I am a graduate of Westmorland Davis Equestrian Institute at Morven Park in Leesburg, Virginia. The school no longer exists, but it was an amazing experience, and I will share many fascinating stories of the training and events that took place there over the course of this blog.
Jack Le Goff was on the advisory council and gave regular clinics at WDEI. If you do not know who Jack is here is a link to give you background http://www.chronofhorse.com/article/jack-le-goff-dies-78 .
He was truly amazing in many ways. Today I would like to share the two things that stuck with me most.
First he believed that all riders and trainers should be true horseman and understand all aspects of their care, physiology, psychology and training. One example he repeatedly told us was that he should be able to blindfold us in the barn isle and bring out horses that were in our care one at a time and we should be able to not only identify the horse by running our hand from its knee to its fetlock. And at the same time we should be able to say if it was warmer than normal, had more or less fluid, and notice even the most minute change form day to day!
The second thing I will always remember, that makes me smile. He always stressed riding from your seat and legs and back to front. One day when perhaps our best event rider at school, who was winning a great deal at the preliminary level on a particular horse was not completely BELIEVING in this concept 100%. He asked her to get off and stand at x (the center of the ring) facing c ( the center of the short side of the arena at the far end). Then he at 57 got on and began doing a very nice sitting working trot which became an active collected trotting by the time it took to go half way around the arena. With the horse now wonderfully on the bit in a good rhythm and great self carriage he proceeded to allow the reins to run through his hands until he reached the end nothing changed! The horse stayed the same and was fantastic! If this was not enough he then made a perfect turn down the center line of the arena. Never picking up the reins or using his hands in anyway! When he was tree meters from the rider he went from this awsome sitting trot instantly to a perfectly balanced square halt! All from the invisible use of his seat and legs!!! At this point he smiled as he dismounted and said, "you don't need your hands as much as you think you do" and laughed in a good matured way. The audience and the rider laughed as well. All the while in awe of his demonstration. He knew this rider well and she rode very well through out the clinic.. She did improve after the demonstration, but was glad he chose her, because it only challenged her to be even better, and she wanted to be the best she could be. Proving that the tested method of horsemanship wins out over any gimmicky training every time.
This has left me always wanting to know the horses I work with in a way not all instructors do in this day and age of hectic schedules and always trying to teach or ride as many as possible.
I try to focus on quality not quantity in everything I do. This can be applied to all facets of life. You can also benefit by being able to do every job at work or at home. You don't have to do them all on a regular basis, but if you have done them once and truly understand what each in-tales you will be a better employee, husband, dad, friend and/or boss. What ever role you are in you will be more respected by those around you and empathetic with those around you.
I hope through sharing these stories I have helped you in some small way.
Sincerely,
John
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