Testimonials

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.