|
|
The Pony Club Instructors
by Marie Smith
Time for me is getting late
Fast approaching my used by date.
Wanting now to pen a word
As an old pony clubber to be heard
The pony club has stood the test
And over time came out the best.
Tell me if this is not so
Why does the movement continue to grow?
Too many rules is the plaintive cry
To keep our riders safe that is why.
Gear checkers have a hard time
Safe or not is sometimes a fine line.
The debate continues over optimum time
Some don’t like it, for others it’s fine.
I can remember when it wasn’t so
It was scary to see those little tackers go.
Riding horses is often a transient phase
When growing up, like any other craze.
Our riders have become technically correct
And this is as good as you get.
Instructors you are the champs
Getting these kids to schools and camps.
You give up your time to learn
Your certificates you certainly earn.
Twenty eight chiefs from all over the state
Keep this team up to date.
So friends you are equal to the task
To make our pony club last.
The Pony Club Camp
by Grace Whitby
LAST WEEK I WENT TO THE PONY CLUB CAMP ON MY NEW HORSE 'ANDY'.
WE HAD A GREAT TIME.
THE FOOD WAS YUM.
IT IS REALLY FUN AND I LEARNT HOW TO HOLD MY HORSE TIGHT.
I TRIED TO MAKE A BROW BAND (MUM WAS HOPELESS).
IT WAS FUN.
The Ab-Fab World of Dressage
by Amber Millard
Hi, my name's Amber Cahill, you might remember me from such catastrophic events as "I nearly died " and "they took a third of my liver.
I'm here to talk to you about Dressage.
Now I know that many of you consider dressage, riding classes and hacking boring and relate it to "watching the grass grow", and if that is your attitude then you are gravely mistaken.
This is the start of your re-education.
In Showjumping we see riders such as Michael Whittaker, Vicki Roycroft and even our home grown Jamie Coman and Deon Williams flying effortlessly over 6 foot jumps, their horses turning at the slightest touch from their legs, collecting up when they are asked, extending their stride to cover more ground. For those who fancy themselves as keen showjumpers, ask yourselves
where did they learn that?
Here's the answer: It comes from extensive ground work i.e. dressage!
Imagine that.
All of the above riders and many many many more spend a lot of time schooling their horses on the flat so that they are responsive and obedient. After all, when you think about it, showjumping and dressage are exactly the same. Both disciplines require you to collect in order to engage the hind quarters; lengthen in order to produce phenomenal extended walks, trots and canters. Both have flying changes and both require the horse to move off, around and away from the leg.
You must have sound dressage training in order to have sound showjumping.
Yes, Dressage!
The intricate complexity of it! Move your leg one way, tighten this rein and you have traver, slightly more pressure from that leg and you have half-pass! Hold the reins firmly, tighten tum and bum, squeeze on leg, hold the opposite rein and you have a half halt.
And hands up who thought getting a square halt would be a walk in the park? WRONG!!!!
Back when I was a wee lass, starting out on my first horse Magic, the dressage schools were always fun.
WE made friends, laughed, got really frustrated and in the end came out being able to do things that we hadn't even heard of before.
Amazing what two days of instruction can do for you. And then we were anticipating the second school a few months later.
I was horrified to see that this year there is only one school.
One. ONE. ONE!!!!!!!!!
And why is that?
Because people think that it is a waste of time and that you don't need it to become a showjumper and that it is boring.
In my opinion you shouldn't be allowed to jump if you can't execute the simplest dressage moves.
Dressage is about perfection, performing movements in such a way that the rider seems to be going nothing. Almost like they are using telepathy ...
And then it is about fun.
It's a joy to be able to learn these things, elating to do them well, mind numbing craziness with a silly big grin when the hard work pays off and you get a ribbon (and heres hoping, money!!!)
So come along to these dressage days and dressage schools, and you might be able to walk away from it and know how to do something properly for a change
Written by Dressage Fanatic: Alive 'N' Kicking
|
|
|
