The holidays are over and show season is the next big date approaching. Outdoor shows begin here in March. Although all winter there are indoor shows happening. The way things are progressing with Focus we will be able to show her in the coming months.

In the last two weeks we have gotten a new Grand Prix horse for Christian, team jackets and started jumping. When I came to Dresseur-stall Reisch I did not expect to learn how to jump, but yet again I was in for a surprise. Every week on Friday the afternoons are dedicated to jumping. It’s not that we want to become jump riders, but it is simply that jumping helps the movement in your middle when you ride. It is very important that you are able to move with the horse. When this can happen then you do not clamp with your legs and your entire body can relax. A little jumping never hurt anyone. This week Focus free jumped for the first time. Right away she was able to figure it out. It did not require that I run with her. We simply let her trot the long side and then canter in the corner and down the chute, no questions asked, like she had done it one hundred times before. Five times through well and that was enough. Next week perhaps will be jumping under saddle?

Focus is making very good progress since Christmas it has only been uphill. Her self-carriage in the canter is so much, the trot needs more work but is far better. Her extensions are developing more and more power. I am looking forward to what will come next. She has learnt the flying change very easily and the half passes are a breeze for her. Christian has started to play with half steps and canter travers on a volte. We will be starting her in the double bridle soon.

I have continued to teach one of the boarders here as well. It is getting easier and the rider is making progress with her pony. I have moved to a new apartment here on the farm that is much bigger and nicer. To help with the rent I teach the children of the owners English once a week. It should be fun. Time is sure going by fast. I have been here almost six months already. It feels like hardly that. My mom made a trip over last week to visit and work. We drove to Koln to the SPOGA show. I was able to view the coming fall collection for many of the top equestrian designers like Eskadron, Pikeur, Kyra K, euro Star and Joules. It was nice to see familiar faces. I am lucky to have so much support from home.

Food for thought: Your seat

Not only do you need to move your hips with the horse, but also your shoulders. When in motion your shoulders should always be parallel with the horses shoulders and your hips should always be parallel to the horses hips. This allows for circular motion about the spine. It is important that you always go with the horse in order to achieve the goal of harmony between horse and rider.

Your seat not only gives aids but it must also listen to the horses back. When you want more power or impulsion you should not thrust your hips and dig your seat bones into the horse back. You must sit lighter and “Listen” to what the horse in saying. Sitting light does not mean perching on the horse’s back. When you sit to hard in these moments the horse cannot develop swing in the back and the softness you desire. Consequently the horse only becomes stronger and more rigid in the top line.

Many of the horse’s problems can stem from an incorrect seat. It is not always a big problem, sometimes it is a very small detail that normally one would not think about. When the horse becomes too strong, first look to your seat. This is why a good seat is priceless. Because it is not only about sitting pretty on the horse it is also about being a “feeling” rider.

Here the horses only work five days a week. One day a week in on the lunge and one day is completely free. More than this and the horse cannot progress. It is important that you always think about the welfare of the horse. Sometimes you must set aside your goals for a moment to do what is best for the animal. Even when you are riding you should break before the horse becomes too tired to work anymore. Walk breaks are important especially between exercises. When the muscles cannot get oxygen fast enough they become tired and the horse cannot perform the exercise properly anymore. Break before it gets to this point.

The difficulty in riding comes in that you must listen and feel so many signals the horse is giving. As a rider you can always grow and become better. We are never finished learning, even when you are a professional. There is always something new to learn and often it comes from someone you do not expect it from. Keep an open mind and always stay willing and progress can be made.

Until next Time

Cheers...

Erika and Focus