Karen can fall back a bit when she sits to change diagonal, which Ali thinks is an early warning of what happens going in to canter, Karen sits, and falls back which causes Kalligraphy to hollow.
Kalligraphy needs to ‘go’ a bit more in trot so he’s closer to tracking up. He pulls his head down to try to put his own ‘stop’ on and encourage Karen to join in. She needs to encourage him forwards when he does this so that she doesn’t get involved in the ‘stop’ Kalligraphy is trying to create. Kalligraphy also evades 'go' by going behind the contact, Ali helps Karen encourage a longer neck and that helps to achieve a more consistent pace too.
Karen needs to think about her boards and narrowness to stay in the middle of the horse.
In each transition Karen needs to think about being on the front of her pelvis - if she sits on the back of her bottom she squashes him a bit.
When Karen gets him straight Karen must encourage him forward. When he’s not straight he rushes.
Kalligraphy wants Karen to be tipped forward so he can be on the forward, they work on correcting this in the transitions and with the gait. They achieve some great canter.
This is the latest, but also the last post of Karen & Kalligraphy. Very sadly Karen lost Kalligraphy after a long and complicated medical issue.
We are so grateful to Karen for sharing her training journey with Kalligraphy with us all, and she has kindly allowed us to keep his videos available on Dressage Training TV in memory of him. Rest in Peace lovely chap.
Ali encourages Karen to think collar bones over sternum, and to work to keep Kalligraphy straight, and prevent him from getting longer and more downhill in his stride. They work on 'little and big' in walk, concentrating on Karen keeping still in her core while keeping Kalligraphy's legs quick, but with a longer stride for a good medium walk. This instantly gets Kalligraphy's attention. The left rein is harder as he tries to fall out through the left shoulder and Karen falls off the right. Kalligraphy finds little on the left rein more difficult, and it's more difficult to keep him straight. Ali reminds Karen to keep her hands 'pushing up against a resistance'. On the right rein in trot Kalligraphy likes Karen to be on the wrong diagonal, and he makes attempts to throw her on to the incorrect one. Karen manages to hold her position well and is able to keep the correct diagonal for longer, by getting to the top of her rise and keeping strong in her core. They work on 'little and big' in trot, in which Kalligraphy initially resists powering through in to a convincing medium trot. The transition to 'little' is very good, while the transition back to 'big' is slower and less obvious. On the left rein Karen has to concentrate on keeping herself straight, she manages well and Ali comments on how equal it looks on this rein to the right rein. The trot looks straight and the difference between the trots is obvious, and Karen manages not to get twisted by him.
Karen can fall back a bit when she sits to change diagonal, which Ali thinks is an early warning of what happens going in to canter, Karen sits, and falls back which causes Kalligraphy to hollow.
Kalligraphy needs to ‘go’ a bit more in trot so he’s closer to tracking up. He pulls his head down to try to put his own ‘stop’ on and encourage Karen to join in. She needs to encourage him forwards when he does this so that she doesn’t get involved in the ‘stop’ Kalligraphy is trying to create. Kalligraphy also evades 'go' by going behind the contact, Ali helps Karen encourage a longer neck and that helps to achieve a more consistent pace too.
Karen needs to think about her boards and narrowness to stay in the middle of the horse.
In each transition Karen needs to think about being on the front of her pelvis - if she sits on the back of her bottom she squashes him a bit.
When Karen gets him straight Karen must encourage him forward. When he’s not straight he rushes.
Kalligraphy wants Karen to be tipped forward so he can be on the forward, they work on correcting this in the transitions and with the gait. They achieve some great canter.
ABOUT KAREN & KALLIGRAPHY
KAREN
Karen grew up in Zimbabwe and has ridden/ owned horses since she was five years old. She was fortunate enough to have owned a string of ponies and then horses. In her early years she competed in all Pony Club activities and then moved on to competing at a professional level in all disciplines. She has even attained her Zimbabwean colours for eventing.
She took a break from horses when she married and then when her and her husband relocated to the UK in 2004, she started riding again. During 2016, she was itching to get out competing again so the hunt for a suitable horse began. She looked at many horses before discovering Kalligraphy in the September. She says she fell in love with him the moment she saw him.
Karen and Kalligraphy have started doing Prelim Dressage with the aim of competing at higher levels.
KALLIGRAPHY
Kalligraphy, is a 6 year old, chestnut thoroughbred bred by Grace Muir of North Farm Stud.
Karen says he has a great personality when he gets to know you and they have a lot of fun together.