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We Are Flying Solo

February 1, 2012

Watch Carefully

I was directed by an acquaintence to a video that is part of the Retired Racehorse Training Challenge that I posted about here.  By the way and completely unrelated, if you've observed how clean, attractive and awesome the RRTP website it, it was designed by a friend of ours who is a fellow member of the Area II Adult Riders.  So if you are looking for some kick-ass graphic design, you need to go check out Wow!

Back to my original topic.  The video shows Eric Dierks, a trainer here in NC who was chosen for the challenge.  He grew up with dressage, Pony Club, and eventing all the way to Rolex.  Here, he talks you through the fourth ride on the challenge mare he chose, a striking grey named Brazilian Wedding.  Watch it, I command thee!   Hopefully, he won't hate me for sharing his video.

It is a 34-minute master class in a working a green horse, a young horse, or warming up any horse.  Pay attention to his softness and patience.  He doesn't make a big deal out of anything (I need this reminder printed on my horse's browband).  He doesn't demand more than the horse is able to give.  He doesn't worry about where her head is.  After 30 minutes, barely off the track, she is supple, confident, and happy.

And what struck me about halfway through is that its basic exercises are very similar to David's death circles that he inflicts upon me.  Well, dang, I'm doing something right after all.  



I know who I am going to be trying to emulate next time I sit on Encore's back.

21 comments:

  1. Thanks for the sneak peak. Great horsemanship. Lovely horse and trainer! ;)

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  2. It gives me hope that I might not be an abject failure in my "intervention" planned with David this weekend!

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  3. I LOVE this video! I want to watch every time before I get on my guy to remind me the way I should be riding... soft and patient. I wish I were closer so I could train with Eric. This is what I want in a trainer. Inspirational! Thanks for posting!

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  4. excellent video! thank you for posting it.

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  5. Amazing video! Thanks for sharing!

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  6. Excellent video, thank you for sharing!

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  7. I saw this video on FB and was just blown away. I know nothing about the horses or trainers in this competition but I was intrigued by the idea of it since I know all too well what happens to some OTTB and off the track Standardbreds (I work at a STB breeding and race barn). Eric really does an excellent job in this video. I'm excited to try some of these exercises with my horse!

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  8. I love how Eric explains through it all very clearly and calmly and stays in sync with his horse. There are so many things to love about it, I can't even list them all!

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  9. I really like the horse...I am waiting for the video to load right now...but I saw this horse on EN and it has already had quite a bit of training before entering the retired racehorse challenge. Not sure what it matters I just hope people realize that.

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  10. Well, the mare ran 36 times, earned almost $100,000 and her last race was just before Christmas 2011, so she hasn't had time for that much training, LOL!

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  11. Yes, isn't it a great video? I watched it and thought, "Wow, I need to remember all this".

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  12. Just got the comment you left for me about Trumble Mtn - thanks so much. :)

    I have already been in touch with them to get some free advice. They were super nice about it.

    After looking around their site for a while - the saddle fitting articles are a really good resource - I think I figured out a great option for our next saddle. Duett Fidelio. Plus if I can buy through them, I might have a prayer of affording a new saddle + it fitting! ;)

    Thanks again.

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  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  14. I will take the horse AND the trainer, thankyouverymuch. He could give me a *ahem* "riding lesson" any day. ;-)
    OK, I guess I need to go back and watch a bit more of the video...and actually pay attention to what he's saying.

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  15. CFS, woot, congrats!

    Frizzle, you norty girl, you are supposed to be watching THE HORSE!

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  16. Great video with TONS of great pointers! I can apply SO much of this to MY riding to get more out of my OTTB. Thanks for the great tips and examples!!

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  17. Eventer79, I've read your blog for awhile, and I get a lot of good training tips for my horse on it. I was wondering if you could do a post, even a small one, on flying lead changes? My horse does not seem to grasp the concept, even when we do it every day. He used to be a barrel racer so when he gets angry, he'll start galloping and lean really close to the ground and swap his front lead but that's about as "good" as it gets.

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  18. Ah, M, you have identified my weakness. I have never actually taught a horse flying changes. Solo sort of came with one, as in, he'd comply when he felt like it. Encore does one when he feels he needs to, as OTTB's are taught to change during a race.

    When I ride stadium, I don't care a huge amount what lead the horse is on, especially at the lower levels, as long as they are straight and balanced. So I don't spend a lot of time thinking about changes. If I were a hunter, I guess that would change, but I left that world long ago.

    I do know that when teaching them, you need to be forward and VERY straight. Do not lean or let your shoulders go forward. Changing over a pole across the diagonal or on a figure eight can help. You really need to cue when the horse's hind feet are in the air, because the swap needs to come from behind.

    Beyond that, I can give you no great insight, I'm afraid, My horses have been too generous and my sport does not demand it. I kind just sit up, thump with my outside leg, stay balanced, and ride whatever I get.

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