Bent Jensen clinic at Caduceus Farm, October 22 and 23
It snowed the night before the clinic, covering everything a few inches deep in fluffy white clumps. It’s a stark contrast to Wellington, Florida, I imagine. Many of the horses and riders were stiff with the cold, but hard work warmed us during our lessons.
The clinic began with Peggy, our gracious hostess, and her dapple grey Trakhner stallion, Liebriez (aka Leroy). He's been in dressage training for about a year now. Peggy worked on keeping him more through and carrying himself well into the outside rein. They rode in shoulder fore and then shoulder in to help Leroy elevate his shoulders and bring his carriage up. The horse became more forward, more up in front, more responsive to the aids, and steadier in the hand. Peggy said that his canter transitions were immediate and light, and that he was moving well off her leg in lateral movements (quite an accomplishment on a big "freight train" like Leroy). They worked on spiraling in and riding 12 meter circles which helped to create more energy behind and further lightness in the front.
Bent Jensen on Trakehner stallion, Liebriez |
Bent got on and worked some canter/trot transitions and did some work to check his progress, and Peggy felt he was pleased overall. Leroy got a break until that evening, when he had a short, intense workout with more shoulder fore and shoulder in, working on keeping a steady feel and tempo. They rode deep into the corner to help him collect, then allowed more explosive lengthening on the long side, followed by another transition back to collection in the corner again. Peggy said that Leroy challenges her more as a rider than some of the horses that she's ridden, but she really likes him. |
I went next and experienced my own challenge as a rider- it was the sort of ride you really don't want to have at a clinic (or in public, or in private, for that matter). I was riding a bay Swedish gelding named Phoebus. Phoebus wasn't cooperative, and I was stiff and flustered. He was sluggish and wouldn’t move off my leg. I squeezed, nothing. Squeezed again, tapped with the whip, nothing. More whip produced a sluggish hollow trot. He wasn't forward or through, he hung on my reins, and gave whatever lead he felt like when I asked for the canter. I hunched over and kept grabbing the inside rein, and couldn't feel anything through my seat. I also yelled mean things about his mother, which is really unfair as she was probably a very nice horse. Bent handled the situation extremely well. He was calm and gracious and simply had me work on getting the horse forward no matter what, wrong leads and all, and told me to let go in front. I found this especially difficult as we neared the spectators at the barn opening, since Phoebus seemed intent on plowing them over, and he happily leaned on my inside rein each time we rounded that corner. After about 40 minutes of flying around the ring, Phoebus was finally forward and through, I was warmed up and remembered how to steer with my seat and legs, and our lesson was nearly over. I sat up, put him in a good frame, and we had a good 10 minutes. When we finished I tried to look on the bright side, that while there were witnesses at least I hadn't had anyone record my ride. Then one of said witnesses piped up and pointed out that someone ELSE had videotaped the ride.
Laura rode next on Griffin, a black Swedish mare. She said that it was the hardest clinic she's done, which surprised me as she looked very good to me when I saw her, and she was certainly quieter than I had been. She felt her position has improved but the clinic was difficult mentally. She had planned to buy the mare but the deal fell through just before the clinic. As for Bent, she felt he was more hands on and out in the arena, which she really liked, and she said she felt more comfortable with him.
Naida Dormer on her 3 year old Dutch stallion, Walden Pond |
Nadia rode her three year old bay Dutch stallion Walden Pond (aka Wally). He's only been under saddle a month, but he's doing very well. He has a great disposition and happily munched sugar from a little girl about as tall as his knee (her daddy held her up to carefully administer the treat). It was her first time doing a clinic with Bent, and she felt that he was an amazing rider and trainer. She asked what she should do with Wally and he told her to just keep doing what she's doing- working on the basics- steering, bending, and moving forward into the bridle. They worked on getting Wally a little more round, and Nadia felt the change immediately. Wally became instantly more balanced and responsive. "It would only take a small nudge and he would move off my leg, as opposed to a leg numbing series of bumps and squeezing,” she said. Bent complimented Wally's type and told her they looked good together, and Nadia was really pleased with the ride and the work they did. She's already looking forward to the next time he comes. |
Karen rode her 19 year old Thoroughbred mare, Jazz, and did extremely well. They worked on being forward but relaxed, at walk, trot, and canter, then counter canter, and Karen rode the best I've ever seen her. They did not work too long and only rode on Saturday, as Jazz's foal was recently weaned and Karen has only just recently been able to start riding her again.
