I won't be able to ride much this winter.  Work will limit my riding to weekends since the days are short.  I'm sure weather will wipe out some of the weekends.  So, we will work on our relationship and communication.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Early this morning, Gayle came up to give us lessons.  Winston and I were up first.  Because we are just getting back to work after three weeks off, Gayle gave us a long warm up at walk.  We worked, though.  We worked on my position.  Gayle said that I was slouching forward with my shoulders.

So while Winston warmed up by walking on a loose rein, I had to lift my shoulders and lean back.  More. More. There.  I felt like I was leaning over backwards; like I was going to be laying across Winston's butt if I went another inch.  But, I wasn't.  I looked like this.  The camera doesn't lie.

Gayle told me that if I keep my shoulders up and back and stay centered over my body, Winston will be able to balance easier and carry me.  Otherwise, I'll have to work too hard to keep him together.  Of course, getting there is going to take some work.  My body likes slouching.  Sigh.

Next we worked on corners; starting with 15m circles and working down to 10m voltes.  Winston needed to stay active, reaching under with his hind inside leg, and bending around my leg. 

I had to press with my inside leg so he didn't fall into the middle of the circle; I had to sit tall; and I had to not pull him around with my reins.  

When he was moving with energy, we did pretty well.  When he slowed down, I had to work harder and steering was difficult.  I felt like I was pushing a 50 lb bale of hay sideways with my calf.  Making faces helps.

We got it done but it wasn't easy.  Keeping Winston forward and active is key.  I get that.  I really get that now.  Gayle worked us for close to an hour.  Walk and then the same thing at trot.  We finished with some leg yield.  After getting a good 10m circle in the corner, I would straighten onto the center line and then push him sideways to the rail.  He wasn't quick enough or reaching under far enough for Gayle (this is not a new exercise for us).  I had to tap him with the whip to get good effort.  I said a Hail, Mary first.  He fussed but he didn't buck.  Phew.
 

Happy team! 

While we were working on leg yield, Brett was busy getting Mufasa tacked up and ready to go.  Brett tweaked his back the other day while riding Mufasa in the arena.  Mufasa spooked at the cat, scooted sideways, and Brett stayed securely in the saddle but he got a good jerk sideways and that hurt.  He loaded up on Aleve, crossed his fingers, and mounted up.

Gayle told Brett not to worry about Mufasa's frame at this point.  They worked on getting an even tempo, especially in the corners, and getting Mufasa used to light contact on his mouth.  Mufasa steadily improved as the lesson progressed.

There were also moments where he got discomboobalated.  Brett stayed steady and consistent on his back which wasn't always easy.  There were times when Mufasa got a bit strung out.

Mufasa has a lovely, forward trot.  The balance will come.  This horse tries hard.  After working on trot, they moved onto canter.  Unfortunately, canter hurt Brett's back so they didn't do it for long.  Their lesson wasn't long, but they accomplished a lot.