Worth the Trust Scholarship |
My scholarship funds were also used over the course of the year to participate in several mini-clinics with former member of the French Three-Day Eventing Team, Jean Luc Cornille, a graduate of the French Equestrian Military School, in Saumur, where he rode as a member of Le Cadre Noir. (Right, Jean Luc Cornille explaining the goal of a shoulder-in exercise) |
Sessions with Jean Luc incorporate a wealth of knowledge drawing upon scientific findings related to equine physiology and human physiology with the goal of synergizing the two (Jean Luc also trained as a gymnast). After analyzing Zephyr’s way of going on the flat, Jean Luc outlined a plan of encouraging Zephyr to lift his trunk as key to our progress in both our dressage and, ultimately, in our jumping. (Interestingly, John Williams noticed this same inclination to "sink the trunk" in Zephyr’s approach to the middle element of the coffin where Zephyr’s instinct was to stick his chest out rather then basculing over the jump — see left). To this end, our flat exercises have included drawing an imaginary hexagon figure at the trot, directing the horse’s shoulders at every subtle turn along each of the six sides while maintaining the bend slightly to the outside. Gradually, this approach begins to elevate and elongate Zephyr’s frame. What a feeling when this formula begins to work: the lift, length, and slower cadence in the stride beneath and the ballooning of their ribcage as you feel a truly engaged trot! With his French accent, Jean Luc can be heard chanting like a metronome in the background as you ride, "tack, tack, tack," along with the longer trot beat, so that you, the rider, register this desired rhythm and feeling and, in turn, communicate it back to the horse. Most recently, we have begun to incorporate these same principles at the canter and begun half-pass exercises. Zephyr’s dressage has transformed dramatically, since we have begun training with Jean Luc—he’s almost like a different horse! |