tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743627885141237532024-02-20T13:55:42.615-05:00The Tack RoomNews and views from Grelo FarmsRosanna Grelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239103411099838376noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574362788514123753.post-17835497304989298022018-07-23T09:48:00.001-04:002018-07-23T09:48:58.137-04:00Clinic with Lisa El-Ramey<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grelo Farms is hosting a clinic this weekend, July 28 & 29, with Wellington based trainer/instructor Lisa El-Ramey. Start time is 9:00am both days with Lisa giving feedback at the end of each day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Auditing fee is $25; $10 for Grelo Farms members. Riding fee is $177. For more information, please email info@grelofarms.com</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Lisa</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> El-Ramey has been riding horses for as long as she can remember, beginning at the age of </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">only three and by age five commenced formal riding instruction. She started competing only a </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">year later. Lisa has pursued nearly every equestrian aspect within the United States having </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">undertaking western, saddleseat, hunter/jumper, driving, polo, dressage, and even worked </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cattle, team penning, and roping. Ms. El-Ramey has had the opportunity to train with many </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">talented instructors over the decades including; Alex Konyot, Bettina Drummond, Juan Matute, </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hubert Rohrer, and Kathy Connelly.</span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In her competition career, Lisa has achieved success through the international level. As a junior </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">competitor, she won her first National Top Ten and multiple Regional Championship placings in </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the Arabian horse world competing as a saddleseat equitation and pleasure rider at the age of </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">16. Lisa has continued her winning ways through the present day competing her own and client </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">horses through FEI CDI competitions. Lisa is known for her success with many breeds of </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">horses and coaching clients to their own successes.</span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As an instructor, Lisa has a unique ability to clarify concepts and techniques to help riders</span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">incorporate them in their own riding efforts. Always willing to work with riders and horses of all </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">types, breeds, disciplines and levels, she is able to impart awareness and understanding to her </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">students. Lisa mainly focuses on dressage, but has helped countless hunter/jumpers, as well </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as time and game, western, saddleseat, and driving competitors improve their horses, riding </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and driving.</span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ms. El-Ramey currently holds the United States Equestrian Federation “S” Senior Dressage</span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">judge’s license. She received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida in Zoology </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in 1989. Lisa’s unique experience, education, and background are combined to create an </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">holistic approach to training and interacting with horses.</span></div>
Rosanna Grelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239103411099838376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574362788514123753.post-89693795380879869332018-01-02T20:35:00.002-05:002018-01-02T20:35:30.923-05:00Happy New Year!<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's 2018 and a time for resolutions. I prefer to choose a particular inspirational word or theme. The New Year is a time when many of us aim to get our lives in balance. Balance is a great theme for your equestrian endeavours as well. Left to right, top to bottom, front to back - we're always working to get it in equilibrium. Here are a couple of exercises to get your motor running.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><u>Rise to the occasion</u></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Whether you're doing upward or downward transitions, they should always feel like you are rising to them. I like how Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester word their transitions as "up" to walk, trot or canter regardless of what gait you're coming from. Imagine downward transitions as landing a plane or a duck landing in water - the nose shouldn't ever go down and you have to maintain a good sense of momentum to attain it. Practice playing with tempo within a gait to work on front to back balance. For example, take a collected trot to a working trot and back again staying as close to level as possible. Support your horse from below lifting up energetically at each moment of transition. If your horse is heavy on the forehand, carry your hands higher with a shorter rein than usual so your arms look like you're driving a bus. This