SEPTEMBER 2012 THE RIDER /39


On Enjoying the Path


drill it and go at it another time. Isn’t there a concern of lack of acknowl- edgement or recognition?


What is the point to riding when no one notices your accomplishments? What about the thrill of the ribbons or year-end championships? What hap- pens without the glory of the goal, the clear, final call of reaching the destina- tion, the accolades and the photo fin- ish? How about the sense of accom- plishment, the personal gain, the reward of achievement?


I can hear you now – you’re groaning… the path? How can the path be fulfilling?


By Kathy Farrokhzad.


Well, you’re right of course. However, I doubt that the uncertainties above will stop you from going to the barn again!


“Walker, there is no path, you make the path as you walk.” ~Antonio Machado.


How can you cope with the daily stumbling blocks, frustrations, steps backward more than forward and all the other associated setbacks that occur when something is practiced day-to- day, week-to-week?


You might ask: doesn’t ‘the path’ translate to tedious repetitions? Do it once and then do it again. Start over,


fleeting, happening at the moment in time when everything falls together. Flawlessness in riding is long awaited for, short-lived and the stuff that great memories are made of.


Let’s face it – the concept of per- fection is practically non-existent in riding.


Once you achieve one goal, you are already heading to your next goal, looking for better, bigger, bolder. Thus the path is eternally developing and meandering in directions perhaps unknown to you until the very moment you navigate through it.


Horseback riding carries a distinc- tion that completely distinguishes it from all other sports – the indispens- able four-legged partner.


Goal setting is essential in all pur- suits, especially if they are long-term and difficult to complete. Without a sense of where we want to go, there would be no ‘path’ to speak of. Lack of goals could result in stagnation and a hindrance of progress. Without a doubt, we all require and crave (at some level) a sense of recognition and a feeling of a job well done.


But in horse riding, the majority of the time is spent on the path itself. The achievement of goals is short and


The horse is a living and breathing entity unto himself, and he has opin- ions, desires and interests that may not match yours. It is a well-known fact that there is a horse somewhere, some- time, which will humble every rider! And I would argue that the lessons learned from those horses might be the most meaningful of all.


When partnering with your equine, you have to be willing to set aside personal desires and ego in order to listen carefully to the feedback of your horse. You give the horse an aid


and the horse gives you a response. From this constant interaction, you learn not only the technical skill of rid- ing but furthermore, about yourself. How can you find the balance of being kind, clear and yet firm enough to keep yourself safe? How do you establish a straightforward and strong riding style while at the same time allowing the horse to find his physical and mental ‘happy place’? These and other questions form the crux of the path that is horseback riding.


matter at the barn, on the trail or in the show ring, you know you are on the right track because your horse snorts, shows you soft, flopping ears and swings boldly and freely through the back. His flowing, gleaming muscles ripple beneath his glossy coat while he willingly shares with you the experi- ence that is riding.


The (figurative) ribbons come from your horse.


Often, the progression is not (only) technical in nature. Rather, the path teaches us about our ability to per- severe. These days, we tend to partici- pate in few activities that promote – no, even require – the character devel- opment of the participant. As any rid- ing enthusiast learns fairly early in his or her career, you often have to reach deep down to reveal your perhaps undiscovered core qualities.


You develop determination, patience, persistence and so many other profound virtues that are essen- tial in developing wholeness of being and strength of character. These expe- riences cultivate your very human-ness and sense of place in the world. The point is that the act of riding is the point. If everything falls together, no


Therefore, the next time you find yourself stuck on an exercise, strug- gling to achieve your next objective, and falling flat on your face (hopefully not literally!) despite all your effort and dedication, try to step back and see the whole picture.


What path are you on? Where have you been and where are you now? How does your current place in the (horse) world fit with where you want to be? What can you do to take just one tiny step closer to the end goal? Know that each and every part of the process is important and relevant to your learning.


And remember, as Charles deKunffy put it so well in his book The Athletic Development of the Dressage Horse, “One merely strives, never arrives.”


Enjoy the path!


Lauren Barwick and Ashley Gowanlock Earn Top Freestyle Scores for Canada at 2012 Paralympics


September 3, 2012, London, England - Lauren Barwick and Ashley Gowanlock rode their freestyle tests in front of packed stands, completing their Para- lympic journey, during equestri- an competition on Monday, September 3, at the 2012 Lon- don Paralympic Games.


At the equestrian venue in Greenwich Park, Barwick, of Aldergrove, BC, rode Off to Paris, owned by Equine Canada, to a score of 71.500%, for eighth place out of 23, in her Grade II Freestyle test.


got a little startled when she started her canter work right by the speaker, but her compul- sories were absolutely perfect. I am so proud of how well she rode.”


“Our Freestyle was emo- tional and fantastic,” said Bar- wick of her ride with Off to Paris. “It was all I could ask for and expect from my mare at this stage. This level of international competition is still new for her, and she is really coming along. As our training progresses, everything will come together as it should.”


Gowanlock of Surrey, BC, was awarded a sixth place fin- ish, with a score of 68.800%, in her Grade 1B Freestyle Test rid- ing Maile, Barwick’s individual gold and silver medal partner at the 2008 Paralympic Games. “Maile was very relaxed in the ring today,” said Gowan- lock, who was also a member of the Canadian Team at the 2008 Paralympics. “You have to have fun in the freestyle-that is the point of the test. It was so amaz- ing to ride in front of 10,000 people. I will remember this competition for the rest of my life.”


“I am really pleased with Ashley’s consistency riding Maile,” continued Taylor. “In the Freestyle, there were a few little inaccuracies which brought her score down a bit, but consid- ering this was also this mare’s last big international competi- tion, I think Ashley did Maile justice by showing her off in the ring. I think they are a fabulous pair together.”


Lauren Barwick and Off To Paris competed in the Freestyle on the fifth day of Equestrian competition for Canada at 2012 Para- lympics on Monday, September 3, at the 2012 London Para- lympic Games.” Photo - Lindsay McCall


“Lauren’s Freestyle was absolutely beautiful,” said Andrea Taylor, National Team


Coach of the Canadian Para- lympic Equestrian Team. “It was unfortunate that her mare


A strong support team accompanied the riders and horses to England, including: Andrea Taylor (National Team Coach), Mary Longden (Assis- tant Team Coach), Elizabeth Quigg (Chef d’équipe), Amie O’Shaughnessy (Team Leader), Dr. Jennifer Miller (Team Vet- erinarian), Alice Beatty (Stable Manager), Ozzie Sawicki (Performance Consultant), Caroline Archambault (Human/Equine Massage Therapist), and Julie Cull (Media Attache). Grooms include Anne Van Silfhout, Zoe Boyles, Tori Murray- Elley, and Kerry-Anne Bourne. Personal team sup- port personnel include Caro- line Samson, Suzie Brown, and Vanessa Lurie. Off-site support is also provided by Jamie-Ann Goodfellow and Ashley Raaymakers (Equine Canada Para-Equestrian


Ashley Gowanlock and Maile competed in the Freestyle on the fifth day of Equestrian competition for Canada at 2012 Para- lympics on Monday, September 3, at the 2012 London Para- lympic Games.” Photo - Lindsay McCall


Department) as well as April Clay (Sport Psychologist). For candid team shots, updates, and stories, be sure to


check out the Canadian Para- lympic Equestrian Team blog at: http://canadianparalympice- questrianteam.wordpress.com.


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