TheHorseStudio.com review
September 16, 2009
This DVD brings together the means to capture the essence of that magical and sometimes elusive feeling that we all recognize from being 'in the moment' with our horses. The unity of being truly one with the horse, the soft and relaxed focus. This production is wonderfully unpretentious.
Disc one brings you a round table discussion from the three experts with "out takes" to their individual back stories. David Ritchie's keen knowledge of Tai-Chi is apparent and he guides the viewer deftly through the principles of Tai-Chi. The key elements are artfully addressed and Patricia Norcia and Mark Russell (whose work co-authored with Andrea Steele, Lessons in Lightness is a must read), direct the applications specifically to the rider.
On Disc 2, David Richie has constructed key exercises for the rider to practice to enhance their ability to breathe properly under stress and in motion. The music from Carlos Gonzalez adds a peaceful backdrop to the program. While I have been riding since age 11 and have experience in multi disciplines and have worked under many instructors and teachers over the years, I found this DVD to be especially useful. The methods outlined here, for e.g visualization of standing 'in' the top of a pyramid as a grounding exercise for your seat and breathing worked for me almost instantly when I practiced them just a few times. The exercises are very accessible, and the CHI work is highly relevant to riding. I have also found that the breathing technique ( now I can do it in motion ) is very useful when I find myself becoming nervous around or on a fractious or nervous horse. Now I find my horse much more in sync with me, or is that the other way around! Additionally, you can take these exercises to all parts of your life. I'm a nervous flyer, and recently used the breathing and relaxation technique to calm myself at take off. Patricia showcases her beautiful Baroque horses and Mark Russell demonstrates on some well trained Quarter horses and both follow the French School from their training in Portugal. Patricia's background in dance and her knowledge of balance and breathing techniques and spinal alignment bring the viewer a real application to riding. Mark has a history rich in Natural Horsemanship and his harmony with his horses is unmistakable. The lightness of feeling just the weight of the rein in your hand and the use of no more muscle than necessary to effect the result is plain to see in his segments. The mix of these three experts bring Riding with Chi to application for both English and Western disciplines.
In conclusion I highly recommend this DVD as a must do. It takes very little time everyday and I found the routine surprisingly simple to master and know that my horses are performing closer to their potential as a result, as am I. The highlights capture the key points as they are discussed making the material easy to assimilate. This is a DVD packed with sage advice that brings true reward. I also love the fact that the production house is donating 10% of their proceeds of this DVD to the Wounded Warriors charity.
Info on the experts: David Ritchie has trained in the art of Tai-Chi and Qi Gong in both Asia and the USA. He owns and operates a school for Tai-Chi Ch'uan and Qi Gong in CT. Patricia Norcia owns a dressage training facility in CT, has a background in dance and acting/directing and has taught breathing classes at major universities. Mark Russell, almost needs no introduction. He owns a training facility in TN and gives clinics across the country with a broadband approach to all horsemanship disciplines.