[stecia]

"she was still asking me where to go on the way to the arena...." lol.

http://www.horseandcountry.tv/episod...-breaking-test

[ShannonLee]

I guess my earlier reply was a knee jerk reaction to LanceBehind's negative insinuations about Anne and Carl. Like I said, they respect each others ability and knowledge immensely.

Every trainer I know at the international GP level also respects Anky's training and achievements, even if they choose not to follow her lead. That respect comes from understanding how much dedication, talent and hard work is required to train numerous horses to this level.

Charlotte's test was just lovely, I think people should be able to nitpick a little (after all, it didn't get 100%) but only if prefaced by some pretty nice compliments :-)

[suzy]

Every trainer I know at the international GP level also respects Anky's training and achievements, even if they choose not to follow her lead. That respect comes from understanding how much dedication, talent and hard work is required to train numerous horses to this level.

Bravo!!!

[Home Again Farm]

"she was still asking me where to go on the way to the arena...." lol.

http://www.horseandcountry.tv/episod...-breaking-test

TY for sharing that. It was so wonderful to watch!

[LanceBehind]

I guess my earlier reply was a knee jerk reaction to LanceBehind's negative insinuations about Anne and Carl. Like I said, they respect each others ability and knowledge immensely.

Every trainer I know at the international GP level also respects Anky's training and achievements, even if they choose not to follow her lead. That respect comes from understanding how much dedication, talent and hard work is required to train numerous horses to this level.

Charlotte's test was just lovely, I think people should be able to nitpick a little (after all, it didn't get 100%) but only if prefaced by some pretty nice compliments :-)

Anne, Charlotte and Carl are good friends of me and my family so I just posted the facts and will never make any negative comments about these people. Maybe you should try to get your records straight.

[ShannonLee]

LanceBehind, I apologize if I read the intent of your post incorrectly, it seemed to me that you were very negative about the relationship between Carl and Anne, and were bringing up the Anky angle to get people on this board to think negatively about Carl and Charlotte's training. I think perhaps that was incorrect and you were in actuality positive?

If so I do apologize, but maybe you should reread your post as well, and see how I could perceive it as negative. Thanks.

[LanceBehind]

You turned it into a negative post because the name of Sjef or Anky was attached to it. But don't worry I don't think that many people know who trains who and why and how.

[ThreeFigs]

I haven't read through all the posts here -- but the first time my eye fell across the GPS part of the title I thought Global Positioning System, not Grand Prix Special.

Wondered why someone was posting about an endurance ride.

[NotGrandPrixYet]

Beautiful Ride! Relaxed, lovely horse with lovely movement. I thought it was grand that she wore a helmet. She is leading the way in more ways than one!

[bort84]

A little late to the thread (been so busy riding lately, woo!) but I wanted to comment because I love this pair and always love their videos.

My favorite part is their calm relaxed look. If you can get a horse through a grand prix test looking even somewhat close to "relaxed," you are extremely gifted, and your horse is a supreme talent.

I've read a lot of the commentary about her "forward" hands. I will say, one thing I've always prided myself on and have been complimented on by clinicians and instructors are my independent and quiet hands. Still, I always am encouraged to ride with my hands "forward" or ride "towards my hands." Basically, slightly shorter reins, elbows "in front" and ride forward into that. I have a horse that loves to tuck up behind the bridle at any opportunity, and this type of riding really encourages us into better contact (very good mental image for me for whatever reason). I think it is not something new (the most recent clinician to encourage us into this position was Sally O'Connor, who is far from a young up and comer), and it really does help my brain and my horse's brain think "forward."

My grandmother taught me from my youngest days, and her comment was always, "your hands should be where they need to be." I grew up riding a lot of different breeds in a lot of different disciplines, so this was VERY true. This rider's hands appear to be exactly where they need to be. I didn't even notice their position overmuch (other than noticing their total independence and responsiveness) until it was commented on here. I could see that he looks slightly heavy, but he's a big horse with a big head in consistent contact, so who knows how he feels: he certainly moves like he's relaxed and happy.

My only slightly negative comment would be: this horse looks just a touch fat, haha. But really, I'm sure he's just built that way, my current guy sure is = ) Otherwise, I just love their calm communication and his soft look from mouth to tail. I'm not sure I find him quite as brilliant as Totilas piloted by Gal, but they have their own relative strengths.

Wonderful video: can't wait to pour over all of the Olympic live streams this year!!!