Carmi with her friend and mentor, Mary Wanless.
Progression of correct riding
When we’re first learning to ride, the focus is on developing basic skills to allow us to align our shoulders, hips and heels, to carry our hands quietly, and to access our core strength.
Later, we learn the finesse and body control that is necessary to match the movement and the forces generated by the horse in every gait, and perhaps over varied terrain, or over fences.
Finally, if we study long enough, we learn to create patterns and set rhythms with our bodies for our horses to follow - to lead the dance! It is this connection, which is all too rarely taught or described, that is the root of Carmi’s work.
Access Carmi’s perspective on coaching and learning in this blog post: The Horse Piece and the Rider Piece
Thigh rotation and hip flexion, anyone?
Carmi’s deep understanding of rider position and effectiveness are explained clearly in this video she made for her other business, EQ Saddle Science. While the video was made to describe the effect of the saddle on the rider’s position, you will take away a sense of her ability to impart critical information clearly and completely.