will take the power away from your arms and use your back more as leverage as you drive with your seat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><u>Ride straight</u></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When it comes to left and right side symmetry, we often work more at bending to the less flexible side. Let's say your horse goes more easily to the right so you work more on the left to try and balance things out. You may have found this can sometimes make your horse even harder and heavier on the left. Perhaps your left arm has a way of telling you you've hung on the bit too much. Try riding to your horse's preferred side straight. In other words, prevent the horse from bending. When you ride corners, curves, or circles, draw straight lines like short diagonals or hexagons and cut your corners a bit. Your horse gets the benefit of going to the direction s/he prefers and you benefit from working the weaker side in a less demanding way. In this particular example it will help you get your horse taking the right side of the bit more as you send your horse forward from the right leg. Then incorporate rising to the occasion and reap a bit of both worlds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I hope you have a great start to your year and use the snow! It's an excellent conditioning tool to ride in. If you have a particular question, feel free to get in touch at info@grelofarms.com.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Rosanna Grelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239103411099838376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574362788514123753.post-80756282487275540352016-02-29T20:21:00.001-05:002016-02-29T20:21:49.295-05:00It's Only An Aid If It Aids<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When something isn't working out quite like it should, I'll often hear from a student, "I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. I have this rein here like I should and this leg there..." Riders can make dressage an all too intellectual endeavour. My most accomplished students have been young people who likely never read two sentences on any theory or about any master. You know why? They are in the present <em>feeling</em>. Like any discipline, a well educated mind and body are the ideal combination, but what you know in your head isn't worth anything if you're not aware of what is actually happening. So how do you apply what you're learning? Experiment. As my dad says, the so-called aid is only an aid if it is aiding you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Lateral movements can often be a paralyzing zone for riders. One direction comes with ease, but the exact same aids going in the other direction result in no lateral movement at all. There are a number of reasons why this is happening, but the simplest is often the basic fact that what one does easily to the right is not as easily done to the left or vice versa. Try writing with your opposite hand. You likely don't even hold the pen the same way. When it comes to your horse, he has his own asymmetry to deal with and then there you are plopped on his back with yours. When approaching a lateral movement to the "hard" side, take it down to its simplest form and then move up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">For example, your half pass left is non-existent compared to the right. First, take a leg-yielding left along the wall or fence. You'll have the support of the architecture and an easier lateral movement. Slowly begin to change the bend in order for your leg-yield to begin to transform into a travers. Then take your travers into a large circle. If that goes well, transition from the travers in the circle into a half pass on a diagonal line. Take breaks intermittently when you've arrived on a good note to avoid hammering out the exercise. Be patient. It's easier said than done - I know.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The last ingredient is having some guts. Ask for what you want with a sense of conviction with a good dose of kindness. Try something you don't think you can accomplish. Any personal trainer I've ever known never got the results out of their clients by letting them workout however they choose ;)</span>Rosanna Grelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239103411099838376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574362788514123753.post-35882235084877875132015-07-15T10:28:00.000-04:002015-07-15T10:28:49.109-04:00SOLD OUT!<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This Saturday's performance is sold out! It is sure to be as great of a hit as last Friday's sold out show. Thank you to everyone for coming out and enjoying the evening with us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you missed seeing our summer gala, be sure to check in late summer as we may plan a fall gala. If we do, get your tickets early!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The stables will be open to the public this Saturday and Sunday between 10:00am and 1:00pm as part of the Hills of Headwaters Stable Tour.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thank you to Equine Canada for involving us in Horse Experience 2015. See the link below to catch a glimpse.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaeywWVpE-U" target="_blank">Frank Grelo Horse Experience 2015</a>Rosanna Grelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239103411099838376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574362788514123753.post-88876356068872575612015-07-03T10:23:00.000-04:002015-07-03T10:23:11.289-04:00Let The Games Begin!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG13ANJz0Rw0SmG_X1Jg58QW519kMqgV1ZLN0-r24R4UsVJhPaY1YpOhCHnikqym0w6mAHCnUscs_LTUpzDlJs254RK96pfKOkX2xogMQa6VWMjLkLSOADawaxSXAP2JykflH6hc47PHc5/s1600/PanAmPoster+Revised.