With all the Trainers, Clinics, Offers, Tack, Classes, Medicines, Tricks and Cures that are out there for the Equestrian these days, it is easy to get confused and overwhelmed! At least, this is true for me. Of course, we all want to be the best Riders we can be and we all want nothing but the best for our equine Partner! The best, can very often turn out to be, very expensive, and sometime less then second best! So for two years, I went on a search for a good Trainer. And at my age, ( I am 45), I not only look for knowledge and know how, but personality, character, life experience, compassion, drive ( not over drive) etc. I look at the whole person! I came across some wonderful Trainer, sweet, knowledgeable…..but something was always missing, until I met Cathy Fox, Assistant Trainer to the wonderful Tom Poulin, at Pine Knoll Farm! There it was. A match made in heaven! I know she cares about each and every horse and rider combination she has in front of her. I know me and my Horse will get the best she has to give, for the hour that we will spent in that arena. But, not being able to take my Trainer home with me, I have to spend a lot of time, riding on my own, and by myself. And even though, I am not a beginner rider any more, the more I ride by myself, the more little “habits”, start creeping their way into your seat. I was a firm believer, that only riding can teach you how to ride! I will not spend my hard earned money on “nonsense”! Well…. Yesterday, I returned from my “second home” Pine Knoll Farm, and a KDA sponsored clinic I attended there, with Cathy and Karin Glassman. I had my lesson with Cathy and now it was time for Karen to introduce me to “Harmony”. “Well, let’s see where this is going!”, I thought to myself, as I, not very gracefully, wrangled my way up onto Harmony’s back. Right away, “Harmony” was high in the front and low in the back, and I remember making a comment about her “uphill” built. Little did I know that, me sitting to far back in the saddle, was the reason for Harmony’s position. And after some corrections and centering, Harmony leveled right out! ( Aha Moment # 1) Now I’m intrigued! After watching you ride, Karin says to me, I noticed, that you sit a bit more to the left, and we have to get you more to the right. After a couple of exercises and some rebalancing, I find myself sitting, what seems to me, way too far over to the right. “Now, you are centered!” “No way!”, I say “Oh way!” is the crowed behind me cheering! And Harmony agrees! She is steady and level. ( Aha Moment # 2) And the Aha Moments kept on coming! Karin gave me neat little visuals, to make it easier to remind myself, and self check my position. Another wonderful tool, to take home with me and help me with my daily rides and with my daily quest, of becoming the best Horsewoman I can be. There is however one critic! And this one is to me! Why didn’t I do this sooner! But a mistake is only a mistake, if you do not learn from it! And I intend to make this a regular part of my Training from now on. I am very excited about this opportunity, and just had to share this with my fellow Horse enthusiasts! I hope to run into some of you at Pine Knoll, until then Happy Trails!
Karin Glassman