Arrived in Holland. Joker is going to visit tomorrow!

While the US was watching the solar eclipse traverse across the country I was settling into my lovely B&B here in the fruit tree area of Holland. So many apples and pears hang from the branches of these little trees. It looks more like fruit than tree!
After setting in, I took a well deserved nap and then had a lovely dinner with several of the participants who will be attending tomorrow' Instructor day. Ten riding instructors will spend the day exploring how to improve their teaching and we are going to have a guest appearance of one of Kerry Sharps' Jokers!

Joker is a riding simulator that has a moveable middle. Unlike other simulators that either had a rigid middle or move on a central post, Joker's mid section can move which makes him much more like a horse. I can show riders how to find the "up" in the movement so that they elevate the horse off the ground rather than pushing him down.

It's going to be a very interesting day getting the feedback from all these instructors. I am including a short video here of how Joker can be instructional. Notice that when the rider has her hands down on his shoulders, Joker's nose moves in a forward/outward direction. But when she holds the reins he comes behind the vertical consistently! This is due to the tension in her shoulders rather than simply bending her elbows. But wow! How clear is this that the rider's body influences the horse!

Leave a comment and let me know what you think if the amazing teaching tool.

Flying Away!

The long awaited Europe/Africa/Europe safari has begun! After resolving my TSA Precheck dilemma  (you have to edit and put the code in) I made my way through security. Flight on time, check, bags checked (3), check, passport, check, what I need for 1 month of travel - hope so!

First stop Amsterdam for 1 day Instructor Course and 2 day Open course at Stal Mirielle. I have my "day of rest" tomorrow first. I always book a day on the way in because so often I have been going flat out before heading across the pond. This time I had several days at home to get ready so not quite as exhausted as normal.

This year has been a lot of travel and it's my second trip to Europe having spent most of March there for clinics and Equitana. I won't miss the heat and humidity that's for sure! It's supposed to be in the 60's and 70's in Holland and that 's a welcome change to Virginia summer. But I will miss all the beautiful butterflies in my garden.