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG13ANJz0Rw0SmG_X1Jg58QW519kMqgV1ZLN0-r24R4UsVJhPaY1YpOhCHnikqym0w6mAHCnUscs_LTUpzDlJs254RK96pfKOkX2xogMQa6VWMjLkLSOADawaxSXAP2JykflH6hc47PHc5/s320/PanAmPoster+Revised.jpeg" width="198" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We hope you can join us for one of our upcoming summer galas over the next two weeks! Featuring performances by Frank Grelo on beautiful Lusitano stallions accompanied by his students. Experience the art of classical dressage from its beginnings in military cavalry, work in-hand and on the long reins, to the Pas de Deux, musical quadrille, and a mock bullfight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are a part of Canada Equine's Horse Experience 2015 and the Headwaters Stable Tour. Visit our stables July 11/12 and 18/19 between 10:00am-1:00pm to see the morning exercises and regular life at Grelo Farms.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaeywWVpE-U&list=PLQvDLaa99W1ILiV5PJAbdD68jOc0syc6V" target="_blank">Frank Grelo on YouTube</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See you soon!</span>Rosanna Grelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239103411099838376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574362788514123753.post-432015695659031112015-03-25T12:26:00.000-04:002015-03-25T12:26:25.933-04:00Mini-Clinic with Frank Grelo - Saturday, April 11, 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tYzwlVI31KL7SP8QrxpEWDQT9v7TjA4fm1Hn6CCwdfr4IIcpFj9U556uytl-Sj0A6yhQqyVz5mclDAEHDLUQNN4hrowLbr2YtugrF9qlfVKqQqMNg4-Ff5L6-TMCs0GzUAqRnVPvR6NV/s1600/Grelo+Dressage+Clinic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tYzwlVI31KL7SP8QrxpEWDQT9v7TjA4fm1Hn6CCwdfr4IIcpFj9U556uytl-Sj0A6yhQqyVz5mclDAEHDLUQNN4hrowLbr2YtugrF9qlfVKqQqMNg4-Ff5L6-TMCs0GzUAqRnVPvR6NV/s1600/Grelo+Dressage+Clinic.JPG" height="182" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Join us for a small clinic from 2:00-6:00pm. To book your ride or ticket, contact Tanja at academicequitation@outlook.com or 226.791.2284 (cell).Rosanna Grelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239103411099838376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574362788514123753.post-3153418335562148152015-01-01T18:19:00.001-05:002015-01-01T18:19:14.078-05:00Happy New Year!<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's a new year, the Pan Am Games are coming to our town and it's a good time for aspirations. Here's a video to kick-start some enthusiasm!</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9D1vEP98rc#t=48" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9D1vEP98rc#t=48</a></span></div>
Rosanna Grelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239103411099838376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574362788514123753.post-25505786531496103852014-12-30T19:03:00.002-05:002014-12-30T19:03:28.123-05:00On Point<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A horse that is on point is prepared to do anything at anytime. This means that from a walk I can ask for a halt, ask for a canter, or ask for a turn on the haunches and I would be able to achieve either of these with precision and ease. The question is, how?</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is the whole study of equitation, but here are some exercises to change up your usual routine.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Play with your halts</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Throw in a halt at any and every point in your regular workout. It can be a hard thing to remember if you don't practice them regularly. Put your cell phone in your pocket and set an alarm for every five minutes. Halt from the walk, trot, and canter both on straight and lateral lines. I guarantee you'll have discoveries about your transitions.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Play with the flexion on your laterals</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We all have a tendency to sit in a comfort zone with our laterals when it comes to the degree of difficulty with the angle. Perhaps you have a regular habit of doing the half-pass from the letter F to X or only doing the leg-yield along the wall with the horse's head facing the wall. Change up your angles, whether it's increasing the angle in your usual lateral movements or changing them completely. Try your half-pass left from F to V and then turn it into a renvers along the wall followed by a leg-yielding right to the centre line or take a modest shoulder-in into a leg-yield by bringing in both shoulders. One of my favourites is to take two similar lateral movements with opposite bends and transition back and forth between them, such as a shoulder-in right along the wall and morph it into a renvers. With the shoulder in and body flexed slightly right I slowly change the bend left maintaining the haunches on the wall. I halt every now and then through the lateral and even make transitions. For example, in the shoulder-in I will trot, change bend for renvers and counter canter, change bend through the counter canter and transition to trot returning to my shoulder-in.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Go big</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I find a lot of people get addicted to collected movement and forget to lengthen and extend. There is no collection without extension, no extension without collection. Sure, we can think of horses that do one better than the other, but you want to work both to get a supple and strong horse. Massage every stride to have a variety of paces within each gate. You want to prevent rushing (fast moving feet in short strides) and encourage calm ground coverage where all legs are expressing themselves in long strides. The walk and canter are where many go wrong. If you have no idea where to start, let your horse loose in the arena or get on a longe line to see what the default paces are at each gait. Take a longe whip and gently push your horse on and remark the differences. I'm a fan of what my dad would call a good "gallop-ad" at the end of a canter workout. Feel the wind in your hair and get a little uncomfortable. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rosanna</span></div>
