And the rest of the story... Peter Atkins Clinic Follow Up (With Video!)

Moose and I had a great time in Kentucky training with Peter Atkins. The MooseMan was FABULOUS....I was...ME.

Starting with awesome trailer hitching skills...

Damn.

 I ALWAYS lock up...

If you ever lock your keys in your truck in rural Lexington, simply call 253-OPEN.

Note to self -when you do not have 4WD do not park truck and trailer on grass during torrential rains...

 I always do keep a sense of humor -it's that or cry (constantly).

“If this is the worst thing that happens this weekend, I am doing great!” X4 or was it X5?

And yes, the my mental riding game is on par with my vehicular logistics skills.
(I cannot. ride.my.way.out.of.a.paper.bag.so.I.have.cute.pony.to.distract.you.)

This clinic was sponsored by the HJU Ammie Educational Grant presented by ECOGOLD ( you can read my clinic recap for HJU here.)
 

Now for video!

If you are bored have too much free time need to be amused -oh, whatever- all the raw footage of my flat lesson is on  http://www.youtube.com/user/MyMooseontheloose (Raw file 1, 2,3 and 4). Bonus points if you actually make it through and can identify what clip includes Peter's quip, “this video should be on America’s Funniest Home Videos!”

The lesson begins with Peter explaining to keep it simple. Make it simple for the horse to do what you want (i.e. to give the “right” answer).

This applies as he teaches Moose and I the beginnings of lateral work –only ask for the movement when Moose can respond.

Applying the above lessons:

We then moved to working on pushing the nose forward at the trot (in the video above we also work on this at the walk).

Moose’s nemesis has always been the canter. Peter has us work on counter-canter to improve his balance.

Peter explaining counter-canter:

FINALLY getting it!

I don't have video of jumping but I did come away with my favorite picture ever.

Gratuitous Photo Posting. (I am sure you will see it again.)

In the end we had fun, we learned (about riding as well as trailer safety checks, door locks and the need for 4WD). It was also a mini-blogger convention and I enjoyed spending time with Amy and Steady (from 'Slow and Steady Wins the Race'), Karen (from 'CONTACT'). and Kelly (from 'Dressage Pony.'

Great weekend. Thanks to friends (old and new) and family that helped out. And of course super thanks to HJU/ ECOGOLD!

 

A tale of Carrots & Apples, A Doublewide and Badminton Horse Trials.

Peter Atkins and Henry are heading to good ol' Badders. And if you have read this blog for any length of time ever you know Peter is my favorite coach. So let's get he & Super-Hen to England!

A unique fund-raising plan is in place....fans can support the trip by purchasing carrots and apples ($10), the Badminton Entry Fee ($537), or Henry's shipping ($10,000 -yes $ 1 0, 0 0 0). See the options at http://www.shop.runhennyrun.com

Apples & Carrots

"Henny gets a lot of carrots and apples, buying one or multiples of them will keep him happily munching and will be used for other day to day expenses that will occur. This is a great way to donate even if you can/want to only give $10, $20 or $30 "

No $h*t  Henny gets a lot of carrots. While at Peter's barn I saw the biggest bag of carrots I have seen in my (apparently sheltered) life. I mean seriously....just get a pick-up truck load.

NOT this

Still to Small

This is more like it....if it were larger

So yes -Henry does indeed need lots of carrots (donate here).

Hay for Henny ($140)

Clearly I need to move to England. I need hay for $140.

Which also brings us to transport....

aww-let's make sure Owie gets to go

You can help Owen go see his favorite horse run Badders (serious awwww factor here folks) or pony up and get Henry there.


So the cost of transporting the humans and horses makes me less jealous of the hay thing.

On to my personal favorite....

Lodging for Peter

"with your help Peter will be well rested for his week at Badminton and yes he will be living in a double wide."

Yes! A thousand time yes!!! I can't tell you exactly why this tickles my funny bone. As a trailer park liver for several years (I know you are NOT shocked by that little revelation) I am certainly no snob. But the thought of Peter in his doublewide....


 All kidding aside this an expensive endeavor (even not accounting for lost income while away). I would really love to see Peter, his family and his horse live this dream. They are good people.

