Monday, February 20, 2006

Report on Second Klaus Balkenhol clinic

Mette had a chance to ride with Klaus Balkenhol again the weekend of February 3-6 along with a lot of other top riders and horses from California. Mette found it fun and inspiring to be part of this group. She had a very good workout on Sunday. Mette felt better about her ride and both she and Klaus felt that Basquewille was going a lot better than he had the last time she rode with Klaus. On Monday, she got a chance to ride again and Basquewille went even better than on Sunday and she got a lot of credit for her “ones” and for her passage work. Mette says this clinic again reminded her how important “the basics” are in riding and that there really are no short cuts. You must start from the “ground up.”

Mette also brought Taison this time just to use the good facility of Brookside. She used the galloping track to practice forward and back and flying changes. It was great because there was no stopping: she was able to go and go and Taison really enjoyed it.

The clinic had started on Friday, but Mette didn’t arrive until Saturday. That evening, the owners of the facility, Keith and Linda Walton hosted a great barbeque party in a beautiful setting for all the riders, Klaus and his wife, and the resident trainer.

Mette hopes to have another chance to ride with Klaus before the Del Mar show at the end of April.

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