Post by Mycroft Hollins on Mar 3, 2016 17:10:25 GMT -8
Mycroft didn't pay all that much attention to Flower as he began setting up for their lesson. The grey mare simply stood observing him, seeming content to watch him as he placed four cavaletti on the ground in a line, with a shoot right after them. Once the last pole was in place he walked over to the mare, rubbing her face with a small smile. She was a good little horse, and while he'd almost regretting purchasing her, he took it back now. She was exactly what he needed, calm, quiet, and the sweetest natured mare he'd ever encountered.
As his class began to arrive he mounted up on the arab, checking his microphone a final time. He hated the infernal device but had to admit it was entirely necessary to communicate with his students especially in such a large arena. Still, he longed for the olden days before microphones, when instructors just stood in the center of the arena, gave instructions, and hoped his students developed supersonic hearing. He almost laughed to himself at the thought, he certainly remembered those days fondly.
He waited only half a minute after the bell to start class. "Since we have technology now I'm going to ask you to continue warming up your horses while I lecture you. Just to help things move along I ask that you each take a turn walking your horses over the four cavaletti I've set on the ground during your warm up, thank you. Moving on, my name is Mr. Hollins, and this is eventing. I am sure you are disappointed we are not on the cross country courses but I just had a look yesterday and they're not fit to be ridden in just yet, too muddy. Perhaps later in the spring we'll have a go at them. For now class will always be held either here or in the jumping arena right next door, but I advise you to check the bulletin boards in the barn in case we do hit the cross country courses earlier than expected." he paused, looking around the arena in an attempt to gauge whether his students were listening to him or not. He merely shrugged, they all looked as bored as he felt lecturing them so he decided to wrap it up. "Besides being prompt and of course coming prepared, I expect clean and fit horses in my class. It is optional for riders to be clean and fit but I highly recommend it as I think you'll find it more comfortable," he finished, completely straight faced, though he wondered if they even caught his sarcasm.
He gave them a moment to finish warming up before calling them all to line up in front of him. Once they were settled he began telling them what they would be doing, "We're going to do some cavaletti exercises today. This will help your horses develop their toplines and help suspension, which will not only help them excel in Dressage but also in the jumping portions of eventing. You'll see I've set up four cavaletti, which you were supposed to walk your horse over during warm up at least once. If you did not, then this is going to be an interesting ride for you. Now, each of you will take a turn trotting your horse over the cavaletti. Focus on keeping your horse straight and collected, I'd recommend half halting them between poles. Once each of your horses is comfortable we'll add poles. The most that will ever be added is 18, but I believe we'll have a while til we reach that. If you practice perhaps we'll each get through 18 before the end of the year."
Waiting a moment to give them a chance to digest his words he sat back in the saddle, "Now then, who would like to go first?"
For those who would like a visual on this exercise, I direct you to this video!
As his class began to arrive he mounted up on the arab, checking his microphone a final time. He hated the infernal device but had to admit it was entirely necessary to communicate with his students especially in such a large arena. Still, he longed for the olden days before microphones, when instructors just stood in the center of the arena, gave instructions, and hoped his students developed supersonic hearing. He almost laughed to himself at the thought, he certainly remembered those days fondly.
He waited only half a minute after the bell to start class. "Since we have technology now I'm going to ask you to continue warming up your horses while I lecture you. Just to help things move along I ask that you each take a turn walking your horses over the four cavaletti I've set on the ground during your warm up, thank you. Moving on, my name is Mr. Hollins, and this is eventing. I am sure you are disappointed we are not on the cross country courses but I just had a look yesterday and they're not fit to be ridden in just yet, too muddy. Perhaps later in the spring we'll have a go at them. For now class will always be held either here or in the jumping arena right next door, but I advise you to check the bulletin boards in the barn in case we do hit the cross country courses earlier than expected." he paused, looking around the arena in an attempt to gauge whether his students were listening to him or not. He merely shrugged, they all looked as bored as he felt lecturing them so he decided to wrap it up. "Besides being prompt and of course coming prepared, I expect clean and fit horses in my class. It is optional for riders to be clean and fit but I highly recommend it as I think you'll find it more comfortable," he finished, completely straight faced, though he wondered if they even caught his sarcasm.
He gave them a moment to finish warming up before calling them all to line up in front of him. Once they were settled he began telling them what they would be doing, "We're going to do some cavaletti exercises today. This will help your horses develop their toplines and help suspension, which will not only help them excel in Dressage but also in the jumping portions of eventing. You'll see I've set up four cavaletti, which you were supposed to walk your horse over during warm up at least once. If you did not, then this is going to be an interesting ride for you. Now, each of you will take a turn trotting your horse over the cavaletti. Focus on keeping your horse straight and collected, I'd recommend half halting them between poles. Once each of your horses is comfortable we'll add poles. The most that will ever be added is 18, but I believe we'll have a while til we reach that. If you practice perhaps we'll each get through 18 before the end of the year."
Waiting a moment to give them a chance to digest his words he sat back in the saddle, "Now then, who would like to go first?"
For those who would like a visual on this exercise, I direct you to this video!