European Training Journal Week # 7 Synopsis | |
Since Mr. Schumacher has gone for an extended period of time, and Ellen has a busy competition schedule ahead, there are not many lessons to observe, and I have decided to return home a little earlier than originally planned. I want to practice my new skills and knowledge while they are still fresh in my mind! The concepts of contact, connection, straightness, and consistently forward riding were reinforced daily with every horse from the most basic through Grand Prix. In pursuit of that goal, I observed Ellen spend spending several sessions primarily on the centerline riding shoulder in at the canter. When the shoulder in had all of the qualities of rhythm, balance, forward, straight, engaged, soft, round, and through that it should, then she proceeded to begin canter pirouette, in both directions at either end of the centerline with a medium canter in between, and uberstreichen whenever necessary. It was really breathtaking to watch them execute the movements so precisely and beautifully. She told me that Silvano has gotten 8s and 9s on his pirouettes and it is easy to see why! Champus and Silvano both have really wonderful piaffe and passage. They have been trained to go forward and stay forward with minimal aids from the rider so that there is a remarkable freedom and energy from behind, with the hind legs so active that they seem to jump off the ground. The few times that I saw Mr. Schmacher ride were a great treat, as he is amazing in his skill and finesse. I will miss seeing such fine riding and lovely horses on a daily basis to remind me of what I am striving towards, and now I realize how important it is to have an accomplished role model to emulate, and not just once in a great while! Perhaps the most dramatic display of obedience, strength and engagement was the time that Silvano was being schooled by Ellen with Mr. Schumacher on the ground. To my utter amazement, Silvano passaged to piaffe to reinback in piaffe to passage without losing rhythm or energy. I was speechless to say the least....OK, well maybe in my next life..... I want to thank the resident students and instructors at Neuhof who extended themselves to help me with the mundane (laundry and groceries), as well as with the essential (my riding). A sincere thanks to: Anja, who was so patient with the language barrier and my many questions, (I now have many excruciating exercises for my students to improve their position!); Emma, for sharing her knowledge about how to position my legs, and providing a new perspective on riding and life in general; Steffi, for being a kind and willing volunteer when I needed a student to teach; Claudia, who generously took care of the many details that required translation, (and there were a lot of them!); and of course Mr. Schumacher, who was not only extremely generous with his expertise, but cordial and charming as well. |
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