CONNECTED RIDING LESSON

with Trisha Wren

(see the full lesson in photos, HERE)

Background
Nicola Durrant of Birkenhead won a 2 hour session with Trisha by entering the “Saddle Up” ‘Win A Lesson’ competition in May 2006. Nic didn’t start riding until she was 43, so is still a fairly ‘green’ rider. She’s had her horse ‘Lily’ for about 3 ½ years, and they attend North Shore Adult Riding Club. Nic brought the horse for her beautiful temperament and she feels very safe on her. Rising eight years, Lily is herself fairly green and Nic feels some of the challenges she faces with her are due to the green rider and green horse combination. Although Lily is wonderful to hack out and loves to jump, Nic feels that the pair of them tend to get a ‘bit frustrated’ with their flatwork. “The main object of this lesson for me is to work on getting a softer and rounder outline from Lily,” says Nic. “Some day we’d love to enter a few small dressage competitions.”

The Lesson
I had Nic ride first as she normally would for 5-10 minutes, asking her to observe what she was feeling in terms of attention, softness, outline and engagement. Lily was tight through her neck and back, and showing little bend or engagement. I then had someone lead Nic with her eyes closed, asking her to feel how both her body and Lily’s were moving. Nic felt quite wobbly, and couldn’t really tell how Lily was moving.

BEFORE: note Nic looking down, straight arms, closed thighs, only toes in stirrups, and tense horse

I then took Lily and did some simple body awareness and releasing exercises with her, including some walking, to introduce her to moving more freely and using her body more productively. With Nic I also did some posture and balance exercises - showing her how much they affect not just herself but also her communication with her horse - then balanced her position in the saddle.

When the pair rode the second time Lily was visibly more relaxed and her movement more subtle. “Before the body exercises on me, I hadn’t realised how insecure my riding position was! However, in the ‘after’ position I could feel more through the saddle and I was sensitive to where each of her legs was moving. It certainly helped me feel more in tune with where we were going, but most importantly for me, I felt ‘glued’ to the saddle,” said Nic. 

AFTER: Nic looking up and ahead, soft bend in the elbows, level pelvis and soft inner thigh, ball of foot on stirrup tread, relaxed horse.

I then coached Nic on how to use her body when mounted, so that Lily moved easily and softly with her.

“The lesson was fantastic,” says Nic. “I really, really enjoyed it and have picked up so much about how important my position as rider is to how my horse moves. The ground work exercises were very simple but had a dramatic affect on Lily, and the benefit of doing them before riding was clear.  It was good to be able to connect with my horse using such simple techniques that were enjoyable for both of us. ”

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©Trisha Wren June 06

as printed in: The Organic Equine magazine (July 2006)
Additional photos taken from ‘Saddle Up’ article, 29 June 2006