Reflection

Half Steps with Henk

Mirror

Lesson with Henk van Bergen

Canter Pirouette

On Wednesday, January 20th, I recieved a text from JJ Tate, letting me know there was an opening in the Henk van Bergen clinic being held at Jennifer Baumerts place.  I jumped at the opprotunity, and was able to trailer (5 min down the rode!) on Thursday for a lesson with Henk.  I explained to Henk that we had just arrived to Florida from Wisconsin, and Pip had only been ridden once since arriving.  Henk said that was not a problem, and we must only work within the horses ability.  He said that he would watch me warm up and ride my normal way and only speak up if there was a problem.  We could not fix anything in a day, but he could give me some tips and tell me what I need to work on.  We made it through the warm up and then he stopped and asked me who my trainer was.  I told him the most consistent trainer I have had was Conrad Schumacher, and he replied, ”I thought that warm-up looked familiar!”  I went through my trot routine of shoulder-ins, voltes, and renver, then into more collected trot to passage.  This is where Henk stepped in.  Pip likes to raise his neck when starting the more collected movements, and to try to avoid this problem he made me more aware of the connection before the transition.  Make sure the horse is where you want him before you ask for the transition, and then ask for it.  If you come to a issue where they stiffen again, stay in the movement until you are able to supple them, and then go out of it.  We did some passage piaffe transitions and were able to get the piaffe more active and on the spot.  Henk was pleased with the regularity of the transitions in and out.  Yay!  Then we went on to the canter pirouette work, and worked on the same issues, keeping the horse more supple and relaxed in the ultra collected work.  Pip was never stresses and we were able to get a lot out of him.  He was a very kind, and encouraging instructor.  Thanks to Stewart Underhill for taking great photos!