Sep '09 Newsletter by Dressage Naturally

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Dressage, Naturally

with Karen Rohlf

Creating healthy biomechanics and stronger partnerships through combining natural horsemanship principles with the art of dressage... photo: Terri Miller

never underestimate the potential for harmony & lightness to improve in ways you cannot yet imagine

Welcome back to the Temenos... Temenos is an ancient Greek word. It refers to a sacred space that has no limits, where special rules apply and extraordinary events are free to occur.

Upcoming Clinics:

Clinic schedule: CLICK HERE

This Month: • Aliens in Florida?

Oct 3 Private Lesson Day Oct 4 Open Format Workshop

• Questions and Answers

Temenos Fields, Reddick, FL Contact: K2@dressagenaturally.net Auditors Welcome!!

• Dressage, Naturally in Australia!

Oct 12-17 Six days at Temenos Temenos Fields, Reddick, FL Contact: K2@dressagenaturally.net **(Full, closed to auditors)

Nov 1-6 Six days at Temenos Temenos Fields, Reddick, FL Contact: K2@dressagenaturally.net **(Full, closed to auditors)

Nov 21 Private Lesson Day Nov 22 Open Format Workshop Temenos Fields, Reddick, FL Contact: K2@dressagenaturally.net Auditors Welcome!!

Photos Above: Dana Rasmussen

cally, so it is ok to talk to all these parts of the horse. The body position we take when ‘coming to atWhat’s with the aliens? tention’ as part of the ‘mental half halt is very very similar to the position for the physical half halt... so if This is not an alien, all training has gone according to but it was found on How do you explain to someone what plan, it should all blend together: my property, and it the line is? and am I on the right path the mental, emotional and physiis pretty darn impressive.. I hate to of thinking? I just see sometimes that cal. think of what this there are horses that have their returns into! sponsibilities down, but need a slight My Best, rebalancing, but then there are horses Karen Ok, I probably should explain that that are being BEGGED to stay in previous page... their gate or position with constant Question: That really is my front field, and I half halts. basically micromanaging . . Hi really did think my working stuany thoughts would help! L I just purchased my next Dressage dent, Marj, must have been under Partner and I am also a Parelli the influence of aliens... I admit I Answer: student. I have been riding 40 plus did tell her that it was fun to mow Hi Laura, years and the last 15 have been drespatterns in the grass. It give the sage focused. I have ridden/leased horses more paths to follow; more I think you are on track with your upper level schoolmasters , trained interesting opportunities to practhinking... a half halt is a physical with a number of good classical traintice their responsibilities of follow- preparation, like saying: 'Hey you ers and brought a couple of horses ing a focus. And every intersection might want to sit up a little along to 4th level. My last 3yo , who is a chance to ask a question. straighter to get ready for this!" an excellently used half halt helps was supposed to me my FEI prospect took me down a very different path I’m not really sure what the locals the horse, it does them a favor. that led me to Parelli. So..... skip think, but my horses seem to enjoy ahead a few chapters. Because of Holding the horse together with it and Marj gets to express her various issues, I had to retire him. I creative pasture-mowing passion. aids that never worked in the first was able to progress with Online and place is never a good idea, and it We may have even inspired a wasn't an effective half halt to be- Liberty Savvy's with him, but his trend. The crew who does the soundness issues kept me from doing mowing around the house left me gin with if it doesn't get the result... a lot because he just hurt to much. He with a nice rainbow pattern outside or as you said, there may be men- is a LBE with a few LBI dots as well. tal, emotional deficits there that my kitchen door last time they were here... And I didn’t even have are over riding it. Next chapter in my life had me lookto pay extra! ing for my next partner that I could Of course there are mental half (photo credit of the crop circle: halts, too, which we begin in foun- still enjoy dressage in a very classical www.danarasmussen.com) sense, but wanting to do so without dation with exercises such as the whips, spurs, tension etc. I had question box... and things like making sure impulsion is balanced learned so much about reading horses Question: in the past year and half that I've been and the Responsibilities are in Hey Karen . ..I have been thinking place are incredibly helpful so you practicing , that I so want to do better about this question a lot, and its alby my new girl. ways been in the back of my head . . . don't need as many reasons for physical half halts!! Enter Amiga, a 4yo lusitano mare. could you talk a bit on half halts, and She was classically started (about 20 where they fit in the Parelli program? In the end, we are riding the horse hrs or so under saddle) when I brought mentally, emotionally and physiher home a week ago.

