Move to Ride!!
Diana Thompson's Movement Class for Horseback Riders

We all invest hours working to improve our horses' performance ability and our riding skill. During this weekend, plus optional Monday, MOVE TO RIDE!! program Diana Thompson will lead participants through movement exercises to improve the use of their spine, pelvis, and hands while riding. During semi-private riding lessons Diana will direct riders through innovative exercises which improve their riding effectiveness. She will also personally demonstrate riding methods which relax horses and improve their movement ability.

The purpose of Move To Ride!! - teach riders how to move gracefully with their horses and improve partnership. The result is harmony between horse and rider and beautiful athletic movement.

Feel limited in your riding athletic ability?

Are you still fighting the same problems with your seat, hands, or balance after plenty of lessons?

Do your hips, back, or neck ache after you ride?

What about your horse, is he stiff, short-strided, or hard to turn or stop?

Does he have trouble going up or down hills?

And what about your saddle? Does it allow you and your horse to move your best?

MOVEMENT EXERCISES • Diana will explain how your posture and movement patterns cause you and your horse discomfort when you ride.

Find out if the ache or stiffness you feel in your hips, back or neck when you ride are related to your movement and position; and if these same problems are causing your horse to brace his back, prance, drag his feet or refuse to use his hindquarters.

• Diana will guide you through a series of awareness exercises to improve the use of your spine, pelvis, shoulders and hands.

Based on the Feldenkrais and Somatics Methods of human movement education, these exercises are performed while sitting in a chair, lying and standing. They bring about astounding changes in your range of motion and suppleness. And you'll receive clear, detailed handouts outlining the movements that will make it easy for you to use the exercises at home.

Saddle-Fit for Balanced Riding: The design of a saddle greatly influences a rider's posture; some saddles actually prevent balanced riding. A saddle that fits you allows you to balance easily and ride effectively. During this program, Diana will demonstrate how to check a saddle for proper fit for the rider. Find out if your saddle is working for you or against you.

SEMI-PRIVATE RIDING LESSONS

• Diana will teach semi-private riding lessons which follow-up on the principles learned during Saturday's off-the-horse movement lessons. Each riding participant will receive at least one semi-private riding lesson during this part of the program. Riders will be guided through exercises which develop a supple seat and responsive hands. Horse movement or behavior problems under saddle will be addressed.

Riding lessons will include a complete saddle-fit check for horse and rider and assessment of the bridle and related equipment. In some cases equipment changes will be made to give the horse or rider greater movement ability. Riders will be asked to walk and trot only. Riders must wear protective helmets and riding shoes with heels.

DIANA THOMPSON DEMONSTRATION

• Diana will personally demonstrate riding methods which relax a horse's back and neck and improve performance ability. She will also demonstrate easy-to-use exercises which collect and lengthen the horse's stride and improve focus. She will ride some clinic horses and demonstrate training methods which specifically address their unique movement or behaivor problems.

• Non-riding participants will benefit from watching these innovative riding lessons, saddle fit sessons and equipment changes. Questions will be taken throughout the program from both riding participants and non-riding participants.

**NOTE: Monday, is an optional bonus day for those participants who sign up to take the movement class on Saturday and observe only on Sunday. The class schedule will be similar to Sunday's in that riding participants will continue to have their saddle fit sessions and semi-private riding lessons. Diana will continue to demonstrate training methods which improve horse's relaxation and performance. She will also ride some of the clinic horses to demonstrate methods to address their movement or behavior problems.