Please visit http://www.shop.runhennyrun.com and donate what you can (and if you can't I get that -please just keep the Atkins eventing family in your thoughts as they make this journey).

And if someone out there does sponsor Peter's lodging please make it contingent upon photographic evidence. Please.

Peter Atkins teaching in Kentucky soon!!!!

Ack! Have you heard?! Peter Atkins will be teaching in Kentucky soon (as in May!).

The big thing for me is that he is offering private dressage lessons on the Friday of the clinic. I had a few private lessons on school horses while in Florida and my improvement in riding and understanding concepts was actually exponential in scale. I would love to get a private dressage lesson on Moose (as well as jumping/ xc in the group clinic) to see if I can continue the exponential learning!

(As an aside I do feel I am riding Moose much better since my FL trip-yay!)

Now where is that damn money tree? 

....oh yeah....it paid someone's vet bills (cough, Moosey!).

Here is the info:

Ride with Australian Eventing Team member Peter Atkins at Champagne Run!

May 11-13, 2012 | Lexington KY

Friday, May 11 – Private Dressage Lessons (Peter will be teaching a limited number of private dressage lessons the day before the clinic). Me Want! Want! Want!

Saturday, May 12 – Clinic Day 1 -Stadium: Grid work in groups of four for 1.5 hours.

Sunday, May 13 – Clinic Day 2 -Cross Country: Cross country schooling in groups of six for 2 hours. XC!!!!!! In KY! With Peter!

Peter + XC+ KY+ May!

Dressage: $115 per horse/rider combination

Clinic: $325 per horse/rider combination

Auditors: $25 for the weekend Maybe I can do this

Saturday evening we will host a meet and greet potluck with Peter! What? He doesn't eat....will there be a keg?

Limited overnight stabling is available upon request for $30/night.

Reserve your spot early by returning the clinic form with full payment! If someone wants to do this My name is Amy. My horse is Moose. I can supply the coggins part if you supply the payment part. Deal? OK!

Please return payment and forms early to guarantee participation, as space is limited. Negative coggins and health certificates are required with entry.

No refunds will be given unless your space can be filled from the wait list.

Checks may be made payable to Champagne Run. Your entry in the clinic will not be considered complete until payment in full has been received.

Please complete one entry form for each horse you plan to ride in the clinic.

Return forms to:
Champagne Run Farm
Attn: Peter Atkins Clinic
5991 Old Richmond Road
Lexington, KY 40515
mev.champagnerun@gmail.com
www.champagnerun.com

I truly hope some of my fellow bloggers get to go (and you better blog about it!). I'll be out shaking that money tree....

Parting Thoughts on the Atkins Adventure

“Ask often, expect little, reward often”

Upon reflection on my experience in Ocala, I think that sums it up best.

The training horses are asked to work and more importantly *try* hard. They are rewarded lavishly.

The training session begins the moment Peter has mounted. The horse is asked to be attentive and on the aids immediately. There is no lollygagging around in the guise of a warm-up (I am very guilty of this).

The session proceeds with the horse constantly being asked questions. Can you move your haunches here? Shoulders here? There is bending, leg yields, and every variation of lateral work. The horse is truly being “gymnasticized”. I don’t think I saw Peter ride a plain old 20m circle once –not even on the babies. And everyone did counter-canter –the advanced horses and the green beans.

I can’t stress enough how much the horses were working constantly –backs swinging and legs crossing. It really made me evaluate how I ride Moose. No more boring arena circuits or 20m circles for us.

These sessions are often short as the horses are constantly asked to think and work.  You can see the horses Peter has fully trained asking, “You want this?” “Is this good?” They are all triers and pleasers…it almost seems as if they think they are training him…”if I do this I can make him get off and give me a treat!” And this is what I want Moose to be.

The Horse -Its Always About the Horse

Everything was about the horse.

All the horses at Atkins Eventing live out 24/7, only coming in to eat meals.
Yes, Even Henry. 
As tempting as it might be to bubble wrap this famous gelding, Henry (is treated just like a horse) lives out with a group.

The dentist as well as chiropractor made visits while I was there. Peter does his own farrier work and afternoons often found him tinkering with shoes.

A variety of therapies are employed –from  lasers to “Vitafloor” (a vibrational therapy), each horse had a therapeutic treatment daily.

