Was delighted to go to a Pole Bending clinic this last Sunday. It was a two day clinic but we could only make it one day. Our friend Peggy was riding Shamy who is out of our mare and her parent’s stud. Of all the horses we have foaled she is probably the most athletic and fastest. I have her older full sister that I will be competing on this year. She is a shorter version of Shamy so it should be loads of fun (if I can stay on that is). It may be vain but I was filled with pride when I saw the clinician desire for one of the horses we had a hand in, honestly the stud and our mare had such good gets that it is sad when I think back on our mare and the studs last meeting........poor old boy had a heart attack while trying to get the job done with our mare. He died the next day. There were limited exposures to this stud but all of his gets had a fiery temperament, the will to run and the athletic ability to take their riders as far as they had talent for. The only exception I can think of is Legs my wife’s horse. He ended up being a true baby sitter but guess what he has more than enough speed to be competitive.........I know I found the fast gear riding him so I backed off for it will be there when the wife is ready if the grandkids don't get him first. :)
So back to the clinic..........Confusion abounds. Not because of what the clinician was teaching but that it is totally different than what I have been drilled on for years. For years it has been pick up the inside reign to keep the shoulder up and round the horse with the outside leg. At this clinic I felt more like I was back at English lessons. Hands down....ah 3 inches above the withers give or take a scosh. Use the inside leg to round the horse around your leg and the outside reign to frame the shoulder in. I've ridden both ways over the years so it will be fun to see if I remember some of my old training. The one major thing I picked up at the clinic is that I don't release once I get to my spot. Probably explains why at some point in the run the horse starts getting wound up and stops listening. How many times have I been told pressure release with the emphasis on RELEASE.
The barn is to envy over.... I have been told it is the best (fancy) barn in Montana. I haven't been to very many fancy barns but the attention to details was a real eye opener. Sorry I didn't have my camera with me but I'll include an aerial. Well I have a lot to try. Later
2 comments:
I used to take lessons from two trainers who showed in the same division but each rode differently. One was an inside leg outside rein man. The other was an outside leg inside rein woman. It was indeed confusing.
There are so many not wrong ways to do things with horses that I really have to remember which mode I'm in...............aw to much like work I think I'll go ride when I get home. :)
RR Thanks for the confirmation.
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