Jenny Rolfe - Naturally Classical Dressage Training using subtle aids such as breath energy and body language to build a connection of trust with your horse.
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Here I just want to talk about body balance and how we need to focus on being centred through our hips- core-and centred upper body alignment. If we twist and turn by levering with our arms or if we become too tight in our arms we can lose the flexibility through our centred body.
I show how to release and flow from the inside hip and leg- I over COOK it--- in other words I OVER ride to try and demonstrate how you can use your core.
As the inside hind leg comes through, encourage this step to engage with a soft inside hip- this allows the circle to continue in good self carriage and balance. You can breathe into the inside hip which helps the release.
Watch the horse move - Hips and shoulders swing from one side to the other- our hips need to allow the same flexibility ( as if you are walking on the ground- try this- swing your hips and feel the motion through your spine and allow this through your shoulders.)
This clip shows the circle BUT also every lateral step has an ebb and flow - the hind leg comes through then there is a point where balance changes- you have stability- then mobility- the tranference of energy and balance - the bringing together of energy followed by energy release .
This is where you can tune in with breathing to assist the ebb and flow---
Much much more to come next year from Portugal- we have new horses- new students- new discoveries through our training. We will bring to you new experiences- problems and how we work with new responses and different horses- we will look at all levels of training- but ensuring the basics are well understood.
When we can gain calm responses in balance , with suppleness and lightness then we are well on the way to introducing new movements. The lateral exercises in walk can then be performed in trot and canter- forming the balance for the half pass, pirouettes, flying changes so looking forward to you joining with us on our journey in Portugal best wishes Jennyx
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Here you can see Charlie riding Auntie and trying to trust his breathing rather than a stronger contact on the reins. I ask Charlie to use his centre to turn her- by making small turns with his core and upper body he will be telling Auntie in a balanced way- the direction to turn. As a rider it we focus on turning from our arms- we tend to block our main trunk, core and balance which only gives mixed aids to the horse.
You may notice how connected Auntie is to me- she likes to come right over to see me and I have ask Charlie to take charge!!!! and place her in the direction He would like her to go.
You will notice Charlie relaxing into this new way of riding- not at first but you can see his progress in quite a short time. This relaxed connection is great for Charlie and very good for Auntie too as it builds mutual confidence-- I enjoyed this work very much- thanks to Charlie!!
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This initial lesson with Jane is to establish the more subtle connection- a focus on breathing- and the core and balance to instigate changes.
I ask Jane to soften through her arms- relaxed shoulders- weighted elbows - and relaxed soft forearms. the feeling is like floating on water- soft wrists and hands- All of us are driven each day by using our hands to enpower us. Then we sit on the horse and can stay with this hand dominant feel. Through conscious body awareness (my Top to Toe) and deeper breathing we can make positive changes.
It takes time for our body to re learn these skills- so here we go for the softness- for horse and rider--- there will be more videos to follow with Jane --
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INTRODUCING LATERAL SUPPLENESS - using EXERCISES OVER THE POLES.
The work in hand exercises around the square have proved to be helpful so in future videos we will help you to progress through your Classical training with focus and calmness. Here we begin ridden exercises to gain more synchrony on the path towards more balance and collection. I am trying to keep Red steady but he does like to 'get going' being rather impatient and high energy- which actually I love !
We try to gain cadence when the walk has sufficient energy- BUT without rushing forward. Here you will see I try to steady him if he rushes with a deeper inhalation - so he tunes in with my controlled breathing- we can learn to synchronise. If I feel his high energy building I will ride forwards into a trot around the poles maybe more collected or more relaxed and deep. I try to keep Red softened into each new inside bend as we ring the changes of direction.
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Just a chat here, as I speak with Jane as she introduces her Spanish Gelding Willy. Jane has much experience in Classical Training and she is a Trainer herself - always willing to open more doors for learning-- I believe all of us who teach- need to stay within this evolving process for learning- and personal growth. The first ridden video is here this month too, with more to come with Jane and Willy-
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