Tag Archives: Gerd Heuschmann

George H. Morris Focuses on Flat Work during Day Two of the “Gladstone Program”

Dr. Gerd Heuschmann works with Sophie Verges.

Gladstone, NJ – May 20, 2015 – As the sun rose over Hamilton Farm on day two of the USET Foundation’s Gladstone Program, George H. Morris zipped his Ariat Team USA jacket all the way up. “It’s a bit cold,” Morris remarked as he assumed the driver’s seat in his signature golf cart, stepping on the gas to meet the first group of riders in the outdoor arena.

Katie Cox, Lisa Goldman, Sean Leckie and Kilian McGrath rode into the large arena at 8 a.m., ready to begin another day of flat work with Morris and German veterinarian Dr. Gerd Heuschmann.

The ring was set up with one ground pole on each side and two separate combinations of cavaletti in the center. One combination had three elements, which could only be taken at the trot. The other had two cavaletti, which could be ridden at the trot or canter.

After walking the horses, Heuschmann instructed the riders to pick up a very slow trot, working on relaxing deep into the saddle and waiting for the horse to initiate contact, keeping a steady inside-leg pressure all the while.

“When you warm up, you connect to your horse,” Heuschmann explained. “Your horse has to learn to wait for your seat. If you don’t have the back, you don’t have the horse. You can only drive if the horse waits for you.”

Heuschmann continued by teaching the riders to raise their inside hands slightly to encourage their mounts to round at the poll, keeping constant pressure on the outside rein and waiting for the steady inside leg to encourage the horse to sink into a longer frame.

As the horses showed signs of accepting the seat and relaxing, Heuschmann told the riders to open the stride when they felt the horses with them.

After moving through walk-trot transitions and opening up to various strides at the trot, the riders moved to the canter, lengthening and shortening the strides to stretch and flex the horse’s topline.

Katie Cox’s horse, Twilight, looked noticeably more relaxed today, collecting nicely and quietly transitioning between gaits.

Heuschmann remarked, “This horse is doing much better today, George,” to which Morris responded with a drawn-out ‘yay’ as he cantered by on BB Casablanca.

After slowly working the grey mare through circles and transitions at a slow, collected pace, the satisfied Morris hopped off, making way for rider Kilian McGrath.

Once Morris assumed command of the microphone, the riders began working over the cavaletti, tracking left to make a figure eight over both sets. Morris explained that cavaletti work is crucial to bridge the gap between flat work and jumping.

“You people need steady contact,” Morris reminded the riders. “If the horse resists the bit, close your hand; don’t saw on his mouth.”

Sean Leckie and La Gracia canter over the cavaletti
Sean Leckie and La Gracia canter over the cavaletti

Under Morris’ direction, the riders got into jumping half seat and began lengthening the canter stride around the ring, preparing themselves for the week of jumping ahead. Morris was adamant about being able to ride from all seats, changing the hip angle to match the task at hand.

“Constipated cats,” Morris boomed over the microphone, warning the riders about getting too stiff. “I don’t want constipated cats like we had in Wellington.”

As the horses began to break into a sweat, Morris announced that they had enough and needed to rest in order to jump the rest of the week.

With that, group one filed out of the ring and group two started tacking up their horses in the barn.

At 10 a.m. sharp, Haley Gassel, Taylor Harris, Sophie Verges and Kate Mulligan entered the arena and began a similar program as the first group, working on initiating connection with their seats.

“You have to feel as if you weigh an extra 200 pounds,” Heuschmann said. “Smile and relax as if you had a whiskey.”

Heuschmann took 20 minutes to warm up Gassel’s Quiet Dark 2, doing transitions and circles while rounding the “big guy” at the poll and encouraging him to engage his hind end.

On the opposite end of the arena, Harris received some one-on-one attention from Morris, who worked with her on an invisible lunge line to calmly warm up her spooky horse.