And treats. Lots of treats and kind words are part of each horse’s daily regime.


On Being a "Working" Student

Ok. So I was not a “real” working student. I was (very sadly) not there long due to work commitments. But I got a small taste. And it was a gift.

Sorry folks, but there is truly no way a trainer gets back what they give when they take on a working student. There has been lots of discussion on the forums about working students and working student positions. And my take is this-when you account for the trainer’s overhead and time there are not enough hours in the day to work off what you gain. In a few days time I was lucky enough to get lessons but I also learned buckets watching everything around me.

There is a wealth of knowledge to be gained just from watching. 

And not near enough stalls to clean or jumps to paint to compensate for this sharing of knowledge.

Live Each Day...

I left my dream trip on Thursday…and Friday morning I was back riding a desk. As is my custom, I scanned Eventing Nation as I drank my coffee. And my heart fell. The news of the explosion at KESMARC caused me to think of all my new friends –human and equine. Peter and Amy both use KESMARC for swimming and therapy – this was devastating news and my heart goes out to all that are affected by the loss of life.

Hug your people. Hug your ponies (and as Peter says never miss an opportunity to give them treats).

Here is his ride from last weekend on the very special Firedrake (this is going to be a big-time horse – you have my word). It is dedicated to the KESMARC family.

In closing, this was indeed a very special trip. There now are some checks on my buckets list –go to Ocala, get private lessons with a special mentor and above all continue to live the dream and take every opportunity offered.

Thank you Atkins Eventing.

Photo Essay -Atkins Eventing

This will be a short photo essay.

I am known for filling an SD card in 2 hours. But this time I was so busy being underfoot watching I only managed a few photos.

Jump Field

The Fatties. I LOVE them.

Shedrow -featuring superstars Baby Drake & Henry

Jumps -I painted them! And me! Paint everywhere!

Goofy -Enjoying his Vitafloor therapy

Drakey (Firedrake)

Henry

In which after 24 years + ~$200,000 and in 1 Trip to Florida I Finally Learn to POST the Canter and How NOT to See a Distance

I’m back! 

Yes for the last few days, I have been in Ocala, FL at Atkins Eventing. What an amazing adventure –I’m not sure where to even start but here goes!

The School Masters

The Atkins stable boasts several beautifully trained horses. And on my first day I was allowed to lesson on 3 school masters…honestly Peter need not have been present that first day as the horses in their kind, cheerful manner sorted me out. I can only imagine their conversations that night in the pasture...

“Man, we have a live one –she likes to go for the long ones so I added all the way to the base and let her ride my neck a bit.”

“Good plan. Her canter cues stink. I did my best impression of a Hambletonian winner. I think she got the message"

Lovely boys all –they not only improved my riding but managed to put up with me as I fumbled.

The Lessons

After being sorted out by the boys I started to learn in earnest. 

Peter: “POST the canter”

Voice in my head: “ WTF? What diagonal so I post the canter on?”

Peter: "Not that! Canter BACKWARDS with your body!"

Voice in my head: "Crikey. I think he wants me to turn around backwards. Might as well.That could actually improve my riding at this point."

But after watching Peter as well as his students ride the light bulb dawned…and as instructed I replayed it my mind that night over and over…and yes Peter – I actually DID dream about posting the canter.

Which leads to learning to NOT seeing a distance.

My typical MO in approaching fence:

75% of the time, I see nothing. So, I half-halt...

I still see nothing. Half-halt again...

Nothing. Nadda. Nope. Still don't see a thing. Shit.…so I PULL!

And we are either buried at the base or I kick for the long one. Yee-haw!

Mentally I know I should ride the rhythm and let the horse jump for me…physically I either pull to the base or throw my head and shoulder forward for a long one. 

At the end of my stay, it finally started happening in my head. Improve the canter and jump out of rhythm. 

As I rode to my last fence on Thursday I saw nothing…I immediately went to pull…but I stopped myself…posted the canter, kicked up the back and softened my hand…the distance was a bit deep but the horse bounded over easily! What a great feeling and a great way to end what has proven to be the experience of a lifetime for an amateur rider.

I feel I have SO MUCH to share still. ..but it is all still a bit of a jumble in my head. 

