Testimonials

Ruth

I have wanted to visit Overdale for a few years now with the intention of examining how I move on a horse as I was aware that I can be unlevel, and have various other persistent position faults that I have become a master of disguising. Last week I finally made it there and even now, a week later, I am still processing what I have learned.

Firstly, I was so impressed with the whole yard atmosphere. It was a cold morning and everyone was calm and cheerful, defrosting water and making sure the horses were attended to. I was welcomed by Karin and shown around. Each horse was very much treated as an individual, with respect and compassion. In response they were happy and confident, and very communicative.

My instruction included discussions, a practice on the simulator, a Feldenkras lesson and two mounted lessons. I found that each session complemented the next, and I have come away with so much to think about.

I made big changes to the way I ride at trot, but the biggest improvement I would say is the way that I sit at canter on a horse. For years I have been told by various trainers to "stop rocking" in canter. I can see from a video that I do indeed rock backwards and forwards, but I reasoned that the HORSE rocks in canter, and if I am not to feel sea sick I did not see how I could not! I did 'try' to 'rock less', but the fault remained. In essence I guess you can't just 'not do' something without knowing what 'to do' to replace it!

This is where the instruction from Karin and Mary differs from others. With the RWYM method I was told exactly what and how to change, and I even had visualisations to bring the new feeling into my grasp. The impossible became possible. I could see in the mirror that I was sitting straight and with supple poise, and although I 'felt' like I was radically out of place I could see that in fact I was 'just right'! It felt like I had unlocked my posture and then firmed it up again in a new and more effective way.

As an established rider it was amazing to find that I had such a fundamental flaw in how I absorb and control the movement of the horse. The whole atmosphere was that of shared learning and of sharing a secret. It was a great experience and one I hope to repeat! Thank you to all at Overdale.

Ruth Dickens
www.upbeatequestrian.co.uk

Jane P

I just wanted to say thanks for the lessons so far. I went to my RC lesson last night with my main boy and a different saddle and it blew my mind!

For the first time ever I could feel what was happening, what he was doing to me (trying to get me to pull the reins!) and what I was doing to him (kicking and pulling and making him wiggle!). I worked on what little I know so far and it was amazing... he's a devil for testing me, but despite feeling like he was going to run away with me in trot until I gave up and pulled on the reins - I didn't and we got it! And the biggest thing was me STOPPING kicking and pulling. He's behind my leg and running away with me most the time, and stopping kicking and pulling seems to be stopping both issues, but you knew that!!

And I can do transitions!! As long as I remember not to lean back and to be strong thighs and strong middle. And he did the best canter transitions and then the most consistent canters he's ever done.

Oh, and I've never been able to turn left - now I just turn my left knee into the saddle and he goes left, and REALLY left, like 10m circle left if I wanted - this horse that I have been told is 'crooked' when I just KNEW was me - one session and I've proved it was me!! Which I'm so happy about!

I feel so bad that it's taken me so long to listen to what he's been trying to say (nearly 5 years so far) but I'm enjoying the feeling that I'm now on the right lines and he has taught me so much so far I shall repay him in spades by becoming the best rider I can :-)

Just wanted to thank you and Golly and to say I'm wishing my life away 'til Friday and my next session (how sad!)

See you then!

Jane x

Sue

Thank you so much for this mornings' lesson, it is still sinking in. Your teaching methods are just the thing I have been looking for.

I can't tell you how lucky I feel to have found out about RWYM. It was only because I was not happy with my progress, and consequently getting disheartened, that I went onto the Internet and found you.

For the first time I felt happy about my position. It felt comfortable, even though I was having to adjust frequently.

Also it might have been something to do with Astro's wide comfortable back and gentle nature.

I look forward to seeing you again, and finding out more revelations!

Best Wishes, Sue

Jane R

My name is Jane and suffice to say I am the wrong side of 50! I rode as a child and then lost interest as a teenager but took riding up again about 10 years ago. I rode at BHS schools and had great fun, but I felt there was something missing in my riding and my sister had sung the praises of 'Ride With Your Mind' for many years, so a couple of years ago I decided to give it a go for myself.

First thing to be said is that as well as your mind there is a challenging amount of involvement of your body too! I have had lessons with Karin for the last 2 years, sometimes alone and sometimes with a friend. One of my problems was lack of confidence and this has improved enormously - due to a combination of Karin's sympathetic, but no nonsense approach and the safe, but responsive horses that I ride. There is a very calm atmosphere at Overdale, both among the staff and the horses and that is a great basis for learning.

