http://www.enlightenedequitation.com/ee/boards/index.php?topic=31033.0

hi peps i have just booked this is anyone else going. also any thoughts on accommodation sharing? i am not too fussy or smelly ha ha

I'm very envious! I couldn't go this time because of work and it being the very opposite end of the country for me, so very hard to get to, but I would have loved to be there.







I'm saving up for a return visit to Spain next Spring, if Lucy is running her regular courses, I'm swotting up on my Spanish!







She is an amazing lady, a real polymath - she is incredibly knowedgeable on ethology, psychology, physiology - as well as being a wonderful artist, who peppers her conversation with reference to poems and books. Very inspiring for that alone, if her dedication to making horses' lives better wasn't added on top.







Hoping you enjoy it, and please do post about it afterwards, I would love to hear how you get on (and if Lucy remembers me, I haven't forgotten about any of the things we discussed - I'm working on it ).



ETA By the way, if you have access to the Phillipe Karl book on modern dressage, we discussed it and I think she would like to see a copy.

Dorothy x

hi yes i will try to make some notes and post as soon as possible. I will have to do extra time at work though to make up for this time off. will lucy remember who ddheff is? sorry about the book though i dont have it. finally i will also try to arrange a spain course with her so hope to see you there then.

Just say Dorothy

If you find out about her courses in Spain next year I would love to hear - there aren't dates up on her website yet, but she's a very busy lady so probably easier to find out word of mouth!

As promised a MY FEELINGS & UNDERSTANDING I wish to make it clear that it is only from my point of view that I write this review,
The temperature was challenging so the whole thing was set against everyone being cold.
We were in an indoor school but there was no heating so we( although it wasnt raining) were freezing . Other than a horse juggling it would have taken a real wow factor to get past the cold.

Lucy ( I believe) attempted to set out the following :-

Establish how a herd moves naturally . This included addressing dominance and submission and explained their essential need for synchronicity ( to avoid being singled out and eaten)
Explained the absolute need for a horse to want to be with you so that he will synchronise his movements with yours ( all done with video and demonstration then we had an opportunity to have a go in the indoor school leading a horse on a loose lead rein by walking in front (to lead)stopping and backing a horse up.
Next we all went out into a field and took four horses with us and attempted to synchronise leading the horse in a specific exercise whereby we lined up (as though in a race) and walked off together staying in line for 20 paces then turned right and walked for 20 paces ( so we were doing nose to tail) and repeated this movement until we ended up where we had started. It was quite an eye opener to see how hard it was to do
This was the end of the first day.

Day two
Started with two different photos of a horse and rider, from the photo she explained the details of shape posture and the carriage. Highlighting the key differences one correct one not.
She then showed a slide of the most important bio mechanic muscles used to move the horse. Highlighting the engine and how the energy goes forward from hind legs up across the back and along the neck and the use of their stomach muscles. She highlighted how and where key muscle groups needed to be strong and correctly developed in order for the horse to be able to move with a rider and still be able to balance himself.

She then traced the outline of the two photos (used earlier) and showed again how we could see which one was going correctly.
She then returned to how to strengthen these muscles and have fun. So photos of her out riding bareback and her horse going up some pretty steep slopes, jumping over little gulleys and picking his way over rocks and difficult terrain, clearly needing to use said muscles.
We then had an opportunity to sit on some horses bareback and we were led around doing some basic suppling exercises for our own bodies and trying to improve our seat.
The day ended with a summary of what we had done and a q & a session.

For me I think my money was very well spent. I have seen Lucy a few times before and although I had seen some of the video before it still was essential to lay the groundwork , for the two days. The programme flowed well with logic and a well thought out mix of methods to keep us interested (and warm) by watching and doing. As ever the friend's that are made and the extra curriculum ( I.e. pub chat) ensured a really good time for me. My other great observation was the respect I found for Heather Moffett who attended the whole way through giving support and input without taking over.
Please feel free to correct me if any of you were also there and I have made any mistakes or if you saw things differently.