I know I have a new work plan for Moose –shorter duration, higher quality work. I want to learn more about the therapeutics used –from a vibrating, moving floor to laser therapy. I also saw a wonderful dentist at work as well as an equally gifted chiropractor. 

And before you ask –Yes, I did get to meet the famous “Henny”.  :)

More soon.

My Secret Sloppy Self & Other Fashion Faux Pas

I was always told you might be poor but you can be clean. This was translated to taking what I had and being as presentable as possible (in regards to riding). I poured over George Morris’s jumping clinic taking his criticism as gospel. When riding in public I was never without shiny tack, my stirrup leathers tucked in, outfitted in a collared shirt, belt and hairnet.

Speaking of hairnets. Buy one. Please. The last few years at competitions and clinics, I have been horrified by the lack of hairnets. It makes me twitch.

Hairnets. Just do it.

I still believe this should be the standard outfit anytime riding “in public” (i.e. lessons –yes even with your local-yocal trainer, xc schools, clinics and schooling shows).

George is excused from the hairnet rule. But Gloves? Where are the Gloves?

• Clean, well-fitted tack
• Clean horse
• White pad
• Helmet
• Hairnet (for the love of god remember the hairnet!)        
• Belt
• Collared shirt tucked-in
• Breeches
• Shined tall boots –maybe if uber casual half chaps
• Gloves

I have this Outfit!

As I started keeping my horse at home my dress code of sorts has been relaxed.Very relaxed.

My husband accuses me of dressing like Napoleon Dynamite.

My revelation that I will soon be riding with Peter Atkins at his farm in Florida also brought out  turnout worries –what does one wear when training with a member of the Australian Eventing Team, World Games competitor and all around awesome coach? I mean I had the riding outfit down but what about chore clothes? Certainly Peter would not want a Napoleon Dynamite doppelganger representing his farm!?

So I sent him an email to ease my mind –would a polo tucked into jeans be OK for chores?

And his response was to shoot back a picture as he was setting out to ride.

Peter -please don't kill me for sharing this

I think I am going to fit in just fine.

Riding at home....green, pink and red match. Right?

As I pack for next week, I am leaving the breeches, tall boots and new polos at home. In go  t-shirts, jeans and half chaps.

I have not decided about the hairnet yet.

Hopes and Dreams, Dreams and Wishes

We all have them –those dreams and wishes we hold close to our heart. And I’m here to tell you it is OK –shoot for the stars and even if you fall short you’ll be amazed where you land.

So what are my secret dreams and wishes? 

Well I have always been envious of those going south for event season. While I am happy for my friends that can make it to Ocala or Aiken for a few weeks or the entire season, I have always wished to be among them. But with a budget so tight that it doesn’t just squeak it squeals I never thought it could happen…

And what I wouldn’t give to be a working student again. But as an adult with 2 jobs and other adult-like responsibilities (and that squealing budget) being a working student is not practical or wise.

No –Moose and I are not going to Florida for the season and no I am not taking a sabbatical to be a working student for 6 months.  But a week from today I am going to Florida. And I am riding with Peter Atkins! It still does not seem real. Pinch me! Thanks to the kindness of others, just enough frequent flier miles and a very understanding employer and husband, I will be living my dream for a week!

Wish me luck and do not be afraid to dream big!

The Atkins Diet for Eventers

Moose and I had a wonderful time at BeaHive Ranch continuing our education with Peter Atkins. As I watched other riders adapting to Peter's unique riding theory it made me think of the first time I rode with him.

I rode into my first lesson with Peter in July 2010 as part of Come Again Farm’s first event camp.

Peter Atkins Teaching at Come Again Farm

He watched me ride around a bit and promptly lengthened my stirrups…for a jumping lesson. 

OK, I will admit it. At this point, I figured I had a cook on my hands. Nevertheless, I figured you could learn something from everyone, kept my mouth shut, just lengthened my stirrups and jumped.

Only to be told to “Stand Up”. Huh? What? Clearly, I misunderstood.

“Peter, I’ve been taught to fold my entire life over jumps. Are you saying this is wrong?”

To which he replied emphatically, “YES!”

I was now convinced I had a cook on my hands. But I’d paid my money so I might as well give it a go. It would at least be a fun story to tell. So I tried it. Huh,…that kind of worked for me…let’s do that again…hmm the light bulb was starting to go off.

