Tom Noone Clinic

Connor and I spent the weekend in Lincoln, Rhodes Island at Prospect Hill Farm for a clinic with Tom Noone. The facility was amazing and everyone was very welcoming! It really was great prep for NEDA Fall Fest. We also were able to have a nice dinner with Tom and the other riders on Saturday night.

Tom focused on controlling Connor's shoulders and haunches independently from each other to really make him straight through his entire body. We really focused on the basics working on large and small circle and having him move his shoulders out and haunches in. Once he was straight I was better able to move him away from my legs as well as work on our upward and downward transitions. It really seems like this aspect of our riding is slowly coming together and is really going to help us out next year when we move up to 1st level.

Another important bit of information I picked up was the use of my legs; controlling my upper thigh and calf during transitions. My canter departs and downward transitions from canter to trot improved significantly with Tom suggestions about leg control. This is something I will have to continue to practice before the big show in a couple weeks.

We made some fabulous new friends this weekend who I look forward to seeing at Saugerties! A photographer from the local paper was at the clinic and Connor may possibly be a star in a couple days or so! Keep your eye out for him in the Valley Breeze and Observe if you get it!!!