Rosanna Grelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239103411099838376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574362788514123753.post-23632531577696061332013-12-02T12:15:00.003-05:002013-12-02T12:15:57.024-05:00Filling your toolkit<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When we first begin to ride, our toolkit (both literally and figuratively) is rather small. You may have two to three brushes and a hoofpick in your caddy. You may only know how to do 20m circles and diagonal lines at the walk and trot. You get my drift. The more experienced we become, the more stuff we accumulate and the more we know. Like many things in life, becoming a better rider calls for simplification and efficiency. When something you are attempting in your session with your horse is not working, modify it. Just like when you are working out, if an exercise becomes too difficult, lower the impact. There is no sense in forcing yourself to do it over and over again if it's not going right, causing pain, and deflating your morale. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Often when an exercise is too difficult for a horse it can be pared down to these few possibilities: lack of impulsion, stiffness, or being out of balance (ie. heavy on the forehand or a large discrepancy of ease between left and right). When confronted with difficulty, you'll need to choose an appropriate tool from your toolkit prioritizing calm, forward and straight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">For example, an issue that popped up yesterday was a rider could not turn her horse to the right. When she would try, the horse would grab the bit and rush forward. She was stuck in the "I can't turn" rather than looking into her toolkit to ask "What else can I use to turn?" My thought process: the horse is moving fine aside from when it's time to turn and then he loses his calm. Priority - keep calm and forward then worry about proper flexion. We have been working on counter-bending as a suppling tool. Since the horse had no problem turning left I told her to counter-bend him (to the left) and to circle to the right. The horse left the wall and did a volte to the right. Then I instructed her to stay in the circle and gradually ask the horse to bend to the right. His reaction was to slow down, but eventually they both succeeded in moving forward in the correct bend. The horse's main message here? In this case the horse was being more bossy than he was trying to communicate a stiffness on the left side of his body as I had seen the rider warming up with relative ease. The key was to use another tactic to arrive at the same intention.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Look to what you already know how to do with what you have. Challenging your creativity will develop new tools. Break down your problem like a math equation and solve the simplest things first: calm, forward, then straight.</span> </span>Rosanna Grelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239103411099838376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574362788514123753.post-47462697900665390542013-06-03T19:31:00.000-04:002013-06-03T19:31:31.897-04:00June Events<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Sunday, June 9</i></b></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Portugal Day Parade in downtown Toronto</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">http://wx.toronto.ca/inter/city/events.nsf/7c36a9972431586885256c8d0047f71e/70439a032589454285257b5600521771?OpenDocument</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">11:00-13:30 </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Starting at Lansdowne Ave. at Bloor St to College St.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>June 14, 15, 16</i></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Polo for Heart </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">http://www.poloforheart.org</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Frank will be performing on Sunday, June 16</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>June 15, 16</i></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bullfight at Downsview Park</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">www.soletoiros.ca</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3:00-19:00</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
