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Post by jennyb on Apr 24, 2014 22:28:59 GMT 1
I've noticed that too and it really irritates me. Instructors just seem to use the word classical when they feel like it. And a riders position is really critical to the horse, sometimes a tiny adjustment to the rider can have a huge impact on the horse.
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Post by lisap on Apr 25, 2014 9:41:37 GMT 1
Generally speaking, you can tell a classically minded trainer as they usually have an excellent understanding of the anatomy and biomechanics of how the horse uses its body, and are very good at explaining why exercises are helpful in improving the posture and performance of the horse. They will also spend time working the horse in walk, as much to help the rider learn how to ride in a way that is fluid and not blocking. Any good classical trainer worth their salt will be obsessed with the rider's position. What this means for those of us who are definitely of the classical persuasion is that we attract clients who really want to improve their own riding and are prepared to spend time and money and do lots of practice to achieve those goals. Riders who are chasing the next rosette will generally not be interested in putting in the hard work required to improve their own riding, so we tend to have a fairly self-selecting group of clients. Interestingly, my competitive clients tend to be a lot further up the competitive tree as they understand just how important it is to keep developing their own seat. But every classical trainer will have their own particular approach. I'm working with a fantastic classical trainer at the moment who hardly does in hand work at all with his horses, preferring to train everything from the saddle and his horses are some of the most purely trained and beautifully schooled animals I've ever come across. He does not use his hands in any way shape or form like Philippe Karl encourages, and is anti-raising the hand at all. But equally, I have found the flexions that Baucher developed to be extremely helpful at times to work with certain horses, so there is no definite "right or Wrong" method of training. The thing we all have in common is our obsession with the seat of the rider. Hope that helps.
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Post by portiabuzz on Apr 25, 2014 9:47:40 GMT 1
we need more Lisa's and Jenny's
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Post by lisap on Apr 25, 2014 13:06:37 GMT 1
We are about, Portiabuzz, but so many good trainers prefer to stay under the radar, and have sufficient clients not to be needing to advertise their services. We have 22 Centered Riding instructors in England at present and all of us are trained to teach the seat to improve the horse, so it's worth asking Jenny or me if there is someone near you. I also know a few excellent instructors who are definitely classical in their approach. Frankly, if they are keen on rider position, and encourage the horse to work from behind, over the back and into an elastic contact then you won't go far wrong, no matter what they call themselves. Don't ignore the good old BHS either, about 50% of our CR instructors are also BHS instructors - as is our own JennyB, and my training was originally BHS back in the -ahem- 1970's!
For everyone who is struggling to find an instructor, go to your local listing of instructors from the BHS, and also talk to various yards to see who comes to teach there. It's then just a phone call to ask if you can watch a lesson. Any good instructor is more than happy to be observed. People come and watch me all the time and as long as my client is cool with it I'm very happy to be observed. If you like what you see then book a lesson.
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Post by antares on Apr 25, 2014 13:07:43 GMT 1
Lol yeah I need an Irish version...
Although I am very much looking forward to my lesson tomorrow with someone who does follow PK techniques although does use other techniques too I'm lead to believe
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Post by portiabuzz on Apr 25, 2014 13:51:31 GMT 1
thanks Lisa
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Post by holi on Apr 25, 2014 14:08:30 GMT 1
trouble is though Lisa if you live in a part of the country that seems to be totally devoid of instructors that are not only interested in competition results, what do you do? In 20 years of living here I have found one, maybe two who teach in this manner and one of those had to give up about 10 years ago as she couldn't attract clients as everyone wanted quick results!
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Post by portiabuzz on Apr 25, 2014 14:16:53 GMT 1
thinking of moving to Cheshire hehe
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Post by mollichop on Apr 26, 2014 8:40:31 GMT 1
Like like like
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Post by holi on Apr 27, 2014 13:49:38 GMT 1
actually going to hampshire soon - just as good
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Post by mjcssjw2 on Apr 27, 2014 20:28:05 GMT 1
Antares, if you thought it was working, get someone to video you and see how it looks. (There is always more than one way to skin a cat!) It wouldn't be my preferred way as I would be a little concerned that it could end up with the head swinging scenario, but you are away of this. I would be more inclined to try a light consistent contact and ride lots of turns and circles. I too find it difficult to find and expensive to use the 'classical' instructors.
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Post by antares on Apr 28, 2014 8:20:18 GMT 1
I've decided I dont really like this Sponging thing. Maybe I'm not fully understanding it or doing it correctly but for one, it feels very odd and I can see it turning into a habit that will take me forever to get out of.
For now I'm going to concentrate on other things like my position and I may then return too this at a later stage but may not.
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Post by antares on Apr 28, 2014 8:25:40 GMT 1
I too find it difficult to find and expensive to use the 'classical' instructors. I've finally found someone now who I'm happy with although she's a long distance from me but does lessons every 4-6 weeks at a yard about 60 miles away which I plan to attend whenever she is there. I learnt more in one session with this person than I have done the previous 5 yrs with various instructors! Expensive, yes but worth every penny in all honesty. I won't bother with the others now apart from one who is excellent as far as ring craft goes and very sympathetic when it comes to my sensitive horse
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Post by portiabuzz on Apr 28, 2014 11:01:38 GMT 1
good for you
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Post by portiabuzz on Apr 28, 2014 11:01:56 GMT 1
must be harder in Ireland I imagine?
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