Nicole Uphoff Clinic: May 2007

Barbara hosted a clinic with Nicole Uphoff for the last two weekends in May at Wyndham Oaks and it was a great success!

Rider feedback was very positive and everyone said they learned quite a bit.  Not surprisingly, everyone thought Nicole was an excellent instructor and cannot wait for her return.

Nicole commented on how every rider who had attended her clinic last November showed improvement, proving they were doing their “homework” and ready to take it up a step during this clinic.

Regardless of level, however, Nicole kept a strict focus on the basics. She emphasized correct position of horse and rider, straightness, flexibility and proper forwardness of the horse.

The consistency of improvement was impressive, all while keeping it simple.   As the riders progressed through more advanced movements they had to carry the basics with them. 

The clinic also impressed on everyone how disciplined a rider must be in properly schooling the movements.  It is always helpful to have someone on the ground to point out where improvement is needed and how to achieve it.

One of the common themes to achieve these basics was keeping an even contact, which is necessary to aid in keeping the horse straight. Some exercises to accomplish this are:

1. Bending Exercises
   Nicole had the riders do bending exercises, especially counter-bending. The horse can become softer and thus the rider’s contact through the reins can become more even.  This also improves the rider’s coordination and ability to maintain even contact.
2. Focus on keeping your arms independent of your body.
   When the rider can do this, he is also riding with a more independent seat. Contact is improved with soft joints and independent use of the aides. Using the aides independently is necessary in creating and receiving the energy of the horse properly, thus achieving an overall balance and harmony.

By the third day, all the riders looked great!  They had more confidence in their aides and were using them more effectively.

As usual, Nicole left everyone with "homework" until her next clinic, so they would be ready when she returns.

 

 

Special thanks to Ginger Dietsch for arranging daily breakfast and lunches, and Jill Rabin and Judi Rosenfeld for hosting dinners for clinic participants—all of the food was fabulous and the company even better!