Thursday, March 4, 2010

Teaching at Thorncroft

Thoncroft Equestrian Center in Malvery, Pa., is truly an inspiring place.
By accessing their website or googling them, it is possible to view an impressive film about the place.

I am currently giving a Centered Riding Instructor's Update Clinic at Thorncroft. . I have ten CR instructors attending, with the requisite number of student riders and some auditors.

I had found before starting this clinic that I felt a bit tired from all of the driving that I have been doing, but as soon as I started teaching this clinic, all of the positive energy that I get from teaching returned.

I taught the instructors in two different sessions after a morning of introductions and groundwork. Then it was the Instructor's turn to teach. They teach in pairs-switching the principle instructor every other day.

For the most part the body work was very good, and all of the instructors have developed a good teaching "eye" that enables them to recognize what each individual student needs.

It was a long day. A few of the participants acttually drive 2 and a half hours each day one way, so that they can go home and care for their horses at home.. True dedication!

Monday, March 1, 2010

HI everyone!!

It has been an interesting trip for me on my way back to the great Northeast. My first stop was a farm in Tennessee where they raise, train, and sell Spotted Gaited horses. They have 150 of them and they are all well taken care of and very nice looking horses. The owner and his ancestors have had this huge farm for over 100 years.

I rode one of the stallions. Very tractable and just a lot of fun to work with. He was very soft, and it was relaly fun to ride the various gaits.
I am going back and we are trading knowledge........they want me helping them and I want to learn more about their gaited horses.

My clinic at Planeview Farm was great and I was impressed with Cristy Brown's knowledge of ground work, and all of the hard work she has put into building her farm.
Her clients were all wonderful students. They loved the Centered Riding exercises . It was a very cold, windy day but everyone hung in there and we did not stop talking and trading stories until almost 9 pm. I stayed with a lovely woman named Kay and her Foster dogs. She was a wonderful hostess.

Now I am in Maryland and Karen Brown, a CR Instructor, has been introducing me to neighborhood barns and I am getting to know her great mustangs. Karen has done all of the work herself.
More adventures tomorrow and the next week, and I will write about them.
I am giving a 4 day Centered Riding Update at Thorncroft this week. Jane at Abington Hills is looking after Hope, my wonder dog, for me.Once things settle a bit, I will be able to be there more often for lessons and training.