Ongoing Learning

To ride a horse with lightness is not easy.

It is a constantly moving target.

It's imperative to be ready to embrace the whole horse, body, mind, soul.

My lessons in Portugal with Nuno Cavaco were incredibly enjoyable, and equally challenging. Nuno is a fabulous, wise, gifted horseman. He is a compassionate teacher, and a detailed communicator. I knew, from my year of online lessons with Nuno, that we had a lot of material to cover. We got started right away!

The March skies remained heavy with cloud and rain, but my riding, each day, became clearer. I rode a number of the horses at the beautiful stable in Malveira, Portugal. Nuno directed me though an assortment of exercises, riding different horses until, through the challenges, I revealed my strengths and weaknesses, opening up many teachable moments. The manège was a rich environment of schooling, stopping to discuss, unpacking complex ideas, and continue working toward better connection. Time was filled with a carousel of fabulous horses, stimulating conversation, new friends, wonderful lunches and hearty laughter.

Among the most difficult lessons for me, was 'challenging my thinking'. Becoming more flexible. Riding outside the box, or seeing new possibilities within the box - arena. I needed to become more fluid in my decisions. My 'thinking or planning' often was in the way of 'feeling'. This affected how I managed energy, maintained engagement, supported balance and regulated relaxation. Every moment required feeling, and making decisions. What do I feel? What is the right response? Where is it working well? Where is there struggle? Why? How do I respond? Being able to ride effectively means embracing the emotional energy of the horse every step, and offer support in a never-ending feedback loop.

Growth as a rider means being willing to question your beliefs.

Being willing to try.

Being willing to fail.

Embracing discouragement.

In fact, seeking those difficult moments.

Seeking out the bogs of unclarity, and being willing to get stuck in them - and find a way out.

On those days, where I struggled, Nuno would say something like, 'You rode 'so and so' very well, and I had nothing to teach you with that horse. So, you need a different horse that will challenge you.'

Thankfully, the deep stable of horses afforded me plenty of unique rides, showing me exactly where I needed to focus.

Which ones do you think I learned the most from?

I realized quickly that Nuno, was calibrating my lessons - always moving me toward my target. Even if I was not sure what that target was, the selection of horses revealed the path every day.

Growth mindset says, "failure leads to success".

I failed a lot. I learned a lot. And I achieved many successes. Now, I know exactly what I need to work on. That was my goal for this tuition.

Bingo in canter pirouette.

Having access to amazing school master horses is key to any learning program. Bingo is a five star school master Lusitano. He is 100% what you need at any level, whether a calm walk lesson, or maximum rassember, Grand Prix lesson. Bingo delivers every lesson. He revealed a couple of my positional issues, by spontaneously giving me things that I never asked for, (or so I thought) One-tempis in canter on the spot revealed an unstable Left leg. Now, I know to control my leg better. One inch matters! Bingo helped me to understand how to ask for engagement. How to maintain engagement and connection. He absolutely explained to me the differences between energy and engagement.

Another goal of my tuition was preparing myself for starting my young sensitive Lusitano, Sami. Sami is extremely sensitive and conscientious, always seeking to please. One of my learning goals was to ride a young horse like Sami, in order to calibrate my skills to this level of sensitivity. Nobre, a young sweet and sensitive Lusitano offered me this opportunity.

Nobre was having fun showing his abilities, while teaching me to be better at asking and riding his energy. A very sweet and talented Lusitano.

While Bingo and Nobre, with their excellent training provided a rich and challenging curriculum at the highest levels, other horses, like Napoleao, lifted my confidence. He was game for 'playing', even with new concepts. I could ask of him anything within his ability and understanding, and he would deliver his best. A much needed boost on those difficult days!

Napoleao and I enjoying the picturesque Malveira mountain view.

The lineup of horses in Nuno Cavaco's stable along with Nuno's expert guidance allowed me to push my riding to new levels. I always felt supported. The learning environment allowed me to experiment, make mistakes, learn and all the while feel accepted and encouraged by the warm staff and visitors to the facility. On the days where my exhaustion was plainly written on my face, Teresa was there to uplift my spirits and even sometimes - give a needed push. Between the rigorous learning sessions, I enjoyed many conversation-filled Portuguese meals, photo shoots, beautiful rustic gardens, local shopping. As I left for home, it felt like parting with family.

Now, I consolidate my lessons here in Canada. My horses in training, and my own horses already are benefitting from my rich learning in Portugal.

Until next year!

Photos courtesy of:  Afonso Bordallo Rodrigues | Fotografia