PMG at St P's - July

[Chris Hall]

Rachel, Paul & Peter - thank you for a truly wonderful clinic this weekend 

It was absoultely perfect: the weather was superb, horses positively shone in the sunlight. Desi was magnificent - the first time I have seen him properly. Rach - your grin just gets wider 

Fally and I had our best clinic ever and it was the first time this year that I've felt fit enough to ride all three days     I will write more in our journal, rather than take up too much space here, but just to say that this time we were working nicely together, consistently with the pair of us tired but happy at the end of our sessions. Peter helped us develop our canter this weekend - it's the most sustained canter work we've done, with constant changes of direction and pace to keep us on our toes. It's starting to work as we got most of the quick-fire canter/trot/canter transitions without too much delay in between - still needs work, but I felt we made real progress in this area. It was also a series of firsts: counter canter loops, canter diagonals without breaking into trot half way across, riding straight lines across the school as opposed to over-cooked turns and wavy lines  and learning those all-important tear-drop turns 

Absolutely chuffed to bits - roll on September 

[St Piran's - Rachel]

I have to say Chris - I am with you on that one.  For me this was a CRACKING clinic.

BIG thanks to Peter, sitting watching you work Desi was flippin lovely. 

For me a huge learning curve - the more I do the more I realise I have so much more to do!  For me this clinic was getting simple changes (for Desi may be but for me who is left-right challenged a little less clear!) also piaffe and moving to passage steps.

Simple when you have a horse that can do it all? NOPE I still have to learn it and it is not easy.  So what did we do?  Well I can change right to left with no problem, but change left to right I find very difficult, my body doesn't move smoothly and accurately to through from left to right.  So Peter had me initially working in slow sitting trot moving from shoulder in to renver and back several times on a line.  This was really useful because I was having to quickly and softly move from one position to the other to keep the even stepping of the trot. 


the slow trot was great for us both relaxing and keeping even steps


finally my brain joined forces with my body and we got a change when asked from my correct aids - this was the result 


We also worked on piaffe the moves a small amount forward and then coming out with three big trot strides to start me getting to ask for the passage stride.  A huge amount of energy required for me to sit deep, still and ask - I have alot of fitness to get for sure.

I need to learn to hollow my back less.
I was pleased though because we also focussed on producing the work from the snaffle and I am pleased with the pics as they show very little curb use.

So a wonderful set of sessions

Desi is just the bees-knees, I am chuffed.

We managed also to get pics of Chris which I hope she will post and of course Rosie with Kopla.  Peter started to work with Rosie asking Kopla to come down on the bit and accept the contact, which she has done really well


Peter wanted Rosie to work Kops on the bit for short periods of time, during this time just very slightly behind the vertical in trot so that as she comes through the canter transition Kops then moves to the vertical and take the contact.  This worked really well.


A great last session with Kops relaxed, Rosie did a superb job.

Again - huge thanks to Peter for a fab clinic and I to am looking forward to September
Rach 

[Ednovean Farm - Charles & Christine]

Thank you Peter Paul and Rachel for a great clinic at St Pirans Stud

Danni teeters on the approach to real engagement and collection and has tended to produce some interesting moments before offering his best work. I need to get through this barrier before we can move on with any real meaning and Peter spread some calm authority on the proceedings reassuring me that a little over reaction from the horse was to be expected when moving on a stage and not a problem for the rider.

Danni gave me some of his best work ever on his second session offering carriage, balance, impulsion and great joy in his work although technically I know I have a long way to go to master the self discipline, focus and strength to complement my Iberian friend. All in all Danni gave a glimpse of his future on this clinic which will be worth struggling for Thank you Peter



Canter Shoulder in prior to half pass ulp


Dani going for it!!


and sunning himself in our car park after his shower

[Helen Davey]

Fabulous pictures!  Well done everyone, sounds like an amazing clinic. 

[Chris Hall]

OK - prepare yourselves  I really do need to learn how to smile 

              
Fally just knows how to strike a pose                                            settling into canter


preparing for the diagonal M to V 

       
I wasn't going to show this but it's so funny, I really had to share. We had cantered H to P, back to trot and Fally put in a big leap forward into the canter, which took me by surprise  Fally was not amused as you can tell by his expression - mother for goodness sake get a grip!


Back into walk at the end of our session today - apparently I need to hollow my back less and lift the chest more, something to do with a certain page number - the world is just not ready     

[Helen Davey]

You and Fally are coming along so well, Chris!  The unexpected canter pic is brilliant! 

[Ann Burling]

what a fab set of pics 

soooooo envious of you all - I will get to clinics with Peter, I WILL (lack of transport - and just a tad too far for even Bug to hack!)

[Abi R-King]

Must say I do miss the summer clinics - nothing better than sitting in the sun watching lots of lovely ponies and riders producing fab work 

Lovely pics and reports guys - thanks.

[Kate Dowling]

yes fantastic photos!!!  Very funny photo Chris, thanks for posting it, I have some odd ones of me too 

[Martina Pope]

Fantastic photos of you all in action , you all look fab !

[Rebecca Pryor]

Sounds like a fantastic clinic but I did enjoy my week in Lanzarote. Kopla is looking fab, will be Candy this time next year hopefully