Cricket Hill Farm
Academy and Gardens
It was a packed house tonight at an unmounted Centered Riding clinic held in Cricket Hill’s Great Room. Thirteen riders – some on their annual return, others for the first time – came for the start of their Spring Tune-up! Jami introduced the group to the four basic principles of Centered Riding. Everyone celebrated each person’s “aha” moment!
Three new riders joined three returnees for Jami’s Centered Riding Mini-Clinic held in the spacious Gathering Room. Participants learn and practice the 5 main techniques: soft eyes, breathing, centering, balance and grounding. L to R below: Lois Russin works on breathing; Laurie combines breathing and balance in motion; Cecelia and Kristin paired up to apply the techniques to rein work; Jami helps Amy Wilson find her ‘unbendable arm’, an exercise in grounding; Claire finds her balance using building blocks.
“I’m coming to the 3-day clinic in April,” said Lois; “I wish I knew about this a long time ago!” Laurie was going to try her new unbendable arm to stop her horse from pulling. Welcome to all three who are planning on trailering their horses to Cricket Hill for lessons!
Jami was a featured presenter at the D4K education weekend for the 7th year in a row! In addition to her regular sessions introducing the kids to Centered Riding concepts, Jami gave a workshop – as much for parents as for the kids – on how to prepare for the Youth Dressage Festival.
Cricket Hill sent our regular contingent of Youth Dressage Team members: Lula Langdon, Lulu and Paris Levy, Erin Feiner, Sophia and Mia Emy. Everybody’s eager and off to a good start!
With everyone caught up to date on the first session, the group progressed to a new set of exercises, illustrated below. Slide your mouse over the picture to learn the name of the exercise.
Jami Wallace, Senior Instructor and Level III Centered Riding Instructor, led the session introducing the Four Basics – centering, soft eyes, building blocks and breathing. Some highlights below:
