Eole - june 25, 2009

Windy, fair weather, alone in the small outdoor arena, with A., the young lady coach I mentionned last week. Building on last session, we went further in two tracks work, aiming at Half Pass at the three gaits. A. is very good in that she takes personal interest in pursuing a goal to be achieved by student and horse. After relaxation work at walk and warming up at trot in horizontal placer, we went into shoulder-ins at walk, alternating with travers. I believe I spoke of this exercise earlier, which was one of my old Master's favourite. The horse oscillates back and forth on a moving small circle on which he keeps a constant bend. This is an excellent way of limbering up the shoulders and the quarters, giving the back a constant bend while the limbs movement varies continuously (crossing of the fore legs being opposite in SI vs. Travers). Eole did very well on the right hand, while it was less easy for him on the left hand - which confirms that his natural bend is to the right. However he did not show any defence, and was very concentrated. We did the same at trot, reaching a good, regular cadence at both hands - again, better on the right one. A. thought we could then start the Half Pass training with first, leg yield with outside bend from M to X, at walk and trot. Eole did so well that we moved on quickly onto half pass itself. This was a great moment when we did it at trot. At both hands, on a regular cadence, 'pushed' by inside leg at girth with lovely head carriage, on the bit. Quarters in place, with outside leg just vigilant. We then combined a counter change in X. Starting in M half pass til two strides before X, straighten on middle line across four strides, then half pass on reversed bend til F. Then the same on each long side, at both hands. This has been a great experience. Eole literally glided into this counterchange, without altering cadence, nor impulsion, nor speed, nor placer. It provides a feeling of the highest quality: you can literally feel lightness, with the impression of sitting on a cloud that the 'wind' of your boot can blow into whatever direction you desire! For a long time, I have had the vague feeling that analogies exist between riding and skiing-this movement is definitely akin to 'godille' in skiing, where you draw a series of smooth, long radius bends across the line of steepest slope line, with only gently swaying your chest while feeling the snow bearing your weight under your feet. No effort, just grace...
We then went into half pass at canter, from say M to X (on the right lead) then straight on the rest of the middle line and turning right in A. Lovely result, without defence at both hands, slightly less easy, as expected on the left lead, yet the bend was correct and no resistance was noticed.
A. was impressed by Eole and said she did not expect he could go that far in one time.
As a reward, I lead him outside in the grass where we spend a good half hour strolling, and enjoying the fresh air.