Cherwell Valley Riding Club has this year, in addition to hosting 3-day stay-over camps at Bury Farm EC, decided to hold day camps on specific disciplines. Genius!
At the beginning of May a dressage day camp was arranged, with 3 instructors offering very different skill sets and viewpoints, across 5 sessions - 2 on foot and 3 ridden
Tory and I arrived with Beau and Sardra, settled them into their stables, and went off in search of a brew. In typical CVRC fashion there were lots of people there on their own so we all helped each other settle in, then sat and got to know each other whilst coffees were poured
We were divided into 5 groups of 2, and given time slots for our activities. Tory and i were together so followed the same sessions throughout the day. There were rest gaps too so we could watch everybody else learning. I don't know about you but I think that can be at least as valuable as being taught directly
Jules La Garde Biomechanics - Bouncy Ball and Consistent Signals
Our first unmounted session was with Jules La Garde, biomechanics instructor, who by getting us all to sit on on a Swiss ball and bounce explained how the angle of our pelvis and its relationship with our shoulders affects how we impact our horses when we sit to the trot
She also had us working in pairs - one person wearing a bridle over their head and holding the bit with their two hands, and the second person behind them holding the reins. We had to walk a simple circle, and then a figure of eight only by instructions down the bridle (and a click for 'move you lazy pony' of course!). It was really interesting to find that all of us give slightly different signals for turns. I found it difficult to turn because i mostly use my legs, so ended up confusing Tory who didn't understand indirect rein pressure - which she does in fact use when riding! Fascinating stuff and a real insight into why it takes a while to build a relationship with a new horse, and how our riding signals can be confusing to our ponies. The fact that our horses manage to work out what we want, and give it, just cements the fact that they're all legends really!
Amanda Rawson - A Judge's Viewpoint
Our second session was also unmounted, with CVRC Chairman and listed dressage judge Amanda, who explained what the judge is looking for through the scales of training. She also explained that from a judge's perspective, a test that flows and is rhythmical will score higher than a stilted test with the horse in an outline. Also it's important to demonstrate the difference between corners and circles. That sounds obvious, but a quick look on YouTube at videos of tests will show you that circles are usually squares, and corners far too round - more on this in the ridden sessions
Jules La Garde Biomechanics - Corners and Seat Bones
The first mounted session was with Jules La Garde and was on the impact of our weight through our seat bones. She had us riding round with the weight in the outside seat bone (incorrect) and then changing to the inside seat bone to help the horses balance - it was remarkable how much it affected Beau's way of going. I need to make sure I use this - including going down the centre line to prepare Beau for the turn at C. By putting your weight to the inside seat bone (not all of your weight, just a slight hip tilt) it helps your horse bend through the rib cage - I guess you are almost pushing his ribs outwards
With our brains full, we then sat down to a hearty lunch courtesy of the Boughton Mill cafe, and filled our tummies too whilst the horses scoffed their haylage
Matt Cox - Corners and Acceptance of Contact
Then it was tack up and get back to it for a session with GP rider Matt Cox. Beau decided two was too many and at this point refused to accept the contact or move away from my seat bones as learned an hour previously. So the session was spent walking and trotting in various sizes of circle and trying to get him to accept the outside rein. After 40 minutes of the 45 minute session he relented and we got some lovely work for the last 5 minutes ;) I felt i'd wasted the time but Matt assured me it's so important that proper contact is established that any time spent working on it is time well spent. Tory in the meantime was working on her canter balance in corners and on circles
Amanda Rawson - Corners and Loops in a Dressage Test
The final session of the day was with Amanda again. She had us putting into practice what we had learned during the day, and improving our dressage scores with simple tweaks - like pushing (and using seat bones) with your inside leg more into corners so that when you circle it's obvious to the judge. No more square circles or round corners! Also we worked hard to make our centre lines straight and accurate - not as easy as it looks!