Peter explained that a horse clears a jump with front end. In jumping in the manner that the American equitation system dictates, we are making the horse’s job more difficult. By standing up over the fence with our leg in front of the girth we are freeing the front of the horse while also cementing our position in the tack.

This was starting to make sense...And then there was this strange flushing sound....the sound of 25+ years of jumping lessons with the red coats of  show-jumping fame, advanced event riders and $100s in well thumbed classic American texts going down the crapper. Best damn day of my riding life.

More was to follow...much more. At the end of my first lesson my perspective on riding theory had been flipped upside down. Since that day I have attended every possible lesson with Peter. I am going to share a few of my favorite 'Peterisms' below...they may sound odd at first (trust me -so been there) but give it a chance. You will be changed for the better.

Peter on Riding

Of primary importance is balance and tempo.

Horse should always be ridden in balance. A balanced horse is happy horse as the horse is a prey animal -their worst fear being unbalanced, falling and thus unable to defend themselves.
Riding the horse round, always in a high quality working gait decreases the load on the joints as the horse uses it muscular strength to support itself. Horses always ridden in this manner stay sounder longer.

The control of balance and tempo is your job as a rider. My mantra as I school at home has become "Who's trot is this?" "Is this a quality canter?"

Peter on Jumping Position

Your stirrups will be lengthened (“ride long, stay on long”). Your leg will be moved forward with the toe out (“imagine hooking your spurs in front of the girth”). Finally, you stand up over the jump –you do not fold.

"Stand Up, Look Up, Kick Up" Note: leg should be in front of the girth #@$!

The effectiveness of this position is illustrated as Peter has riders jump horseless. It is almost impossible to jump the fence folded as the weight of your head and upper body disrupt your balance. The jump is easily cleared when one jumps upright.

This is hard!

A bit easier now!

“Stand Up, Look Up, Kick Up” is the oft repeated phrase.

Sound interesting? Well I'm stopping here-you'll need to ride with the man himself.

In a Peter Atkins clinic you will be treated to a complete education. From appropriate tack, bitting, and whipping technique no topic is left uncovered.

And yes -after my first lesson with Peter I headed to a tack store for a new bit, bridle, reins and spurs. Darn it all it just made so much sense. And darn it all if my little horse did not improve just with the new tack.

Trust me. Find a clinic near you or better yet organize one yourself.

If you are lucky enough to ride with Peter Atkins, a proponent of inquiry based learning, I am going to give you some questions to mull over beforehand. You might be surprised by the answers...but they will make you a better rider.

Q & A with Peter

"What does the horse need to be on the bit?"


"Why do jockeys ride with their stirrups so short?"


"Why do horses not like water"?


"How big a fence is this up-bank?"

And finally, a question you thought you might never hear in a riding lesson;

“How heavy is a bowling ball?”

Good luck to you...and a helpful hint. Guess if you must. NEVER say "I don't know."

Peter Atkins at BeaHive Ranch

October 22 & 23 was spent at the jaw-dropping gorgeous BeaHive Ranch in Springville IN for a Peter Atkins clinic.

BeaHive Ranch

Uhhuh. I brought my unclipped (he lives out all winter) fat pinto camp pony to this place. I was a bit intimidated...until I was greeted with warm smiles, hugs, steaming hot cocoa and welcome gifts. The furry pony was ushered into a freshly bedded stall complete with topped off water bucket. I was made to feel like family and we quickly settled in to enjoy our weekend.

My first lesson was later on Saturday so I spent the morning with a trusty bottle of Miracle Groom getting the beast the Moose presentable. As Moose is not normally stalled BeaHive had kindly provided a guest turnout....it seemed a good idea to let him out for a bit to stretch his legs before the lesson. I left him quietly munching grass only to come back to this:

Iz ready for my lesson now

Not.Enough.Miracle.Groom.In.The.World.

%$#@! We dusted off and got ready to ride. I was looking forward to continuing our education with Peter. Moose and I have worked with Peter since 2010 and under his guidance had been slowly making progress.  Peter took a minute to check on us a few minutes before the lesson started-he of course wanted to see the canter. I think he was pleased (yay!). He gave me some home work (canter-trot transitions every 4 strides as well as walk-canter transitions) and then it was time to start the group lesson.