Morris instructed Harris to lengthen and shorten the stride, throwing in the occasional shoulder-in, half pass and change of direction. Eventually, the pair was cantering, counter cantering and changing leads quietly.

The young riders finished warming up under Heuschmann’s expert eye, working on steady rein contact combined with driving and bending laterally from the seat and legs to collect the horses with forward impulsion.

When Morris came back to the microphone, there was not a second of hesitation as he asked the riders to make figure eights over the cavaletti, lengthening and shortening their strides, maintaining contact and impulsion throughout the exercise.

“The horse is active, but does not rush contact,” Morris explained. “The horse has to listen, not run through the hand.”

When Morris was satisfied with everyone, he simply stated, “very good,” marking the end of the day’s lesson for group two.

Dr. Gerd Heuschmann will be returning to Germany and wanted to leave the riders and spectators with a final word of advice: “Classical riding only works if you love your horse and you love to ride.”

The Gladstone Program will continue Thursday morning with over-fences sessions at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., and media training with Mason Phelps, Chip McKinney and Ariel Weisman of Phelps Media Group at 1:30 p.m. Riding sessions are open to the public for auditing.

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.

For more information on the USET Foundation, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org.

The USET Foundation has been awarded Charity Navigators’ highest honor, a Four Star rating for good governance, sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
USET Foundation
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Gymnastics and Forward Foundations for Day Two of George H. Morris Gladstone Program

George Morris works Jacob Pope’s mount through the cavaletti exercise

Gladstone, NJ – May 21, 2014 – Day two of the 2014 George H. Morris Gladstone Program got underway at the USET Foundation’s Headquarters at Hamilton Farms early Wednesday morning. Riders were expected to put their newly learned knowledge to the test, continuing their work on the flat in order to better prepare their mounts for the gymnastics session in the afternoon where they would face cavaletti, gymnastic work, and a liverpool.

Legendary horseman George Morris instructed Brittni Raflowitz, Maggie McAlary, Sloane Coles and Scott Lico to work their horses around half the ring, using self-activity and putting yesterday’s knowledge into practice. Jacob Pope watched Morris from the side as he worked with his mount to round the poll and straighten, working with the horse’s mouth to sensitize and utilize leg aids.

“The French call it ‘petite attaque’ meaning small attack,” Morris stated as he put the horse to the bit. “The trick is to push not pull, give a little and then take a little. You want the horse to fall into rhythm, and have contact with the bit. Once they are going with the impulsion, they have no choice; the horse will stretch into the bit. You must know the difference between stretching and leaning.”

Dr. Gerd Heuschmann welcomed Alec Bozorgi, Karina Busch, Katie Cox, Christi Israel and Savannah Talcott to the second mounted session of the morning. Dr. Heuschmann mounted Karina Busch’s horse, and from the moment he positioned himself the familiarities in his and Morris’ riding styles were uncanny. He reinforced his hand position by keeping his hands symmetrical with the horse’s mouth.

The gymnastics mounted session saw the 10 riders in the two groups, using a condensed work model on the flat to loosen the horses and work on suppleness. Utilizing Heuschmann’s principles discussed over the two days, the riders continued to work on classical riding techniques, focusing on a light seat and keeping the horse balanced with their legs and hands. Morris then instructed the riders to move through the cavalettis, maintaining rhythm and allowing their horse to get there without hesitation. Even through the cavalettis the riders focused on keeping a forward seat, similar to that of the obstacles they would soon progress on to.

Morris had them complete several figure eights over the cavalettis, interpreted as “little obstacle,” and then focus on a series of four small verticals set on a circle. “You always want to be progressive when training a horse. We start with two fences, then progress to three, and then four,” Morris described.

“You may not get it right the first time, or even the second time,” Morris explained. “It takes years of practice to get to the level of Beezie [Madden], McLain [Ward] or Laura [Kraut], but we are working to build you and the horse to get there.”

