He is holding a clinic in AL today so I made the 4 hour trip to be in his presence!!! I had to share. I’m so excited!! Pen and paper ready to write and report back!!!
Have FUN!
Make sure you share is “quotes” Helen Keller THAT’S SIXXXXX STRIIIIDDDZZZ
I think I love his hilarious quotes more than his actual words of advice. :lol:
“This is built for misses Keller. Go again!” Bahahaha
It was by far the best experience I’ve ever had! He said a few things that really contradict my trainer, so I’m going to ask her about it and see what her thoughts are. She is a dressage/eventing trainer, so I know it’s slightly different but GHM was talking A LOT about dressage yesterday. He doesn’t agree with all of it and he things they sit too deep in the seat, but basics principles still apply.
GHM clinics are not for everyone. One little girl, probably 13, almost got banned from all of his clinics ever yesterday. Evidently on day one he told her she probably didn’t need to come back and day two (yesterday) she still wasn’t getting it. Her pony was green. She was green. And he wasn’t tolerating it. She wasn’t paying attention and she simply wasn’t ready for the level. At 3’, your horse should be at least a little on your aids and hers was not. Then when GHM found out her mother was her trainer, he let them both have it. I really felt bad for the girl, but her mom shouldn’t have out her in that situation.
I bought his book, hunter seat equitation, and I already started reading it! I cannot wait to apply for next years clinic!! :))))
Hi clinics are NOT for the ill prepared nor shrinking violets!!!
I suspect that George doesn’t really think that dressage riders sit too deep, but that they sit too deep if they are planning on jumping a course. 
Yikes
[QUOTE=merrygoround;8861159]
I suspect that George doesn’t really think that dressage riders sit too deep, but that they sit too deep if they are planning on jumping a course. ;)[/QUOTE]
No he specifically said that he thinks they sit to deep and too far back on a horses back. It was not in relation to jumping. He then also reiterated this in his book I bought. He does not like the way dressage riders ride. For flat or fences.
[QUOTE=Ready To Riot;8861206]
He does not like the way dressage riders ride. For flat or fences.[/QUOTE]
Duh. It’s good that HJ/Jumper riders do not actually have to SIT on a horse then.
[QUOTE=Equibrit;8861213]
Duh. It’s good that HJ/Jumper riders do not actually have to SIT on a horse then.[/QUOTE]
I’m really not sure how to take this…
[QUOTE=Ready To Riot;8861206]
No he specifically said that he thinks they sit to deep and too far back on a horses back. It was not in relation to jumping. [/QUOTE]
So he thinks dressage riders should sit more in a half seat and that the saddle needs to be farther forward?
[QUOTE=Firebug;8861334]
So he thinks dressage riders should sit more in a half seat and that the saddle needs to be farther forward?[/QUOTE]
The way I took it was he thinks they shouldn’t sit so far in their butt with “flailing legs, reached backs and bobbling heads” his words. Not mine.
I made this post because I had a great time. Not to start some huge stupid debate over dressage riders and hunters. I wrote what I learned. If you can’t get excited about the fact that I got to hangout with GHM for 12 solid hours yesterday, then don’t bother posting. Jeez!
[QUOTE=Ready To Riot;8861355]
The way I took it was he thinks they shouldn’t sit so far in their butt with “flailing legs, reached backs and bobbling heads” his words. Not mine.
I made this post because I had a great time. Not to start some huge stupid debate over dressage riders and hunters. I wrote what I learned. If you can’t get excited about the fact that I got to hangout with GHM for 12 solid hours yesterday, then don’t bother posting. Jeez![/QUOTE]
George admires many dressage riders, and works with some of the best. I would assume (and I am assuming since I was not there) he was speaking about not all dressage riders.
I’m glad you enjoyed the clinic. But jeez I was just trying to understand what GM meant. I’m sorry I posted.
Glad you enjoyed the clinic. I love watching those things. It’s fun to take home new info and see what works.
[QUOTE=Firebug;8861359]
I’m glad you enjoyed the clinic. But jeez I was just trying to understand what GM meant. I’m sorry I posted.[/QUOTE]
My apologies. I was frustrated from other comments telling me that I don’t know what I’m talking about basically despite me being there and hearing him say those exact words. I thought that’s where you were going with it! I’m sorry and I’ve got a billion pages of notes if you care to discuss 
hehehe
[QUOTE=sixteenhands;8861358]
George admires many dressage riders, and works with some of the best. I would assume (and I am assuming since I was not there) he was speaking about not all dressage riders.[/QUOTE]
I think it would be difficult to hate the riding if every person in a discipline, so I’m sure you’re right. Just repeating what he said and I read last night in the book. He specifically calls out German riders (possibly German school of riding? But I don’t have the quote in front of me). He does go on to say there is still a lot to be learned from them
[QUOTE=Ready To Riot;8861397]
My apologies. I was frustrated from other comments telling me that I don’t know what I’m talking about basically despite me being there and hearing him say those exact words. I thought that’s where you were going with it! I’m sorry and I’ve got a billion pages of notes if you care to discuss hehehe[/QUOTE]
Apology accepted! I can see how my post could have been taken in that way; I could have worded it differently. I’d love to discuss.
I am finding this interesting. There is so much you can learn from sitting and listening as opposed to being mounted and really concentrating on mainly yourself. GM is a crusty old bird so no one should be surprised at the bluntness of his comments! 
