From Contact to Connection
Why "on the bit" is more than JUST the reins--
Understanding the bit, the body and the horse to hand
6-Week Live Zoom Course
Wednesdays, June 10 - July 15
6:00 - 7:30 PM
The Current Problem...
Many riders are taught to fix contact through the reins.
They are taught to adjust the head, shorten the neck, or to forcefully "put the horse on the bit".
But contact is not created in the hand.
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It is the result of correct positioning, alignment and energy in the body.
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When the correct foundation of contact and connection is misunderstood and not curated, the rider begins to pull.
The horse resists, shortens, or disconnects.
The cycle of forcing the horse then continues.
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Contact and a correct connection to the rider's hand is critical to the development of further training.​
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What This Course is...
COURSE STRUCTURE
Wednesdays, June 10--July 15
6:00 PM to 7:30 PM (AZ time)
Week 1 -- The Contract
What contact truly is
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Week 2 -- The Dance
​How movement creates connection
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Week 3 -- The Mirror
Why alignment and position matter
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Week 4 -- The Flame
Energy, engagement and the role of the bit
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Week 5 -- The Whisper
Refinement and self-carriage
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Week 6 -- The Centaur
Integration and correction
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After this course, you will:
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Understand why contact problems occur
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Recognize true vs false "on the bit"
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Diagnose issues in your own horse
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Stop relying on the reins or artificial devices to fix problems
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Develop a clearer, lighter, more consistent connection with your horse
PRICING:
Founding Cohort --$245
Includes:
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6 live Zoom sessions (9 hours total)
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Q&A and discussion
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Full access to recordings
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Course PDF materials
Course + Private Review -- $395
Includes:
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Full course access
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One video analysis or consult with training plan
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Note:
This is a limited group to allow for meaningful discussion
Course Outline (Expanded Overview)
Week 1 -- The Contract
What contact truly is --Definition of contact --What does "on the bit" mean? --Why the bit exists --Misunderstandings and misapplications --Why you need contact --The sacred contract-the gift in your hands
Week 2 -- The Dance
How movement creates connection --The circle of energy --The importance of developing the back --Forward impulsion -- the key to connection --Over the back vs hollow --The importance of suppleness --Why you cannot fix contact from the front
Week 3 -- The Mirror
Straightness and the truth of the contact --Crookedness and uneven contact --Rein aids clarified --Rider asymmetry and its effect upon the contact --Horse asymmetry and its effect upon the contact --Diagnosing crookedness and stiffness --The hand as a mirror
Week 4 -- The Flame
Energy, engagement and the role of the bit --Lack or excess energy and its role on the contact --Engagement vs speed --What truly is lack of control --Bits and other headgear --Artificial and other head setting devices --The illusion of control
Week 5 -- The Whisper
Refinement, frames and false contact --True "on the bit" and how to recognize it --Different frames and degrees of collection and how they relate to performance --Artificial and head setting devices and why they fail --Refining the contact --Trust and letting go of the hand
Week 6 -- The Centaur
Integration and correction --Types of contact problems --Rebuilding a broken connection --Physical issues that affect contact --Incorrect use of the rein aids and their long term effects --Restoring trust in the hand --When the reins disappear
Presented by Kirsten Sundquist
Kirsten is a classical riding trainer and educator focused on developing clarity, balance and communication between horse and rider.
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Her work emphasizes the relationship between biomechanics, equitation and the development of a profound connection with the horse through classical methods.
