Supa Camp 2010-Western Australia by Roslyn Cumins

November 25th was the first day of the Supa Camp with Carol Coppinger.  The camp is organised by Louise Atkinson and held at her beautiful property at Bullbrooks, Whispering Sands.  This was the second camp I had attended, the first being in 2008 with Dave Ellis.  I can certainly recommend these camps to any natural horseman.  The amount of learning and growth both you and your partner achieve during the five days is phenomenal.  Leila is a pleasure to partner with, attentive to my prompts, quick to learn and very responsive to all my actions.  So responsive in fact that I need to be aware at all times of what I am communicating to her. This year I was the only one attending from Geraldton.  Leila and I travelled to Bullsbrook on the Sunday with one stop on the way due to the heat.  Arrived at Whispering Sands around 3pm and found myself a lovely shady spot to set up my camp.  Leila was placed in her allocated yard which unfortunately had no shade.  Louise has planted many trees but they are still too small.  With food she settled in immediately.  Day one began with an introduction to Carol in Louise’s shed.  Each rider was asked to tell the group about themselves and their horse.  As the day was very hot it was nice sitting in the shade.  The temperature was around the 44 degree mark with no breeze.  After the introduction session concluded we commenced the instruction session.  Each day was to be structured the same.  Private lessons (2 per rider for the camp) were to be scheduled.  These were held prior to the ground work session and after the riding session in the afternoon. The first game we reviewed was the circling game.  We were provided with information on the importance of all components of the game.  Don’t block the rhythm of your horse with moving your belly button into your horse, this says slow down.  The seven games are just that; GAMES.  They have to be fun for your horse and it is about PLAYING with them.  The carrot stick and string is for tagging.  The game is “Can I tag you”.  The contact with the tag is how soft can I be soft.  You just touch your horse the same as a fly landing on him.  No more severe than that. We were to wait as long as it takes and release when the message had gone to the brain.  Any longer was too long as the feet will follow the brain. Over the course of the five days, we went through all seven games with many pearls of wisdom given to us.  Out of the many things we learnt; the one I worked on extremely hard during the camp was PLEASED / DISPLEASED.  As leaders we need to let our horse know when we are pleased with any little try.  Too often we expect and when we get a response we expect it so we do not show we are pleased.   Our horses are trying to please us and we should reward them.  Carol words – A lot of pleased, displeased is pressure.  You don’t need to be satisfied, though you are pleased.  How wonderfully Leila responded when I implemented these few words of advice.  Leila needed so little, I know now how I had been so insensitive to her.  By showing her I was pleased with any little response no matter how minor she tried harder.  My admiration for her grows every day. Day two was another hot one.  The pool became our relief both at lunch time and after the riding.  Icy poles and cold drinks were being handed out constantly.  I have never drunk so much liquid with so few toilet visits.  Fly veils were required.  The dust from that Bullsbrook sand; what must we look like.  We were covered from head to foot in black sand.  Thankfully day 3 – 5 the temperature was in the mid thirties. For our private lessons we all chose our own tasks.  My decision was liberty.  This was the first visions I saw of Pat. He was riding Sparky bareback and bridle less; riding patterns, over jumps, up and down hills then at liberty doing spins, turns, changing gaits.  I was inspired by it all and still am today.  To be able to connect with Leila with no restraints, using only small gestures, a turn of the head or a movement in my finger this is my dream.  The lessons were for me.  I now know I do too much, at times I am in the wrong place.  Little things; like which foot I place my weight; which direction my belly button is facing; the expression on my face, my posture.  I learnt how such minor things affect your horse and the little I need to do. My bareback riding, I am working on at home. So much happened in the five days, so much information provided with tasks to assist it would be too long an article if I were to identify all.  Carol is so inspirational I cannot thank her enough for the mountains she taught me to climb and I am sure if Leila could talk she would thank her also.  Keep it natural; these words are so true when we are striving to become our horse’s partner. There will be another Supa Camp at Louise Atkinson place this year, headed by John and Kathy Baar!