Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

> I don't disagree with you. And I've taken plenty of
> longe line lessons with an SRS trained classical
> instructor to correct my own rider failings. I'm a
> long way from where I want to be as a rider, but I'm
> working on it and the vet chiro tells me my horses are
> pretty well balanced. He's an instructor at the AVCA
> school of chiropractic.
The other issue here is that if you ARE unbalanced, and you know it (as
Chris does), you can do a lot to help your horse compensate for your own
inadequacies as a rider by pacing accordingly.  I'm fighting that now due
to weight and lack of fitness, and my balance has altered a great deal
from when I was young and tough and fit.  So I have to ride accordingly,
as frustrating as it is to KNOW what good balance feels like and to not be
able to maintain it.  <sigh>

But as Ed says, practice, practice, practice (and I know Chris already
knows that and does)--and it DOES get better.

In response to the original query, I don't think ANY rider is perfectly
balanced ALL the time, but obviously the better and more successful riders
are pretty well balanced MOST of the time.  And with work and lots of
riding (and often a little helpful instruction) we can all improve.

Heidi


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At the end of the day maybe the definition of endurance isn't the length of
the ride but rather the spirit in which it is ridden. 
~  Maryanne Stroud Gabani

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