Q&A of the Month
We asked a few questions to Manuel Trigo we thought would be helpful.
Q: If I want to organize a Lightness Tournament in my area, what do I do?
A: Contact the Lightness Foundation (LF) and the LF will give you the support and structure to make this opportunity a successful reality. We have had several requests for 2014 and since we are still young, we can only do a few at a time.
Q: In Level 1 Lightness, exercise #2 and 8, circle with only the outside reins at the walk or trot, should the horse keep the bend to inside of the circle?
A: Of course, yes. The idea is to bend the horse without the inside aid (rein), using only the inside leg. Both legs have to make 2 walls and the seat will be pushing the horse between the 2 walls. The horse needs to be bent between these 2 points. If the horse has been trained correctly (only with the inside leg) the horse should be able to bend the spine and the neck. Don't forget the goals of the exercise: 1) bend the horse with the inside leg, 2) avoid abuse of outside rein, 3) Train rider to control himself, controlling the instinct that's telling him to force with the outside rein. If the rider does that, the horse will immediately bend outside and try to go in the opposite direction.
Q: How do I get (send) my music to the Lightness Foundation for the Lightness Tournament?
A: The music has to be sent with your entry forms before the deadline of the show. Your music should be emailed or send on a flash drive in MP3 or apple audio format. Your flash drive will be returned to you at the show. Please label the title the following way:
3 digit class number and class name example: 100 Lightness 1
Your name
Horses name (if you are riding more then 1 horse)
All the music will be loaded on a computer. When you want the music to start for your class, raise your arm.