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Connected work improves everything we do with horses.
It takes us from a language of concepts, to sensations of feel.
Our cover photo:
Carlita Picard's Roxi, all dressed up for Carlita's wedding-on-horseback. See Carlita's story below for more photos.
Editor's Note:
This theme presented itself as I was arranging information for the newsletter. I hope you enjoy the diversity of Connections we share.
xo,
Judy Good
PS - Speaking of Connections, did you know Peggy was born on the Summer Solstice? June 21st ! Be sure to go to Facebook and say...
H
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: )
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Calendar:
From Kay & Peggy 1
From Susan 2
Collegu
e
Connections
What's Hot 3
From Carlita 4
Family
Connections
From Germany 5
Friend
Connections
From Sue 6
Horse
Connections
From Karen 7
Tandem
Connections
Donate 8
Teacher
Connections
Past Newsletters
Notice Yourself
Teacher's Tip
Teacher's Lounge
NW Horse Expo
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Let your hand and wrist feel loose and shake it out. It should feel like all the joints can move easily.
Now try doing that with your "pinky" finger tightened. What changed? When one joint tightens, it influences the rest of the body and causes bracing. This commonly happens in a rider's ankle joint, especially if they have taken the idea of "heels down" to heart. Finding a level, buoyant foot helps to reduce bracing in the rider and the horse.
Feel the difference and have a friend place their hands on your foot where the stirrup iron would be (see the photo). Think "heels down" and have your friend gently pulse their hand up and down. How easily does the movement travel?
Now allow your iron (your friend's hand) to sit just behind the ball of your foot and think "level foot." Have your friend gently pulse. What changed in the movement? For many people the movement now moves effortlessly with a subtle "treadle" motion in the ankle joint. Allowing for this tiny movement is just one of the many ways Connected Riding can help you reduce bracing and become a rider that works with the horse's movement instead of blocking it.
If you ride horses (any discipline or level) please consider this, and look at principles of Connected Riding work. Horses and riders will find freedom and let go of bracing and holding. Effective use of the body (human & equine) brings about longevity (lessons stress on joints) and safety (through being in balance).
Exhilarating to see...
I was recently teaching a clinic in the U.K. in May, and noticed there were times it was too much work for riders to focus on their own position when learning Connection, while monitoring the balance of their horses. Adding tandem groundwork with two people, helping the horse to come through allows the rider to experience what is possible when the horse is connected and balanced under her.
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MelĆn at the head, Kay Giblet trotting in tandem- This work has really helped him engage his hind legs and telescope his neck.
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In Spain, Melin's horse, Mejorano, is her school-master and had been ridden "base down" for many years. Over the past four years she has been "re-sculpting" his body posture, and the tandem work re-energizes his stride with lightness and rhythm without the weight of the rider. The stallion was experiencing his body in a different way and I was exhilarated to see how this carried through in the ridden work following this tandem session.
1.
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Colleague
C
ONNECTIONS
Help us help more people
learn this for their horses!!
A couple of weeks ago, I was going with Peggy to a local lesson day, and had planned to stay for just a couple of the morning lessons. Eight lessons later, I was still at the arena with Peggy, as she wrapped up a "long day at the office"! I stayed because
I was captivated (again) by not only Peggy's elegant craft in action, I was taken by the consistency of the work flowing through her that transformed horse and rider hour after hour in the same way.
the horses that came in were horses that were former competitors that had been "rehabbing" from the training methods they had endured to the detriment of their bodies and function. They, fortunately, are with a trainer now, who knows how to take the time and do the work to bring them back to being functional, happier, solid citizens. Each one responded well to having more Connection added to their repertoire, as each one became more aware, connected, and functional in their movement.
That is the power of Connection, and is the "why" Peggy, I, and all of those who teach this work get out of bed each morning! This work offers horses and their partners a functional, effective opportunity to work together, both improving through the physical transformation of working together in Connection.
This day recommitted me to shouting from the rooftops, "help us help more people to learn this for their horses!!"
We need more people who
are trained to teach this work,
as we have a great teaching staff worldwide, and
we need more skilled riding instructors
to meet the need and demand for this work...
And, that is why I asked in our last newsletter for your help.
A big thank you, to those of you who sent in contributions.
The School needs to continue building a healthy financial foundation to fund educational scholarships for riding instructors and riders to learn this work and help others to do the same. We, also, are seeking riding instructors who would like to be trained in this work. If you would like more information about our instructor training program,
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"We need more skilled riding instructors to meet the need and demand for this work!"
A big thank you, to those of you who sent
contributions!
We have
already awarded
several
scholarships
to teachers and riders! We
couldn't have done it without your support, we all thank you!
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Click on the flyer to go to a "Connected Pathway's" document.
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What's Hot!!
Visit the
website for current information on upcoming events.
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3.
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Carlita
Picard
Blue level
Connected RidingĀ® practitioner
in Germany
Carlita Picard has been serving as the liaison between the German practitioners, and others in Europe, and the U.S. Connected Riding office. Her belief in Connected Riding, her leadership and communication skills, and her fun and caring nature has made working with her a joy and a huge support to the organization. Carlita has earned the respect of her peers by her service to them and we are all in her debt.
Carlita is not only a Connected Riding practitioner, she, as a little girl, grew up through the Angie program, a Tellington Touch horse program. Carlita offers TTEAM Connect, using both TTeam and Connected Riding methods to help horses and their owners be better and happier partners. Carlita and her horse, Roxy, enjoy working on their Dressage skills together and are on the "A" team of our Connected Riding German riding group.
And, yes, Carlita got married on horseback last year.
Congratulations!
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The Journey to Connection...as a Group
Here is a group of riders enjoying a "Connected Quadrille" on a range of breeds and genders, including a stallion. All of these horses and riders have come a long way on their journey of "Connection" and continue to learn and develop in wonderful ways.
From left to right:
Sabine Hartwich on Kvistur (icelandic)
Petra Sackschewski on Jumper (warmblood stallion)
Steffi Sackschewski on Lavanda(PRE mare)
Steffi Schleupen onWindesi (warmblood gelding)
5.
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Horse
Classico
&
Sue Falkner-March
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This is Classico- Andalusian/appy cross. 22 in these pictures.
He pulled a tendon several years before these pictures, and after he appeared sound he still seemed reluctant to go.
I spent a season encouraging him forward with Connected riding ideas and treats for trying. Peggy encouraged me to do lots of draw the bow etc. He ended up willing to move! I had pretty much given up on riding him again. Peggy sees him once a year and always has great layers to add! Sue
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Two heads, well three in this case, really are better than one
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by Karen Cheeke
CR Practitioner in Oregon
Tandem groundwork is routinely used in Connected Riding to help achieve better awareness, feel and connection. The second handler gently influenced different parts of the horse's body, without creating any bracing or tension.
As the leader or rider it is amazing to feel how the horse will immediately respond to input by telescoping the neck, articulating more through the hocks and generally working in a balanced, more functional posture.
Here Oregon Practitioner Karen Cheeke works with her Oldenburg mare, Ileana and Practitioner-in-Training Amber Varner, at the walk to help achieve more engagement and throughness in other gaits.
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Teacher Appreciation Donation
Have you felt gratitude, awe, surprise or relief...
f
rom a clinic, course, lesson, or bodywork from one of our Connected Riding teachers?
Consider expressing your appreciation by honoring her and sending a contribution in the name of a Connected Riding teacher you love and appreciate for support they have brought to you. We will send a note to them to let them know of your gift to the School. Your gift will turn the wheel of keeping this program growing and viable, to expand and reach more horses and riders, and those who support them through Connected Riding.
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