Monday, October 19, 2009

First Lesson with Mr.Myners

Last week I had a lesson with Mr. Myners. He has been coming to Heike’s and working with her for over 4 years. He is better known as the Balimo Chair Guy, he told me this. Haha. Anyhow, it was incredible. He watched me ride, walk, trot, and canter for 10-15 minutes then I got off my horse and did some exercises. First I had to lie on my back with my knees bent, hip distance apart and try to move my hips from 6 o’clock to 12 o’clock. You have to think of the motion of your seat in terms of clock. Then I had to move from 6 to 9 for the left lead canter and 6 to 3 for the right lead canter. 6 to 12 was a piece of cake, right lead wasn’t too bad, but I could barely move from 6 to 9 or left lead canter. Maybe this explains why I always feel crooked to the left! Hmm! Then I got back on my horse and did sitting trot for a few circles to feel a little bit of a difference, trying to move with the motion of the horse and have it continue through my body and be absorbed. I returned to the mat and lay on my back with my knees in the same position but I moved them side to side. Letting my knees fall from right to left and back to right all in one fluid motion. I kept my knees apart a little bit so that I could try to make the switching without tension in my thighs. I then had to move my head to the opposite direction that I was moving my legs. So knees to the right, head to the left. Not so easy. Again I got back on my horse, did a few circles sitting trot, and felt a huge difference. I was actually moving with the horse and didn’t have to use my muscles to stay on. But I still wasn’t deep enough in the saddle to really influence the horse, I was just moving with the horse a bit better. So I did a few more exercises. I laid stomach down on the mat and bend my knees. I moved one knee out to the side, almost level with my hip and had to raise my opposite leg. Sounds confusing, it was. Then Mr. Myners pressed down on the leg that I was to rise and I had to push as hard as I could against it. When he released the pressure it was much easier to raise my leg higher with my other knee extended to the side. I got back on my horse and did a few more circles of sitting trot, still I felt an improvement but still I wasn’t deep enough into the saddle. So here comes the tricky part! This blew my mind. While on the horse, Mr. Myners asked me to do eye circles. Just make a big circle with my eyes, to the left then to the right! I seriously could not do this. I was making a square. I looked posed, Heike said. So I got off my horse and sat down on the stool and Mr., Myners had me follow his finger with my eyes. He made big, slow circles, and then changed it up with some figures of 8, then random lines. It was really difficult for me to follow with just my eyes. But I got back in the saddle and sat the trot and I was able to sit much deeper. My whole sessions lasted about an hour. It was tough work, but truly I felt several differences in my seat. Of course the next day I couldn’t get the feeling back to save my life but he said that would happen. So we will work together again this week and find more exercises to strengthen my seat.

Hope this made a bit of sense....

Meaghan

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Meet the Horses

I have 5 horses that I ride everyday and there are a few others that I warm-up or cool-down for Heike.
Charlie II : 3 yr old gelding. Han. Bay. He is schooling most everything from First Level. We mainly work on transitions and little bits of sitting trot. He is super comfortable and has a great mind, not to mention adorable.
Harry Potter: 6 yr old gelding. Han. Big Blood Bay. He is the sweetest horse but a little nervous of other horses. He is schooling 3rd level. But I really work on the basics with him, transitions, straightness, and maintaining a constant connection from inside leg to outside rein. I really have to think about bending throughout the entire body rather than flexion of the pole. It sounds easy but not so much in practice. He is so comfortable to ride, which is great because I can concentrate on my position and am able to make adjustments.
Fien Cera: 6 yr old mare. Han. Dark Bay. She is schooling 2nd/3rd level. I mainly work on getting her to take quicker, more active steps from behind. She has a wonderful trot. I work on maintaining the rhythm of her canter and do some transitions within the gait in canter that are from my seat rather than my reins. This is not so easy for me sometimes.
Coriano: 8 yr old gelding. Han. Beautiful Gray. He has a big swinging trot and an uphill canter. He is awesome to ride. He is teaching me way more than I am teaching him right now. His trot is sometimes difficult for me to sit so I really work on keeping my seat independent from my hands and using my seat to make transitions. In the canter we work on transitions within the gait and walk-canter-walk transitions. He can almost canter on the spot. He is super easy to collect but I always have to think of making his neck longer and little bit deeper to ensure he is working through his back.
Actuado a.k.a Shatze: 10 yr old gelding. Han. Chestnut. Shatze is German for “darling.” The nickname fits him perfectly. He is a sweetheart of a horse and he can give you such a sweet look that you can’t possibly be mad at him. Heike competed him through the Grand Prix. So, naturally I thought “YES” finally a GP horse to ride and practice all the movements!! HAHA!! Not the case. I have barely graduated from the walk yet! Making him work through his back into a longer deeper frame is almost impossible for me, but we are working on it and it’s getting much better! He is so laterally supple that keeping him straight also poses a great challenge. Working from behind up, through both seat bones, to both reins equally is usually my train of thought. He walks for a 10 so containing his movement at the walk is hard enough for right now! I’ll keep you posted…

These are horses are all of incredible quality and are teaching me so much! I have really had to change my leg position quite a bit. I need to keep my lower leg closer to the girth. My leg is certainly more effective there, but has made me feel a little unbalanced especially in the posting trot.

