Manna is defined as (among other things) any sudden or unexpected help, advantage, or aid to success, because as biblical scholars will attest, manna was the food miraculously supplied to the Israelites in the wilderness during their flight from Egypt.
It wasn't long after Sammie and I fled Clancy's backyard to the upscale boarding facility that I was blessed with my own manna from Heaven. Just two weeks after we moved in, our trainer Meg asked me to reschedule our usual Saturday morning lesson to the afternoon. The request came a day or two before the weekend, and was preceded by
Did I forget to tell you that Debbie McDonald will be here all weekend for a private clinic, that boarders can audit for free?
Uh, gee...let me think...my
dressage idol is coming to teach a clinic, and I can be a sponge and absorb lessons without paying a dime? I am pretty sure I would remember if you told me that!
Debbie McDonald! My husband, my non-horsey friends, my relatives, all have been strapped to a chair and forced to watch my DVD from the 2005 World Equestrian Games with Debbie's famous musical freestyle on her mare Brentina. Debbie and Brentina have performed that routine numerous times. I was lucky enough to watch it in person at the selection trials for the 2008 Olympics. Though I think the 2005 WEG performance was their best, if you haven't seen it, this video from the Olympic trials suffices to show what a brilliant rider Debbie is, and why I consider her such a dressage rock-star. (Commentary is by Hilda Gurney.)
Click here to view youtube video.
Meeting Debbie in person had me all a-twitter. But watching her teach a clinic over the course of two days? Pure manna. If I hadn't already decided Sammie's new digs were Heaven, this would have sealed the deal. Debbie is unquestionably one of the most charming people I have ever met, and her teaching style is awesome. She maintained a good running commentary for the auditors, gave examples to the riders that helped them visualize the instructions, and helped improve the quality of riding for riders from First Level through Grand Prix.
As wonderful as it was to be surprised by the Debbie clinic, I learned that such clinics are a regular occurrence at Shadow Ridge. The barn owner and trainer, Kathy Pavlich, is an accomplished rider and trainer in her own right (she was Grand Prix champ on her fabulous horse, Komo, at our regional championships this year), and brings big name trainers in from Europe (Bert Rutten from the Netherlands and Judy Harvey from Great Britain) every couple of months to train her and Meg, and any boarders who wish to sign up. I have now had the privilege of auditing clinics by Bert and Judy, who are astoundingly talented.
I just learned that Debbie will be back in April, for the California Dressage Society's Regional Amateur Clinic. Last year, the clinic was held at my barn (with a different trainer), and my friend Kristin rode in it. Watching Kristin ride was my first exposure to this barn, and it feels a bit like kismet that next year's clinic will feature Debbie. I am tempted to put my application in, but somewhat fearful that I may actually be selected to ride. Riding under a top international rider/trainer is intimidating enough, without it being my dressage idol. But as much value as I get from auditing clinics, I know that the benefits of riding in one would likely be exponentially greater. I'm still having so much trouble getting consistent, forward, work from Sammie, though, that I'm afraid I'll embarrass myself in front of Debbie, the other riders, and the auditors. Think of your most embarrassing red-faced bumble from Junior High, and that's what I'm afraid of. I was a geeky awkward kid growing up, and a part of that shy girl who was teased by the popular kids resides within me to this day.
What do you think? Should I risk humiliating myself and just go for it?
From my blog:
Green on Green
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