Entering the lion’s den!
This is what George Morris ended the day’s clinic saying to the riders and auditors.
I have seen George teach many times and I have to say there is always something to learn – or with me something to “re-learn.” Why do I forget I think in my head as I hear him repeat things I have heard a bazillion times before? Now I say it in my head because if you have ever been to a George Morris clinic you dare not talk, use your phone, eat or drink…. “You waste my time” - he bellows.
I sat down in front of my computer when I got home because I wanted to write a few things from the afternoon clinic so I could re-read and remember. As I type I am a bit limited because about a month ago I had a fall from one of my horses and he stepped on my arm. It is finally healing but it’s a constant reminder of some of the things George preaches with aggression. This sport is not soft and fluffy, it’s not easy, and life is not easy. It’s tough out there and so is completion so get used to it. He said he broke his neck, his shoulder and his leg riding.
He throws in that we are not all equal! None of that. I worked harder than you and that’s that.
He hammers that the horse “must” listen to our aids!
George says every time you work with your horse you are training them.
Now watching these horses go it’s a pretty difficult work out for them as well as the rider. A lot is asked of them and as George said today; you are entering the lion’s den expect to see a lion not a sheep.
He is always very conscientious of the auditors and expects the riders to pay attention. He would turn to those watching saying how the hands should be with the thumbs on top; that is your strength. He talked about how all your joints should be flexible never stiff. You should be elastic in your hands, arms and seat. He continued to say over and over – LEG INTO HAND PEOPLE! And was adamant about stirrup position saying your stirrups slip because your heels are not down.
Of course I must quote one of his famous remarks to riders that go through a 6 stride line in 5 or 7 - “the lights are on but nooobody’s home.”
He says during these training sessions it may not look perfect but this is where you do this to teach your horse to respond to the bit etc. You will not do that in front of the Hunter judge but you will practice here as I say to. He wanted the riders to carry their hands and not drop them. Empisizing the straight line to the bit. The horses poll is the highest part of the horse.
The exercises in the afternoon section were straight forward. He had them canter a vertical and halt in the line making sure the horse was listening to the aids. He had them use leg along with the hand to halt. He wanted the horses straight through the neck when asking for the canter departure. No neck bending (you could hear him saying this right?!)
One of the exercises he had the riders do I thought was neat because you had to adjust your track. They came into a gate jump, two strides, then an in and out, to a three stride to a coop. You had to ride the track to the right to get to the in and out and then ride a bit left to get the distance to the coop. I always love exercises that make you think as a rider.
There was a line of three jumps set at the rail and it looked tough. Very lion den like and the first time through a few horses stopped. I thought the riders were really brave and handled what was thrown at them very well.
As the day came to a close I took my Hunter Seat Equitation book and was first in line to have George sign it. He did this book signing which even if he is a big lion he does appreciate his fans…… He wrote - - - “Good riding” ~ George
I’m in South Africa, so very far away, but man I would love to ride with him.