AGAINST THE ODDS


SO YOU CAN’T DO IT …. WHY IS THAT?


Peter Maddison-Greenwell tells us Kim Mualu’s story.


KIMMUALU’S STORY:


only ride once aweek. Idon’t have an arena”. If you want to improve, you need to work at it! You need to find away! I have taught many people in the


F


last forty five years, in America, Germany, Spain, Dubai and of course all over England. They have come from all backgrounds and ride at all levels of dressage, up to Grand Prix level and yes, we all have difficulties. However, the thing I try to drive home with everyone and it does make an enormous difference is, “you need dedication and the willingness to work hard!” A few years ago Imet Kim, an inspiring young lady. As always initially Ilike to watch and assess where the rider and horse are in their ability. In this case Kim was riding a friend’s horse as she had sadly lost her own beloved horse afew days before and was looking for anew one. Iwas assisted by Carolyn, who is an experienced and knowledgeable rider and owner of anumber of horses and has her own livery yard in Rock Moor where she runs my Northumberland dressage clinics. When asked to write this piece


I asked Kim if Ican tell alittle of the story behind this picture. “Of course” she said, “say what you like”. That gives you some idea of her honesty, openness and confidence. Kim has cerebral palsy, which in her


case means that her left arm and left leg are drawn up and are tense. This of course is obvious for us to see when she rides. Icannot imagine alifetime of other difficulties that come with this and so many other conditions that people deal with on adaily basis and yet go on to achieve great things. I don’t want dwell on the difficulties,


28 JANUARY/FEBRUARY2018


or all you riders who say “I can’t do this, I can’t change, my legs are too short, Ican


If you or your horse have faced and overcome an extreme challenge, we want to hear about it. For each story published we will give the author afree year’s subscription. Email your story to h.dodd@centralhorsenews.co.uk


that is not what this is about. Kim is as sharp as arazor and teaching her is not about what she can’t do, but more about what she can do. What I want to talk about is what we have done to change the way Kim rides and how that has helped her, her horse and in fact taught me alot as well. When we first met, Kim and


her mother immediately put me at ease and said “don’t worry what you say “. That was arelief, as I am not renowned for pussy footing around. Ido say it as it is. Ifeel people should hear what they need to hear and not necessarily what they want to hear. It was agreat relief to know Icould be myself. From then on we had alot of fun. From the start Kimhad been riding


in away that made it obvious to the onlooker of the condition she had. She tilted forwards and twisted at the waist, in what must have been uncomfortable for her and her horse. She had been taught to ride with the reins in both hands. The fingers of the left hand would have to be opened by her right hand to get the reins in. Then dropping her shoulder to compensate for the left hand being clamped to her chest. You can appreciate the difficulties in adjusting the reins, let alone the balance from being twisted and tilting forwards. After watching Kim ride Sid a


lovely patient well-schooled horse, I was straight to the point, and asked, “is riding atherapy or was it for Kim to enjoy and become adressage rider.” The answer was that she wants to ride well. “Good” Isaid “let’s change the way you ride”. By riding one handed, something I


have been doing with my traditional and historical performances for some twenty five years, Iknew she could resolve so many of the issues. Kim took to it immediately and never once said “I can’t!” As you can see


MADDISON- GREENWELL


PETER Tel:


01327844873 /07947 523702


peter@ elcaballode


espana.co.uk www.


elcaballode espana.co.uk


she now sits up tall, square on her seat bones, directs the horse with her shoulders and one hand and you have to look closely to see that she is not the same as most other riders. In fact, everything she does is now straightforward for the horse to understand and her dressage has come on in “leaps and bounds”. Not literally of course, as her horse Jeta and Kim are obviously agreat partnership. They are advancing through the dressage movements, progressing through the lateral work. Cantering does not faze her at all. With just the one hand she brings the horse around it’s haunches at both walk and canter, in quarter and half pirouettes. Advanced movements in most people’s books. I am sure Kim would agree she


could not have come so far without her wonderful Spanish gelding Jeta, found with help from Carolyn and myself. He has the most wonderful temperament and “willingness to work”. Something many riders would do well to emulate. I have huge admiration for all that Kim and Jeta have achieved, they are truly an inspiration to us all.


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