Thursday 2 June 2016

Clinic Day Three - So What Now?

Regular non-horse life has been very busy since the clinic. When I had the chance, I researched more about Legerete proper as well as reflected on what I had learned at the clinic. I wanted to see what was pure Legerete versus Muriel Chestnut's own style, which seemed to be a bit of a melting pot of her own learning from various styles.

I mentioned before the clinic how excited I was about seeing french classical mixed with natural horsemanship. Muriel had specifically studied Parelli which I have not delved into much beyond the seven games, level one on my own using a friend's dvd set. I am not sure what I was expecting, perhaps some education towards a magical blend of high level movements done at liberty? Instead, it was simply use of phases while applying the Legerete in-hand work. Makes sense, but I think I deflated a little.


Day three was much of the same as day two, and I particularly enjoyed watching everyone else throughout the day working on movements that were above my head to say the least.

I left the clinic wondering where to place this new-found information into what I already was doing. Would I take it on full throttle or discard it completely? Frankly I had no idea. I liked a lot of what I had learned, yet some aspects made me a bit uneasy. If you have looked into Philippe Karl at all, you might pick up that he is quite passionate about his training style and it is quite tightly controlled.

I am far from good at horses, but I have become quite open-minded over the years about training style. If you have trained more than a couple of horses, you will know that not all horses are the same and training goes a bit easier with flexability, creativity and a willingness to adjust to the horse you are working with.

I know for myself that I am happy to be the adult ammy, puttering around the sandbox on a horse I trained and I want that horse to be my athletic partner, my well-loved pony that gets too many treats, and a safe friend that can do some fancy when asked.



So with a bit of time to reflect, I am quite happy I dipped my toe into some new information. There is so much about this school of training that appeals to me.

For now though, I think I will take the few little tidbits I liked and add it to what I am already doing.  I will not be donning a Fedora and working on my French skills just yet.

6 comments:

  1. Interesting. I agree, a lot to learn from many sources but when one system is absolute and excludes all others that sets off big alarm bells for me personally. Not that riders and trainers don't need a basic system BUT an open mind and approach that you can learn something from almost anyone is really important in my view.

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    1. It is hard to move forward in training without some sort of basic system. My eclectic style of training has been good as a starting point, but the deeper we go, the more important I am finding it to have reliable schools of thought to refer to. It is a very interesting journey for sure!

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  2. I also agree with you! you need to figure out what works best for you.

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    1. Savvy and I will get there eventually, wherever 'there' is. (Hopefully first level by the end of the summer!) :)

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  3. honestly i think that's the best approach to any clinic. it's one thing when it's a trainer that you're signing up to work with long term... but for a one-off clinic (or maybe even something you repeat every now and then) it seems best to adopt the pieces that work and make sense for you and your horse and goals etc.

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    1. Yes, for sure. I guess I am just feeling a bit lost in truly understanding all the what's and why's of dressage in general, and secretly hoped for a clear-cut direction that one would get from finding one school of thought to follow, rather than sorting out the good on my own. :)

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