Day one, Thursday.
Loree and I set out early so we could travel and settle in the night before camp started. Good thing we did, we had our first "OH BOY" on the trip out. Tread started flying off the tires of the trailer around the Bradshaw exit. Turned out to be dry rot (even though her tires had good looking tread they were 10 years old). First lesson, change tires on trailer every 5 years even if they look good! We had a station come change the tire while I held horses in the grass to graze. We then drove on to GI to buy 4 new tires. Unload horses and graze some more!
The interesting thing there was we met Santa Clause. REALLY! The gentleman that drives the sleigh with Belgians at Christmas around GI came over to entertain us with his stories. When the girls practiced trailer loading at camp, Loree and I felt we could skip that part, since we did that on the way out!
Friday, first day of camp.
It was so wonderful to see everyone as they arrived at camp. These women are really a unique bunch of mature, trusting, respectful and encouraging friends. The best horse friends I have, so it felt like a homecoming. Sherry had a hand book for us as well as a resource book and nifty little "Sherry in a pocket" cards on a clip that had a summary of tasks and ideas for us to use while working with our horses. We could clip them to our belt loop. She really put a lot of thought and work into her lesson plans. I loved the material and it stretched me into a new learning curve. I went to camp thinking I had watched all the level 2 so I would know what they were talking about this year. It was humbling to realize just how much I still had to learn.
In the morning we did Horsenality profiles after playing with someone elses horse. Mel took Cimarron and I did John. We found Cim and John to be very much alike. Both Left Brained Extroverts. It was eye opening to have someone else evaluate my horse after playing at liberty with him. Mel read him great, and I loved playing with John. What a sweet horse. Mels relationship with John is one I aspire to have with Cim.
In the afternoon we practiced playing the seven games while riding. We took our first trail ride that evening. I would never have done this last year, but this year I felt confident enough to do it. I won the friendly game while riding. For the first time I didn't try to micro manage Cimarron with the reins. I gave him the reins and told him I trusted him. He has a fast walk, so I also practiced some strategies to slow him (ie. let him eat grass!) The games from the saddle started to click for me and that was nice to have come together.
Saturday was another nice day. Hot and windy, but still nice.
Sherry's lesson plan was on Harmony and Positive Reflexes. I hope I don't get my days mixed up, but I think this is the day we did the exercise where we practiced a light feel for timing, balance and synergy. Kay and I took turns closing our eyes and directing the other around the room by the softest feel we could find. It really made me realize that FEEL is ALL the horse has to go on and how important EVERYTHING you do is with him.
We did some free style riding in the afternoon. And I have to tell you I did do what I had waited 3 years to try on Cimarron. I CANTERED on him in the arena for the first time ever! That feel of my butt in rhythm with his canter was incredible! Last year Sherry helped me find my wings, when I cantered this year I thought I was going to fly right up out of the saddle! It was glorious, and even more special to do it with friends who cheered me on. Thank you ladies for that encouragement.
I'm not sure if this was the day we took our second trail ride or if it was Sunday, but we went again. I can't believe I wasn't even scared.
Sunday a cold front came through, but not bad enough to stop us from working outside.
So in the morning we did a really cool liberty session together. We all went into the large outdoor arena and stood in a circle, horses beside us. One by one we walked our horse into the center and took the halter off. It was fun to see how each horse reacted and/or took off. Mel was first to go and John followed her straight back to her standing spot! NO Surprise! I think I went next and took Cim. Of course he took off. But he was beautiful to watch. Everyone took turns driving him away from them with the sick and string, I stayed in the middle until he got the idea I was the only safe place to be. It didn't take long for him to join up with me and follow me back to my spot. I'll let the others tell their stories on this one, we had some very entertaining moments!
The other really special thing that happened for me on Sunday afternoon was I RODE CIM BAREBACK! Another first. Cory tried it on Buba too and she looked so great! Sherry spent a long time with Cimarron and I individually, demonstrating how to get Cim to come up to the side of the fence in the round pen. That was such a cool demo of how these games all come together to complete one task. Cheryl watched as well and tried it with Kisses. I loved that bareback feel and can see how Sherry and Jessica are addicted to it!
Monday morning we had some class time as well as soak time with our own horses. After lunch we had independent seat riding lessons. The weekend was full of education as well as practice and play. I am skipping a lot and hopefully some of the others can fill in the gaps. We had lots of laughs, no cooking, and great conversation.
