Clinic Overview

Here is my summerization of a 2 day Helen Topp Level 3 clinic. Enjoy! =-)

Day 1

In the morning they did On Line and worked on the Power of the Porcupine Game. That’s at least what I called it. Lead by… everything! Something she really stressed was no more then 4 oz. then use support (driving game). Also you have to lead by the tail, and get that good, before you lead by the hocks. Hehe, then Mike played circling game, except he was on the circle. Bo, his horse, had to stay in the middle and pivot on his FQ while Mike ‘cantered’ on the circle. We shall see if he does it on his spotlight on Friday. =-)
Helen gave us a few pointers on things to do in an Audition too. She said to do LOTS OF CIRCLES. Not something I thought of. She said that the audition team was looking for Good Circles. Good Circles = rhythm, relaxation and contact. Rhythm is, well having a good rhythm in his gait. Relaxing on the circle, and having contact with you (relaxed line). One more tip was to make the hard thing easy by over-exaggerating things. Say if you have a hard time cantering in Level 3 or 4, get used to a gallop. If you want your horse to be used to blackbirds, get them used to eagles, as Pat Parelli says.
Now after lunch was riding. Helen talked about the Cradle Bridles. Basically that the C1 is for RBE or super young horses, the C2 is for RBI and the C3 is for LB horses. Then the rest of the day was about HQ control while riding. We talked about the Counter Arc – the normal shape you use when going sideways.

You work up to the sidepass by using the Counter Arc, then Straight, then finally the half pass. Once you can do them at the walk, maybe start the trot. Improve the Distance, Speed and Quality.
If you also make a triangle with cones,

then you can go sideways towards them, on an angle. But be sure to work from Counter Arc to Straight to Sidepass.
Next was Haunches In and Shoulders in!!! How fun!
Alrighty… How do I explain Haunches and Shoulders In? Let’s see… Go to your Indirect Rein position, with your finger nails pointing upward. Except with this exercise, don’t turn the finger nails up, just use a suspension rein. So, as your going on the circle:

You look down the rail, and like the picture says, take it either from the wall (SI) or as you get to the wall (HI).
Fun, huh?! Helen said to really make sure you always mirror your horse. Always remember Distance, Speed and Quality!
Engaging INTO a turn. Say what?!
Before you do any of this, get your indirect rein good, better, best. Get to where you can bend him through the turn, then bend into the turn as illustrated below:

Next was the Bowtie Pattern! Here’s the pattern:

This was a really fun Pattern to watch! In the circle, you do an Indirect rein, and once they get back on the rail, release the rein. It’s like half of a barrel pattern!
Alright, well that was what wrapped up Day 1.
Now on to Day 2! (I'll post Day 2 later!)

Lea & Eddie