Rosanna Grelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239103411099838376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574362788514123753.post-30719746511586228112013-04-19T20:34:00.000-04:002013-04-19T20:34:09.023-04:00Spring has sprung!<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Warmer weather is nearing and that usually drives up the interest to ride outdoors, perhaps take your horse to shows and on hacks, and of course, bathing your horse more often. Here are a few things to keep in mind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It may take your horse some time to build up the stamina s/he had at fall's end last year when it comes to working outdoors. You may be working in deeper sand than your indoor arena or harder ground and going up and down hills. Pay attention to your horse's breathing both by listening for any huffing and puffing and by heaving of the lungs. Going for endless canter outdoors on a horse can feel so great to you that you may forget to check in on how your horse is doing. Mind the time you spend on hard terrain if your horse doesn't wear shoes and pick your horse's hooves upon return.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Work your equitation in the outdoors by opening and closing gates while mounted or try out your lateral work without any "help" from walls or fences.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When it comes to bathing your horse, it's best if your horse's heart rate has been brought up, even if you're bathing with warm water or it's warm outside to avoid colic. If you plan to bathe your horse without having ridden first, take him/her out on the longe line for at least five to ten minutes first to get the body temperature up. Better safe than sorry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rosanna</span>Rosanna Grelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239103411099838376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574362788514123753.post-64443342444538890522013-01-07T14:58:00.000-05:002013-01-07T14:58:19.250-05:00Winter Workouts<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Getting tired of looking at your arena walls this winter? You can bet your horse is too. Creating different workouts can be a challenge. The first step is to analyze what you're already doing so you can change it up. Aside from changing up your in-saddle habits, consider staying on the ground so you can stay in shape as well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Work on the longe line not only helps your horse get out some kicks before you get on, but it can also be used to sharpen up transition work. You get to watch what you're used to feeling. Solidify quick responses to halts and moving forward through the gaits.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Work in hand, even if you don't think you know what you're doing. If you have a trusting ground relationship with your horse, you can do it. Think of how you would ask for anything from the saddle. What is the use of your reins? Which leg and what timing? Rotations on the forehand (haunches-out) in circles around you, shoulder-in, leg-yielding--these can all be done in-hand relieving your horse of some monotony if you seldom or never do it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Work at liberty. Every horse I have worked at in liberty has enjoyed it. There is a multitude of information and educational videos on the internet if you have no idea where to start. It can be a tool for building trust and a way to exercise without any tack at all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Last, ride bareback. It keeps you warmer and your session will change automatically. You will work on different things and be able to feel your horse better.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Have fun mixing it up. Avoid what my dad calls "too much church work". He has such a unique way of expressing his thoughts!</span>Rosanna Grelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239103411099838376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574362788514123753.post-42095955120498922122012-11-14T13:00:00.001-05:002012-11-14T13:00:08.360-05:00Rosanna Joins Cavalia<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After years in the making, I finally decided to run away with the circus. My background in theatre, television production, and of course horses has made it a rather seamless transition. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's a challenge to be working and training horses that others ride and they have to perform the same show night after night. They know the show inside and out, including the music cues, so I have to learn quickly to keep up and get the best out of them. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Last night was the premiere in San Diego and it was a hit. I succeeded at overcoming some little, what my dad would call hiccoughs, that my horse had presented during rehearsal so I was very pleased. I ride a young, five year-old Spanish purebred so there is a lot to train every day to try and bring him up to speed. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We'll be here through the holidays and then the plan is to head to Australia. What a long journey for the horses! They'll have plenty of quarantine and rest time out in the summer sun before gearing up for the next city. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'll be keeping you posted!</span>Rosanna Grelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239103411099838376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574362788514123753.post-8750203490697270652012-11-08T22:17:00.000-05:002012-11-08T22:17:05.586-05:00Happy 70th Birthday, Frank!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My dad's birthday was on October 1 and our family decided we would celebrate it in style by going to Portugal to visit his family and then head over to Paris, France to see the 4 Écoles Équestres show. We invited members of Grelo Farms to join us and were so happy with how many people did!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What an opportunity it was to see the classical dressage academies of Europe ride together: Vienna, Spain, Portugal, and Saumur. The event was made even more special with the presentation of a unique book for my father made by our dear friend, Beverly Furer.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Bev commemorated my father's 70th birthday by compiling the photos and stories of members' experiences of studying with him. Titled All In The Same Pocket, it brings together the memories of so many of those involved in bringing not only their dreams and aspirations to life, but those of my father as well.