The first two weeks were awesome having Heike and Mayke helping me with each horse, but the last week has been nice with both of them out of town. I really needed the last few days to play with the changes to my position, and get to know the horses a bit better. Having such great training on a daily basis is invaluable but it is always nice to have time alone to figure things out!

More to come on my lesson with Mr. Myners! Thanks for reading…

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

If I had a dollar...

For every time I have heard sit back, sit up, or back with the upper body in the last week I would be a solid millionaire! I’m clearly learning a lot about using my back and seat to really influence the horses. It’s not easy! First you have to ride forward, oh but not to forward then they are on the forehand, then you must ride more uphill but not slower, just more collected, but with a longer deeper neck, but not with their nose on their chest. Oh yes and you must do all this from you leg and seat, and when you get really good at it then you can use a hint of rein. But until you really understand the correct use of your leg and seat every time you use your rein it is considered to be pulling! Craziness but its all true, so I struggle and I try to have one good moment (be it brief) during every ride where I think, oh this must be it!
I’m finally getting to ride a lot which is great. I am able to sit on so many different horses ranging from gigantic movers to daintier movers and everything in between. I have a few horses that I work on my own, under the watchful eye of Heike and Mayke (the assistant trainer) of course. But I also warm several horses up for Heike and Mayke. So being employed as a rider is pretty much amazing, so far!!
We start promptly at 7am and everyone (grooms, riders, trainers, and working students) feed and clean the stable. There are just over 20 boxes in the riding stable (there are many more in the different breeding stables on the farm), but we just care for the riding horses. After the stable is cleaned we sit down to a lovely breakfast with the “team.” It’s complete with fresh bread, coffee, tea, and everything imaginable to top your bread. After breakfast we start riding. We ride till about 1pm, take a short lunch break and ride again till 5pm.
Of course the weather here in ole Deutschland is somewhat less than desirable. It has rained pretty much every day since I’ve been back and it’s probably not going to stop until summer of next year. Oh well!
Riley continues to impress me! He has had to learn to ride along side my bicycle to and from work. Someone will have to get a picture of this, it’s just adorable! At first I thought I would be writing a terrible story of how I broke my leg on the way to the stable on my first day of work. But Riley has been great, he still likes to swerve into the front tire sometimes, in which he scares himself and pulls us both way off to one side. But luckily those incidents are becoming less and less!
Since I am living by myself I am going to be reading a lot more! So if anyone has read any good books lately, email me!! bmeaghan@gmail.com

Thanks for reading, always more to come!

Meaghan :)

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Least to Say its Been a While...

Im back to Germany and back to updating the blog! The backpacking/camping trip around Europe was incredible! Switzerland was by far my favorite! Hiking and taking the cog railway up Mt. Jungfrau (the highest elevation is Europe) was just amazing. The views at the top were breathtaking. Cant beat a 100 foot waterfall as the backdrop of the campground, and being surrounded by the Swiss Alps.

During September I took a much needed break (I know what you are thinking "A much needed break" the darn girl was just backpacking across Europe, but hey the backpack and tent were heavy. :) ) and spent some time with close friends and family. It was the perfect time of year to be home!!

But now I am finally riding in Germany. Who would have ever thought?! Riley (my gorgeous golden retriever) and I survived the close to 10 hours plane ride, plus 6 hour drive from Amsterdam to the stable in Winsen, Germany. Did I mention that I hauled 3 suitcases, a XL dog crate, and Riley around the Amsterdam airport trying to find a silly internet stick and rent a car!! Insanity. But it was all worth it. I have an adorable apartment to myself. Its only about a 1km from the stable, which makes for a nice bike ride to and from work. Living on my own is certainly going to take so getting use to. Its so quiet (except for the German TV shows). I guess I will have to take up needlepiont! Haha.

Yesterday was the my first day at the stable and I sat on 8 different horses. Most of them I warmed up and cooled down for Heike and Mayke (the assitant trainer). Seems I still have alot to learn about the basics. Basic driving aids and moving the horse away from my inside leg seemed to be on top of the list. Then I rode two horse on my own and had some help from Heike. The quality of horses is just insane. When I wrap my head around just how lofty all of their trots are and how much jump the canter has, I will let you know.

Today was much like yesterday but I am so sore tonight! My legs feel like jello!! Time to get back into shape.

Glad to be back, much more to come.

Meaghan :)

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Taking Off

Tonight is the night! I leave for London at 10:30pm, and after taking a train to Liverpool and a cab to the hostel I will meet up with my group tomorrow morning at 6am! What kind of vacation starts at 6am? Haha! Then we spent the day touring London and then its off to Paris!

This afternoon I am having traditional German cake and coffee with Catherine, Casey, Christoffer, Natallie, Cesar, and a new girl from France. Im sure it will be a nice way to say bye and thank you!

I will keep updating as much as I can but the internet might be limited once we are on the road!

-Meaghan

Friday, July 24, 2009

Big News!