Alec Bozorgi rides to the triple bar, exemplifying what Morris was explaining with a light seat, forward position and deep approach
Alec Bozorgi rides to the triple bar, exemplifying what Morris was explaining with a light seat, forward position and deep approach

The riders focused on holding their position throughout the exercise, keeping contact with a half halt after each fence, by raising their hands slightly. Each rider kept the inside rein open, using the outside leg to guide and allow the horse to bend around the inside leg. When Morris was satisfied with each of the riders, he moved on to a single triple bar.

Morris always focuses on the forward seat as part of his clinics, working to get the horses to go with the riders versus bracing and resisting with too deep of a seat. The riders were asked to approach the triple bar at a forward pace in a two-point position, moving into a light three-point position about eight strides away from the obstacle.

As soon as each rider completed the triple bar, Morris added a vertical-vertical one-stride combination set next to the water. He focused on having the riders look for a deep approach to the fences so that the horses sit back on their hocks, using impulsion to move them through the combinations. After taking six strides to an oxer set on the left from the combination, the riders moved on to the liverpool, an obstacle that proved spooky for several.

“This is where you have to ask what impulsion your horse needs,” Morris asked of his students. “Does your horse need a cluck? A little spur? A stick? You need to think quickly and understand how to keep your horse thinking forward. You must anticipate and predict.”

“I didn’t exactly know what to expect when going into the gymnastics session today,” Raflowitz said. “I have only had my mare for a month, but I was prepared to expect the unexpected. She was super, and I couldn’t have asked her to be any better than she was. Everything George has to say is quite interesting since he has a very different teaching style than anyone I have worked with. I need to work on being softer in the seat, not riding so rigid and so deep in my seat.”

Raflowitz continued, “This clinic is so unique; it combines lectures with professionals in the industry, and an unfathomable amount of knowledge can be gained. Today we met with Yvonne Ocrant, a lawyer, and it was extremely interesting. She kept us engaged, and I came away with a better understanding for a business on both a day-to-day and law-based way. She really explained how to turn what we love to do into a successful business, but we also learned the importance of protecting our business.”

The instructions through the gymnastics provided educational tools for horse and rider, actively fulfilling the purpose of the 2014 George H. Morris Gladstone Program. Day three of the clinic will focus on two group sessions beginning at 8 a.m. tomorrow morning. The riders will face more work on the flat, as well as a series of gymnastics. The Gladstone Program incorporates a unique design, utilizing professionals and experts across the equestrian industry to build knowledge for the riders in an effort to pursue a path that will prepare them to be a “team” rider and represent the United States in international competition.

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.

For more information on the USET Foundation, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
USET Foundation
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

George H. Morris Gladstone Program Kicks Off at the USET Foundation’s Hamilton Farm

Maggie McAlary.

Gladstone, NJ – May 20, 2014 – Ten of the country’s most talented young riders chosen for the George H. Morris Gladstone Program gathered at the USET Foundation’s Headquarters at Hamilton Farms this morning for the opportunity to lifetime. This special program focuses on the training and education for exceptionally dedicated and talented show jumping riders who are serious about their interest and desire to pursue a path that will prepare them to be a “team” rider and represent the United States in international competition.

George Morris started the day by introducing the riders to German veterinarian and leading expert in biomechanics, Dr. Gerd Heuschmann, to lead the session on “Biomechanics of the Riding Horse”. Many of Dr. Heuschmann and Morris’ ideas and training are aligned, making Heuschmann a natural fit for the Gladstone Program. Heuschmann’s lecture on biomechanics was the perfect subject for the opening day, introducing riders to the working, riding and training teachings of the masters throughout centuries. All of his education, research and hands-on experience have led him to one conclusion: 95 percent of the problems sit in the saddle.

“The United States is the only country where veterinarians give hock injections,” Heuschmann stated. “There is no need. Sixty percent of lameness problems cannot be diagnosed; however, if you understand the horse, balance and seat, lameness problems can be fixed in a matter of days without unnecessary steroids.”