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thank you, Bev, for creating this very special gift and thank you to the members of our extended family of Grelo Farms for joining us in Paris to celebrate my dad's birthday. It was truly an honour and pleasure to spend this time with you!</span>Rosanna Grelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239103411099838376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574362788514123753.post-58672096126910940852012-08-26T22:05:00.000-04:002012-08-26T22:05:16.797-04:00Saturday Night Performance with Juan Diaz Sold Out!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We are thrilled to be hosting a clinic with Spanish Olympian Juan Manuel Munoz Diaz this September 14-16. Tickets for the Saturday night performance are now sold out; no tickets will be available at the door. Auditing spaces are still available for the clinic during the day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">For more information contact Darcy Grube at <a href="mailto:dgrube@rogers.com">dgrube@rogers.com</a></span>Rosanna Grelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239103411099838376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574362788514123753.post-16236993343399591612012-08-07T15:57:00.000-04:002012-08-16T23:47:56.511-04:00Clinic with Olympic Dressage Rider Juan Manuel Munoz Diaz September 14-16, 2012<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Grelo Farms welcomes internationally acclaimed Olympic dressage rider Juan Manuel Munoz Diaz to conduct his first clinic in Canada. Juan competed for Spain at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and placed 10th overall. He is a Spanish dressage master who rode in the 2008 Beijing Games and had the crowd on its feet cheering at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky during his Grand Prix Freestyle with his P.R.E. stallion, Fuego. Come and take part in this rare opportunity!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>Clinic Times</u>: </b>8:00am-5:00pm each day with an hour for lunch.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>Performance</u>: </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Frank Grelo and Juan Diaz perform together with Lusitano stallions at 7:30pm.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">Cost</u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">: Auditing $20 per day (all riding slots have been filled)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Cost for Saturday evening performance $10</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">Location</u>: Grelo Farms</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> 3545 Olde Base Line Rd.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Caledon ON L7C 2H6</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For further information and to book your seat for Saturday's performance, please contact Darcy Grube at dgrube@rogers.com</span>Rosanna Grelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239103411099838376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574362788514123753.post-12121036156104847492012-05-29T00:19:00.001-04:002012-11-08T22:20:15.831-05:00Walk Before You Run<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As a general rule, starting your session with plenty of walk is a good way to go. Take a few halts, some simple figures, and then your lateral movements. When you're used to doing more difficult lateral movements, it's a good idea to incorporate the "simpler" ones as well. Your horse never loses the need to work all his muscles, stretch, and become more supple. The more variety you create, the better. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Typically after the walk work we proceed into a similar routine at the trot and canter. More figures at the trot are easier because you're going faster with more impulsion (hopefully) and you can benefit from collecting, lengthening, and extending with more ease than the walk.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">If you encounter difficulty with an exercise at the trot or canter, take it back a notch either in level of difficulty or gait. For example, you're having a hard time with your renvers (haunches-out, counter flexion) at the trot. Perhaps you lack impulsion or your horse becomes heavy on the hands. Try taking it back to the walk to remind your horse of the exercise and to feel where you may be going wrong. You could also try it at the posting trot or take it back to a leg-yield and slowly start changing the bend. This is a much better route than hammering out the exercise with no success. Remember, even a few good strides is better than many bad ones.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Good luck!</span>Rosanna Grelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239103411099838376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574362788514123753.post-53313098359392150802012-02-12T19:23:00.001-05:002012-02-12T19:26:34.493-05:00Transitions<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When I watch others ride during lessons, I often find students do not pay enough attention to executing all the transitions well. This can be from gait to gait or simply linking one exercise to the next, i.e. transitioning from walk to trot or going through the corner and turning down the centre line. The moments in-between are crucial to each exercise.