 |
 |
| This free photo slideshow made with Smilebox |
EDWARD GAL
When: September 18, 2010
Where: Gayla Driving Center, Georgetown, KY
Host: Team EnGaged
The above slideshow features the horse and rider combinations in the order in which they appeared. I only snuck in a couple of crappy cell phone photos when Edward was not teaching.
 |
| Gayla Driving Center was quite lovely. |
First ... let me say that Team Engaged knows how to put on a clinic. And not just any clinic, but a well-run, organized, professional, FUN and first class event. There were several sponsors on hand to answer questions (including Succeed and County Saddles). Lunch was yummy and plenty of water and gatorade were available - which was much appreciated after temps started to rise. I would not hesitate to audit another clinic by Team Engaged. And hopefully I will get to ride in one soon! I have read on a couple of message boards that some people thought the "rules" were a little strict. Such as no talking, no getting up from your chair when Edward was teaching, etc. But frankly, I felt it was just common courtesy and when you are hosting IMHO - the best in the world - people damn well better act and dress professionally. So that's my 2 cents. On to the rides!
**
Horse #1: This was a big, handsome black stallion with loads of movement.
Edward starting this pair with a warm up of forward and back at the walk and trot. The rider started out doing mostly circles and Edward pointed out that while circles are good for bending, they are not so good when you are focusing on the forward. So off she went on straight lines.
The stallion started out BTV, and pretty much stayed that way the entire ride. He had some changes in his neck and Edward wanting him to stay more consistent. They continued to work on forward and back - even all the way back to a "pony trot" - not passage - and then out. The goal was a quick hind leg. In addition, Edward felt the horse was not truly loose - he was merely avoiding the contact as the rider would try to supple the horse by using a lot of hand (she was not see-sawing or abusive, IMO, just a little too active up there).
The pair went on to try some working pirouettes, starting with putting the haunches in and turning the shoulders. As they went on to flying lead changes, the stallion wanted to take control and decide when and where to do the changes. So Edward had the rider do one change at the start of the diagonal, then another at the end. He emphasized that horses need waiting exercises - so they don't learn what's next. When they start doing the exercises on their own, you lose the control. That = bad. Edward also had the pair work on
forward through the changes, as the horse wanted to get a little wobbly and stuck at times. Finally, they tinkered with some piaffe work - working on trotting out of piaffe instead of walking. He had them trot down the rail, bending to the inside - just the neck, not shoulder in - and work on some staircase half-pass work. I was awed by the amazing crossover the stallion had - wowza! One of his strong points for sure. Edward closed by saying you should do much preparation for the exercises - but not actually do them. This way the horse is prepared, but doesn't anticipate.
**
Horse #2: A dark bay gelding, working approx. PSG
Talk about two VERY different combinations! This handsome gelding was far more common than the first stallion to go, but his rider was lovely and effective in her corrections. She took what Edward said and made the fix - clearly there to learn and absorb what she could. They worked on basics - like ride your corners every time so that it becomes second nature to you. Her horse also had a tendency to slow down without her request. She has been helping the horse frequently with her leg - which only made her leg less effective. So more forward and back for this pair.
In the single changes, the horse wanted to jump back to the rider, instead of jumping forward in the change. So Edward has them work with counter canter and extended canter to help develop that. They works on half pass too. I've heard different opinions on how you should sit in the half pass. Edward's take? Sit in the direction of the half pass.
**
 |
| Cute chestnut gelding in the clinic. |
Horse #3: Big moving, chestnut gelding. A little green?
I didn't catch the age or level of this guy, but he seemed just a little green yet and a little weird with the contact. He was BTV and seemed to like to hang in the bridle. During trot to canter transitions, he would frequently throw his head up. Edward said this is because he was not truly forward. So the rider needed to establish forward first, then ask for canter. When she did this, the head tossing did stop. If not, the gelding looked like he'd rather use his head and neck for the transition, not his hind end. He also needed to be more reactive to the leg and whip - at times he did not respond at all. Edward stressed that you don't need to worry about making your work nice or pretty until you have the
forward reaction. Are we seeing a theme yet? In any case, a really nice combination that just need more development.
**
Horse #4: Dark bay gelding, 7 years old, Third Level
This was by far my favorite pair of the clinic. Well matched, well schooled. The rider had impeccable posture and the horse was mannerly and quiet. While the horse had a quiet canter, Edward wanted it more forward - more bounding. So they worked on temp changes in counter canter (holy cow difficult but this rider nailed it). This horse had a tendency to do a little shuffle for the flying changed, instead of jumping into them, so Edward had them counter canter down the rail, and bend to the inside of the ring in preparation for the changes. Sometimes the horse changed anyway, but I think this gave the rider great homework to work on so that they can get out of that habit. They also worked some shoulder-in and of course - keep the forward. A real pleasure to watch these two!
**
 |
| Edward helping the last pair to go. |
Horse #5: Very dark bay gelding, working FEI
This was the same rider as Horse #1, this time with another big handsome horse. The first thing to strike me was that this horse looked stuck, or restricted somehow. His hind legs seemed to stab the ground, instead of overtracking. Edward starting them out with many temp changes, keeping the neck low and loose. He helped the rider teach the horse to give in to the reins, not just avoid the contact. Hold pressure on one rein until the horse gives and softens, then you relax, too. They worked some on passage - and I was a little annoyed by the rider's constant use of the whip. The horse barely even responded to it - and when she rode by I could see the stripes on his butt. Yes he was a big horse, but IMHO didn't really cover ground. He would flick his front toes out, as well which tells me there is tension somewhere in front of the saddle. But a handsome pair nonetheless who I think really benefited from Edward's instruction.
Overall I felt Edward was kind, intelligent and a true horseman. He worked on forward and the basics - nothing I haven't really heard before, but it really sinks in when you hear it from someone like him. It was truly an honor to watch him teach.
As a side note, he is also incredibly handsome!!!!
 |
| Edward getting interviewed by the radio station. |