Josie and her mom with Pehrsson, Swedish stallion |
Peggy's daughter Josie rode Pehrsson (aka Gig), a 20 year old Swedish stallion. The lovely old grey Grand Prix Schoolmaster was put through his paces as she worked on keeping him straight, forward, and correct, and she would not be intimidated by him or the clinic. Josie rides with a super position and she really likes Bent. |
Crystal rode her bay appendix gelding, Montego Bay (aka Monty) and finished out the day. Monty has come a long way this year, as has Crystal, and she was excited to tell Bent about their recent success at a local horse show. Monty's learning how to look like a real dressage horse, and they're both learning how to work more and play less.
Peggy Judy on her Trakehner stallion, Liebriez |
On Sunday, we had fewer rides as Bent needed to get to the airport, in time for his flight. Peggy rode Leroy again, and he was fresh and enthusiastic, "Must have been the chilly temperatures," she said. "I was thinking forward and he willingly came to me." Bent got on again and challenged him with tighter transitions and demanded absolute obedience. Leroy tried very hard and Peggy was excited when they did a few half steps of piaffe. At that point he was showing signs of fatigue, so they gave him a break untill the afternoon. On their last ride, Peggy said he came out again happy and ready to go, and that he immediately came to her hand and had excellent carriage. He was light to the aids, and wonderfully straight and forward, so after about 15 minutes of good work they called it a day, (and a clinic). "He's an extremely strong and macho stallion," she said, "but is really starting to come to me nicely." |
Sara Porter on Swedish Gelding, Phoebus |
Sunday, thankfully, was better for me. The second day usually is, but this was MUCH better. Bent had me continue riding Phoebus very forward, and told me to leave the front end alone. I kept my hands very soft and left my reins long and almost loose, and just used my seat and legs. Phoebus still wanted to hang on my inside rein, and I asked Bent about it.. "If it's not there, what's he going to hang on to?" Bent asked. "Nothing," I replied sheepishly. It's something I know and yet I still need to hear it. I work on getting the horse on the outside rein and not holding on the inside, but sometimes you have to go farther and work on letting go. Things were going better and Bent had us do some leg yields along the wall. They weren't brilliant but there were some good steps here and there, and Phoebus was listening better. We worked on the canter some more with a better quality gait and the leads were correct more often. Bent had us circle around him while he held a lunge whip, which he used occasionally when I couldn't keep Phoebus's hind legs active enough. He had me concentrate on using my abs more and it helped a lot with the half halts and with getting the forehand light. He also reminded me to capture the energy from the hind end in the bridle, and my timing and feel for this started to improve. A friend took some photos and he was the most uphill I've ever seen. We worked until we were both soaked with sweat (and I was gasping for breath) but I was satisfied with our performance. I was really glad to have things end on a good note. |
Laura Capra on Swedish mare, Griffin |
Laura rode Griffen next, and I was again impressed with her. I took some pictures of them and noticed how every photo had her sitting up tall, which I'm especially jealous of as I have terrible posture. They looked relaxed and have a good partnership. |
Sue rode Sierra Symphony, a black 20 year old Swedish mare whose foal was weaned a couple of months ago. Sue just started riding this year and has been working very hard. She's looking to buy a dressage horse and wanted Bent's opinion, and decided to take a lesson with him. She had a fantastic time and did very well.
And as always, the question asked even before the clinic ended, was "When's Bent coming back?" Not till after the snow stops falling...
-Sara Porter