Another very long day, but refreshing in so many ways. The 3 training days are over, the horses have a rest, and we explored what else the Swedish horse world has to offer. After a 40 min bus ride, we arrived at Hellekis Manor, an elegant neoclassical castle situated on the Kinnekullen ‘mountain’ by the shores of Sweden’s largest lake: Vänern.
Castle, or not, we were more interested in the stables, home to the Team HorseVision, which teaches the Academic Art of Riding, and gave a wonderful display on Liberty Dressage. Starting with an explanation of fundamental groundwork, the demo quickly moved on to liberty riding, lateral movements and the beginnings of a rounded outline. Inspirational! Equally attractive (almost) was a swim, and a picnic by the lake – and the first real rain we had all weak. Refreshing! In the afternoon we were back at the Trotting Centre, and enjoyed a lecture/demo by John Rickett who truly speaks ‘horse’ and, just as importantly – he understands it, too. We learnt a few words of his specific vocabulary and witnessed 2 horses learning to understand him, too. Both horses showed an amazing transformation within a very short time.
This is the day, and the night before the competition. Confidence is high, expectations are higher, nerves are stretched. Best of luck to all riders and horses!
FEIF Youth Cup 2018 – Day 4