- Sharon, I think you need to tell some Lexie stories :) Especially her escape plans. OR maybe Cheryl can tell that one:)
- Cory, thanks again for making those special t-shirts. What a nice memento. I loved the strides I saw happen with you and Buba, he was having great fun!
- Kay gave lots of words of wisdom which I just loved, she a Lakota are truly a partnership. Kay is really good at thinking through the why's and practicing her focus.
- Cheryl and sweet Kisses, it was fun to watch you with a new little filly. You are a great teacher and leader for her.
- Leigh and Hobby, I loved your thought provoking questions and comfort on the trail.
- Loree and Buster, a renewed relationship starting, and what a beautiful rider you are. Loree looks like a cowboy when she rides, only very feminine and absolutely beautiful. Kinda like Clint Eastwood riding off into the sunset.
- Sharon and Lexie, it was so precious to see Lexie's playfulness and how you deepened your understanding of her. You really are partners and she loves you as much as you love her.
- Mel and John, what a precious relationship. They even kiss!
- And Sherry, how do I put into words how much I appreciate all you did for us. You have so much knowledge and share it with the most sincere heart. You sent us home with a lot of ideas and direction.
I am already looking forward to next year.
Love you all,
Cindy
Thank you for the fabulous report.
I'm glad you liked the handbooks, they were a lot of work for me, but I really wanted all of you to have something to take home and keep you moving forward on the journey.
The horsenality profiles were very good and I think everyone learned a lot.
It was great to see you finally let go of the micro managment of Cim and just ride him with trust, plus having strategies to slow him from time to time, if you felt the need.
One of the things I was really hoping that people would get this weekend is that the games are part of everything we do with horses every moment we are with them we are playing one of them or they are playing one of them with us whether we realize it or not. They have a purpose in our everyday lives with horses. It took me the longest time to see how I was playing the games on the ground and then while riding, but when I saw that connection everything really started to click for me.
FEEL? How do you really explain it and even more how do you really teach it? Some people have it and some don't. Some can learn it and some don't. Some are gradually getting there and may learn enough to get by and be safe. But it is the most important thing because it really is all the horse has to go on. That is why one person can ask the horse to do something and he doesn't and then another person can pick up the rein or the lead and the horse does it right off for them. Why? Because one person presented the correct feel to the horse and the other one didn't. How do you get it? Experience, practice, experimentation! The horse will tell you if you have it or not by the results or lack thereof you get with him.
And you Cantered beautiful! He is a very majestic horse, and Bruce talked to me again about buying him. He really wants that horse, if you ever really want to sell him.
Yes, last year I tried to help people find wings, and this year I tried to let you fly. It was hard for me to let go and kick you out of the nest and step back and give you time to experiment. Some people just took off and flew right away with the freedom, others struggled terribly and wanted to stay in the nest. But everybody eventually did it. That is why I gave you guys so much free time this year. To let you learn to fly and you did! Everyone was cheering each other on and I am still applauding all of you.
The catching game was very revealing about each horse's horsenality and so much more. I think that exercise helped each horse get an even stronger connection with their human.
Several people rode bareback and several people rode their horse in the round pen without reins, and others rode with only one rein for the first time. Again some were ready to fly further from the nest than others. But they all flew.
Like we said in the sharing time, I have people ask me all the time, How do I get my horse over to the fence to mount bareback? It is funny now, because after watching me do it with Cim, everyone understands that it would take a book to describe it all. But I think this is the moment that it clicked for you that I was nearly playing all of the games at once and they had a purpose. So the better you are at the games the better you can do everything. And the better your horse sidepasses and backs the better he will do everything.
If you have a safe horse and an enclosed area to learn in and some soft sand wouldn't hurt, bareback riding will give you an independent seat faster than any other exercise especially if you will let go of the reins and not balance on them. At least put them on the horses neck you'll be able to pick them up if you need them, or just place one hand on top of them.
The knowledge is easy to share and I am very passionate about it, but watching people struggle through it until they finally get it is the hardest part. But we have all been there and without the struggle and challenges of learning we would never get better. It is easier for some than others. However with ideas, direction, and time it will all come together for you.
I am already looking forward to next year, and because of all of the great feedback, I have ideas of what to change for next year, and how to make it even better. Of course you may want to consider the cattle drive/horsemanship camp in June. I know you have been wanting to do that and Cim will do great. He was bred for cattle.
Happy Trails,
Sherry Jarvis
"When the doors of perception are cleansed, man will see things as they truly are, infinite." -- William Blake
