Kinship With Horses 

August 10,2011:

I departed our farm heading to Newark to connect with two fellow trainer's. Rayna Granger from Tennessee and Karen Musson from Ohio our final destination, Stockholm Sweden. How very far away from home to travel to get the finer particles of feel we needed to advance our Horsemanhip. I boarded the Plane in Newark, Karen arrived just before take off and Rayna had just landed, there was no way she could make the connection. This is our first challenge, leaving one behind, now we have to make plans to connect with Rayna...

We arrived on time in Stockholm on August 11, tried to locate the flight Rayna would be coming in on, not much news to be found. We went through immigration and on to the rental car company. As we stepped off of the bus, someone was honking a friendly horn, we looked, and to our surprise it was Leslie. She was a little concerned that there were only two of us, so we explained Rayna's dilemma, she gave us directions to her home and off we went.Rayna caught a plane that went through Oslo and then to Stockholm, we picked her up later that same afternoon. Now things were looking brighter.

Leslie's home, garden, and barn are located on a two thousand acre farm where they raise beef, sheep and all crops with concern to raising such.

Our first day we just settled in our room, got a tour of the farm, met Vamo's. Leslie created a fabulous gourmet dinner with vegetables from the garden, fresh sea food and great conversations, yes all about horses. We were fighting jet lag, they are six hours ahead of us, Leslie was most kind as we took turns with heads nodding before retiring to our room for the night.

August 12: Breakfast turned into a tutorial at the table over coffee. One brass horse and the three of us hadevery question answered we needed regarding footfalls, positioning of the handler on the ground and astride. Easy conversation for us as we hadno horse to worry on as we soaked in the information given.Leslie had an interview with Happy Rider, a magazine well known in Europe. We were invited to come along, it was being held at Skeebo Herrgard, a Bed and Breakfast about two miles from Leslie's home. The interview went well, so nice to know horsemanship of this type holds a far reaching interest across all borders. A photo shoot will be held on Sunday the 14th at a demonstration Leslie is holding in the Field of Dreams on the Farm.

We returned home and Leslie went to show us how she gathers Vamos to come to the barn. She called his name from the house and headed down the lane. Vamo's heard and saw her and picked up a trot, paralleling her along the lane to the gate. She went in the gate, to Vamo's shoulder, then to the hindquarter, then dropped to his left hind leg. She stroked the leg, he dropped his head, then she stood up and proceeded to drive him, with nothing more than her eyes, Leslie remained about two feet behind, a little off his left hip and drove him through the gate, then asked him to stop, he lowered his head, she went back to close the gate, then assumed the driving position and continued driving to the barn and his stall. Vamo's seemed quite satisfied and at that moment, for me just watching that, was well worth the trip. The potentiality of what a horse will do for you when you can offer the best deal wtih clarity, intent and timing. I think the NASCAR folks say, "GETRDONE" Karen, Rayna and I practiced with what we saw on Vamo's under Leslie's guidance.

The 13th was Saturday, we went to an Icelandic farm and were given the opportunity to work with three horses varying in age from three to twelve. Leslie coached from the fence, that evening we were given more things to talk about with a little deeper understanding of the variances of age, environment, and what job the horse is expected to have from the owner. That evening was a full moon, Leslie turned in, getting ready for the demonstration on Vaquero Style Riding, the" three American girls" as we were coming known as, decided to build a fire and talk about...Horses. We turned in just before the sun came up....We have a clinic to get to!!

Sunday August 14 Leslie prepared Vamo's and rode the two miles to the field of dreams, we loaded up the car with gear, office supplies and camera. Somehow Leslie found the time to prepare lunch for the attendees and off we went. Leslie and Vamo's started our with ground work, did some driving with a harness, rode western in a spade bit, then hunt seat with a french link snaffle. The auditors were keenly observant, asking such in depth questions, it was nice to watch the day unfold. For those who do not know, Vamo's is a Russian Orlov, bred for trotting

Monday August 14: this is the day we were going to put the past weeks theory to work, our first ride on Vamo's. We all rode on line, under Leslie's watchful eye, preparing us for each move before we asked. I must say, I thought my horses were light and available, which they are as far as I knew. Getting on Vamo's, he is constantly in a state of readiness. Leslie asked where do you feel he wants to go, just sitting, I could lift up and go anywhere, right, left, forward, backward, up or down...on a float. That being said, as good as my horses are for me, I can certainly settle for that, but now know that the good I have can be better.