The clinic began in traditional Peter Atkins style (if Peter had a punch card I could no doubt redeem it for a free lesson or 2!) with riders navigating scattered poles in an exercise I call "pick-up sticks". Moose and I have already done this in previous lessons as well as praticed at home so were able to complete the task now as easily as the "first-timers"...but hey-that's progress!

The pick-up sticks are are systematically removed and jumps added until resulting in a traditional grid.

Through the Grid

I felt Moose and I did well...hell we have had lots of practice at this. However, I did not perform as well as I hoped. Reflecting on this I realized I had not been jumping much at home. Our work has mostly focused on improving that gaits (especially the canter). When I did jump it was through a series of low bounces used to improved the canter (Peter homework from July) so I had not been working on me. Another factor was fitness. I have completely slacked off on the exercise routine as of late. The body control was just not there.

On to Sunday -Cross Country! Moose had recently completed starter at the Come Again Farm Horse Trials and I was ready to work on our improved skills. Apparently so was Peter.

We started out easy enough over some beginner novice and novice type fences. Moose Tracks was jumping great! 

Unfortunately I had the same feeling from the grids lesson -not enough body control and not enough fitness. This became more apparent as the fences got a bit bigger. Poor Moose had never jumped fences like this:

meh, it looked bigger in person

I was now asking him to jump a few training fences for the first time and instead of helping him he had to help me. Good Moosey. Bad Amy.

I came off cross country thrilled with my wonderful, kind, generous horse! And vowed to not do that to him again. I will be fit next time.

Days later I am still replaying how wonderful my horse was for me. Thank you BeaHive for allowing us to use your beautiful property, for stuffing us with goodies and for the very genuine hospitality and kindness. Thank you Peter for sticking with Moose and I as we fumble around the sport of eventing. And thank you MooseMan for taking care of me.

More:

BeaHive Ranch

Peter Atkins

Clinic Photos

Camp ends. Bittersweet & Breakthroughs.

Thursday –Pick your lesson…hmmm if you guessed Peter Atkins you are correct!

The last day of camp was Thursday and included a show jumping lesson with Peter. The focus was…improving the canter (surprised?).

We stated with the trot working Moose very round and low. When a balanced, round and low outline was achieved Peter had me imagine my arms/ reins as poles to push his nose forward. Instead of transitioning trot to canter Peter set up a series of poles 9 feet apart (this helped simulate a canter stride). We totted in and cantered out with me again trying to catch the front feet with my hand and kick his back up. The goal was to do a balanced transition to trot before the canter deteriorated…that was the goal anyway.

The poles soon became jumps. And then *it* happened.  The best jump of my life. I felt those little mutton withers come up and Moose’s back round as he sailed over the last element.  It had finally clicked-I kicked at the girth and got out of the saddle at the right moment. I loved the feeling of that jump and have been dreaming about it ever since.

Sadly I have not yet had my canter breakthrough nor have I been able to try and recreate that jump as the Midwest has been under a heat warning since I have been home.

So with a big breakthrough in our jump we left camp. A bittersweet moment for sure. It was a great week of learning, socializing and eating (had to put that in there –food was AWESOME).

I can’t think LeeAnn Zobbe enough. Come Again Farm is a very special place and Come Again Event Camp is a very special offering. I have longingly eyed event camps for quite a while-however the fees and distance were out of my range. LeeAnn has created a unique camp. Us ‘regular Joes’ with our ‘unlikely event horses’ as well as several future super stars can come together to train with world class instructors and live our dream for 4 days a year.

With that said thanks to the clinicians –especially for taking time with amateurs like me on cheap unlikely event types. I did not ride with all of them but heard glowing reports from those who did. Peter Atkins, Leslie Law, Dorothy Crowell, Mary Lowry, Jennifer Kasier, and Bonna McCuiston are all appreciated.

And to my fellow campers –see ya next year!

Thanks Amy, Amy, Amy, and Susan (honorary Amy) for being great riding buddies!

Want to ride better? Jump Grids. No Horse Required.

The Pool.

Quoting Rachel "Peter Who? Courage smack, or punishment? Screw it, I'll just drink my beer."

Stepping through the broom...some were better than others!