Balance, Sally Swift, and the ARICP convention

[Sue Brown <sbrown@wamedes.com>]

>In Sally Swift's "Centered Riding" there's a great chapter (ch.7 Walk and
>the Following Seat) on that crooked weight thing, how to tell if you are,
>and how to fix it.  She's a neat lady who has scoliosis, and with a passion
>for horses form a young age, used riding as therapy.  The book contains
>many great images to keep in mind when learning how to ride balanced.  1985
>book, Amazon has it for shiping in 24 hrs.  (No I'm not affiliated... <g>)
>

I just got back from the ARICP/ARIA convention in New Jersey and Sally was
again one of the speakers (my third time to hear her.)  She's now 88 and
still teaching altho her lecture dates are a bit more limited...and she's
still walking despite her physical limitations!!  There's something to be
said about the fortitude of that woman!  She is considered the Grande Dame
of riding instruction amongst that crowd -- not *literally* but you have no
doubt in your mind when you see the enthusiasm on the faces around you
during her standing ovation before and after her lecture...and this crowd
consists of riding instructors from all disciplines!  I looked around me
and was incredibly impressed when I saw the expressions on the faces of the
other speakers sitting behind me -- for those of you that are cross-trained
to other disciplines, some of the other speakers sitting near me (I usually
sit at the table right in front of the speakers -- probably hoping that
I'll get smarter by breathing the same air or something ;-)) were Jane
Savoie, George Morris, Jack LeGoff, Anne Kursinski, Brian Dygart, Denny
Emerson, Jessica Jahiel, Michael Page, and several others...and the looks
on their faces was one of great respect.  Quite the sight!! 

The convention didn't (and hasn't since I've been going) have anyone
speaking specifically on endurance riding.  We (Jessica J., Abby, and I)
discussed this and are going to suggest that we have one next year.  (We're
hoping for DSS who's an ARICP Master Instructor!  At least I *think* that's
her level of certification.)  Denny Emerson's talk *did* include, however,
his experiences with endurance and his RESPECT for the condition of the
long distance horses AND the riders!  I had a chance to talk with him later
regarding his rides and he obviously enjoys this discipline...and uses his
the knowledge from his experiences when he works with his CT students. 

And I survived my day of exams!!  Whew...I'm glad that's over! ;-)

Sue   


sbrown@wamedes.com
Tyee Farm
Marysville, Wa.


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