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Bellingen NSW
January and March 2011
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The first time I met Carlos was at Equitana in 2008. At that same event, I bought my first bitless bridle and met Kim Barnes who was then living in Tasmania. When Kim moved to Bellingen in August 2010, she was keen to continue organizing clinics, as she did for three years in Tassie, and it did not take much for me to put my hand up to help.
In January 2011, we had twelve horse and rider pairs and thirty fence sitters from all over – Narrabri, Lismore, Central NSW Coast and of course Bellingen and Coffs Harbour. Tom Testone from Robertson, NSW took fantastic photos of the day and Jane Clothier (The Balanced Horse) gave an introduction to saddle fitting during the lunch break. Her session was very well received as she drew in chalk on one of the clinic horses while explaining horse anatomy and how the saddle fit relates.
But we were all there to hear and see Carlos. With skill, kindness and humor he guided us and our horses through the day. We started with the basics of groundwork and it always amazes me how I continue to get a deeper understanding about things I have been doing for some time. From leading and circling, to getting horses comfortable with noises and objects I can always improve in some way. Riding in the afternoon focused on socialization and while we wove between each other on horseback other skills were constantly in play and being refined – turning, straightness, rhythm, leadership….
Sunday was a day of lessons and mine was towards the end of the day. Despite the teachings of the day before, I did not do enough groundwork with Stromlo, especially as he had a relatively new saddle. When I circled him he was a bit tense and rushed causing him to slip on a patch of loose ground. Well – off he went, bucking at end of the lead rope. It was quite a rodeo but I just kept calm, lowered my energy and he stopped. It wasn’t too long ago that I would not dare get on him after such an episode – but I did. With an eye firmly on the safety of horse and rider, Carlos has a magic way of instilling calmness and confidence in horse and rider and I learned much from my lesson in how to better handle what could be a difficult situation. In the end I was trotting, and feeling proud of myself and my horse.
Two months later and Carlos was back. We had some new faces and hooves as well as "old" friends who came again. Kim brought her horse Harry and rode him for the first time since she came to Bellingen six months earlier. Harry was a star – enjoyed his time out and took things in his stride. It was great to see Kim back on her horse and smiling.
This time we had a bareback session which Carlos believes is a powerful way to develop trust between horse and rider. We also had more bitless riders. As many readers would know, Carlos does not use bits and, while he does not insist on participants riding bitless, he has a gentle way of encouraging people to give it a go. With his calm aura infusing confidence in others, I have seen several people start with a tentatively walk and before long they are trotting in a halter. For many it is a revelatory experience and they continue with bitless riding. It is truly wonderful to watch.
Another great experience was watching Deb and her lovely pony develop more mutual trust allowing them to let go and relax. Deb was initially apprehensive about her pony's tendency to take off and therefore held him on a fairly strong contact. Carlos worked with Deb and encouraged her to let her horse have more rein and trust that he will not take off. In the end Deb was trotting without reins and she and her horse looked happy and relaxed.
This time before my lesson I did more groundwork and there was no rodeo but Stromlo was still a challenge for me as we worked on going forward and straight. We decided that it would be good for Carlos to ride him and give him a "tune up" as I am not an experienced rider and probably confuse poor Strom from time to time. It was amazing to watch as Stromlo went from a rebellious head tossing horse to a relaxed canter, rounded frame and even side passing. I have a lot to learn from my horse and Carlos.
Andi and Alan came back again, this time with different horses and keen on bitless riding. They were impressed with the first clinic and lessons and have now booked Carlos to be in Bangalow at the end of May. Which leads me to say that it is a pleasure to meet so many wonderful people at clinics with Carlos and I look forward to our next time in July.
Sandy Radke |
 
 
 
 
 
 
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