This message is from: "Jeanne Zuker" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I just finished a 4 day seminar given by Richard Shrake so I am just getting caught up on the digest. I am saddened any time I hear that someone has loss such a dear friend like Gayle has with her beloved Molde, we have each other for such a short time in this place but we will be together for eternity hereafter. Gayle, if the thunderstorm we had last night was any indication, Molde and quite a few others were having a grand old time up there. You are in my thoughts.....
Olaf and I learned so much this past 5 days, and after given some of Richards tests and evaluations, it was reenforced that Olaf is an intelligent horse with the ability to learn and do so much. People were amazed that this stocky horse could do such wonderful crossovers that he walked into the 10' square, did a 360 degree turn and walked out without touching a board in both directions. Olaf loved doing things he had not done before, but he did get tired of waiting his turn and would sometimes close his eyes and lower his head for those all important "power naps" but he never missed a beat when it was his turn, he didn't always want to trot on command, so we will work on that. People said he won the "Cutest Horse Contest" without any challengers, we were at a Hunter/Jumper barn, so Olaf was a huge hit with his looks and personality with the H/J people, of course he always came over to get scratched or talked to, even after a long day in the arena. I have learned so much about keeping Olaf's training going and keeping it interesting myself so Olaf is curious about it and willing to work because it is not just going about in circles in the indoor or outdoor arena's. He is giving to my touch, both on the ground and to my heel in the saddle so nicely. Thursday night when we were doing some direction changes and do 360's at the move without stopping, I was so touched that Olaf was doing this with just those small "bump, bump, bump's" -- it was just so fabulous to have that wonderful reaction from Olaf without the use of anything more then just the lightest touch of the heel of my boot. Oh before I close, one thing I was not sure about was having Olaf jump, but he was watching the other horses, so I figured why not let him try. It is not a hugely tall jump, but my boy jumped over a small jump and he looked good and got that satisfied look that he knew he had done something new and did it well. I know not everyone needs this kind of a seminar and that many of these seminars are just sale pitches for all kind of gimmicks, but I was never even approached about books, tapes, bits, halters, etc. we were given a workbook that took us through not only what we covered at the seminar, but beyond the things covered, I have to honestly say, that Richard Shrake was willing to share his knowledge and answer questions staying much later in the evening and even going back into the arena with individuals and their horses. He has a quiet, reassuring voice and manner and I am very happy with the information and teaching tools that I have learned to continue teaching Olaf so we will be what I have always wanted and that is to move as one, with perfect timing with each other. Ah, I have all the spring, summer and fall to really keep us fine tuned then next winter, we will find an indoor, but until then, we have all this time to learn and get outside........ Jeanne and Olaf in MI PS Catherine Lassesen, Richard said to say hello back to you both.