Misc...

My question is I feel there is a line between when a half halt is needed and . . . When someone is overusing their aids to compensate for inadequate mental, emotional and physical fitness in the horse.

I am committed to putting our relationship first. I have a pretty good plan for online and liberty savvy's. I am completely at odds with what to do about the freestyle aspect of this journey. All my riding skills are classical, ride them forward into a contact etc. I consider myself a rider with a good seat and good hands. There are no Parelli pro's in New England and my dressage trainer is very classical. So ... my challenge is how do I mesh the best of both worlds. I completely buy into all the principles of natural horsemanship. I am struggling a bit to find a plan to mesh the riding techniques. My mare just knows being ridden on contact. Thoughts? Advice? Point me to references? I'm in MA and it looks like your clinics are out of reach. I am taking her to a Parelli clinic in October with Kelly Sigler. Regards Donna

Answer: Hi Donna, I love how you are thinking.. I believe with your heart where it is, you will do right by your new girl. To offer you help, of course, first I recommend my book/DVD (perhaps you already have it...?) It was written precisely for the natural horsemanship student wanting to learn the basics of dressage... And even though you have a pretty good amount of experience already in dressage, I think it can help you gain a fresh perspective on it and will see how it all fits together. Especially look at the part where I explain the Big Picture.. it may help put things in context.

separate disciplines. They both provide strategies and tools to achieve... something.

Next, dream about what you would like your horse to be like... How do you want her to see and feel about the world? What skills, qualities would you like her to have that will make her life calm, interesting and set up for I hope this helps! Please feel free to success. With success meaning that ask more questions as they come up. she feels successful. My Best, Then think of how you can explain Karen those things to her. You will probably find that some of the things you want to explain to her can be achieved though strategies you learned in Parelli, and some can be achieved through strategies you learned from your dressage experience. Since you are experienced in both... you will likely find that you can blend them... When you do freestyle types of exercises, you can still ride them with a position and feel that promotes a good rhythm and balance. when you are riding in connection with the reins, you can still be using your seat primarily for the aids.

From your experience you will realize when it is not a time to wrestle with dressage moves, like when she is unconfident or confused... and when she is in a state of mind where things like posture and bend become important. while doing dressage, you will remember what you learned from your Parelli education about when it is a good time to dwell, when it is a good time to make the questions you ask her more challenging, or less... You will have to discern when it is a coordination or balance issue that ma y make her emotional, and when But, I think what I can tell you here, is it is an emotional issue that may make her unbalanced. to think of Parelli and dressage as bodies of knowledge rather than as 4

You will also know to trust your instincts regarding who to get help from about what. Within excellent coaches and trainers, there is still a difference of opinion about priorities, so feel free to ask your coach questions. A good one will be able to explain the reasoning to you.

Photos: www.fotosiwek.com

More Misc... I have a little secret...

AUSTRALIA

OPEN FORMAT WORKSHOPS & PRIVATE LESSON OPPORTUNITIES In FLORIDA

It’s official! Dressage, Naturally is going to Australia in 2010! I have many students down under who have been contacting me, reading the book, watching the DVDs and now I will get a chance to meet them.

The Private Lesson days are all full! (Don’t worry, there is unlimited space for auditors), but there are still some spots open in the Workshops

Parelli Professionals, Fiona Darling and Kaye Thomas have taken on the task of organizing series of clinics in Queensland, Victoria and NSW in April/ May of 2010. The schedule is as follows:

These workshops have been incredibly fun and successful the past few years, and I am happy now to have this chance to also get some individual time with people.

GOLD COAST Queensland…14-18 April 2010 MELBOURNE Victoria…22-26 April 2010 OK, my marketing advisor would probably not advise me to say this... (but I don’t have a marketing advisor, so I will): If you are thinking of ordering anything from my webshop...Don’t. Well, not yet, anyway! Wait a couple weeks. I have some new surprises for you and I want to offer them all at once. I will also be giving some nice discounts to all my newsletter subscribers. So stay tuned. we will let you know when it is ready.

YOUNG So. NSW…29 April – 3 May 2010 MACKSVILLE Northern NSW…6-10 May 2010 For further information and to request a Clinic Booking Form, please contact: Pat Miller

pmi23806@bigpond.net.au Auditors are welcome and encouraged at all events!

