Today, a very famous Hungarian dressage trainer named Mr. Barnabus (I'm sure he has a first name as well but it is a mystery to me) came to Henk's farm to give lessons for two days. None of the riders were very enthusiastic about working with a dressage trainer, and we even told Lizzy last week that we were unwilling to have lessons with Mr. Barnabus. However, Henk cornered Michael and Taylor as they walked to the barn yesterday afternoon and laid down the law: Mr. Barnabus is a flat lesson god and taking lessons with him is a privilege so, rather than complaining, all the riders should be jumping for joy at this opportunity. Henk may not have used these exact words but his message was still loud and clear! Michael and Taylor were in no position to argue with a man who trains Marcus Ehning, so they smiled and set up a lesson schedule.
Henk could not have been more right! Michael was the first victim at 9:00 am aboard Katina, and all the other riders were required to come watch the lesson. I know everyone started out with a bit of apprehension, but any doubts we had about Mr. Barnabus evaporated within minutes. He utilized very simplistic teaching methods, giving the rider one thing at a time to work on. He had everyone work using shoulder-ins, serpentines, and a lot of circles and extensions. He also lengthened all the riders' stirrups a few holes and instructed us to "polish the saddle" using our seat bones. He wanted us to sit more deeply in the saddle and open our hip angles. After each rider flatted individually for an hour, although we did take several breaks to "allow the horse to stretch," which Mr. Barnabus said was a very important part of work, everyone's saddles were quite a bit shinier.
The riders were all a little sore upon returning to our apartments to shower and change for dinner at Henk's house. Nicole cooked dinner for all the riders, grooms, Lizzy, and Mr. Barnabus. We got to see the inside of the gorgeous house as well as the original 18th century hunting lodge barn that is attached to the house. The whole building is absolutely incredible! Taylor had an interesting experience at dinner when she and Jen noticed that Nicole was serving pasta with meat sauce. Both girls hardly ever eat meat and were discussing this fact when Mr. Barnabus overheard something Taylor said and immediately told Nicole that Taylor was a vegetarian and needed something else to eat. Taylor tried to explain that she is not, in fact, a vegetarian, but Mr. Barnabus refused to listen and determinedly took away the plate of meat sauce. The Belgians are very fond of eggs and eat them with almost everything, so Nicole immediately offered to whip up an egg for Taylor to eat with her pasta. Although it sounded a bit strange, Taylor accepted and it turned out the egg was from chickens Nicole raises herself on the farm. 100% fresh and organic- so much better than Whole Foods!
Tomorrow we have lessons with Mr. Barnabus again. Hopefully everyone will remember how to polish the saddle properly!
- Jen and Taylor
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