Eric Horgan Returns to Colorado

Helen Guidotti sent us a wonderful report from a clinic Eric Horgan taught last year in Durango, Colo., and she’s back today with an encore report from Eric’s clinic last week. It sounds like everyone who rode with Eric in the clinic had major breakthroughs in their dressage work. Take it away, Helen!

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Eric works with Melissa Kelly and Ticos.

From Helen:

We just completed a wonderful four-day clinic with Eric Horgan in Durango, Colo., last week. We are all now suffering the Departure of Eric Blues! Why is it that once left on your own after a fantastic span of learning — in this case four days — one is left frustrated trying to replicate the feelings one was able to achieve under the watchful eye of an amazing instructor? The sayings run through my head: “equal weight in both stirrups; let your arms move with him; the canter, the canter, the canter” and so many, many more, but still that gliding feeling at the super walk or the punchy canter or the fluid trot become elusive. I guess that’s why we’ll be having him back in October!

Last October, we were lucky enough to receive a sponsorship from SmartPak. They donated a bridle, and we held a raffle and Janet Jones was the lucky winner of the bridle! Thanks to SmartPak for making the clinic that much more exciting and fun!

Amy Leonard is new to Eric’s clinics. She is 12 years old and had a great time riding Patrick — who is 20 years young — and learning how to get him moving into the bit in a forward but not fast trot. She did a fantastic job over the weekend.

Melissa Kelly has done a great job bringing OTTB Ticos back from a long time off. She has found him to be far more supple and agile in regards to lateral work since being off. When you first learn your horse is injured or you are too busy or whatever the reason may be that your horse needs a break, your world seems to be falling apart. BUT, all too quickly the time has passed, other things filled your day and when you get to work the horse again, by golly, he ends up going better than ever. It can be a devastating blow at the time, and yet things work out for the best, as witnessed by the progress Melissa made this weekend in shoulder-in/haunches in working toward the half-pass. It was very fun to see the light bulbs popping all weekend as riders would suddenly GET IT!

Sara Barnes and Cane were able to get some amazing results in their flat work.  Eric ends each ride asking every rider what three things are you taking away from this ride? He says if you go beyond three things or get too wordy about the three things, you’re not as likely to remember all the lessons learned. SO, every time I ride, as I am cooling out or preparing to dismount, I pick three things about the ride that I am walking away with. Of course, they have to be positive things!

Elisabeth Marsh did a great job with her absolutely wonderful Raf. They are really beginning to master walk to canters, walking turn on the forehand and leg yielding. It is so fun to see the learning process happen and people walking away with smiles on their faces and pats (or carrots) for their horses

Laura Wright and her young OTTB mare, Cleo, made amazing progress. Laura had cantered her a couple of times and Cleo had been off property five times in over a year. They really accomplished a lot, from cantering on day one to trot poles and, most importantly, acceptance of the bit. Watching them was an inspiration to see what can be accomplished so seamlessly and with relaxation.

The jumping exercise Eric had up his (short) sleeves was quite a challenge. Picture four jumps on a twenty meter circle; the goal was to ride through the middle of each set of standards and see how many strides it takes your horse to complete the circle. Then see if you can add and subtract strides on the circle. Not so easy! Then add poles on the ground and, ultimately, height to the jumps. When the balanced canter was maintained, it was easy. That didn’t happen all the time! He also did some work on how to land with the canter lead you want.

Jessie Beukima and Pache had a great weekend and overcame some little bitty jumping demons. How you ask? With the canter the canter the canter. When they had the forward, balanced, punchy canter, life was good, and the jumping went really well. Their dressage is getting very classy, and it’s time to get them to a show!

All in all, it was another great learning experience, and Eric has given us all our homework for when he comes to visit in October. One of the major breakthroughs my little brain finally made was that the horse needs to feel safe in order to be soft. If you are off balance or pulling on the reins or doing anything that upsets the horse, it’s not going to soften for you. You have to create, with your mind and body, an environment that enables and encourages the horse to soften. It’s a huge responsibility and, although it sounds simple, it’s not so easy. So, come visit the great southwest and ride in or audit Eric’s next clinic out here!