Eole - may 6, 2009

I was delighted to ride Eole again after one month of interruption. Small outdoor arena. We were alone with Coquin and her owner. We first worked relaxation at walk, with low head carriage and extended neck. Light lateral flexions in this extended, relaxed attitude. Good response from Eole, who began to chew his bit gently. Variations of pace at walk, with halts (good and square), back reining over three steps. Then posting trot, with again many changes in pace, low neck and flexions of the 'front tip' (bout de devant) on very light rein contact. Eole was warm and energetic. At sitting trot, shoulder-ins. Some stiffness on the left hand, which I could resolve with small circles and relaxation of the inner side via some slight pressure of inside leg at girth while ensuring no escaping of hindquarters with vigilant outside aids. Then, leg yield at trot with bending inside, across the diagonal. Eole was fine, but I was still not completeley happy with lightness which was not totally won. I could feel that again at the beginning of the canter session. Canter strike was good and round on the right lead, but Eole overeacted on the left lead with some opening of the neck angle at poll, and one or two times some rushing in. We worked a series of alternate transitions from canter to trot and back, each over 5 strides only. This hit the issue spot on and resolved it: the wonderful mellowness appeared at last, and the canter got round, collected and slow. I could raise the neck, and Eole got more seated on his quarters. I was so pleased that I decided to move into the large covered arena, which was almost empty, and tried what I had thought for for a long time, i.e. a true half-pass at canter. On the right lead it exceeded my best expectations. We did the whole diagonal at a slow, collected canter with a clear bend to the right. Eole was light throughout, and the diagonal was beautifully straight. After the corner, a transition into trot, then canter strike on the left lead and a series of moving sliding circles on the long side. I had Oliveira's phrase in mind 'the arena is a drawing sheet and the horse is a compass who draws figures: make sure the geometry of these figures is accurate', and I tought we were pretty good geometrists at that moment! The half-pass on the left lead was less fluid and mellow, so I limited it to half the diagonal only, and moved straight on the middle line after.
It has been a most gratifying experience, which I never had to this degree before. The only other horse I attempted to half-pass at canter had been Allegro, 'my' excellent Lusitano. But canter was not Allegro's best gait, and I had never felt him 'gliding into half pass like a shadow' (as per Colonel Danloux's lovely phrase) as Eole actually did so well.
I will remember this day with Eole as the same kind of milestone as I remember my first piaffer with Allegro.
This kind of priviledged and rare moment in horsemanship makes you really feel how much of an Art it is. Inspiration and 'etat de grace' are the only enablers of superior achievements. Long preparation both physical and mental is mandatory of course, but it is not sufficient and does not allow deciding from your own volition to execute the long desired movement at the moment you choose. On the contrary, one must be patient, and wait till the 'opportunity' arise - and then snap it before it vanishes. All the more justifications for 'Placer et laisser faire'!