Can of Worms

[prettydaffodil]

The last thing I want to do is open one, but....

Today I've been at Arrow having a lovely FL&AT day and a girl that I chatted to was quite positive about Mary Wanless, saying she liked 80% of her method. At the moment I don't have a horse so I'm trying to really concentrate on improving my riding.  I'm loving the lessons I'm having at Arrow and have no plan on stopping those but started to wonder whether some lessons at Overdale (either with Mary or her yard manager) might enhance them.  But, I've seen some less than positive comments on here and wondered what everyones opinions were.  I've also seen one of her proteges and wasn't impressed by him.

One of my issues seems to be that I try to do too much and hold too much tension and that I need to banish the thoughts of "must try harder".  It's so hard when you're so keen to improve and learn to get it right! What are your thoughts - do you think her method would suit my riding style? 

Please feel free to message me rather than posting openly if that's the best way of getting honest opinions.

Thanks so much,  Kate

[Nettie]

Horses for courses so they say.

I used to be a Mary Wanless fan, I read her books, attended lecture demos but still found it very complicated and difficult to follow. I ended up buying a book written to explain an earlier book but still found it very heavy going. I didn't think it really lived up to the hype, but maybe that is just me.

I don't know how much you already know about RWYM, if not a great deal I'd suggest reading her 'Essentials' book to see if it strikes a cord with you. It is very different, if not completely opposing to what Heather (and others who follow the Old Masters) teaches.

I also try too hard and can carry too much tension - unfortunately this is a 'head' problem rather than a ability one. You need to learn to ride in the moment rather than be focused on future goals, which is far easier said than done. I've started reading 'The Inner Game of Tennis', which although written in the 1970's and has a number of references to topspin, Aces and footwork  , is not a how to play tennis book, but very useful for understanding mental coaching for any sport.

[Hammie]

I bought RWYM a few years ago, when I didn't have my own horse. I was rather put off by her saying it would take 2 years to relearn how to trot her way. I thought, well if I'm only riding once every one or two weeks, that translates into about 10 years!

[crdodgeon]

I went to one of her demos and some elements of it were helpful, but I find Heather's methods of explaining things make far more sense - mentally and physically, esp re: the trot. 

[prettydaffodil]

It is very different, if not completely opposing to what Heather (and others who follow the Old Masters) teaches.

That speaks volumes, thank you

I also try too hard and can carry too much tension - unfortunately this is a 'head' problem rather than a ability one. You need to learn to ride in the moment rather than be focused on future goals, which is far easier said than done. I've started reading 'The Inner Game of Tennis', which although written in the 1970's and has a number of references to topspin, Aces and footwork  , is not a how to play tennis book, but very useful for understanding mental coaching for any sport.

Great and totally unexpected recommendation, will look it out, thank you again.

[prettydaffodil]

Heather - if you ever see this - if only you lived further north, I would kill to have lessons with you.  You could not be more highly recommended but given my life being wrapped up with 2 babies and a busy husband and no form of childcare, I just don't get the time to head to Devon on a regular basis - such a shame, I was brought up in Devon and used to have lessons with a top eventer down there who had pretty shocking methods, how things might have changed if I'd discovered you then!  Grrr - move up north !

[issywizz]

I would stick with Suzie at Arrow for the rider stuff if I were you,she is very good at lunge work etc.
If you could ever get down to Heathers to spend some time on the sims that would be a great addition but having seen a few RWYM trained riders 

[Magsndan]

I was rather put off by her saying it would take 2 years to relearn how to trot her way.

That would have put me off straight away, I like things simple. It must be a bit complicated to take 2 years 

[ros]

I had a handful of lessons with a Wanless instructor prior to finding Heather. I also bought a couple of her (Mary's) books. The lessons got me absolutely nowhere and the constant "bearing down" was physically painful - but then that's what she said in one of her books, that if it hurt you were doing it right    That's when I decided it was definitely how NOT to ride 

And then I met Heather and all became clear 

[Heather]

Ahem.............. I think this report from last years CRC 15th anniversary demo, will give you the picture prettydaffodil

http://www.enlightenedequitation.com/ee/boards/index.php/topic,40718.0.html

[prettydaffodil]

Thank you for that heather, my mind has been made up!

[annep]

I can only add that as a spectator on the day, it would have been really interesting to have had the whole lot videoed......... one could then make one's choice without the need for reading various books.....

[kathyt]

I have no idea why they didn't video it, I think it would have sold very well.  But not necessarily for the "right" reasons 

[Heather]

Well Katie Gormley, previously Kelly Marks camerawoman and now working for H and C TV- offered to film it, and I did tell Sylvia, but nothing ever came of it. I was quite happy for Katie to film it!

[Mossy]

My only experience with MW methods was very short and not sweet. I was told to shorten my stirrups. It hurt and I said it hurt. I struggled on the basis that the exercise might improve my dodgy knee. All that happened was I nearly had to give up riding! All I could manage was 20 mins at a time, and that with a knee support. It has take years to get back. I still ride very long and will never shorten sufficiently to jumping length again.