The first DVD I rented is one that I had considered buying since I heard about its release: "Success Through Fitness" with Ingrid Klimke. As most dressage contacts I have inevitably find out, I'm a huge fan of the late Dr. Klimke. Back in Ohio in my parent's house is a six-tape set of one of his clinics, which is high on my list to bring back with me when I visit. I must have watched that set a dozen times, and as a result the phrases "touch ze neck" "doesn't matter" and "a little more impulsion" are permanently etched into my brain--thank God he was an endearing man!
Anyway, my first choice was DVD #1 in Dr. Klimke's Complete Training set, but it was rented out so I went with Ingrid's. Let me just say that this DVD can be summed up in one word: WOW. Not that I expected anything less from a member of the Klimke family, but this DVD is really superb. She shows exercises with cavaletti for unstarted to Grand Prix horses. It was refreshing for me, as a lower-level rider, to see something from an Olympian that is applicable to me at my stage of knowledge. The basic quality of the gaits, which cavaletti definitely serve to improve, is the foundation for everything and cannot be understated. Ingrid is a spectacular rider (duh) ;-) and a joy to watch.
The second DVD I chose turned out to be a bit of a disappointment for several reasons. With the Visible Rider, I was expecting something a tad more advanced, perhaps going into biomechanics, such as exactly what happens to the rider's body when a horse walks, trots, or canters. In reality, the concepts in the DVD are technically correct and important for all beginners to learn. But for me, someone who has spent hours poring over Centered Riding and other body awareness type of books, studying the form of top riders and doing my share of time on the lunge line, The Visible Rider was, to be blunt, boring. It basically discusses the proper position, position faults, and their effect on the horse. I'll be first to say that I'm far from perfect, but these concepts were nothing new to me, and probably not new to most of the readers of my blog, either. Also, the demo rider is not what I would consider an ideal example. It seems that she, like most of us, has room for improvement, as she bounces in the saddle. One last point: the incorrect means of turning are demonstrated, but they never actually show the correct way, i.e. using the seat/weight and outside rein.
Stay tuned next time for a review on a biography of Balkenhol (Still waiting on that Klimke dvd.) Should be interesting!
As for my personal riding....sadly, I haven't been on a horse in two months as the weather has SUCKED--first snow (they don't know how to salt the roads in Washington) then flooding. We had finally been having decent weather, and now it's supposed to snow again later this week. JJ fell with me on him last time (!) Fortunately, neither of us was hurt, but it shook me up a bit and obviously now we are going to have to evaluate his soundness for awhile--whenever it is that we can start back up again.
Until next time, happy riding!
