Dave Thind Educates Dressage Riders in Northern Norway
Storkmarknes, NOR, September 19, 2007 --- From his current base in Germany, Canadian dressage
trainer Dave Thind travelled to Northern Scandinavia to conduct a three-day dressage clinic from September
7-10 in Storkmarknes, NOR. The international clinician was well received by participants, auditors and the
local media alike.
Dave commented that an instructor can make requests such as ‘sit straight’ or to not ‘collapse the hip,’ but
until the rider feels what it that he or she is doing wrong and how to fix it, one can only expect frustration to
follow.
“Guided exploration of correct movement pathways is an invaluable tool for all riders. Without having to
worry about riding a horse, this type of learning environment helps riders add poise, comfort, softness,
improved rhythm, a new sense of symmetry and balance as well as other dressage ideals to their
repertoire of movement possibilities,” stated Dave.
“When a rider can freely follow a horse’s movement and begin to have a concept of the correct timing for
half-halts and forward driving aids, only then is it possible to influence his or her horse with the most subtle
of aids. Horses suddenly and willingly take direction from subtle nuances commonly referred to as seat
and weight aids,” continued Dave.
Armed with better body-awareness and knowledge of how it relates to dressage theory, ten horse-rider
combinations entered the riding arena on Saturday Sept. 8. Dave diagnosed both rider and horse-related
issues and offered easy to understand classical corrections, often leaving onlookers amazed with the
dramatic changes. Many riders could be seen experiencing ‘light bulb’ moments.
Still focusing on efficient equine and human biomechanics, each rider was skilfully made aware\reminded of
their personal constrictions that inhibit an ideal flow of movement, or what Dave refers to as dynamic
movement.
“This was the first time I felt a horse’s movement flow in a soft and rhythmical way through my ankles,
knees and hips, all the way up my spine, and then finally back like a wave – this without hardly moving,”
commented clinic organizer and dressage trainer Silje Solberg. “I’m very happy that we had the opportunity
to get Dave to Norway. This was really uplifting for us and the experience has absolutely improved our
level of riding. This experience reminds me of the old Norwegian proverb that says ‘when you are waiting
for something special, you are not waiting in vain” she continued.
“Finding perfect balance is never easy, especially when dealing with muscle memory and rider
proprioception. Often riders that lean back don’t realize they are doing so unless they see a photo or video
of themselves. And when you make them sit straight, their proprioception tells them that they are leaning
forward. This is where unmounted work and trusting one’s trainer comes into play.”
With leaps and bounds made with every horse and rider, the second day of riding was used to further
engrain what had been learnt as well as to go through classical dressage exercises appropriate to each
horse. Riders were encouraged to take a moment to enjoy the beautiful scenery while feeling the difficult to
describe unison of movement between horse and rider.
Anna, only 16 and already a dressage theory-junkie, worked on maintaining her improved position and
usage of light-aids while learning the feeling and theory behind which hind-leg pushes, carries and\or
crosses in the leg-yield, shoulder in, half pass, travers, renvers and the half-pass.
“When working with horses, less is always more. I want riders to learn to let go of excess tension and to
know what is going on underneath and behind them - allowing them to do less, ultimately resulting in happier
and more cooperative horses,” commented Dave.
Dave has already conducted clinics in Norway but this occasion marked the Canadian trainer’s first trip to
the picturesque Vesterålen region.
“This was really a very positive and inspiring clinic,” says clinic participant Tarja Salander.
Vesterålen Dressage Group (Vesterålen Dressurgruppa) is a group of nine enthusiastic riders with one
goal; to develop dressage skill and education in the Vesterålen region.
More about Dave
As an international level competitor and clinician, Dave’s ability to guide riders of all levels into feeling and
reproducing improvement is what sets this Canadian trainer apart. Although now comfortably back in the
saddle, a back injury and the possibility of never riding again led to Dave’s fascination with human and
equine biomechanics and his close study of various body awareness techniques including Feldenkrais®,
Centered Riding®, Pilates and Yoga. Combined with a solid foundation in classical dressage, this
combination has allowed Dave to help competitive riders excel from basic to international levels. Currently
based in Germany, Dave keeps up with his own education by riding with some of the best European
trainers.
Storkmarknes, NOR, September 19, 2007 --- From his current base in Germany, Canadian dressage
trainer Dave Thind travelled to Northern Scandinavia to conduct a three-day dressage clinic from September
7-10 in Storkmarknes, NOR. The international clinician was well received by participants, auditors and the
local media alike.
