The Training Spiral: Traditional Methods Reimagined for the 21St-Century Horse and Rider
Synopsis "The Training Spiral: Traditional Methods Reimagined for the 21St-Century Horse and Rider"
Engaging new ways to understand and implement time-proven systemsof horse training. The "Scales of Training," "Training Scale," and "Training Pyramid"are familiar terms to riders. Around the globe and across disciplines, equestrians hear reference to them or study them as a part of their equestrianeducation. Dressage rider and trainer Sue Grice grew up with these concepts, too, and like many, found them to be not only fairly boring, but also confusingwhen it came to actually implementing them as part of daily training. In thecourse of her work with other riders, she came to realize that although many seemedto know about the Scales of Training in theory, few actually appliedthem in practice. Grice determined that this was because there was reallyno clear framework or methodology for implementing the system in a progressivemanner. So Grice conceived a new approach based on the standard but with afocus on a better rate of success. Success could be achieved when the rider wasengaged with the system and understood how to continually adhere to it, even asadvances (or falters) might occur. For over 30 years she has continued todevelop and apply her ideas, and now she has finally brought them together toshare with the world in this book. Here readers find a detailed plan for applying what Grice callsthe "Training Spiral." She does not try to rewrite what history has shown towork in the development of the riding horse, but instead simply provides afresh framework that enables riders and trainers to: - Apply the classical elements of theTraining Scale in a more progressive and logical manner, and, - Employ them systematically withindaily training as well as over a longer period of time. Grice provides clear explanations of how to use each of the six elements(Rhythm, Suppleness, Contact, Impulsion, Straightness, and Collection), how the elements are to be usedin order, and what can go wrong if they are applied in the wrong order.Clear examples are given at all levels of training, and detailed case studiesdemonstrate how the Training Spiral can succeed where traditional systems havefailed. The spiral structure provides a means ofapplying the Scales of Training in practice that is not just logical but alsoextremely easy to follow. The clarity of Grice's approach also helps horsesunderstand what is being asked of them, leading to a happier relationshipsbetween horses and riders, and training that progresses more quickly and easilyoverall. The Training Spiral is an invaluable and immenselypractical guide for trainers and riders at all levels, from novice to advanced.
