tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8996505457028956833.post1234797076629906937..comments2023-06-10T10:37:13.281-05:00Comments on Horsemanship in Harmony: Where Savvy LiesAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03261044008845212950noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8996505457028956833.post-66711935659098611522010-03-16T10:30:53.689-05:002010-03-16T10:30:53.689-05:00Gee, Lisa, you brought tears to my eyes! Perhaps ...Gee, Lisa, you brought tears to my eyes! Perhaps that is the main reason that some of us find that when we take our eyes off of the "levels" for a while, we progress by leaps and bounds?<br><br>There is also something to being progressive in our learning, something that I've been remiss in, but am now addressing (with help). We don't *need* the levels to do this, but they can be a good tool.<br><br>However, like you pointed out, it is possible to achieve L1-4 and still miss the point. Something that I'm sure galls Pat..Naturally Gaitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04979228208328700204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8996505457028956833.post-24531824961186953892010-03-16T11:14:16.385-05:002010-03-16T11:14:16.385-05:00I think I'm finally coming to terms with what ...I think I'm finally coming to terms with what progress really means. I still want my green string. I've wanted it for so long. But it's not the string, per se. It's what it represents. The journey from unconcious incompetence to something sort of savvy. It's not worth it unless I can still look Cricket in the eye every day and tell her, honestly, that we're in this together.<br><br>Horse-Man-Ship - Horse and Human together in a vessel, heading towards a destination.<br><br>It just floors me, sometimes, how people's words and actions are so incongruent.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035597114351155375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8996505457028956833.post-13122073527541691502010-03-16T11:37:28.117-05:002010-03-16T11:37:28.117-05:00I love your post - What you are acquiring is matur...I love your post - What you are acquiring is maturity, not just emotional maturity, but wisdom. This speaks volumes for who and where you are. Lucky Cricket. Thanks for the reminder "there is nothing more important than how she feels about being with me".<br><br>Thanks also for the Liberty dvd suggestion, Spot On!inchwormwvhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00078231697778717349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8996505457028956833.post-36248758538960977902010-03-16T12:27:54.291-05:002010-03-16T12:27:54.291-05:00Thanks! I guess I'm not that far behind the c...Thanks! I guess I'm not that far behind the curve. I've owned a horse for 8 years (seven with Cricket) and there are folks who've been doing this a lifetime and still don't "get it."<br><br>I'm preparing to start another "program" with her to get ready (me more than her) for our L3/4 camp in May. I just need to remember what this is about - not impressing anyone but Cricket!<br><br>~ LisaLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035597114351155375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8996505457028956833.post-83582039783813786922010-03-17T23:25:30.676-05:002010-03-17T23:25:30.676-05:00I've also found that my level of horsemanship ...I've also found that my level of horsemanship decreases the more my concern about passing a level increases. I had some of my worst sessions while I was "working" on my L2 Online, and have decided that I won't even think about auditioning until I know I could pass in my sleep. That means, to me, not auditioning for my L3 freestyle until I'm well into L4-5.<br><br>Making this decision has been huge for me! I'm now having fun doing whatever I want to do, rather than living by the self-assessment checklist. I'm enjoying my horse more than ever before, and loving the program. <br><br>Once again, "It's not about the...string!" <br><br>I think: my horse doesn't care what color string I have so I should either. <br><br>Ok, so it doesn't work all the time, as I'd love to have a green one, but I'm willing to wait until we're really ready for it.Tinanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8996505457028956833.post-64867734666104356962010-03-18T08:54:02.122-05:002010-03-18T08:54:02.122-05:00The goal of passing L3 keeps me heading somewhere....The goal of passing L3 keeps me heading somewhere. I'm just at ease with Cricket's timeline.<br><br>We got all messed up in L2 because the one task we had left was simple lead changes. I became so frustrated because I couldn't comfortably canter my horse. It was actually ruining my relationship with my horse. Inability to accomplish that one task obscured everything I had accomplished with Cricket. My instructor saw that and, in her infinite savvy, helped me fix it.<br><br>For L3, I'm currently at ease with developing myself and my horse until the audition flows out of the savvy. If I get to the point where it's becoming a roadblock, I'll borrow a horse, pass the damn thing and move on.<br><br>My struggle in L2 taught me a lot and I think my savvy grew exponentially.<br><br>Checking off boxes on a task sheet or drilling a horse until he performs a task or pattern is not savvy. Ability to perform any given maneuver is not savvy. But if you have savvy then you should be able to ask certain things from your horse and be pretty sure you'll get the desired response.<br><br>I think I have a decent amount of savvy. What I loved most about my L3 Liberty audition and the resulting pass was that it was just a video of a fairly typical liberty session with Cricket. Nothing planned, nothing rehearsed. Just me and my Principessa.<br><br>It's just hard sometimes. I have a decent competitive streak. But again, my pony girl and the look in her eyes when I walk down the barn aisle is more important than any accolade Pat and Linda could bestow.<br><br>~ LisaLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035597114351155375noreply@blogger.com