Finding Balance - Maeve Drew Clinic , Lanzelot Stables

Finding balance in our work, in our personal life and in ourselves is valuable but it resonates in the literal meaning while riding. It could mean finishing a clear round or finishing on your rear end - balance. 

On March 16/17th , 12 riders joined together for a two-day clinic from our guest instructor, Maeve Drew.   The pre-season clinic refreshed the students on five fundamental points; they are applicable across disciplines be it in a dressage test, cross country course or stadium round. 

Our job is to prepare the horse to do their job. Maeve stressed that we can get away with losing one of the five points, but two or more and we make it a lot harder for the horse to jump the fence. When this happens,  we need to know how to ride an imperfect approach, correct it and then move on to the next fence. 

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The five points  are:

• Direction (line)  - First, we have to know where we are going.
  
• Pace  -  Do we have the correct pace to jump the fence in front of us? There are different paces for different size of jumps/levels.
• Rhythm & Balance  - We need to have both together in order to have a horse that is relaxed  and can jump with ease.  Without balance and rhythm, the horse will be worried and nervous. 
• Timing -This is our 1/2 halts, corrections, etc.  We use them when we need them. 
  

Quotes overheard at the clinic:

• "Balance and leave them alone"
  
• "Get them into the step, keep them in the step and don't micro-manage"
  
• "Watch out for the slingshot effect" - referring to over collecting and then letting the horse run through our hands just before the fence resulting in lose of balance. 
  
• "Give your correction quick and leave them alone"
  
• "I will give you a gimme on that one" 

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Ashley Sudds said,  "My horse and I really enjoyed ourselves riding in Maeve's clinic. She had five simple steps to remember and was very encouraging! I wouldn't hesitate to participate in another one of her clinic's in the future."

Thank you to Maeve Drew!!

Maeve is an Equine Canada Level One Coach and competes at the preliminary level with her lovely mare "Capriola" .  She was born in Ireland, immigrated to Canada when she was two and currently resides on her farm in the Cowichan Valley with her  husband.  Maeve loves her job competing and  teaching 6 yrs old to 70+ years students.