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For example, you are going through a corner followed by a half-pass on the diagonal finishing on the opposite corner. The whole exercise is comprised of turning from the corner, executing the half-pass, straightening and following through the final corner. If you do not turn properly, your half-pass will not begin properly. If you do not complete properly, you have begun your final corner improperly.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I find it helpful to think of the beginning, middle, and end of everything I do. If I'm doing the exercise mentioned in the above example I think:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1. Complete the corner and turn the horse onto the diagonal. Once straight...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2. Position the horse for the half-pass.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3. Arrive at the track just before the corner, straighten the horse's body until all four legs are centred on the track, and enter the corner.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Remember there's a whole half horse's body behind you where you cannot see so you must feel. Connect the dots between the movements. No step should be taken that has not been accounted for. This will help you have a smoother, more even ride. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A good refresher is to look at the directive ideas on the national or FEI dressage tests to know what you should be looking for. These are available on the Equine Canada and FEI websites.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span>Rosanna Grelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239103411099838376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574362788514123753.post-44922437548157942012011-12-03T09:29:00.000-05:002011-12-03T09:29:37.515-05:00Warming Up<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As the weather cools down, warming your horse up properly becomes even more important, and it starts in the stall. As they are outdoors less, your horse is not doing as much romping and rolling around getting dirty and stretching all those wonderful muscles. Begin by brushing your horse vigorously as if it is caked in mud from head to toe. Do the legs as well as you do the saddle area! This gets the blood circulating and starts to warm the muscles up. Take a tip from my dad and scratch your horse's belly and rump with a pitchfork!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">This is a good time to brush up on your longeing skills or work in hand before you get on. If it's been a while for you and your horse, beware of assuming you can pick up where you left off. Start slow with some easy goals. Above all else, the horse must know "whoa" and "go." </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Plenty of walk, as usual, is in order. Calm, forward, and straight. I often say the warm up <em>is</em> the ride. When you've had a great one, there isn't anything you can't try afterward.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Rosanna</span>Rosanna Grelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239103411099838376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574362788514123753.post-45193551829300798042011-10-14T08:23:00.000-04:002011-10-14T08:23:11.454-04:00Sold Out!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tickets to our Gala this Saturday, October 15 are now sold out! Thank you to all who purchased tickets in support of our show. We are looking forward to entertaining you. Show starts at 7:00pm and dress warmly! Feel free to bring a cushion and a blanket to keep you extra cozy. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">See you tomorrow!</span>Rosanna Grelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239103411099838376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574362788514123753.post-32618029540130129462011-09-18T00:24:00.000-04:002011-09-18T00:24:49.416-04:00Headwaters Stable Tour<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We will be participating in the Headwaters Stable Tour once again this year on Sunday, September 25. For information about our showtimes please visit <a href="http://www.horsesinthehills.com/">www.horsesinthehills.com</a>. We look forward to seeing familiar faces as well as new ones! </span>Rosanna Grelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239103411099838376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574362788514123753.post-53730277846606432502011-08-11T23:56:00.000-04:002011-08-11T23:56:38.794-04:00Fun<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sometimes the best way of challenging yourself and your skills in horsemanship is to make the goal of some of your rides simple, pure fun. Whip tossing, riding bareback, going for a hack and opening and closing all your gates along the way are great ways to enjoy the summer. Going for a really good gallop is an amazing way of reminding yourself of the sheer power of your horse and to feel the aliveness of your heart pumping. If you have a friend who would be willing to help you out, get on the longe line and do some vaulting work or close your eyes while you do ordinary gait work. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Be safe and then push the limits a little. I hope you have a good time making new discoveries!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span>Rosanna Grelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239103411099838376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574362788514123753.post-11779404483765686612011-06-09T13:50:00.000-04:002011-06-09T13:50:43.479-04:00Arena Etiquette<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Whether you are riding at home, in a warm-up ring at a show, or at a clinic there are a few key things to remember when it comes to arena etiquette. