Noone Emphasizes Balance, Precision, And Feel "Ultimately it all comes down to balance." by Nancy Brannon Tom Noone came to Mid-South Dressage Academy on December 13 and 14 to teach a dressage clinic, in conjunction with George Gullikson’s saddle fitting. His emphasis on “getting the physics right” coincided well with Gullikson’s physiological approach to put riders in the proper position in the saddle for balance and effectiveness of aids. Noone has a basic three-step approach, beginning with teaching riders how to become more aware of their own seat and position, and the gravity factor. The first question he asks his students is, “If there were no horse under you, where would you be?” His first focus is on the rider’s balance and the influence of the rider’s weight and aids over the horse’s balance and direction. Once the rider is in balance, the next question is, “Where is your horse in relation to the intended line you’re riding?” This is important and the reason “why we ride specific figures” in dressage, he said. Becoming more precise in guiding the movements and communicating with the horse is a key element of dressage. The third step is “How does all this relate to feel? We all feel the horse against a particular leg or rein. Our inclination is to get the horse to go off the particular leg or rein, alleviating the pressure” to the horse. “But that may not necessarily fix a problem. Ultimately it all comes down to balance. If the horse is balancing on a particular leg or rein, why is that? How does that relate to (1) the rider’s vertical balance and weight and aids, meaning not interfering, and (2) to the alignment of the horse’s body on the intended line? Third, is developing the connection point, that is, lateral connection n inside leg to outside rein.” Noone’s foundation philosophy to training is to “first get the physics right, then you can effectively and efficiently deal with the horse’s psychology. This is where most riders go wrong n they do it in reverse order. They are asking the horse to do something the horse is not set up to do and then dealing with behavior issues.” Noone brings to dressage instruction a host of credentials as both rider and instructor. He is a USDF Gold, Silver and Bronze medalist and has won National and Regional Championships at every level of dressage. He has trained more than a dozen horses to the Grand Prix level and has competed four of them. He was the U.S. representative to the World Cup in 2001 in Denmark and he made the nation’s top 12 for the World Equestrian Games in 2002. He had the 1997 USDF Horse of the Year at Grand Prix. He is based at Free Gait Farm at Glenmere Dressage Center in Chester, N.Y. His website is: http://www.tomnoone.com.