It was a thoroughly useful, relaxed, informative and valuable day. Every person there ought to be an expert on corners by now! The panel of experts gave such simple but great advice and helped us to understand fully - I plan to use all of it and can't wait for the next CVRC day camp
At the beginning of May a dressage day camp was arranged, with 3 instructors offering very different skill sets and viewpoints, across 5 sessions - 2 on foot and 3 ridden
Tory and I arrived with Beau and Sardra, settled them into their stables, and went off in search of a brew. In typical CVRC fashion there were lots of people there on their own so we all helped each other settle in, then sat and got to know each other whilst coffees were poured
We were divided into 5 groups of 2, and given time slots for our activities. Tory and i were together so followed the same sessions throughout the day. There were rest gaps too so we could watch everybody else learning. I don't know about you but I think that can be at least as valuable as being taught directly
Jules La Garde Biomechanics - Bouncy Ball and Consistent Signals
Our first unmounted session was with Jules La Garde, biomechanics instructor, who by getting us all to sit on on a Swiss ball and bounce explained how the angle of our pelvis and its relationship with our shoulders affects how we impact our horses when we sit to the trot
She also had us working in pairs - one person wearing a bridle over their head and holding the bit with their two hands, and the second person behind them holding the reins. We had to walk a simple circle, and then a figure of eight only by instructions down the bridle (and a click for 'move you lazy pony' of course!). It was really interesting to find that all of us give slightly different signals for turns. I found it difficult to turn because i mostly use my legs, so ended up confusing Tory who didn't understand indirect rein pressure - which she does in fact use when riding! Fascinating stuff and a real insight into why it takes a while to build a relationship with a new horse, and how our riding signals can be confusing to our ponies. The fact that our horses manage to work out what we want, and give it, just cements the fact that they're all legends really!
Amanda Rawson - A Judge's Viewpoint
Our second session was also unmounted, with CVRC Chairman and listed dressage judge Amanda, who explained what the judge is looking for through the scales of training. She also explained that from a judge's perspective, a test that flows and is rhythmical will score higher than a stilted test with the horse in an outline. Also it's important to demonstrate the difference between corners and circles. That sounds obvious, but a quick look on YouTube at videos of tests will show you that circles are usually squares, and corners far too round - more on this in the ridden sessions
Jules La Garde Biomechanics - Corners and Seat Bones
The first mounted session was with Jules La Garde and was on the impact of our weight through our seat bones. She had us riding round with the weight in the outside seat bone (incorrect) and then changing to the inside seat bone to help the horses balance - it was remarkable how much it affected Beau's way of going. I need to make sure I use this - including going down the centre line to prepare Beau for the turn at C. By putting your weight to the inside seat bone (not all of your weight, just a slight hip tilt) it helps your horse bend through the rib cage - I guess you are almost pushing his ribs outwards
With our brains full, we then sat down to a hearty lunch courtesy of the Boughton Mill cafe, and filled our tummies too whilst the horses scoffed their haylage
Matt Cox - Corners and Acceptance of Contact
Then it was tack up and get back to it for a session with GP rider Matt Cox. Beau decided two was too many and at this point refused to accept the contact or move away from my seat bones as learned an hour previously. So the session was spent walking and trotting in various sizes of circle and trying to get him to accept the outside rein. After 40 minutes of the 45 minute session he relented and we got some lovely work for the last 5 minutes ;) I felt i'd wasted the time but Matt assured me it's so important that proper contact is established that any time spent working on it is time well spent. Tory in the meantime was working on her canter balance in corners and on circles
Amanda Rawson - Corners and Loops in a Dressage Test
The final session of the day was with Amanda again. She had us putting into practice what we had learned during the day, and improving our dressage scores with simple tweaks - like pushing (and using seat bones) with your inside leg more into corners so that when you circle it's obvious to the judge. No more square circles or round corners! Also we worked hard to make our centre lines straight and accurate - not as easy as it looks!
It was a thoroughly useful, relaxed, informative and valuable day. Every person there ought to be an expert on corners by now! The panel of experts gave such simple but great advice and helped us to understand fully - I plan to use all of it and can't wait for the next CVRC day camp
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