Organisation is key

I was reminded recently that we only regret the rides we didn't do. Last December I was sitting in my kitchen in the haze of a migraine anxiously aware of the ticking clock and the deadline of my training session. It was not really a question of sucking it up and getting a move on rather I was trying to streamline my thoughts to a cohesive action plan that would make it possible to drive to the horse box hire company, return, pack and load and arrive at training in good time to present myself and my horse. I knew I had to wipe all thoughts worries and anxieties from my pounding head if I had any chance of being on time and being in the zone to learn and improve. 

One step at a time I reviewed the challenge and we hit the road. Smooth turn around some 50 minutes later and on the return journey I thought about packing the gear and loading my horse. We were all aboard in under ten minutes, largely because all my gear and my horses essentials for travel are packed into bags. I did not even need to check the contents as since I discovered Kitbrix my gear has been ready when I am. So now the journey to training. I taped my wrist and concentrated on thinking about tacking up and riding into the arena on time. I did not allow any of my usual brain chatter room as the headache was all consuming. 

This turned out to be one of the best training sessions I have ever experienced, I arrived calm and followed my coaches plan and suggestions and a break through riding the canter half pass pattern from M75 gave me the best moment in the saddle ever. I felt the ease of the movement, I realised we would hit our marker in balance and with a good rhythm as we crossed the 3/4 line. I grinned at Emile I felt overwhelming pride and happiness and in that moment Jack looked back at me and shared the most incredible connection I have ever felt. I will never forget that moment or what it took to get there. We went home happy, my headache an irrelevance and the memory of riding through, of being oranised enough to cope is a lesson I hold on to.

The Last Ride

I saw a pin reading "Please God let me never know when is my last ride". It resonated as I recalled the joy of my last training session with Emile Faurie in January when Caviera Bedding visited to take photos behind the scenes. It was a memorable session with Jack and I wearing borrowed tack and taking a little time to adjust. The tension was largely mine and as we warmed up the familiar routine and exercises allowed me to focus on the quality of the work Jack and I were producing and to delight in the feeling of connection that Emile had taught me to recognise and develop over the past year. 

There was a moment when suddenly the top end of the school appeared caught in a wave and a noisy ripple of sound and a shaking mirror rolled towards us. I thought a large plane must have appeared in our sky overhead and turned in confusion to Emile, Jack and I had frozen for a moment not knowing which way to turn. In the moment before Jack might have bolted Emile said relax and ride forwards (always forwards!) and Jack responded to my mind before I had put my leg on and was responsive to my next half halt allowing us to resume our rhythm and continue with the exercise. I was delighted and the scary moment passed. I did not think about it until later when I heard of the earthquake activity and remembered that it had felt similar to tremors in New Zealand. That moment really sums up for me what it is to ride in the moment, to move on to the next job and to be at one with your horse. Encouraging and maintaining a connection not only for safety and sanity but for the sheer joy of feeling the paces become expressive and adaptable. It is a feeling of security, of time dilation to steel the cliche it's a harmonious partnership. That sense of working harder than you thought possible to do very little and to share each footfall. Words fail me to describe such a partnership and explain how I reached that level of dressage except to say that Emile gave me the gift of understanding Jack that celebrated and built on the years we had spent learning about dressage together.  

Summertime at HQ

During the Spring I completed the 100 Happy Days Challenge with Twitter and I still make a point of celebrating - I have a lot of positivity at the moment having recently moved to a new base and home with five star facilities for horses and humans. Mind set and environment are both important factors in improving performance. I am proud to report that Jack and I have qualified again for the Elementary Freestyle Regionals and posted a personal best in M73 of 69.4% and training is on track with the help of Emile Faurie.
The Solitaire Horses have settled into their routine and enjoy the gentle buzz of the yard as horses are produced for sport and leisure. The stables overlook the arena and I often have an interested audience as I'm coaching. The season is in full swing and we are planning for the Autumn with a demonstration at Your Horse Live to deliver.
Meanwhile we have a full schedule of clinics and workshops in the diary and look forward to helping the Solitaire Riders enjoy the Summer.