Hi Cathy,

I wanted to tell you about my amazing European Equestrian Vacation!

Belgium was chosen for my European dressage training because I want a stable close by the fly-in city. I will not need to do complicated transfer or travel long journey to the barn.

After arrangement by Cathy of High Pointe tours, the lessons were booked.

Lord Newcastle Stable is located 20 min. drive from Belgium International Airport, in a town called La Hulpe. There are 3 historic buildings housing 40+ horses. It is a medium size barn in Belgium standard. Riding is the 3rd national pastime, after football and tennis.

Europeans take practical approach to horse-riding. The aids are effective. The 2 school -horses I rode were well-trained and sensitive to the aids. They have huge movements (big gaits).

The first lesson was learning the sitting trot: I had not been able to do for years.

Denis said my back was too straight, the spine was unable to absorb the bounce from the trot. He told me to SLOUCH–round my spine and shoulders. Like magic, my buttock no longer bounced out of the saddle. Slouching loosened up my otherwise tight back. Denis said that slouching the spine is the secret of sitting trot!!! So the secret was revealed. No instructors in the U. S. would tell their student to slouch their backs!! Denis especially approves the western riding, regards it as the genuine classical riding dating back to the Spanish times.

The second day, Denis taught me contact and rounding the top line of the horse. Contact is to connect the horse’s mouth with pressure. He stood close to the corner of the arena, told me to ride thru the corner between him and the wall. My horse could barely do it. Denis said it was because the horse was not round enough! Uh! Round top line is equal to suppleness! The neck has to arch up in order for the hind legs to go more under. Horses’ neck has 9 vertebrates so it can curl up w/o problem. It seems curling the neck first before the hind legs can go under more? Just the opposite of what I thought. There is no need to sponge or move the bit. Just have quiet hands. It is much easier for me to do that!!

The 3rd day, Denis taught me the power of imagination and how to halt from the trot. Have a picture in your mind how you want the horse to trot, otherwise the horse will give you whatever trot he likes! I imagined I was Isabel Werth riding Sachmo! The horse immediately gave me a much better trot!

To effectively halt the horse is by slightly raise the hands by leaning the body back a bit.

After the classes, it was hacking out time. Woww! You would not see trails as beautiful as those in the forests of La Hulpe! The stable is surrounded by a vast and beautiful forest. One can say “Bonjour!” to passerby riders! Breeding is also common–you’ll see plenty of colts or fillys with mares in the area.

Belgium is a country located in the real center of Europe. For hundreds of years it was war and occupation due to its strategic location. Not until 1830 it became a country. Because of the EU, English is more widely spoken there. During the stay in Brussels, we tack-shopped at Aachen, Germany, went fashion shopping in Lille, France. We did not make it to Amsterdam which is only less than 2 hours train away.

Antwerp is 40 min. by train. Not just rich in Flemish culture, it is also called the “Diamond Capital of the World”. Since diamond is a girl’s best friend, and I have 2 daughters I can will my diamond to, what excuse is there not to buy? The diamond shops are across the street from the train station, with no fancy decors. I found the quality (4Cs) and workmanship of the jewelry are best I have ever seen! I did ring up a few Ks Euros on my credit card.

I strongly recommend all dressage enthusiasts to have a riding experience in Europe. You will appreciate it forever.

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After returning, I practiced what I learned on my 10 y o Dutch warmblood. He becomes a supple horse and I sit the trot like a pro!