AIKEN DAY 2: A lesson with one of the Greats

AIKEN DAY 2: TUESDAY

We had an easy morning after feeding the boys in the morning. So we (naturally) found ourselves exploring some of Aiken and accidentally wound up in a couple of tack stores. And by accidentally I mean we googled locations and found they were mere miles from another another.

I didn't do too much damage but did get a bucket hanger, socks, a ground feeder because I forgot one, and polos. Aiken Tack Exchange was probably my favorite. They had a massive warehouse of used tack. You name it, they probably had it.

The Alley in downtown Aiken

We also hit up Dover later in the week, and drove by a FITS outlet store which I did not dare go in.

Clearly, the equestrians are a HUGE part of the economy down here. It is fantastic!

It was also not uncommon to see horse trailer traffic anywhere you went. Horses and riders skip around farm to farm and you can get anywhere in about 15 minutes.

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Three of us had lessons with JS in the early afternoon. Hampton and I were up first, and I WISH I had a way to write down everything he said to us as he was saying it. It was such valuable information, such thoughtful theory on his understanding of the horse as an animal.

He had a very calm, thoughtful approach to training and thinking your way through issues. Also, he was adorably profain. Hampton worked his ass off. Jumping Branch did not have a "real" dressage ring, so we just rode out in the field which was a great change of pace. That's something I wouldn't do at home, because the ground is often hard, rutted, or too damn muddy. But the ground in Aiken is this lovely sand, so even out on the grass it was nice footing and Hampton had no issues with it.

We worked a lot on helping Hampton to really rotate his pelvis under and bend his hocks. It it more difficult for him that other horses because his front legs are a tick shorter than his hind legs, making him perpetually croup-high. This conformation is very desirable for horses who gallop as a career. But, in the words of JS: "It is a dressage conundrum."

Horses "pull" three ways. (And technically, horses do not pull at all. they push at the bit. They push the breast collar of a harness, etc.)

1) Outward - this is ok, and many times desirable depending on your horse and what you are doing.
2) Upward - also at times not a problem. You can work with it.
3) Down. The worst of the three. Guess which one Hampton does. lol.

Riding in short sleeves was glorious!

We schooled quite a bit of haunches in at the canter on a big circle as well. Using this positioning to force Hampton to balance himself. Then, I rev the engine with my seat ("Push at him") and inside leg. of he tips down, he gets either a down transition or back into haunches in. A lot of this was very complimentary from what I worked on with Lauren a couple of months ago. If he tips down, drop him and then say 'No sir" and correct. Do not keep halt halting and trying to lift him up. You cannot raise the forehand. But you CAN lower the croup.

Here are some other tidbits collected from lessons with JS both from my lesson and from the others in the group (which included a couple of young OTTBs with some normal young OTTB issues):

• What is work? different for each horse. You could lunge for an hour and horse could not be tired. So, that's not work for him.
• Contact is long term dialogue with the bit
• Work out the tension, don't try to "relax it." make the tension muscles tired. Does not make horse's more fit, make them learn to use the right muscles
• The witching hour: dusk. When wildlife come out. Horses might be more difficult to ride 
• Down transitions are proof of your collection over time
• Put all your eggs in the up transitions at first
• Jigging is avoidance of the work
• Treat tense, spooky horse like a criminal. Ask them "Oh yeah? what are you avoiding?'
• The walk is proof of your training
• "As far as my work goes, if my work doesn't create relaxation, then my work is wrong"
• Teach walk to canter on a 10m circle. If horse trots, keep him on the circle. When he canters go straight.
• Rider controls the tempo
• Horse's back should be like a guitar string. Not too floppy (or you cannot sit on it), but with some positive tension. 

There was also a lot of advice on how we all need to stop making excuses.

Listening to one of the greats. He had all the eventers looking super!

All of us make excuses for our horses.

"Oh my horse can't show at this showgrounds. He doesn't like it here. He spooks here" etc

"Oh I'm going to avoid this arena because Red spooks/bolts/bucks here."

"Oh his back hurts so that's probably why he is sucked back so I will stop riding now"
"Oh he doesn't like this bit/saddle/girth/saddle pad/footing/side of the arena/star alignment"

I loved his no bullshit approach. Quite making excuses. Your horse should do what you ask really no matter what (within his skill level of course). 

THEN second guess yourself after the day's ride. Reevaluate after the ride.

Don't back off mid ride with an excuse  This creates spoiled horses and behavioral issues. I just LOVED LOVED LOVED this. We all need reminded at times.

Royale and Liz rode during the witching hour and Royale was a star!

We were all tired and yet fired up after our lessons. So inspiring to have instruction from such a world class trainer. He was easily one of the most intelligent trainers I have ever taken a lesson with. His theory made sense, and was so thoughtful and methodical. He really understands the horse both on an emotional level, and a biomechanic level. He never was upset or bothered by mistakes by either horse or rider.

After our rides we went to an AMAZING place to eat: Takosushi! Highly recommend and that is coming from me - a total food weirdo.

And of course the evening was topped off with more booze. :)