Tuesday 25 May 2010

Why The Quest for Equipoise?

The reason we have choosen to name our blog The Quest for Equipoise is that it summon up the work Lena and I do together.

Quest is a long search for or attempt to find something. In Wikipedia quest is descibed as a journey towards a goal, requiring great exertion on the part of the traveller, and the overcoming of many obstacles, typically including much travel especially over a body of water. (Note: Both Lena and I have travelled over the Atlantic!)

Equipoise is defined as the state of being balanced or in equilibrium, usually connoting something that is a product of counterbalancing. (Wikipedia)

As I see it Equipoise is a blend of words with great importance an impact on the work we set out to do.

Equi turns the toughts towards equilibrium and equine. In our work we strive to acchieve a poised equine as well as a poised rider, both of them in physical and psychological equilibrium.

Quest indicates that time is of importance and that there is a purpose for this journey. In our case the purpose is to make equipoise a quality in both rider and horse.

Lena and I have choosen three words that describes what we focus on in our teaching; position, precision and perception.

If these three words are the guiding stars on our travel along the equestrian trail then passion is what drives us forward and potential is what we se in each horse and rider we meet.

So, you are hereby invited to join us on our quest for equipoise. Feel free to share your thoughts, reflections and experiences with your fellow travellers on the trail.

Friday 7 May 2010

Welcome

Welcome to Maria's and my blog in which we will share with you our adventures in search of classical riding. We have written a blog in Swedish together for a year and thought that it was time we shared our journey with a broader public.

Maria teaches the Alexander Technique and train riders so that they have a better understanding of their bodies (and by all means their minds).

I'm a classical riding and seat training instructor. I've been a student of Craig Stevens since 1999, and I've spent a total of 15 months at his place in the U.S.A. I'm currently studying with Philippe Karl. I've practical experience of natural horsemanship and have participated in several clinics with Ed Dabney.

Our goal is to inspire good riding and help both horse and rider to thrive and grow in cooperation with each other.