Dave commented that an instructor can make requests such as ‘sit straight’ or to not ‘collapse the hip,’ but
until the rider feels what it that he or she is doing wrong and how to fix it, one can only expect frustration to
follow.
“Guided exploration of correct movement pathways is an invaluable tool for all riders. Without having to
worry about riding a horse, this type of learning environment helps riders add poise, comfort, softness,
improved rhythm, a new sense of symmetry and balance as well as other dressage ideals to their
repertoire of movement possibilities,” stated Dave.
“When a rider can freely follow a horse’s movement and begin to have a concept of the correct timing for
half-halts and forward driving aids, only then is it possible to influence his or her horse with the most subtle
of aids. Horses suddenly and willingly take direction from subtle nuances commonly referred to as seat
and weight aids,” continued Dave.
Armed with better body-awareness and knowledge of how it relates to dressage theory, ten horse-rider
combinations entered the riding arena on Saturday Sept. 8. Dave diagnosed both rider and horse-related
issues and offered easy to understand classical corrections, often leaving onlookers amazed with the
dramatic changes. Many riders could be seen experiencing ‘light bulb’ moments.
Still focusing on efficient equine and human biomechanics, each rider was skilfully made aware\reminded of
their personal constrictions that inhibit an ideal flow of movement, or what Dave refers to as dynamic
movement.
“This was the first time I felt a horse’s movement flow in a soft and rhythmical way through my ankles,
knees and hips, all the way up my spine, and then finally back like a wave – this without hardly moving,”
commented clinic organizer and dressage trainer Silje Solberg. “I’m very happy that we had the opportunity
to get Dave to Norway. This was really uplifting for us and the experience has absolutely improved our
level of riding. This experience reminds me of the old Norwegian proverb that says ‘when you are waiting
for something special, you are not waiting in vain” she continued.
“Finding perfect balance is never easy, especially when dealing with muscle memory and rider
proprioception. Often riders that lean back don’t realize they are doing so unless they see a photo or video
of themselves. And when you make them sit straight, their proprioception tells them that they are leaning
forward. This is where unmounted work and trusting one’s trainer comes into play.”
With leaps and bounds made with every horse and rider, the second day of riding was used to further
engrain what had been learnt as well as to go through classical dressage exercises appropriate to each
horse. Riders were encouraged to take a moment to enjoy the beautiful scenery while feeling the difficult to
describe unison of movement between horse and rider.
Anna, only 16 and already a dressage theory-junkie, worked on maintaining her improved position and
usage of light-aids while learning the feeling and theory behind which hind-leg pushes, carries and\or
crosses in the leg-yield, shoulder in, half pass, travers, renvers and the half-pass.
“When working with horses, less is always more. I want riders to learn to let go of excess tension and to
know what is going on underneath and behind them - allowing them to do less, ultimately resulting in happier
and more cooperative horses,” commented Dave.
Dave has already conducted clinics in Norway but this occasion marked the Canadian trainer’s first trip to
the picturesque Vesterålen region.
“This was really a very positive and inspiring clinic,” says clinic participant Tarja Salander.
Vesterålen Dressage Group (Vesterålen Dressurgruppa) is a group of nine enthusiastic riders with one
goal; to develop dressage skill and education in the Vesterålen region.
More about Dave
As an international level competitor and clinician, Dave’s ability to guide riders of all levels into feeling and
reproducing improvement is what sets this Canadian trainer apart. Although now comfortably back in the
saddle, a back injury and the possibility of never riding again led to Dave’s fascination with human and
equine biomechanics and his close study of various body awareness techniques including Feldenkrais®,
Centered Riding®, Pilates and Yoga. Combined with a solid foundation in classical dressage, this
combination has allowed Dave to help competitive riders excel from basic to international levels. Currently
based in Germany, Dave keeps up with his own education by riding with some of the best European
trainers.
NEWS
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Delayed flights and missing luggage didn’t make
for an easy journey. When Dave finally arrived
Friday afternoon in good mood despite a difficult
journey, the clinic was started at once. The
intensive training began in a classroom setting
where Dave taught an unmounted theory and
body-awareness lesson based on human and
equine biomechanics.
Since feeling is something that cannot be taught
with words alone, participants were guided
through a series of body-awareness
movements. Riders gained insight into their
habitual faults and learned to feel and think their
way towards a naturally supple, unblocked and
pain-free way of riding.
The clinic took place only metres away from the
Norwegian Sea, with glimpses of Killer-Whales as a
backdrop.
Norwegian Sea, with glimpses of Killer-Whales as a
backdrop.