Monday, December 12, 2011

Clinic report part 1: "Say hello with the outside rein"

This weekend I rode in a clinic with Hank Hutson, a trainer based in Maryland who travels frequently to this area. Hank has an eventing background but is now focusing on dressage. He specializes in long lining but we didn't long line in this lesson. Hank had little background on us but focused on the right things right away: Contact and responsiveness to the aids. Here you see the very start of our lesson (which I'll present in three parts):



My favorite line in this segment is "Say hello with the outside rein." I loved his emphasis on feel over technical points, and I appreciated that he gave me "tools" and exercises which you'll see more of later.  I loved the mix of directive (do this) and explanation (here is why you do this). That's a hard thing for an instructor to achieve, I think...


17 comments:

  1. Lovely riding and video. Thanks for sharing.

    The outside elbow, forward, and feel are definitely worthy as lesson topics. I have had many lessons focused on these things and really, sometimes, I think they are everything.

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  2. Excellent, excellent! I keep hearing my own trainer with the "elbows at your side," as well. And another way of helping this along..think of your arms as side reins. The contact must be there, steady and firm.

    I like his remarks about no "gray" areas, even for a young horse. Nice job riding.

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  3. aha, he must work with the germans cuz he said brrr for whoa: ) very nice lesson, thanks for sharing.

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  4. I really liked the "go after the hind leg like a dance" I'll have to remember that idea!

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  5. Clear and encouraging instructions. Love teachers like this. One of my teachers calls the vibration with the little finger "whispering."

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  6. Great video. I cannot wait to see the others. I sounded like an awesome clinic. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. At my last lesson my trainer told me to move my mare's hindquarters over with the outside rein. No leg. I thought he was insane. But it worked like a charm. Awesome :)

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  8. Looking good!

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  9. thanks for part 1 and so looking forward to more!

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  10. your horse has transformed over the past few months. He now appears to be seaking the bit :) Good for you!

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  11. BTW, love all your coordinating colors--helmet, vest, saddle pad, and Ri's chestnut color!

    And I do appreciate you sharing your clinic w/ us.

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  12. And how great that you can come back and watch these.

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  13. It is very nice of you to share your lesson with us so we can learn too. Thank you.

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  14. He's a really good teacher (intense, but not to the point that he was making you/the horse nervous) , and your posting/position is looking better this video--excellent work. Thanks for sharing.

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  15. Gosh, I couldn't help noticing how nicely that saddle fits you both. Even as a non-dressage rider, it seems like I see so many people riding in ill-fitting saddles, either to them or the horse.

    Although I don't get most of what's talking about, that instructor seems great.

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  16. Enjoyed the video, though I'm not sure I understand everything he was talking about. Very interesting!

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