On Thu, May 24, 2007 at 12:49:40PM -0400, Karen Thomas wrote: > I get so darned tired of what I see promoted as "dressage" in Icelandic > circles. I just haven't seen any riding of this caliber - focusing on the > BASICS - from any Icelander clinicians.
well, they're not icelandic ethnically, but i'd have to say that lucile bump and roo grubis just put on a fine clinic on the basics for icelandic horses. it basically revolutionized my riding and teaching, by making me *attend* to some real basics (keeping my body vertically balanced, using my reins in a way more comfortable and communicative with my horse). my ethnically-icelandic instructor, ebba salvor, has done a few one-day clinics in new hampshire, and hopes to do more in the future. i haven't attended her clinics, but her lessons are again all about basics -- in my case, these days, flexibility and relaxation, and good turns and transitions. we spend a lot of time steering around cones courses, same as i do with my beginner students. just my tuppence and experience :) > I don't know that I'd put Jane, Lynn or Stacy on a pedestal - I certainly am > not saying that any of them are perfect. (Is any clinician...?) I don't > know that I'll do everything like they do especially since my horses aren't > built like theirs, I don't really have the same goals, etc. But, what I see > in them are good, extremely competent riders who understand the folly of > taking shortcuts - in riding, training, anything to do with our horses. > They are certainly all great role models, and people we can all learn a lot > from. words of wisdom, and please apply to above as well. > How often do we see a clinic that is ONLY led by prominent women? ...interesting point. all the folks i mention above are women. but for that matter, about half the riders in the clinic were men, so... ? > but by golly, I think more of our women clinicians need recognition too. (in fact the only other "clinic" i've ever been to was a retreat at sam morrison's farm, and she's a woman, too. guess my feminism has reached my subconscious when it comes to planning my riding education...) --vicka
