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Diary of Trail Ride on March 20th, 2005 at Cottonwood Creek Stables
Diary of Wakefield Workshop April 30th, 2005
Diary of American Legacy Workshop Aug. 27-28, 2005
Diary of American Legacy Workshop June 10-12, 2005
Diary of Lincoln Workshop June 13-14, 2005
Diary of Cottonwood Creek Stable Class Sept. 24, 2005
Diary of Madison Clinic November, 2005
Diary of High View Farms Workshop, September 10-11, 2005
Lessons Learned at Madison Jan. 2006
Diary of American Legacy Workshop Jan. 21-22, 2006
Diary of Holstein May 2006
Diary of Weeping Water and BKT Arena Spring 2006
Diary of Sioux City 2006
Diary of Chance Ridge 2006
Diary of Private Lesson Days Summer 2006
Diary of Calamus Women's Camp 2006
Diary of Calamus Youth Camp 2006
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Diary of Cottonwood Creek Stables May 2006
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The class at Cotton Wood Creek Stables near Holstein was very fun and everyone had a few BFO's including me. In case you don't know what a BFO is, it is a (blinding flash of the obvious). I am sure that you know exactly what I am talking about. It's a moment when you say "AHH HAA or Wow". It is when the light bulb finally goes on.
My BFO was when I was asking Jupiter (the horse I borrowed for the weekend) to jump some barrels. I had asked him several times before the students arrived that morning and he had tried several times without success. I thought I was doing a good job with my send and allow.
After the students arrived, I was demonstrating the various tasks they could perform at the different obstacle stations we had set up in order to establish a purpose for the ground games. I had asked Jupiter a couple of times to jump the barrels. The send was nice and he went energetically toward the jump then stopped. I resisted the temptation to lift my arm or stick to send him when he was trying.
However, now I realize the expression on my face and my overly expectant body language was still pushing him with pressure when he was trying. I realized this when a student behind me asked me a question. I turned to answer her question and as I was talking to her with my back to Jupiter, he jumped the barrels in a very left brained manner, then turned and faced them perfectly. It was when I truly took all the pressure off from him that jumping the barrels became his own idea. It was beautiful and a lesson I will never forget.
Another student said the light bulb went on for her when we were talking about independent seat riding. I was trying to explain to the students riding on the rails of your horse, and which cheekbone they should be sitting on for a one-rein stop or a direct rein. When I sat the students in a chair and had them do a couple of different activities with their bodies the light bulb went on about how to get out of the way of their horse. She discovered why what she was doing was not working, and now she knows what to do about it.
I know the previous paragraph may have confused some of you, especially if you have never been exposed to riding with fluidity in this manner. All I can say is, it would take pages to describe it all here. So if you are curious and want to know more, I guess you may want to sign up for a class. I promise you won't be disappointed and you will experience more than you will be able to remember.
There was one man at the class and he had a very nice well broke gelding, but he was having issues backing him. The horse kept avoiding him by turning his head from side to side. I showed him a technique I call the "circle whap". He really liked it because it worked so well and he renamed it the "circle jerk". We all laughed. But all joking aside it is very effective and isn't a jerk at all.
The same man said his horse was very afraid of blue tarps, which was one of our obstacle stations. He was very amazed when it only took me about 5 minutes to rub the tarp all over the horse with him accepting it in a relaxed state of mind. It only took another 5 minutes to get him to cross it in a left brained manner. I had learned my lesson well about the "allow" with Jupiter. So it was a pleasure to watch this horse make it his own idea to cross the tarp on his own terms in a very brave way.
One lady had a new horse and this was only her third time riding her. It was such a joy to watch them develop their relationship in such a positive way. They were made for each other. I couldn't imagine a better match. When we did our challenge pattern at the end of the clinic she rode it better than anyone else (including me). We all celebrated in her victory. It was a beautiful sight to see both of them building their confidence, trust and respect in a safe and supportive environment. I feel privileged to have been a part of their beginning together. I am positive they are going to go further than either one of them has dreamed possible. It is already a joyous and harmonious relationship. What more could one want!
Another BFO was finding out how smart horses can be and how they can out maneuver us before we even know what has happened. The most repeated BFO was "I can do anything with my horse with consistency, persistence and determination."
One young girl had a horse who was somewhat miss named. His name was "Charger", but he was anything but "chargy". Shall we say laid back to the point of lazy? We all loved him just the same. Her BFO was that she needed to be bolder and firm when necessary in order to get the desired result. They were trotting around looking like a great team on Sunday, and Charger may have even been having a little fun. He seemed to really love the big green ball and the tarp. He could have played with them all day. We had to make him quit on the ball because we were afraid that he was going to pop it. He also loved destroying the tarp. What a character.
One lady had a three year old with maybe only 15 or 20 rides on her. The mare was quite pushy but her owner didn't give up and by the end of the clinic she was a lot more respectful and seemed to enjoy her new position in the herd. I was very proud of this woman as she kept on doing what I asked her to do even though at times I'm sure she felt like "I can't do this." Her BFO was that she needed to be more assertive and could do it without being abusive. She is excited about going home and applying what she has learned. I know that she will be very successful with this mare as she has an open and smart mind with a very kind heart.
One last comment from an auditor: “Sherry, I would like to thank you for having the clinic at Joni's. I can't explain how great it was for me to attend even if I didn't bring a horse. You don't know how, in one day, you have affected my life with my horses. I
wish I could have come back on Sunday, but life gets in the way sometimes. I
hope I get to attend another one soon! Thank you so much.”
Well there was sooooooooo much more, but I must get out and ride a horse now!
Please consider one of the upcoming clinics. And don't forget about the summer camps for kids or adults at the Calamus Outfitters ranch near Burwell, NE.
Happy Trails,
Sherry Jarvis
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