Sunday, September 25, 2011

Equine Affaire - November 2011!!

I'm very excited..... G and I were chosen to ride with Elizabeth Graves in her three clinics at EA this fall.  I've been fortunate to have audited one clinic and participated in one clinic during the first 2 years of our relationship; when I knew only a smidge about gaited horses; but more than 6 years have past and I'm curious to see what Liz will have us work on.  She posted on Facebook that she's very excited at the five horse & riders that she has to work with this November.  So I'm sure she'll have some fun exercises and challenges for us.   Here are the three session descriptions:

1.    SAT 11/12/11 • 9:30am–11:00am • The Five Essentials of Gaited Horsemanship: Achieving Straightness, Engaging the Hindquarters, Raising the Base of the Neck, Moving in a Weight Bearing Posture & Bending in the Rib Cage 


2.    SAT 11/12/11 • 2:45pm–4:15pm • Developing & Refining the Easy Gaits: Identifying a Horse’s Easy Gaits, Creating Shape for Each Gait, Achieving Consistency of Gait & Conditioning Each Gait 


3.    SUN 11/13/11 • 3:30pm–5:00pm • Maximizing the Rider’s Seat, Hands & Legs for Gaits: Learning Detailed Applications to Support, Guide & Direct A Gaited Horse Ms. Graves will accept up to four horse and rider combinations.  


Hubby said he'll be my groom and cameraman; I think he's as excited as I am!  The only downside is we're attending on the weekend, and it is a mob scene.  I usually attend on Thursdays and Fridays when it's not so crazy.  I've already decided since the barn is a 20-25 minute drive from the fair grounds that I'll bring him home Saturday night so he can relax in his own stall.  I'm hoping that will make for better performance for both of us!  I know I'll sleep better knowing he's tucked in safe at home.  For those not familiar with Liz Graves you can check her out at http://lizgraves.com   She's a wonderful horsewoman and so down to earth - if you ever get a chance to work with her, I highly recommend it!