BRINGING THE ANCIENT ART OF EQUESTRIAN TRAINING INTO THE PRESENT DAY
Testimonial from Kim Jensen
I met Eleena Kennedy when I came to ride in NZ on my first Classical Dressage Clinic in 2002.
After seeing her work and how the horses as well as pupils responded, I invited her over to Norfolk Island to work with my horses and run a course with the Pony Club and adult riders.
Eleena’s knowledge of horsemanship and her ability to work each horse as an individual, especially due to incorrect training in the past, vices physiological or physical imbalances, opened my eyes to the importance of inhand from an early age.
In Nov 2004 with the knowledge of Eleena I bought a 9 month old Buckskin Filly when visiting NZ. “Southern Star” was agisted at Eleena’s property for 10 months before being shipped to Norfolk Island.
I made 3 trips to NZ in that time to see how Star was progressing as it was going to be a big ordeal for her to have to travel 4 days in a small wooden box.
Because Eleena had handled her classically, there was no fear in her and she responded happily to commands, especially halt which is so important in a young horse when they are not sure.
Star arrived after 4 days of rough seas and no sedation, even being craned over the ship in her crate onto a literage boat before arriving to the pier via crane once again. (We do not have a port). The local vet commented for such a young horse she was the most relaxed he had seen come ashore. Star then walked happily 2 kms up the road amongst trucks and traffic to her new paddock.
Southern Star accepted the bridle, saddle, leading from another horse, and long lined all before she was 2 yrs old. By 3 yrs old she had accepted a rider on her back and a little lateral work but still has a lot more growing to do.
Eleena came back to Norfolk in May 2007 to progress with my inhand work and to access when to start ridden work with Star. Because Eleena has sound knowledge of Biomechanics and takes the horses physical as well as mental maturity into consideration we decided to leave ridden for at least another year until the bones are more developed.
Eleena was able to assess a quarter horse mare that came to me 2 years ago with severe lameness causing an irregular walk because of the limited extension in the calcified muscle. With lateral inhand we were able to see where the problems were in the gaits. Under saddle we found her natural ability for Piaffe, Passage and levade without any sign of distress, tension or pain even after 10 days no sign of lameness once, with the hind muscles becoming more supple and relaxed.
This is what I call Classical Equitation where you work as one with your horse and its natural ability not by force.
Thanks to Eleena for making it so clear. Whatever the age or past in my horses Eleena has helped me find the passion in Classical Equitation and would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone looking for true contentment with their equine friends.
I met Eleena Kennedy when I came to ride in NZ on my first Classical Dressage Clinic in 2002.
After seeing her work and how the horses as well as pupils responded, I invited her over to Norfolk Island to work with my horses and run a course with the Pony Club and adult riders.
Eleena’s knowledge of horsemanship and her ability to work each horse as an individual, especially due to incorrect training in the past, vices physiological or physical imbalances, opened my eyes to the importance of inhand from an early age.
In Nov 2004 with the knowledge of Eleena I bought a 9 month old Buckskin Filly when visiting NZ. “Southern Star” was agisted at Eleena’s property for 10 months before being shipped to Norfolk Island.
I made 3 trips to NZ in that time to see how Star was progressing as it was going to be a big ordeal for her to have to travel 4 days in a small wooden box.
Because Eleena had handled her classically, there was no fear in her and she responded happily to commands, especially halt which is so important in a young horse when they are not sure.
Star arrived after 4 days of rough seas and no sedation, even being craned over the ship in her crate onto a literage boat before arriving to the pier via crane once again. (We do not have a port). The local vet commented for such a young horse she was the most relaxed he had seen come ashore. Star then walked happily 2 kms up the road amongst trucks and traffic to her new paddock.
Southern Star accepted the bridle, saddle, leading from another horse, and long lined all before she was 2 yrs old. By 3 yrs old she had accepted a rider on her back and a little lateral work but still has a lot more growing to do.
Eleena came back to Norfolk in May 2007 to progress with my inhand work and to access when to start ridden work with Star. Because Eleena has sound knowledge of Biomechanics and takes the horses physical as well as mental maturity into consideration we decided to leave ridden for at least another year until the bones are more developed.
Eleena was able to assess a quarter horse mare that came to me 2 years ago with severe lameness causing an irregular walk because of the limited extension in the calcified muscle. With lateral inhand we were able to see where the problems were in the gaits. Under saddle we found her natural ability for Piaffe, Passage and levade without any sign of distress, tension or pain even after 10 days no sign of lameness once, with the hind muscles becoming more supple and relaxed.
This is what I call Classical Equitation where you work as one with your horse and its natural ability not by force.
Thanks to Eleena for making it so clear. Whatever the age or past in my horses Eleena has helped me find the passion in Classical Equitation and would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone looking for true contentment with their equine friends.
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