Heuschmann discussed the importance of the rider’s seat, and how it is the key to classical training. Each rider must know how to have a light seat; it is the most important because this is where all of the connection and feeling happens.

The information from the lecture proved pertinent as five riders from the first group approached the USET Foundation Arena for the mounted session. There was not a jump in sight as Brittni Raflowitz, Jacob Pope, Maggie McAlary, Sloane Coles, and Scott Lico entered the ring with their mounts. Morris and Dr. Heuschmann soon arrived and immediately put their teachings to practice.

Using half of the ring, Morris began the clinic in normal fashion, adjusting positioning and equipment. Riders worked on giving and taking, using minimal use of their hands while focusing on their legs and seat.

“I don’t like a chair seat,” Morris’ booming voice could be heard throughout the arena. “Make sure that you are using a light seat and are positioned forward.”

As they loosened up their mounts and continued around the ring, Dr. Heuschmann commented on how to make them the driver and not the passenger. He focused on not allowing the horse to get above the hand, transitioning from posting trot to sitting trot using the horse’s natural rhythm.

Heuschmann instructed Pope to post on the opposite diagonal, aligning the right hand and the right front. The exercise maintained the purpose of working to sensitize while not desensitizing their mounts, always keeping the horses in front of the leg, and working on longitudinal schooling.

“I always put these three things together on the flat: longitudinal, lateral one track and lateral two schooling,” Morris said. “Longitudinal schooling helps us to work with going forward, backward, and using transitions. The latitudinal schooling incorporates serpentines and circling. I incorporate all three of these to loosen the horse and prepare them to jump. It opens them up to stretch; you must know when to go with the stretch.”

Morris worked closely with Lico to better help his grey mare to respond to leg contact. His techniques opened her up to a more progressive training, and she began to accept and allow Lico to play with the length of her neck. By the end of the session she was accepting the leg, falling into rhythm and correcting her mouth to become suppler.

The riders finished the session out by picking up the counter canter to work on balance. With tomorrow’s jumping session quickly approaching, today’s flat work prepared each of the riders for what they are to face tomorrow. “Jumping is a reflection of the walk, trot, and canter. It is the horse’s natural ability. If the horse is supple and loose, then they will use their natural ability to jump it as best they can,” Morris stated.

The second group of riders, Alec Bozorgi, Karina Busch, Katie Cox, Christi Israel and Savannah Talcott, delved deep into the biomechanics of the horse and the proper positioning to allow for a supple horse.

Heuschmann stood center ring as he commented on leg positioning and hand placement. He advocated keeping hands aligned with the horses’ mouths, working toward a round poll and softness in their movements.

“The hand is made in your seat,” Heuschmann relayed. “One of the most important things you can learn is to keep the hand in balance. Once you are balanced you can relax the shoulders, and in turn, that allows you to work the horse into a longer frame.”

Heuschmann used many of the techniques he had discussed earlier in the day to provide examples for the riders. He utilized the “back-up” to help bring the horses in closer contact with their riders. After a few steps back the horses were responding with a brand new reaction to the aids, lengthening their necks and becoming suppler.

As the group sessions came to a close Morris picked up his measuring tape and walked into the arena with the 10 students following closely behind. Together they built the course for tomorrow afternoon’s gymnastics session.

“The Gladstone Program is not a horse show, it is an educational program. Everyone is going to ‘school’ and learning from veterinarians, sports psychologists, stabling management. It is a different experience, but the overall principle is horsemanship,” Morris concluded. “The participants in the Gladstone Program will have the opportunity to sit with me and design a program, and learn the most important parts of horsemanship as horse trainers.”

Day two of the clinic will commence at tomorrow morning with flat work mounted sessions at 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. and later in the afternoon riders will tackle the recently set gymnastics at 2:30 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. All sessions are open to the public for auditing.

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.

For more information on the USET Foundation, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
USET Foundation
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com