"Don't Just Survive... RIDE!"

What better way to prepare for the American Eventing Championships and fall events than riding with Olympian Karen O'Connor? The OEC hosted a weekend of education and training with Karen that taught the basics of connection and what it truly means to ride. Saturday started off with flat work exercises, which pointed out the gaps in the riders' training and aides. Being able to manipulate the horse's body in direction and tempo was the key lesson learned by the pairs to guarantee their success over fences. Then, during grid work exercises, riders were pushed to extend their flat work knowledge to the strides between the fences. All riders focused in on riding the strides they wanted instead of riding the fences as a single entity. Direction, speed, balance, and rhythm became the mantra for all riders as they worked the exercises on Saturday.

Sunday morning brought a brief cross-country position discussion on the three jumping positions before heading out to the course. During warm-up, all riders were encouraged to apply the morning's discussion on rider position and leverage to their particular horse. Some mounts took more leverage than others at the gallop to adjust their direction, speed, balance, and rhythm, without relying on the use of the reins. Karen helped each rider learn to ride the horse they have instead of being a passenger "holding on for survival". The new-found connection between riders and their mounts proved to be beneficial as they worked through the exercises Karen created on the cross-country course. Coffin complexes set at an angle, jumps into and out of the water, and bank exercises all challenged the riders to get out of their comfort zone and... RIDE!

All participants came away from the clinic with a sense of accomplishment and excitement for the fall season. We are looking forward to Karen's return to the facility in early winter. Be sure to check out calendar, and watch out for the e-blasts for more details!