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Keep comments to yourself. Unless asked, refrain from giving tips or outright telling another rider what s/he should be doing. Even though a congratulations on work well done is a nice thing to share, a rider is usually concentrating and focusing on the work. Try to save such comments until you notice a rider is doing a free walk on a long rein.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Pass left to left. In general, passing left shoulder by left shoulder is the way to go. Some exceptions are: </span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">move around rather than inside another rider who is doing a figure as to not interrupt that figure</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">if you are moving faster, move to the inside regardless if you're on the left rein. Make eye contact with the other rider you are approaching as s/he may move out of the way.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">always pass with enough room as to not be able to touch even if you tried. (When at home, if you're close enough that I can whip you while you're passing me, I will!)</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">As much as possible, you should avoid calling out where you're going, but do so if it is unclear. A rider who constantly calls out her direction gets irritating. The arena should be a quiet place of work.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">RIDE PREDICTABLY. Think of the arena like a highway. KEEP MOVING! How you ride should be like clear signals to everyone around you (without talking). Stay far to the sides if you are going slower than everyone else. Ride recognizable figures. Look around you before halting, doing a downward transition, or reining back. Avoid hoarding the circle. (I see riders stick in the same circle over and over and that limits the space others can use. It's no different than having a horse there on a longe line.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Give room to stallions, young horses, and less experienced riders. If you are at a dressage show and notice a ribbon tied to the top of a horse's tail, that means that horse kicks so give space. A braided horse with a loose forelock is also a sign that horse is a stallion (just in case his bits are out of view!).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Be flexible. The arena is there for everyone's use. Keep your head up and learn how to modify your work without stopping. Doing constant transitions to get out of someone's way is a clear sign that you're not looking around and planning the best route.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Happy riding!</span>Rosanna Grelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239103411099838376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574362788514123753.post-9612867656108451212011-03-03T17:07:00.000-05:002011-03-03T17:07:34.713-05:00Getting Your Masters<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In order to master riding a horse, you must be able to master yourself. You'll hear my dad say, "How do you expect to tell the horse what to do when you can't even do it yourself?" In dressage we ask our horse to do to the left what it can do on the right, to be flexible and supple, to be athletic and have stamina, to be straight and even, to have concentration and focus. Do you possess those qualities? Do you strive to be all those things?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The first step is self-awareness. Be conscious of what your body is doing, isolate body parts to work them on their own and then in conjunction with others, and check your position. Do exercises that will strengthen your weaknesses both on and off the horse. If riding a couple of times a week is your idea of fitness, you won't keep up with your horse. Incorporate activities throughout the day to get strong, be limber, and centered. Follow my dad's example: try hanging upside down from your feet, lifting yourself perpendicular to a tree trunk, and doing handstands. He's 68 years-old--I'm sure you can manage. </span><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">"If you want nothing, you already have it." - Frank Grelo</span></em>Rosanna Grelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239103411099838376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574362788514123753.post-76024738979799332822011-03-03T16:51:00.000-05:002011-03-03T16:51:51.419-05:00Fear<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Fear is a crippling feeling that can obstruct action in almost anything we do in life. I have seen it hold back the potential of more riders than I care to count. To become a great rider, one must master oneself and that includes tackling the fear. I often hear from riders, "I know my limits." Someone in pursuit of greatness is committed to pushing limits. This does not mean jumping before you know how to walk, but it does mean saying yes to taking the biggest steps you can to get there. I love when I find myself in an uncomfortable position because it highlights something I need to work on. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The next most frequent phrase I hear is, "My horse..." (enter any characteristic of a horse here). My dad has a good saying for this and it goes, "A lousy handyman blames his tools." The quicker you are honest with yourself about what you are doing and assume responsiblity for how your ride goes, the sooner you will figure out what is necessary to overcome your obstacles. Cut the excuses and go for it. The ride will say everything that needs to be expressed.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">More on mastering oneself to come...</span>Rosanna Grelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239103411099838376noreply@blogger.com0