TDF's Para-Equestrian Dressage Fund Recipient: Shirley Johnson
Firstly, I want to thank TDF for your support with this grant!
The lessons and clinic launched me towards a whole new level of dressage. I am a Grade 1 rider because of the level of paraplegia. I am paralyzed from below the armpits down. I use one hand on the saddle handle bar to stabilize my core and the other hand on the reins. Here is the progress made:
Riding Diary
May 15, 2023
Today I learned how to use my whip as an aid on our new pony Mocha. First, I would cluck, and then tap; she seemed to catch on very fast. These aids are important since I can't use my legs or feet for aids. We also worked on her bend. My left bend was easy, my right side was a little tougher because I used my left hand. I found, if in her double bridle, I can turn her nose in and use a little bit of the neck range for her shoulder. We got a nice bend.
June 15, 2023
After some weeks off due to vacation, then norovirus, I got back in the saddle. I had been riding with a bar in the reins so I can ride one-handed and hold onto my saddle bar with the other hand for stability. I've been doing this for five years and decided that since I will be doing a walk only test, I needed to get back to using both reins in my hands, so today we tried it with Mocha. She is my new schooling horse, and I trust her. It was really hard to relearn my reining and aids with both hands, but I felt confident that this would improve.
June 19, 2023
We went back to the bar on the reins, and I tried a new hand position. I needed to feel stable in the torso. Mocha was trying to stay under me but that was too distracting- bless her heart!
June 22, 2023
We went back to my regular hand position which is palm down. I had more movement and control of the bit that way, so I am still working on connection and balance.
June 26, 2023
This was a good ride. My balance got better, and Mocha learned my aids. We worked on straightness as my two lats are uneven because of the way I use my aids. We got some progress. I am really lucky that Mocha already has a beautiful walk so her rhythm is even and supple. She took a bit more as I was more able to have a firm hold. There was more work to be done, but I loved every minute of it!
June 29, 2023
The ride went very well. We adjusted the double bridle.
Mocha's head felt a lot lighter, so I didn't have to pull on it so much to have contact. We joked that Mocha was the “Princess and the Pea” because we must really pack pads on the withers so that I am not sitting so forward. We made great progress!
July 3, 2023
We made a lot of progress during this lesson. I started to use my aids more effectively and we worked on circles, serpentines, and corners. Pretty soon I will be able to walk my test.
July 6, 2023
I worked on connection and did some more circles using my aids.
July 17, 2023
After having a week off, I worked hard on having Mocha on the bit. This took a lot because I had to find my balance spot. My shoulders had to be just right, my elbows loose, and the timing with her neck and keeping my shoulders correct.
July 20, 2023
Today was a good day. Mocha was on the bit, especially when we were doing our first shoulder fore. It was great! We went on the left lead and on the right lead and did some 10m circles that were also balanced.
July 24, 2023
We did some more shoulder fore practice and what a big difference that made! I was able to have Mocha on the bit and the circles were so much cleaner.
July 27, 2023
I had my clinic with Margo. It was a lot of hard work and I know I need so much to do. I just have a problem with rounding Mocha and having her on the bit it's all me I let it drop. I wasn’t moving her forward; my seat is not leaning back I'm slouching. I am worried my piano hands are in the way of my shoulders being back. I really need to work on not be afraid of moving her forward. I need to cluck once and if she doesn't respond, give her a good tap with my whip. I still have to figure out where my hand position is for that because when she moves forward, I tend to lose my balance, so I have to be ready for that do not brace, but be balanced.
July 31, 2023
Today was a good day, I was able to get Mocha on the bit. Went back to the basics and added rounding Mocha up.
1. Balance in correct seat
2. Attain forward movement
3. Shoulder fore to get her in the bridle. I sent happy faces when she rounded up. Lots of praise afterwards.
July 17, 2023
After having a week off, I worked hard on having Mocha on the bit. This took a lot because I had to find my balance spot. My shoulders had to be just right, my elbows loose, and the timing with her neck and keeping my shoulders correct.
July 20, 2023
Today was a good day. Mocha was on the bit, especially when we were doing our first shoulder fore. It was great! We went on the left lead and on the right lead and did some 10m circles that were also balanced.
July 24, 2023
We did some more shoulder fore practice and what a big difference that made! I was able to have Mocha on the bit and the circles were so much cleaner.
July 27, 2023
I had my clinic with Margo. It was a lot of hard work and I know I need so much to do. I just have a problem with rounding Mocha and having her on the bit it's all me I let it drop. I wasn’t moving her forward; my seat is not leaning back I'm slouching. I am worried my piano hands are in the way of my shoulders being back. I really need to work on not be afraid of moving her forward. I need to cluck once and if she doesn't respond, give her a good tap with my whip. I still have to figure out where my hand position is for that because when she moves forward, I tend to lose my balance, so I have to be ready for that do not brace, but be balanced.
July 31, 2023
Today was a good day, I was able to get Mocha on the bit. Went back to the basics and added rounding Mocha up.
1. Balance in correct seat
2. Attain forward movement
3. Shoulder fore to get her in the bridle. I sent happy faces when she rounded up. Lots of praise afterwards.
