Dressage - summer 2011

The past week I found some inspiration to train dressage. Taktur has been lovely to work with, and is always improving. It is challenging to ride dressage on a Icelandic horse because of the size and the gaits. When I look at old pictures I can see that we have learned something. My goal in dressage is to make my horse sound, flexible and strong, and for me to achieve coordination and balance to be a better rider. Riding dressage is just a part of our training.

 Pictures taken by Elisabeth Eika, Telemark

Manifesto to my horse - expressing my intentions

Taktur and I have spent 11 years together. Hour after hour, day after day we have been communicating in a non-verbal way, learning with each other.
This morning I tried to verbalize my true intentions for my relationship with my horse, and it came out like this:

Dear Taktur, my horse


This is my manifesto in my relation to you:


• I am your guide in the world of humans and I feel obliged to take care of all your needs in every dimension as long as you live

• I know you are free and that no one can ever own you

• I wish to give you the space you need, so that you can show me your needs and limits

• I will present you my limits in a precise and gentle way

• I wish to see you evolve so that you can continue to give the world your gifts

• I will support you. I will show you and the world how beautiful and wise you are

• I will clearly show you how grateful I am for everything you are, and for every second you bring me closer to reality and love

I love You