Dear WDAFL,
Thank you so much for the October Grant that I used for my lesson with Alejandra Gonzalez on October 25, 2024.
Ale lives in Costa Rica and comes to Florida a couple of times a year. She is a Train Your Seat 4* Rider Biomechanics Trainer, a Certified Franklin Method Instructor, and a 4 star Senior Parelli instructor. She has an excellent eye when it comes to how we are sitting, and uses props such as the Franklin Method balls and sponges to help our bodies feel improved proprioception to sit correctly and not interfere with our horses. This means smoother, more fluid rides and better balance.
She identified that I was not riding consistently in shoulder fore, and once I fixed that Blaine became much straighter in his body, had better connection, and I was able to get a much better shoulder in. She gave me a specific exercise which helped me work on keeping his hindquarters working through changing from shoulder in to haunches in that helps us keep the forward in the movement.
I thoroughly enjoyed my lesson with Ale, and look forward to riding with her again when she comes to visit.
I encourage the WDAFL membership to become familiar with our grants, we want everyone to have the opportunity to learn something new!