2006 3-D Rider Ah Ha Moments

Our team would like to congratulate the participants on their outstanding and engaged participation in the 2006 3-D Rider clinics. Following is a recap of the ah ha! moments from the clinics.

3-D Clinic 1—On the Ground

Watching the red sorrel demo in the roundpen Friday night, I learned to look for more clues that indicate a horse’s readiness to come in or need to stay on the rail (e.g., kinked tail, head too high). – Sue McMurray

I realized that when roundpenning, after using the whip, my body moves backwards. Ah ha! Body language! – Suzy Epler

During roundpenning, I learned my horse has a lot of fear and my intensity for the stop cue was too high. I also learned he is lazier than I thought and sometimes it’s OK for me to use the whip more (as an aide) to generate more of the correct response. – Sue McMurray

I found out the color of my horse—chestnut! – David King

When I could use the words to explain to my partner how to do something and it worked! Listen–do–teach. – Bobbi Smith

We got out of the trailer before lunch without getting excited. – Sharon Moore

I realized that, when doing an outside turn in the roundpen, I was over cueing with my whip, even when I thought I was being subtle. – Barbie Miller

I now know my 3-D Rider has been more one dimensional than three because of my riding background. I started in the equitation phase and stayed there until I came to this program. Now I can take the necessary steps to learn the other two dimensions and become a more complete horseman. – Sue McMurray

Roundpen of Life: Our lives in the hands of our heavenly Father as the trainer can closely parallel that of the horse in the hands of his trainer. In the roundpen, a trainer is looking for his horse to pay attention to him—to have his ear tuned in, his eyes attentive and tuned into the cues of his handler. The handler is wanting submission and respect. At times, the stress level (adversity) is raised with the end result becoming trust, loyalty, respect, submission, and even humbling as the head is bowed. As my heavenly Father takes me through the roundpen of life, may my eyes be attentive to Him, my ears in tune, my heart trusting, my head bowed in reverence. – Jeannie Sapp

3-D Clinic 2—Equitation

I learned yesterday that my equitation is better bareback than in the saddle. Now I have to figure out what is making this difference. – Sue McMurray

The shoulder yield is not a two-track.

Curl back, soft back, “shot in the belly” when stopping. – Barbie Miller

The joy of getting a pivot foot for the forehand turn.

It really works to work horse in small circle when you want to correct head, such as break at the poll. – Suzy Epler

3-D Clinic 3—Training Under Saddle

Cueing in rhythm gives a much clearer signal to the horse. – Marcie King

Being in the right part of the saddle really helps with control. – Alyssa Miller

I learned my horse tends to be one-sided. So I need to do more exercises on that particular side. – Sue McMurray

Slow down my seat to slow down my horse. – Alyssa Virgin

Keep leg on to transition down to trot (not walk). – Bobbi Smith

I got an “ah ha!” moment when I figured out how to make a bigger circle with a flex. – Alyssa Miller

Use my legs to back; the reins are just to put the head in place. – Alyssa Virgin