I am going to be a rider at Heike Kemmer's stable! Woo Hoo! The interview went great and i sat on two very nice horses. One 6 year old and a 4 year old. Both super quality! Heike and I chatted afterwards and she offered me the job! But I still had one more interview with Johann Zaggers, who is the Team Coach for the Brazilians. I spent the weekend at his farm, and rode some really excellent horses. But unfortunately they were looking for more of a student/worker than an actually rider. The facility was huge and brand new, they have over 50 horses! So I just talked with Heike this evening and its final, I start October 1st! And the greatest news is that I can have my beautiful dog Riley!!! Lets hope he loves Germany and stable life! We will see.

You might ask what I am doing between now and then! Well I am going to be backpacking around Europe for three weeks with a student tour group. We start in London and make our way all over. Here is a little bit about what places we will be going to! I forgot, we are camping out!! It should be quite the adventure!
Paris
Evening Tour of Illuminations
See the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, the Champs Élysées, and Notre Dame Cathedral

Swiss Alps
Scenic drive through the Alps

French Riviera
Visit a French Perfumery
Scenic drive along the Cote d'Azur
Visit Monaco & see the Royal Palace
Visit a Monte Carlo casino

Pisa
See the Leaning Tower

Florence
Walking tour with a local guide
See the Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistry & Piazza della Signoria
Florentine leather craft demonstration

Rome
See Piazza Venezia, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Colosseum & Roman Forum

Vatican City
See St. Peter's Basilica

Bologna
See the famous porticos & two towers.

Venice
Murano glass-blowing & Burano lace-making demonstrations
Private motorboat to the historic islands
See Piazza San Marco, Bridge of Sighs and the Doges' Palace

Vienna
See Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral & the State Opera House
Scenic drive along the historic Ring Road

Cesky Krumlov
See the medieval town

Prague
See Hradcany Castle, the Cathedral of St. Vitus, Charles Bridge and Wenceslas Square

Munich
See the Glockenspiel & Marienplatz

Heidelberg
See the medieval castle

Rhine Valley
Scenic drive along the Rhine River
Visit the riverside town St. Goar

Amsterdam
See the canals, gable houses and city by night
Visit a cheese farm & clog maker's house
Visit a fishing and cheese village

I am so lucky!! I'm not sure if I will have access to the internet but I will do my best to keep everyone updated! Thank you for your support!!

-Meaghan

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Change is Good

Before I get to my "Change is good" explanation I have to write about Aachen. I realize it have been forever and a day since I have written, but I have been so insanely busy!! Aachen was one of the best experiences in my life! Yes, Stephan Peters and Ravel won all three classes!! An American won!! Too cool! Catherine and I were stable with Stephan because we were "Team USA" even though we didn't technically have a team there this year. We had stall curtains, flags, and blankets the just screamed USA. It was awesome! It was so nice to be around a group of Americans, especially around the 4th. When Stephan and Ravel won the GP Special on the 4th of July and the American flag was raised while the National Anthem played in front of 60,000 people, I was in tears! It was just an incredible moment.
There was a groom's party on Wednesday night which was a blast. It is so much fun talking with all the grooms and hearing about where they have been and how long they have been grooming for. Not to mention a long night of drinking and dancing!
The trade fair at Aachen is like a medium size shopping mall. You can buy everything there and I mean everything! There were so many people on Fri, Sat and Sun that I barely went over there it was just to crowded. The stable arena was much cooler and much quieter!
For me Aachen was kind of like summer camp! You have the time of your life and never want to leave and you are sad for a week afterwards.
Ok, then the day I got back from Aachen I moved into my new apartment. Really it is a WG, pronounced "vgee." There are four rooms, two bathrooms, and a kitchen. My three roommates are German, so they are helping with my German! My room is quite large and I have a huge blue accent wall, kind of strange but it works. I also also have a balcony which over looks a potato vending machine. You didn't read incorrectly, a potato vending machine. Cars driving up all day long and insert 2 or 5 euro into the machine and out pops a sack of potatoes. So German, I guess. I will be learning to cook alot with potatoes!
The next day we have the Reese from Dressage Training Online come to the stable to take several training videos for the website. A very educational day. We also have a new working student come to the stable from France, his name is Cesar and he can cook!! So throughout the week we have have several dinner gatherings! It has been a hectic but fun week.
Earlier this week Catherine told me to bringing my riding boots to the barn so that I could start riding. YAY!!! I couldn't wait to get back in the saddle! So after I rode Catherine and I had a long chat about what I wanted to do. Of course I couldn't get out fast enough that I wanted to ride, 20 horses a day if possible! Grooming has been a blast and I have learned so much but really I want to be back in the saddle. But there isn't a riding position for me at Catherine's. There are already 3 riders plus Catherine and at the moment 16 horses. So Catherine has been a HUGE help in finding me another stable to ride at. This coming Thursday I have an interview at Heike Kemmer's stable. She was the Bronze Medalist in Hong Kong Olympics! So as you see alot has changed since the last time I wrote but really everything is for the best!!! Ok so I promise to keep you updated more! Wish me luck on the interview!

Thanks for reading...

Meaghan