Trisha wren ~ Connect With Your Horse

Revolutionary Horse Riding Method Produces Euphoria

By Sue McKibbin
for the Warragul Gazette

Warragul RDA ran a very successful Connected Riding clinic with Trisha Wren from New Zealand last weekend (Aug 1-3 ’08). Riders from all over the state attended from as far away as Hastings, Ballan and Echuca and judged this revolutionary riding clinic as well worth travelling vast distances. After three incredible days nine happy riders departed, several of whom appeared to be floating home in a state of euphoria, ecstatic with the changes they had made in themselves and how beautifully and willingly their horses were performing. Riders of widely differing abilities and experience, enjoyed exploring and discovering for themselves an awareness of how their posture affected the freedom of their horse, either allowing the horse to move easily beneath them or totally blocking the horse’s legs and driving the horse “onto its forehand”. Using a combination of simulations on each other and actual work with their horses, riders could feel for themselves how tiny subtle changes in their own posture allowed the horse to carry itself in a balanced, freely moving, efficient way.

“When you’ve got it right - it feels right, some breakthroughs were achieved today!” said a delighted Steve Golding from Nar Nar Goon.
Leanne Taylor, from Echuca, said “It was worth traveling four and a half hours to attend this wonderful clinic”.
“I have to tell you, I booked in for the first day only and as an auditor just to check it out - but re-organised my weekend and stayed for the whole thing, quite cheesed off that I hadn't brought a horse! The improvements at all skill levels were just awesome. It was beautiful to see the results - beautifully balanced riders on happy dancing horses." enthused Jenny Pearce of Tanjil South, author of several books, including “Bobbie’s Diaries”.

“As a novice rider in her early 40’s who has just commenced riding lessons after more than 20 years out of the saddle I was concerned that I would not have the experience required to undertake the clinic and get benefit out of it” commented Simone Dalton of Warragul . “However I can assure you that this is just the clinic needed to improve a novice rider’s progress. Once I had found the Connected Riding position the sore thigh muscles which plagued me for days after a ride disappeared and have not returned, my posture and back strength is much improved which has made my progress quicker.

I am certain that if horses could verbalise they would be recommending all their equine friends to tell their owners to take them to a Connected Riding Clinic.”

Trisha Wren is planning to return in October and the originator of Connected Riding ™, Peggy Cummings, will be holding a clinic in February If you would like a chance to experience the thrills of discovery that these euphoric riders have made contact Trisha at www.trishawren.com or RDA Coach Sue McKibbin.

Clinic Feedback

As a novice rider in her early 40’s who has just commenced riding lessons after more than 20 years out of the saddle I was concerned that I would not have the experience required to undertake the clinic and get benefit out of it. It is often a “catch 22” situation where you can’t participate without experience but need to participate to gain experience.

However I can assure you that this is just the clinic needed to improve a novice rider’s progress and even better still without any pre-conceptions or ingrained habits it is easier to integrate the new found knowledge into your riding lessons.

Once I had found the connected riding position the sore thigh muscles which plagued me for days after a ride disappeared and have not returned, my posture and back strength is much improved which has made my progress quicker.

The cleverly designed floor exercises provide an eye-opening insight into what your horse is sensing and you would be amazed at the difference when the improved connection is made.

“Less is more” is a saying that most people understand but in some schools of thought in horsemanship we are told that if your horse gets bigger in his behaviour we need to get bigger too. As a passive gentle person I have struggled with this concept and if like me, you will be relieved to find that the techniques practiced are gentle, intelligent and non-confrontational whilst still getting the results – hallalulyah!

I am certain that if horses could verbalise they would be recommending all their equine friends to tell their owners to take them to a Connected Riding Clinic.
Simone Dalton

I've just spent the last three days at a Trisha Wren Connected Riding clinic in Warragul, auditing. I have to tell you, I booked in for the first day only and as an auditor just to check it out - but re- organised my weekend and stayed for the whole thing, quite cheesed off that I hadn't brought a horse!

Top stuff, excellent information, great teacher. I would recommend her to anyone - no matter how advanced - or what a great way for a beginner to start their riding position. Based on Peggy Cummings Connected Riding.

I got to catch up with three old students and friends (so enjoyed watching them!), met a bunch of people who had read Bobby's Diaries - how cool was that? and got some missing link stuff for my own riding when riding two reins and concentrated, learnt some excellent ground work preparing our horse for concentrated feel work and more ground work for increased flexibility generally.

We did some simulations experiencing being both horse and rider that absolutely blew my mind about what a horse is feeling when our posture is not OK and how EASY it all is in the right posture.

I can't recommend this too highly - just apply your communication and comfort zone stuff at the same time. It fits with this (my) work beautifully because it SERIOUSLY increases the horse's comfort!
Jenny Pearce

Thanks for the wonderful clinic I attended with you at Warragul at the start of this month. You will be pleased to hear Maddie is responding well to the ground exercises; I have found lots of areas which indicate tightness and little problems. Well the biggest break through from the clinic was my position - using the froggy legs my position has made riding so much more easier. I have tried out my old position and can’t understand how I ever rode like that before.Maddie is more forward and freer I see & feel improvement every day. I work every day at my own posture, and with exercises on the ground can pick up on tension very quickly and correct it.

I have enjoyed reading Peggy's books and use them for references daily. Have been working on the meet and melt find it hard at times - I was tending to release too much but once I practiced on the exercise ball with a reins around a door, I realized I was not melting very well or giving it away altogether, Maddie was not getting the melt or he was falling away if that makes sense.
 
Maddie is now coming to me in the paddock instead of running away wonder why???? Hope all is well and thanks again for the clinic and steering me on the right tack to happy riding.
Leanne Taylor