What I find really amazing is that an animal as huge as the horse can be so affected by a centimetre's difference in the position of the rider's seat-bone. This is just one example and Karin has taught me about how the whole of the body affects the way the horse goes. I find the whole thing really challenging and fascinating.

Of course the horses deserve a mention. Golly - a friendly grey gelding - very cleverly will only stay straight if you get all the pieces in the jigsaw right. Astro - a handsome bay - puts all your steering skills to the test. Heather - sweet Welsh mare - challenges you to stay in charge. All honest and generous teachers themselves.

Overdale is set in beautiful countryside - so if you fancy getting out of the riding school and chilling out there is lovely hacking country all around. I love the time I spend at Overdale - it's a complete break from everyday life - and although sometimes I have problems walking when I finish my lessons, strange to say it's the most relaxing thing I do!!

Elena

My first lesson at Overdale with Karin was pretty amazing; it was like I had suddenly been given the equestrian version of a foreign language phrase book! Through Karin's logical explanations and the RWYM teaching methodology I started to understand the signals that my horse was giving me, and learn how to respond to them in return.

Over the last 6 months, I've gradually been expanding my equestrian-vocabulary; learning exactly what it is about my position and the aids that I give that will get the very best from my horse. The RWYM method applies a bit of science to the art of riding and makes total sense to me in way that standard teaching techniques never did. I feel I have learnt more in the last 6 months than I have in 20 years anywhere else.

As well as lessons, I've also had a horse on short-term loan at Overdale, which I was really pleased with. The part or full livery service fits in really well with a full time job and it was great to know that my horse was being well looked after by a professional and friendly team.

I also recently attended one of the RWYM weekend courses where I was able to have a lesson with Mary Wanless herself. Everyone on the course gained an enormous amount from the weekend and I felt like I stepped up to a new level in my understanding of RWYM methods which I hope to continue to apply with Karin's help in the future.

Sarah

Rieu says "thank you, thank you, thank you Karin" for putting his mum in the right place. He was absolutely stunning last night, without a doubt the best he has ever been for me.

I cannot believe what felt like such small changes in me have made such a massive difference to him. It was just incredible. As usual people think I am nuts as I spent 40 minutes going round saying "tuck, boards, hands" to myself.

I really must never leave it that long between lessons with you again.

Giles (Private Training Day)

Karin, I very much enjoyed meeting you, Mary and Katie; meeting and riding Astro; and all the day's activities which have given me a lot to think about in regards to my riding and how I see myself as a rider going forward. Both your lessons were productive and thought-provoking (and lingering in my legs!); the Feldenkrais was a revelation; and I learnt a lot from our theoretical discussion. Astro was a pleasure for a novice to ride: comfortable and secure. Overdale, its people, horses and techniques is a rather special place, I think!

I hope to come back some time in the not-too-distant future, although I won't have much time over the next few months, with my becoming a parent. I hope to get some riding in when I can, hopefully in a RWYM-sympathetic enviroment, and will work on the areas that we noted down.

Thanks again, Giles

Lesley

Unfortunately, I have spent the last six years with a persistent back problem and as a result I have spent a great deal of time in the care of physiotherapists and surgeons. Despite having surgery in 2003 the irritating pain returned after a regrettably short period of tranquility!

However, following a recent visit to yet another physiotherapist I was given an usual (but very welcome) suggestion for exercise; horse riding! I was pleased to discover that riding aids in the strengthening of one's core muscles, this was great considering all of the mundane exercises I had been prescribed in the past.

On my first lesson I was understandably nervous as I have not ridden a horse since I was fifteen! (I am now the ripe old age of 52). I did have lessons of a sort when I was younger but not to pony club standards. Nevertheless, I have made remarkable progress given that I have only had five lessons on 'Astro' at Overdale. I have since moved on from walking around the arena on a lunge line to trotting on my own at close proximity to the edge of the arena and on my last lesson I even began cantering!

This success is of course thanks to Karin's marvellous skills as an instructor. I simply cannot believe how much I have improved in such a short space of time and my back feels great too! I genuinely look forward to my twice weekly lessons, and the fact that it helps my back too is fantastic.

Many thanks to Karin... oh, and my riding partner 'Astro'!
Lesley