Due to the restrictions of the pandemic, that are in place in Ontario, it is not permissible for me to ride Biasini, or go inside the barn. But as you can see the outdoor arena allows for plenty of social distancing and I was able to watch my coach Belinda Trussell ride Biasini.
Belinda was riding Biasini in the snaffle bridle and when she rides him in the snaffle, she told me, she does not do the “tricks” she just works on self carriage( just as it sounds this means the horse carries himself). After the walk she moved on to rising trot where she had him in a slightly stretching frame. If he is allowed to stretch down, to put his head between his knees, it is extremely difficult to get him back up . So Belinda starts Biasini in a moderate stretch.
Then she moves on to the canter. She gradually brings him up in the canter till he is in a good working frame.
In the canter work Belinda does 10 meter circles, some leg yielding and shoulder fore. Throughout all this she is asking Biasini to be in self carriage. I know from my own experience riding Biasini that this is not so easy. He tends to get very strong and can pull like a freight train. However Belinda shows little evidence of this struggle in her riding. But I know that she is monitoring how he is and asking for a bit more of this, or a bit less of that, every second she is riding. Here is a short video of some of the canter.
Belinda also takes regular breaks in the work and brings Biasini back to walk and gives him a loose rein.
In the canter work there were no “tricks” but lots of work involving 10 meter circles, leg yielding and shoulder fore. During all of this she would ask Biasini to maintain his self carriage. This was, for me, a real lesson in executing the basics correctly!
Towards the end of the lesson Belinda did a really lovely trot and asked for a leg yield down the long side. She told me that the trot felt as good as it looked and what she was most pleased about was that he maintained his self carriage and was light in the hand throughout, including when she asked for the leg yield. Take a look at that trot work in this video.
Belinda is a very accomplished rider who has competed in two Olympic Games, four World Equestrian Games, the European Championships and the Pan American Games. So it is a privilege to watch her ride my horse. Belinda agrees with me that he is a very good horse! If you would like to know a bit more about Belinda there is an entertaining interview on Eurodressage. Here is a link. https://www.eurodressage.com/2020/05/01/corona-times-hit-run-belinda-trussell?fbclid=IwAR2fe30vGlReRFN-1shsblMJvSTQaHl_03B5hWK39AlOQQZF4daggjoBnfo
Wonderful to watch Belinda on Biasini. He is an elegant mover. Enjoy this so much.
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He is an elegant mover and when he has a rider of Belinda’s caliber he can really display that. He has to be in the right balance and be carrying himself well. I;m glad you enjoyed seeing him.
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Really nice to see Biasini working so well in the snaffle. So many people don’t realize the value of working only in the snaffle, even for upper level movements. Here’s a lovely video from 1995 of Reiner Klimke warming up the day before his performance at Aachen–in a snaffle! And for a real “wowza” moment, look at the reinback around 2:35 into the video. I will never know what aids he gave the horse because you absolutely cannot detect them! Truly a master. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzG-0TyTuMs
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WOW thank you for this link Alli. I use the snaffle often and I find it tells me what I have on any given day whereas the double lawsy starts out well and then when the work starts it can change.
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It i always a pleasure to see Biasini work. And it’s often nice to see someone else ride our horse, I’d love to have my trainer ride Tiger sometime. Beautiful ring as well.
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The outdoor ring is a real treat. l love to ride there in the s spring and summer.
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Awe, soooo glad you were able to get to the barn even with restrictions! He looks wonderful and it’s always so cool to watch Belinda ride! WONDERFUL post!! He looks so beautiful!! ❤️🐴🥕🍎😀
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Glad you got to see Biasini. You must miss him.
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I do miss him. He is my therapist really. But I am getting along ok and he is in very good hands at the barn.
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You continue to educate me about your wonderful world of horses. Cheers.
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I am so glad you are finding something of interest in the horsey posts.
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I find that horses and dogs have lots in common when it when it comes to training. Your tips about working with horses can often be applies to dogs…and life in general.
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Good. I think you are right there is much that is similar.
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What a beautiful and intelligent horse! It takes training.
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Thank you Amy. He is a very handsome fellow and it is a real treat to see such a good rider as Belinda putting him through his paces.
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Biasini is a beautiful horse and you are very fortunate to have such an accomplished coach and trainer.
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Yes I am . Thank you for reading and for leaving a comment.
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Were you able to give him a carrot?
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No I was not. But next week i am going to bring some sugar cubes and I can give him.those without touching any of his bit or bridle. He likes sugar cubes too.
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His trot looks just like you say!
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I love to see how Belinda sits that trot and her legs and upper body are still and her hips move with each stride. That is a flexibility I cannot achieve with both hips replaced. But I love to watch it.
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My comment has disappeared.
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That is weird! I didn’t remove it I can assure you of that. What did you say?
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I found it and put it up now.
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We are so happy that you got to see him ❤😊
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Some beautiful work by Biasini and it’s so lovely to see him again! So happy he’s back home in Ontario Anne, a wonderful weekend to you all 💖 xxx
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A wonderful weekend to all of you in the Highlands Xenia!💕
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Thank you dear Anne! 💖 xxx
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I’m curious… When you go Watch Belinda riding Biasini, does he react when he sees you? He must miss you a great deal… After all this time.
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The outdoor arena is up a hill behind the barn. I saw Belinda and BB come out and said hi and then started to walk up the hill. Belinda said BB was power walking to catch up with me. Every time she would come near where I was standing and stop to talk he wanted to get right up to me. Next week when I go again I will ask Belinda to drop the reins so that I can pat him on his neck without touching the reins.
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