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The
second in the series of Bev Pendock Seminars, proved to be as popular
and informative as the first one, with close to 60 people gathering
around the picturesque Summerveld Jockey Academy arena to watch horses
and riders being put through their paces.
The
main focus continued to be on the basic training of the Novice horse to
incorporate the Principles of the German Scale of Training, and how the
riders could work towards producing the rhythm, suppleness and
"throughness" to the contact which was so vital to success. Bev
explained that the system she was advocating to produce the correct "way
of going", was by no means her invention, but a system tried , tested
and proven to be successful in Europe and adopted by many of the top
trainers and riders overseas.
The "Round
and Down" approach, she explained ,did not mean that the horse was
ridden overbent or on the forehand, but by being slightly "deep" could
be better ridden forward, and most importantly, over the back, to
develop more elastic, forward movement.... And then still be brought
more uphill and into a more technically correct frame for competition.
It was a
system she had used and taught with good results over the years, but it
was not the only system. There would always be different training
methods and roads to Rome.
With the various horses, she was able to demonstrate how, by flexing and
taking the neck lower, a very spooky, inattentive horse could be
persuaded to relax and concentrate (albeit in fits and starts!).... How
the rhythm and actual paces of the horse could be improved.... And how
the horses could be brought into a better balance and frame for
transitions.
Questions from the audience including ones on the use of gadgets such as
'neck stretchers' & running reins as well as different bits,
were discussed in a very open minded way. Bev, jokingly referring to
herself as "The Running Rein Queen ", said they definitely had their
uses, but as with everything , had to be employed correctly. The general
consensus was that... Yes... Gadgets had their place, but needed to be
used judiciously & were no substitute for correct training and riding.
Half way through the morning, the emphasis shifted from the
athleticism of the horse, to that of the rider. Enter team "Surge" !!
,and two very energetic Sports Therapists, complete with a giant ball
and a whole lot of exercises to improve Core stability and suppleness.
As they explained how many rider problems are directly related to faulty
balance and posture, the importance of maintaining and improving the
core muscles became very apparent. They went on to demonstrate various
routines that could be incorporated into a fitness regime, and one
quickly realised it wasn't as easy balancing on that ball as they made
it look!! But for all that, it made a lot of sense, and I suspect had a
lot of us rushing out to buy big rubber balls!!!
At
the end of the morning, I think everyone went away motivated to get both
themselves ... And their horses...in shape. As always, with Bev's
Seminars, there was a clear format and direction. The "guinea pig"
horses and riders were well selected to show the problems (and
solutions) which so many of us have to confront and did a super job.
Thanks to
them... And the whole "support" team... For a really enjoyable and
informative morning. We look forward to the next one!
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