New Beginnings!
With the hope of starting the year as I mean to continue:
One step at a time, in the right direction.
Celebrating the small progressive steps.
And
Moving towards what I love!
Welcome to the first SPE newsletter!
I’ve been pondering or procrastinating, whichever way you want to see it, about doing a newsletter for ages, so I’m super happy to be sending this newsletter out!
2023 So Far :
Local in-person ridden lessons are back in full swing, along with in hand and float training sessions. When the weather permits of course, which can be a bit hit and miss at the moment in Auckland!
Looking ahead for 2023 :
I’m planning to get back out to travelling around NZ to do Rider and Horse Biomechanics clinics, let me know if you have any venues that you would be keen for me to come along to.
Based on the success of last year’s interactive demos and workshops, I will be adding them into the calendar along with some other themed workshops.
The famous monthly Pole Clinics will be back on the calendar this year. Will start them off at my arena in Woodhill, but will look at other venues going forward depending on demand.
I will also be hosting clinicians this year, as well as collaborating with other professionals, keep an eye out for dates and more information about who, what and when.
For those that need inspiration or a riding plan, keep an eye on your emails, I have some ideas in the pipeline.
Pennington Ponderings :
Today, now…if there was one action/behaviour/thought that you wanted to start or change,
it doesn’t have to be anything huge, just a small step that takes you closer to achieving your aspirations.
What would it be?
What do you think is holding you back from making this change?
Is the “thing” that is holding you back true or a previous belief or a not so useful story that you tell yourself?
Can you break it down into smaller chunks?
In the book the 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins one of the suggestions is to countdown from 5, when you get to 1 you stop what you are currently doing and move towards what you should or would like to be doing. I was amazed how well this worked.
Training Inspiration :
This exercise can be done in hand or ridden.
In walk, trot or canter.
With or without a pole.
In an arena or in the paddock.
Depending on the level of your horse or yourself, start in your comfort zone or your horse’s, keep it simple and then build up the complexity. When adding complexity it could be speed moving from walk to trot or to canter however it could be that you change the pattern that you are riding to add complexity, depending on the stage of you and your horse only change one thing at a time. If you lose quality then go back a step, slow down the speed (pace) or reduce the complexity, then try again.
Place the pole in the centre of your arena, in this example, 10m in from the side.
Pattern options :
Down the centre line ie. turn down the centre line off the left, then turn right at the other end or turn left again.
Loops
Change of rein across the diagonal
Combinations of the above
Flying changes, counter canter and lateral movements can also be added in.
If your horse has a loss of balance over the pole do a downward transition before the pole and then an upwards transition after the pole.
Quote :
One of the books that I am currently reading is Kate Sandel’s - Riding in Release : A practical guide to French Classical Equitation and Horsemanship.
Below is a quote from the book that resonated with me for different reasons and in different situations.
“You are responsible for yourself and your horse!”
This can be very pertinent when going to a different venue, clinic or lesson, a good idea is to have a mental checklist and a plan.
Is my horse in a space for learning?
Is my horse expressing his normal behaviour or is he or she anxious ? Normally stands to be groomed and tacked up - but not today. Normally stands at the mounting block - but not today. Normally is a relaxed horse - but today heading butting and trying to bite.
Am I in a good head space for absorbing the learnings?
Am I behaving as I normally do around my horse? Or am I feeling rushed and anxious?
Start with grounding yourself, take a moment to take stock of how you are feeling.
Start your horse with some ground work/in hand to help him or her ground themselves and become more present.
Accidents happen because we “push through” the warning signs!