Updated 6 April 2010

SAMPLE FORMAT, 2-3 Day Connected Riding™ Foundation Clinic

The foundation clinic is very intensive; your brains will be bursting by the end! As well as your own sessions your learning is enhanced by watching the others, as often different situations arise with different horses and riders. Auditors are welcome - clinics are interactive, and you can learn as much by watching and asking questions as by bringing your own horse.

Below is a list of the topics covered in an introductory clinic. Content will vary according to numbers, issues presented, length of clinic etc.

Clinic Content

 

Introduction to Connected Riding. What is Connection? Demo with horse and rider, to show what improvements can be made to performance, engagement, elevation, behaviour etc. Groundwork demo, and / or ridden demo. Ground exercises for riders: learn more about your posture, balance, and communication with your horse. Understand what connection really is, and feel what your horse feels.Group sessions with your horse, learning the first groundwork exercises.Rider balancing (saddle horse): finding the correct position in the saddle The importance of independent legsTaking your new position to your horse - adding movementRidden sessions in your groups, putting it all together!Learning how to do rising trot in your new positionUnderstanding rein contact1-lining demo (Connected Lunging)

Future clinics would cover progressive groundwork, addressing the horse's self-carriage and suppleness, with riding becoming more advanced.

Introduction to Connected Riding, 1 day clinic:

People exercises, Groundwork, rider balancing, putting it together on your horse.

Intermediate Intensive, 1 day clinic (monthly, at Cassie's Farm):

Group groundwork session in the morning, group (or small groups) riding in the afternoon; possibly followed by a farm ride to put it into practice on different terrain.