How funny, before I left for Sweden I had a small clinic at our farm to let some students ride and feel the different levels of feel my horses have. I encouraged them to go back to their horses and get what they think is there level best and push it up a notch, it can be better. After riding Vamo's spending time with Leslie, Rayna and Karen, I think I have known all along the exact same thing I have told my students. Our horses are waiting for us, did I have to travel that far to figure this out, for me yes. The journey will always be ahead of us

Tuesday August 15 Travel to Kallvefall GardFarm about six hours South of Stockholm. We were going to spend the remainder of our time riding Swedish Coldbloods with our hosts Olle and Annette. We arrived late afternoon and they had a gracious table set for us. We had our lunch and couldn't wait to be paired up with our horses. Rayna rode bull, Karen had Antone, I rode Geiron and Leslie was on Baldur. Olle found a great fit for each of us. We headed out into the arena where Olle gave us a briefing on our mounts, how they were trained, all rode in side pulls, and yes we were to stay in order he placed us. Off we went with plenty of trotting, galloping, and enjoying the beautiful country, all mans land. We rode down to a lake, there was a reindeer keepers tent there with a grass pen for the horses. We unsaddled, and went into the tent. There Annette and Peter had a fire prepared, grilledd meats and vegetables, quite a feast. We warmed up, Olle told us some great Swedish history and then they had prepared a Viking Bath for us. The moon had just come up, still unbelievalby bright, we donned our suits and headed into the steaming tub. Not too bad a way to end a ride. Soaking for about an hour, it was time to head back. Olle had headlamps for us, we dressed, went out to gather our horses and led them to our saddles and prepared for the ride home. Perfect, I was really getting to know Geiron, working with feel as we saddled up, trust was woking both ways. Once the saddles were on we turned our head lamps off and walked to the meadow and mounted on a mound of grass. Could this be one of the Troll nests that Olle had told us about? The ride back was "enchanting" The moon so very bright our shadows were as if it was daylight. I got in rhythm with Geiron's foot falls. We rode back in silence, almost a meditation as the moon lit the way home. I thought to myself, Geiron, I will show you what I know for the ride home tonight and the ride tomorrow. As soon as I had let that thought out, I felt Geiron speak, I will show you what I know. At the same moment in time, we each let out a huge sigh. The night air was chilly, I found myself wrapping my hands in Geiron's mane for warmth. Such a pleasant ride home. We arrived back at the farm around 1:00 AM. We headed to the barn, unsaddled our horses and led them out to their herd. We went back to the lodge for a night cap, then down to the cottage and found our beds.

Wednesday August 16 breakfast at the lodge, a beautifully prepared Swedish Table, Peter has a knack for making perfect eggs. We discussed the days plans. Leslie was going to give a demonstration in feel and release in the morning with Olle and Annette's horses. They loved the thought of offering a release first, so did their horse!! It was a beautiful morning. After lunch, Karen, Rayna, Olle and I went for a ride. Leslie was preparing for a teleconference that evening. 8:30 PM US time 2:30 AN Sweden time. What a ride we had. I have never seen such beautiful country side. Moss covered rocks, Lichen haniging gracefully from trees, Gigantic fir trees, just spectacular. We did some BIG trots, ground covering gallops, truly a magnificent time riding. Upon returning to the farm, we untacked our horses and led them down to their pasture. With gratitude we said our goodbyes, and turned them out. Leslie's teleconference was a success, their were some students of mine on the line, how rewarding to see this evolution of horsemanship reach across the miles.

Thursday August 17:Farewell Breakfast, yes, Leslie can work with Olle's horse again, they are liking the idea of feel! Time for goodbye's and then on the road to Stockhoklm. We never did say good by, just see you again! We arrived back at Leslie's, she prepared our farewell supper and we all stayed up entirely too late...Leslie shared with us her memories of her journey of horsemanship and the horses and mentors she had along the way. 6:00AM came way too soon, we had to depart for the airport. With tears in my eyes, and hugs, I said, see you soon! to Leslie, she will be coming back this way in the fall. Karen Rayna and I drove to the airport, our cups full anxious to get home. I flew into Newark on SAS, Karen and Rayna shared a flight on SAS to O'hare. I must confess, I needed some quiet soak time for all that had been taken in the past nine days.

This is just a glimpse into what this trip was for me. It is astounding to me that it even took place. Leslie opening up her home to us and sharing her knowledge freely. The expereince of the theory then practical work. Ending with two days of riding these great horses at Kallvefall Gard Farm. Meeting so many outstanding folks. Yes the world is getting smaller! Step out and enjoy each moment. Seeking the best I can for horses led me to this place, it was well worth the journey. Be Safe

Keep it as real as the horses do,

Gail