Horse Expo

I'm sitting waiting for Theatre Equus to begin so I thought I'd write some quick notes on some of the clinics I saw today at the horse expo.

First I watched the trainers from the Ex Racehorse Trainers Challenge. I saw them in MD 5 weeks ago. There, three trainers picked one of four fresh off the track thoroughbreds and took them home for five weeks. Here at the PA expo, they are to show what they have accomplished with these horses in those 5 weeks. It was very refreshing to watch these professional trainers. It helped reassure me that the way I have been working with the horse and pony projects at Knights Landing is correct and appropriate. None of the trainers achieved any miracles in 5 weeks. Their horses now walk, trot and canter calmly, but still have some nerves or crookedness and moments of frustration. They can jump small crossrails but the trainers aren't pushing them for more height or coursework yet for the sake of a good show...they are working them at a pace appropriate for each horses personality and progress. They are working primarily on relaxation and understanding on the flat, knowing full well that it will pay off greatly over fences down the road if they put in the patient flatwork now. I was very glad to be able to watch professionals handle the same types of horses i ride in a fashion very similar to my own. Makes me feel like I know what I'm doing :)

I also got to watch a clinic with Jim Wofford on perfecting the horses jumping abilities...and guess what ladies...they did GRIDWORK (see...I'm NOT crazy when I say GRIDWORK leads to good coursework!) it was also very refreshing to hear him comment on the importance of correct, relaxed flatwork BEFORE jumping (again...I'm not crazy when I emphasize flatwork!!!) you can't have a good jump out of poor flatwork. You can make it over the fences, but the ride will not be fun, easy or comfortable. He ALSO said another thing I've been telling a lot of my students lately...let the horse jump! It's the horses job to jump, your job is to present the jump well and then say centered and unhindering over his back.

It was so very very good to see and hear a lot of things that I've been doing or saying when riding and teaching. I hope some of you get a chance to go to the expo...watch Jim Wofford and the ex racehorse trainers challenge for sure. Oh, and stop by the Painting Pony booth and meet Minnow, a Chincoteague pony I used to ride when I was little! Watch him paint and look at his cool paintings. I have one...I actually sent his owner a picture of my tb Louie after he passed away, and she set it beside Minnows easel so he could paint a picture of Louie for me :)

Have fun! If it's windy tomorrow I may just come back!