Mary Wanless - Has anyone been to a demo ?

[cyearsley]

Hi, have 'volunteered' to ride in a Mary Wanless Demo as have a very pronounced hollow back (a conformation fault ha ha !!) and just wondered if anyone else has seen any of her deomos etc and what you thought? Am keen but nervous as there will be lots of people watching and my neddy is quite green, but thought it would be interesting to hear the thoughts and views of others. I have been reading up and have a video to watch but any comments would be much appreciated.

 

[piaffe]

Weezy in the one to ask. i think she was based at her yard?

 

[the watcher]

Not been to a demo, went to a talk she did a couple of years ago where she managed to give the impression it is her way or no way, and managed to upset a few of the riding school owners/instructors in the audience

 

[spider]

Yes went to a demo. Thought it was great, but needed to be on a horse to follow it properly. You could see the horses' way of going improving as she altered the rider's position. One horse was green and nervous and was treated very sympathetically.

 

[piaffe]

I've heard that too. But have no experience of her so can't comment first hand

 

[ajb]

|Hiya
I was a demo rider at royal Leisure on her Rise up tour last spring!..great fun-very good experience to ride in front of loads of people!!-her methods certainly helped my lad and the watching the video you cant help notice the difference...I still work on some of the methods and they do help...also got nice freebie boots for horse and fleece and tshirt for me!!!...where are you demo?? Oldencraig??

one word on Mary though-dont expect a warm welcome...gifted she might be but a people person she isnt...still was great to do though!
PM me if you want more info!
Alex

 

[Weezy]

Hey there

Well I was based at Mary's yard last year and also have been on one of her instructional weekends - Hs Mum was a demo rider which led to her attending that weekend, as did BBs, Racingdemon, Twiggy and Alibabe!!!

Fact is, since riding Mary's way I am SO much more aware of how I am positioned on a horse - TBH I feel my riding has taken a good few steps backwards as I AM focusing on me, but backwards in a good way, if that makes sense?! I too had a horiffic concave back - she called me a typical SJer! I have pretty much eliminated that now, even if on a fiesty horse - I have leanrt NOT to sit so tall (hence having a concave back), I have learnt to use my core muscles to help the horse to lift their back and I have realised that position on a horse is useless if it just looks pretty

It may be your thing, it may not, but hey, it will be fun anyway

 

[Magicmillbrook]

I went to one last year, I found it very interesting. I think it would be even better to do it on horseback - I envy you being a demo, however I don't think I would feel so good having all those eyes on my defects!

 

[Selkie]

I'm really looking forward to seeing her tour I have already got my tickets to see her at Bishop Burton

 

[clipclop]

I watched a demo a few years a go and I found it very beneficial to learn a different way of looking at things.

I work well with visualisations and it seemed to involve a lot of that.

I would love ot go to one of her demo's again or even better get her to come down here and do a clinic!!

Weezy, does she do that kind of thing?

CLY, Have a great time and soak up as much as you can.

Ignore the crowd they are only going to be wishing they were you. I know that was what I was wishing for

 

[cyearsley]

Rode in the Mary Wanless demo today and had a really good time! My neddy was impeccably behaved and having about 200 people watching wan't as scary as I thought! My horse's way of going improved after being "repositioned" and have taken away some real pointers from the whole experience. HIlary Clayton;s lecture on biomechanics was really interesting and would like to know more about that subject and having my position torn apart but rebuilt in a constructive fashion was very worthwhile though do think you would have to have to be physically taught by these coaches and not just read it in a book or see a video. Have some food for thought and will add it to the mixing bowl! Thank you all for all your advice and quick responses, not too familiar with how everything works here so haven't had chance to PM (?) anyone but thanks for all the answers and comments - CLY