Ballarat QW June 2012

Where:  Unicorn Park, Ballarat Victoria

When:  8th - 11th June 2012

Daily Programme: 
Morning 8.30am—12.00pm.
Level 1 Secondary – Learn safe and practical saddling & riding techniques to have your horse going forward confidently & easily. Discover how to steer & stop you horse with just your body energy and one rein.
Covers Lessons 3 & 4 of the Foundation Program.

Afternoon 1.30pm—5.00pm
Level 2 Primary -  Advance on our Basic Skills with Positive Reflexes and work on longer lines.  Go looking for the truth at Liberty and gain an independent seat with Bareback Riding
Covers Lessons 5 & 6 of the Foundation Program.

Our new venue at the Ballarat Quantum Weekend was a huge success and not only did we get to keep nice and dry, there were many BFO's and Ah-ha moments throughout the 4 days.  Our morning group were discovering lots about how to read their horses to determine if they were safe to hop on..or not..and if not, how to help their horses get to where they are safe enough to hop on.  I also saw everyone become much lighter with their rein positions and anyone who came to watch on the first and last days would have seen a huge leap in the confidence of everyone riding their horses.

The afternoon group discovered much about feeling for their horse and seeing their lead ropes not just as a piece of rope anymore, but as a line of connection to their horses which leads to creating that same connection when taking the ropes away and working with them at liberty.

It was wonderful to see so many auditors come along to watch - thank you all for taking the time to squeeze a little horsemanship learning in to your busy schedule and I look forward to seeing you next time.  We had a few people pop in to say hi also and it was fabulous to see Leah and her

new baby (even though she was attached to her!!)  A HUGE thank you to Maree for welcoming us into her home and offering us a hot shower and a lovely hot meal at the end of the day - it was the icing on the cake (or was it sticky date pudding! YUM!) to a fabulous weekend.



Student Ta-Dahs's:
Look up & focus & your pony goes in the direction you want!!
When my body position is open, I can project my energy with effect
I rode my pony in the arena by ourselves.
I did a trail walk with Indy
When you keep walking they go better.
Lightness and steering is easier to one side need to work on the other side.
Loading & traveling well
Focus makes everything easier.
Realising that I can move away when everybody bunches up.
Canter Transitions
Good try at sideways
Good focus = good direction
Stood still for saddling
Persistence instead of giving up.