Canadian Clinician Teaches Body Awareness and More
Pensacola, FL, Jan. 29, 2007 --- Canadian Dressage Clinician Dave Thind traveled south in order to
conduct a one-day dressage clinic on Florida’s pan–handle.
From 8:30 am till 7 pm, with only a short lunch break, Dave energetically conveyed his teachings while he
enjoyed the warm sunshine and classic southern hospitality of Florida’s Gulf Coast.
In order to illustrate the importance of being aware of one’s pelvis, he had riders do relaxed walk-halt
transitions. The riders began to see for themselves that it would be irrational to use their pelvis in the same
manner for both a downwards and upwards transitions. Given this awareness of their mistakes and how
their pelvis works, the riders were now able to adjust their pelvis from neutral to a slightly forward or
backwards rotation, dependant on the situation. The result: invisible aids, esthetically pleasing rider
positions and content horses.
Using many body awareness techniques, Dave taught riders how to sit straight without falling into the trap
of adopting a rigid posture. Dave explained why the common advice among other problems.
He also explained how riders can keep their legs back by way of stretching their knees towards the ground
– lengthening the upper leg, remaining comfortable and mobile, without coming out of the saddle.
At this clinic, Dave was presented with an array of different horses as well as riders from green to
advanced levels. Dave briefly mounted a few horses including a Norwegian Fjord pony and a Florida bred
Arabian mare. “This is the nicest Arabian I have ever ridden, so many nice qualities,” commented Dave. “I
would like to find myself a mare like this!” continued Dave.
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.
Pensacola, FL, Jan. 29, 2007 --- Canadian Dressage Clinician Dave Thind traveled south in order to
conduct a one-day dressage clinic on Florida’s pan–handle.
From 8:30 am till 7 pm, with only a short lunch break, Dave energetically conveyed his teachings while he
enjoyed the warm sunshine and classic southern hospitality of Florida’s Gulf Coast.
In order to illustrate the importance of being aware of one’s pelvis, he had riders do relaxed walk-halt
transitions. The riders began to see for themselves that it would be irrational to use their pelvis in the same
manner for both a downwards and upwards transitions. Given this awareness of their mistakes and how
their pelvis works, the riders were now able to adjust their pelvis from neutral to a slightly forward or
backwards rotation, dependant on the situation. The result: invisible aids, esthetically pleasing rider
positions and content horses.
Using many body awareness techniques, Dave taught riders how to sit straight without falling into the trap
of adopting a rigid posture. Dave explained why the common advice among other problems.
He also explained how riders can keep their legs back by way of stretching their knees towards the ground
– lengthening the upper leg, remaining comfortable and mobile, without coming out of the saddle.
At this clinic, Dave was presented with an array of different horses as well as riders from green to
advanced levels. Dave briefly mounted a few horses including a Norwegian Fjord pony and a Florida bred
Arabian mare. “This is the nicest Arabian I have ever ridden, so many nice qualities,” commented Dave. “I
would like to find myself a mare like this!” continued Dave.
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.
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Almost with every rider, Dave had to make
adjustments to the positioning of their saddles so that
the lowest point was the middle of the saddle, and not
back towards the cantle. He explained how this fault
will cause the riders to sit in a ‘chair seat’, making it
impossible to convey clear messages because the
seat will be caused to ‘drive’ involuntarily in
downwards transitions. Also, the rider may begin to
rely on the reins for balance or even half-halts. So
for the sake of better riding and both the physical and
mental well being of horses, Dave feels that it is very
important for riders to sit with a neutral pelvis, with
the rest of the body in balance.
adjustments to the positioning of their saddles so that
the lowest point was the middle of the saddle, and not
back towards the cantle. He explained how this fault
will cause the riders to sit in a ‘chair seat’, making it
impossible to convey clear messages because the
seat will be caused to ‘drive’ involuntarily in
downwards transitions. Also, the rider may begin to
rely on the reins for balance or even half-halts. So
for the sake of better riding and both the physical and
mental well being of horses, Dave feels that it is very
important for riders to sit with a neutral pelvis, with
the rest of the body in balance.
Holding a dressage whip in front of the rider
so as to keep her hands low, even and
steady - riding from back to front.
so as to keep her hands low, even and
steady - riding from back to front.