|
<< previous page
2005 LUCINDA GREEN CLINIC REPORT
 photos courtesy of Ken Rye This year's clinic, hosted at the fabulous facility of Dreamcrest in Port Perry, ON, fell on a super-hot weekend. Lucinda was happy – she does seem
to love the sun and the heat. The clinic format afforded the horses a breather in between exercises and the riders were plied with water throughout the day to keep them going, but it was
a scorcher! On the first day, held in the large show jumping ring, Lucinda started each session by asking a few questions of the riders to assess the capabilities of the horse/rider pairs and then
watched the riders warm up in trot over a variety of small obstacles scattered around the ring. Next she called all the riders in to review her objectives for the session. Lucinda, preceded by
her reputation as 3-time World Champion, has spent many years now teaching the basic ingredients of safe cross-country riding. She firmly believes that we need to practice getting out of
sticky situations, and the way to do this is in the show jumping ring by setting a series of questions of our horses over low obstacles. These questions include arrowheads, skinnies, and liverpools in lines of
varying distances and broken lines, where anything can happen. She maintains that if the rider controls the horse's Engine, Line and Balance appropriately, then the horse will be able to jump just about
anything from just about anywhere. She also believes that it's important for both the horse and rider to know what it's going to feel like to meet a fence "all wrong" and practice skills that help us cope
when it happens. She also feels that it's important that the horse/rider practice approaching tricky situations in trot to give the horse more time to assess the situation, and the rider more time to react.
In fact one of her exercises involved jumping a single fence from walk. The objective of the exercise was to maintain the walk and use the leg aids to generate impulsion and encourage a proper jumping
effort. Lucinda describes the technique of wrapping the legs round the horse as creating a Tube through which the horse is pushed. The amount of push is dictated by the horse's need and the
question involved. This is all part of the rider's responsibility of maintaining the Engine, and is key to maintaining the Line
while lots of things are happening quickly – you become less reliant on the reins if your Tube is working effectively. The exercises were built up steadily. Starting with a pair of head-to-head arrowheads, the horses
trotted back and forth over them until they were confident of the questions being asked. Lucinda insisted that riders maintain the Line - no turning away (she would lower the fence if needed); use the Tube
to avoid run-outs (and always turn the horse back in the opposite direction if he does run out). The horse must learn to go straight and forward – and these rules reinforce that in a positive way.
She also insisted that the rider manage the Engine – all exercises were in trot, coming back to trot between fences, and halting at the end of the line. This kind of control is key to riding safely – the
rider must be able to control speed at any point in time. Some riders had to be very firm with their horses a few times ("I want to see teeth on the floor if he doesn't listen", Lucinda insisted), but all of
the horses and riders were able to achieve it. Then skinny fences were included on the line
between the arrowheads. Lucinda doesn't measure out strides – although I'm sure she has a very good eye – she insists that horses must cope when they arrive at a fence a little long or a
little short. She uses these exercises to prove that if the rider maintains a good Engine and good Balance, the horses can adjust their stride quite well to negotiate the obstacles safely – and
this is something they must practice to get them ready for cross country. Finally, a Liverpool was added to the line between the skinnies. Some horses needed to practice walking over the
Liverpool on its own first. Lucinda pointed out that it was important the horse get confidence from approaching such things at walk and being allowed to "think" about it while the rider maintains a strong Tube
to keep the Line and adequate Engine.
All riders, at all levels, rode this exercise and were able to negotiate it confidently and in control before
Lucinda included some course work. The courses included difficult lines and turns that required a lot of rider control, over arrowheads, skinnies, coffins (made with show jumps and liverpools) and a few
oxers, but the riders made it all seem quite effortless with their improved control and safety. On Sunday, the riders ventured into the "short course" ring to practise using their newly learned
techniques over cross-country fences. Lucinda started by having the groups walk back and forth over ditches, paddling in the water and trotting up and down banks. Soon arrowheads and skinny show
jumps were added before and after the banks and other obstacles on offer. Lucinda built up courses, then the riders confidently approached them and safely negotiated them. Riders were thrilled with
what they could achieve and all the horses were really pleased with themselves! What a great clinic!! Thanks to all at Dreamcrest for providing their facility to us once again. |
|