If you are interested, or have more questions, please email Karen Jones at: K2@dressagenaturally.net. Auditors are welcome and encouraged for the workshops and the private lesson days. We love to have you join, and there is opportunity for Q & A with Karen. The Open Format is two 3-hour sessions, per day. You can sign up for one or two sessions/day. The time is yours, you can use it as you like, bring a couple horses! There will be no formal presentation, but each student has the chance to get feedback on exactly what they are playing with! The schedule is as follows: October 3 - Privates October 4 - Workshop November 21 - Privates * November 22 - Workshop * December 19 - Privates December 20 - Workshop

CONTEST

January 9 - Privates January 10 - Workshop

Don’t forget about the contest... If you can identify the movie that is in DVD #3 of the Results in Harmony Video Series, you can win $100 gift certificate from my webshop! We already have many correct answers... Winner will be drawn October 1st. Send your answers to Karenrohlf@dressagenaturally.net

February 13 - Privates February 14 - Workshop

Some of the Parelli Australia Team!

*There is a rumor that David Lichman will be visiting the Temenos the November weekend! You never know what might happen when he is around!

Ancora Imparo

“I would like to recapture that freshness of vision which is characteristic of extreme youth when all the world is new to it.” — Henri Matisse Ancota Imparo is what Michelangelo is quoted as saying upon finishing the Sistine Chapel masterpiece. It translates: “I am still learning”.

shaped eyeballs’ (Yes, one doctor actually said that). But now technology has finally caught up with my mutant needs.

Ahhh, the vision of extreme youth... Now, I have long been conscious about nurturing my attitude of wonder for all things, to try to see each day as it is, and not as a creation of my assumptions based on the past. This kind of vision I feel like I can control.

So now I sit, one week after my surgery, watching my vision change by the hour, and watching my working student play with my horses. The first days after the surgery, I felt sea-sick when I opened my eyes, I need eye drops every 30 seconds, I have to sleep in goggles (so much for trying to be sexy)... All this I can easily handle. But not being able to go out and play with my beautifully dusty, they-might-bopme-in-the-eyeball horses for 2 weeks is another thing entirely!

But recently I have had a little trouble with my other vision... the eyeball kind. I remember the first moment I caught myself moving something farther away in order to read it... A gesture I had always associated with, well... Old people. Then I had another shocker... I went in for a regular prescription check and the doctor told me I would need .... Progressive lenses, bifocals! OMG. How did this happen? I have only recently become aware that I am a grown up... and now I am skipping right to old?! I picture myself with a blanket on my lap, my glasses half way down my nose, peaking over the top of them when engaging others in conversation. I don’t know, maybe I could pull it off in a sexy sort of way. (I might have to lose the lap blanket). Then I got some exciting news. This doctor said that there was a possibility I was a candidate for Lasik. I never was before because I apparently have ‘mutant

I tried to convince the doctor that really, I could ride... I was better on top of them than next to them... I could ride in the morning so no sweat would go in my eyes. I could wear goggles! Of course the first few days after the surgery all I wanted to do was sleep, but now... Now I feel great and it is so hard to just look out my window and watch my horses look so fabulous... Without me. Actually, I am not sure what is more difficult: to not ride them, or to admit to myself that maybe they are enjoying some time away from me, and my patterns.They actually look like they are having fun out there. Hmmm, I guess while my eyes are healing I will have to accept insight instead of eyesight.

So my working student has been given the intention for each horse, and some freedom within that to make her own plan. She’s doing with them the things that I haven’t been doing as much of. And I am feeling very proud of my boys, (and amused when I see them test out Marj... like Monty when he does his cute little bucky thing, and Atomic when he pretends to be scared of something, to get her to let him go over and graze near it.) But mostly I realize how good it is to step back and observe. Every artist knows that you have to step away from your creation, take a break, and then go back to it in order to see it more clearly. So I have resolved myself to enjoy being in my house for a couple weeks. I decided to look out my windows and do my best to “recapture that freshness of vision which is characteristic of extreme youth”. When I was extremely young I can remember watching someone ride beautiful horse after beautiful horse, and thought: ‘Wow, I wish I could do that.’ Or I would see beautiful property and think: ‘Wow, I wish someday I can have a place like this as my own.’ I let myself remember that feeling. Because then I get to remind myself that I can ride beautiful horses, and I do have this place as my own. Hmm, seems things are getting clearer by the minute. OK, I’ll wait a little longer before I get horse dirt in my eyes again. Copyright 2009 Temenos Fields, Inc September