FlyingCoo
Well-Known Member
So 7 weeks ago when we were all still snowed under dealing with frozen water pipes, icy stable yards and no riding for 9 weeks I saw an advert for a Yogi B clinic at my local equestrian centre and having just had a wee promotion at work decided what the heck lets blow the new payrise and book ourselves a place! Its not every day that the legend himself will be teaching in Scotland!
It was the best motivation I could have getting on and riding after work each night in the dark and cold. The FCs beauty regime was even timed all leading up to the day. Preparation even saw us subjecting ourselves to 2 days of the Darkside to knock off the rust as had visited my usual jumping instructor the week before and the old habits had crept back in!Showjumping has been our weakest phase so have been working very hard on our canter and sitting and waiting for the fence as I do like to fire at them!
We set off leaving an hour for any contingencies (for a 30 minute journey!) in case the Coo-Moobeel decided to give me heart failure as it had done on a previous weekend outing. In the back was a Flying Coo scrubbed within in an inch of his life with even his legs all painted and enough show shine on to last us a whole season.
We casually walked into our lesson and clocked that we had a Pro Event Rider in our group and saw the man himself. Eeep remember to breathe!
Had our little chat to find out what we do and where we were at even if I did have to repeat how to pronounce my name a few times but Ill let him off as it is hard at the best of times let alone for someone of Swedish Origin.
His opening words were in anything you do it must have discipline and control so that was what the aim of the lesson was: discipline and control! We started off working in the canter and working between lengthening and shortening and also keeping straight. We find collection quite hard so we now have new exercises to try at home using the long sides of the school. He made it very clear that in any jumping you must be able to work through the gears in canter and have your horse quickly respond to you. After about ten minutes of this my face was very red and extremely warm as this cantering about lark is hard work! Onto the jumping.
As well as discipline and control he stated that we all know what to do before a fence but importantly you must also concentrate on what you do after the fence as it influences the next fence. We started off with just canter poles going to an upright which then was changed to a spread. I must have fallen asleep somewhere between landing and coming around again as in that time the fence had moved from a nice 1M fence to a 1M30.(I know as had to go round and check it afterwards!) So in my head as coming up to it just squeeze, sit upright, sit still, wait for the fence, our wee legs will never get over that. The FC didnt worry of course and just flew over it. Video to prove it!! Clever Boy.
http://s1132.photobucket.com/albums/m579/cameron278/?action=view¤t=YogiBFeb2011Vid1.mp4
We then worked on a simple related distance keeping straight using the corners and working after a fence as it is true how many of us after we jump in a lesson either immediately stop or head back into walk to wait our turn instead of working them back down the gears. Have another vid attached for this one but the video chief cut off at the important bit where he said you rode that brilliantly. From this point on we were grinning from ear to ear as we had a huge compliment from the man and could feel me and the FC growing in stature as the lesson progressed.
http://s1132.photobucket.com/albums/m579/cameron278/?action=view¤t=YogiBFeb2011Vid2.mp4
We then progressed into a full course where he had set up the course in a way that you had to think the whole time after the fence and set yourself up for the next fence. His words were turn out to turn in even in a jump off as it gives you time to set up and think for the next fence. Also you must ride your SJ rounds like a dressage test with accuracy and not fall in round corners and be straight. We did get a telling off for being a bit motorbikish at one stage!We did it one way then did it the other way around. I dont think I have ridden so well in my life and the FC jumped his socks off and felt fantastic underneath.
http://s1132.photobucket.com/albums/m579/cameron278/?action=view¤t=YogiBFeb2011Vid3.mp4
http://s1132.photobucket.com/albums/m579/cameron278/?action=view¤t=YogiBFeb2011Vid4.mp4
I went to this lesson with huge anticipation and perhaps a slight fear as would Yogi, the man that is the legend be way over my head and would he laugh at me and my little Cob X flying machine? I have to say NO!! It became clear that whatever your level the basics principles are all the same and if you get them right then the rest will follow. Accuracy, Discipline and Control. You can tell why he has been a very successful manager and bringing home Gold Medals a plenty with the GB Team. He deserves the respect he has earned with his teaching style. He explains things very simply and installs huge confidence in you as person. After this lesson I dont think I will go into a SJ round again with the usual break out of a cold sweat (unless of course its above 1M30!) as myself and the FC gained huge confidence yesterday and have also proved that if I sit up and ride positively anything is possible. I recommend anyone to get a lesson from him.
The great mans parting words were He has great spirit, you have great spirit and together you make a tremendous partnership. For a chap that is short and small he makes up for it in effort, heart and soul and thats what you need from a horse
Still grinning from ear to ear and now eagerly awaiting the start of the Eventing Season with new found brimming confidence.Apologies for the gushing! The FC is having a well deserved day off after being spoilt rotten with treats last night and all I have to offer is the mini cheddars left over from yesterdays pack lunch. Wait till later though and I might be able to give you something a bit stronger!
