|
Leslie
McKeeby & Cowboy
| Kimberley
Puthoff & F | Ann
Chartier & Hermes
Diane Delmain & Ari
| Iris Bolt &
Silver | Kathy
Dennis & Imagine
Diane McMurtrey & Pay
at the Pump | Sheri
Keller & Moonie | Jan
Coudriet and Brighton
Photos
by Ann Ott-Chartier, Diane Delmain, and Lisa Flowers
Shawn
Filley-Fennessey Clinic
May 15, 2010
Bay Ridge Farms, Apopka, Florida
Nine riders came out to get instruction on their seat, position, rider effectiveness,
and biomechanics while enjoying a day of friends and horsey fun with Shawn Filly-Fennessey
at Bay Ridge Farms in Apopka, Fl.
First rider up was Leslie McKeeby on Cowboy. Cowboy is new to Leslie, and Shawn worked with her on seat, back, and body position and basics of roundness and throughness with Cowboy. Leslie is a lovely rider and we enjoyed watching her and Cowboy work.
Next rider up - Kimberly Puthoff. Kimberley's horse was unable to make the clinic, so Sheri Keller graciously offered her FEI schoolmaster, 'Fleetwood', for Kim to clinic with. Kimberley's lesson was on keeping balanced, centered, and still while 'F' provided feedback by doing flying changes whenever Kimberly shifted her weight ever so slightly. We all enjoyed listening to Kimberley laugh whenever 'F' flipped his lead. Kimberly's most memorable quote: 'I didn't ask for that one....or that one...."
Following Kim was Ann Chartier on Hermes. Shawn worked with Ann on exercises, balance, and timing to get Ernie listening to her seatbones and body for turning and bending. Next they worked on collection and (trying to) stay light in a 3rd Level frame. And ending their session with working on canter pirouettes - which Ernie thought was way too much work to be expected for any horse to do.
Next in line was Diane Delmain and Ari. Shawn's exercises for Diane centered on seat, leg, and midbody while working on a second level frame and movements required for riding the second level tests. Shawn also worked with Diane in getting prompt responses from Ari when a change of gait or tempo was requested.
After
Diane's ride, we broke for lunch and enjoyed chili, salads, pizza, chips, snacks,
drinks, and dessert on the covered porch. Many thanks to everyone who brought
food to share. It was all delicious.
The afternoon rides started with Iris Bolt & Silver who worked with Shawn
on correct and even trot extensions, passage, and flying changes. By the end
of the clinic Silver was doing series of lovely tempi's in perfect rhythm.
Next up was Kathy Dennis debuting her new mare 'Imagine' a.k.a. Maggie. Kathy used the opportunity to get Maggie out in a new environment which she did superbly. Shawn worked with Kathy on body position, leg position, and body balance.
Following
Kathy was Diane McMurtrey and her Saddlebred Gelding 'Pay at the Pump'. Diane's
clinic request was to learn how to ride the figures of a basic dressage test
in preparation for a Saddlebred Show which offered Dressage. Shawn worked with
Diane on how to correctly ride circles, corners, and straight lines. Pay at
the Pump was very obedient, kind, and obliging while Diane practiced the movements
and figures over and over. What a very sweet boy.
Next in line was Sheri and Moonie who worked with Shawn on the correct lift
and timing of aids needed for passage. Moonie and Sheri both did an excellent
job and they were a joy to watch.
Our final
rider in the clinic was Jan Coudriet on Brighton. Shawn worked with Jan on straightness,
throughness, and promptness to the aids, and the timing of applying the aids.
By the end of Jan's ride, Brighton was quicker to the aids and Jan's figures
were consistant and accurate.
Condolences to Pat Johns who signed up for the clinic but was unable to make
it. We hope to see Pat and her horse at a future event and many thanks to Pat
who donated her slot so that another rider could ride in her place. We are most
appreciative of her generosity.
We all had a most excellent time at this clinic. All riders came away with reinforcement
on how their body, balance, and the timing of their aids affect their horse's
performance. We also all enjoyed socializing and getting together in a relaxed
and supportive learning environment. Thanks again everyone for a really great
day!
.
