Monday, December 12, 2011

Clinic report part 1: "Say hello with the outside rein"

This weekend I rode in a clinic with Hank Hutson, a trainer based in Maryland who travels frequently to this area. Hank has an eventing background but is now focusing on dressage. He specializes in long lining but we didn't long line in this lesson. Hank had little background on us but focused on the right things right away: Contact and responsiveness to the aids. Here you see the very start of our lesson (which I'll present in three parts):



My favorite line in this segment is "Say hello with the outside rein." I loved his emphasis on feel over technical points, and I appreciated that he gave me "tools" and exercises which you'll see more of later.  I loved the mix of directive (do this) and explanation (here is why you do this). That's a hard thing for an instructor to achieve, I think...


17 comments:

  1. ValDecember 12, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    Lovely riding and video. Thanks for sharing.

    The outside elbow, forward, and feel are definitely worthy as lesson topics. I have had many lessons focused on these things and really, sometimes, I think they are everything.

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  2. JeanDecember 12, 2011 at 5:12 PM

    Excellent, excellent! I keep hearing my own trainer with the "elbows at your side," as well. And another way of helping this along..think of your arms as side reins. The contact must be there, steady and firm.

    I like his remarks about no "gray" areas, even for a young horse. Nice job riding.

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  3. lythaDecember 12, 2011 at 5:13 PM

    aha, he must work with the germans cuz he said brrr for whoa: ) very nice lesson, thanks for sharing.

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  4. Marnie KDecember 12, 2011 at 7:30 PM

    I really liked the "go after the hind leg like a dance" I'll have to remember that idea!

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  5. TBDancerDecember 12, 2011 at 9:25 PM

    Clear and encouraging instructions. Love teachers like this. One of my teachers calls the vibration with the little finger "whispering."

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  6. DonnaDecember 12, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    Great video. I cannot wait to see the others. I sounded like an awesome clinic. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. JaimeDecember 12, 2011 at 10:00 PM

    At my last lesson my trainer told me to move my mare's hindquarters over with the outside rein. No leg. I thought he was insane. But it worked like a charm. Awesome :)

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  8. Cha Ching's MomDecember 12, 2011 at 10:21 PM

    Looking good!

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  9. epona womanDecember 13, 2011 at 7:05 AM

    thanks for part 1 and so looking forward to more!

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  10. kcdDecember 13, 2011 at 8:58 AM

    your horse has transformed over the past few months. He now appears to be seaking the bit :) Good for you!

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  11. Kitty BoDecember 13, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    BTW, love all your coordinating colors--helmet, vest, saddle pad, and Ri's chestnut color!

    And I do appreciate you sharing your clinic w/ us.

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  12. Kitty BoDecember 13, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    And how great that you can come back and watch these.

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  13. strivingforsavvyDecember 13, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    It is very nice of you to share your lesson with us so we can learn too. Thank you.

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  14. McFawnDecember 13, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    He's a really good teacher (intense, but not to the point that he was making you/the horse nervous) , and your posting/position is looking better this video--excellent work. Thanks for sharing.

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  15. RiderWriterDecember 13, 2011 at 4:57 PM

    Gosh, I couldn't help noticing how nicely that saddle fits you both. Even as a non-dressage rider, it seems like I see so many people riding in ill-fitting saddles, either to them or the horse.

    Although I don't get most of what's talking about, that instructor seems great.

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  16. RiderWriterDecember 13, 2011 at 4:57 PM

    *HE IS talking about

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  17. Orlando EquestrianDecember 13, 2011 at 6:38 PM

    Enjoyed the video, though I'm not sure I understand everything he was talking about. Very interesting!

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Hi Guys, Your comments are valued and appreciated -- until recently I never rejected a post. Please note that I reserve the right to reject an anonymous post.

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