It was the best motivation I could have getting on and riding after work each night in the dark and cold. The FCs beauty regime was even timed all leading up to the day. Preparation even saw us subjecting ourselves to 2 days of the Darkside to knock off the rust as had visited my usual jumping instructor the week before and the old habits had crept back in!Showjumping has been our weakest phase so have been working very hard on our canter and sitting and waiting for the fence as I do like to fire at them!
We set off leaving an hour for any contingencies (for a 30 minute journey!) in case the Coo-Moobeel decided to give me heart failure as it had done on a previous weekend outing. In the back was a Flying Coo scrubbed within in an inch of his life with even his legs all painted and enough show shine on to last us a whole season.
We casually walked into our lesson and clocked that we had a Pro Event Rider in our group and saw the man himself. Eeep remember to breathe!
Had our little chat to find out what we do and where we were at even if I did have to repeat how to pronounce my name a few times but Ill let him off as it is hard at the best of times let alone for someone of Swedish Origin.His opening words were in anything you do it must have discipline and control so that was what the aim of the lesson was: discipline and control! We started off working in the canter and working between lengthening and shortening and also keeping straight. We find collection quite hard so we now have new exercises to try at home using the long sides of the school. He made it very clear that in any jumping you must be able to work through the gears in canter and have your horse quickly respond to you. After about ten minutes of this my face was very red and extremely warm as this cantering about lark is hard work! Onto the jumping.
As well as discipline and control he stated that we all know what to do before a fence but importantly you must also concentrate on what you do after the fence as it influences the next fence. We started off with just canter poles going to an upright which then was changed to a spread. I must have fallen asleep somewhere between landing and coming around again as in that time the fence had moved from a nice 1M fence to a 1M30.(I know as had to go round and check it afterwards!) So in my head as coming up to it just squeeze, sit upright, sit still, wait for the fence, our wee legs will never get over that. The FC didnt worry of course and just flew over it. Video to prove it!! Clever Boy.
http://s1132.photobucket.com/albums/m579/cameron278/?action=view¤t=YogiBFeb2011Vid1.mp4
We then worked on a simple related distance keeping straight using the corners and working after a fence as it is true how many of us after we jump in a lesson either immediately stop or head back into walk to wait our turn instead of working them back down the gears. Have another vid attached for this one but the video chief cut off at the important bit where he said you rode that brilliantly. From this point on we were grinning from ear to ear as we had a huge compliment from the man and could feel me and the FC growing in stature as the lesson progressed.
http://s1132.photobucket.com/albums/m579/cameron278/?action=view¤t=YogiBFeb2011Vid2.mp4
We then progressed into a full course where he had set up the course in a way that you had to think the whole time after the fence and set yourself up for the next fence. His words were turn out to turn in even in a jump off as it gives you time to set up and think for the next fence. Also you must ride your SJ rounds like a dressage test with accuracy and not fall in round corners and be straight. We did get a telling off for being a bit motorbikish at one stage!
We did it one way then did it the other way around. I dont think I have ridden so well in my life and the FC jumped his socks off and felt fantastic underneath.http://s1132.photobucket.com/albums/m579/cameron278/?action=view¤t=YogiBFeb2011Vid3.mp4
http://s1132.photobucket.com/albums/m579/cameron278/?action=view¤t=YogiBFeb2011Vid4.mp4
I went to this lesson with huge anticipation and perhaps a slight fear as would Yogi, the man that is the legend be way over my head and would he laugh at me and my little Cob X flying machine? I have to say NO!! It became clear that whatever your level the basics principles are all the same and if you get them right then the rest will follow. Accuracy, Discipline and Control. You can tell why he has been a very successful manager and bringing home Gold Medals a plenty with the GB Team. He deserves the respect he has earned with his teaching style. He explains things very simply and installs huge confidence in you as person. After this lesson I dont think I will go into a SJ round again with the usual break out of a cold sweat (unless of course its above 1M30!) as myself and the FC gained huge confidence yesterday and have also proved that if I sit up and ride positively anything is possible. I recommend anyone to get a lesson from him.
The great mans parting words were He has great spirit, you have great spirit and together you make a tremendous partnership. For a chap that is short and small he makes up for it in effort, heart and soul and thats what you need from a horse
Still grinning from ear to ear and now eagerly awaiting the start of the Eventing Season with new found brimming confidence.Apologies for the gushing! The FC is having a well deserved day off after being spoilt rotten with treats last night and all I have to offer is the mini cheddars left over from yesterdays pack lunch. Wait till later though and I might be able to give you something a bit stronger!
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