Sylvia and The Classical Riding Club would like to thank all Members and their friends for such a tremendous show of support at our recent Demonstration of Dressage in Lightness at Ladykirk Equitation on Monday, 30th May.  This was the final event in the BHS Festival of the Horse in the Scottish Borders and people came from as far away as Derbyshire, Cheshire, Durham, Aberdeen, Ayr and the West Highlands as well of course more locally from Edinburgh, Lothians and the Borders and you made it a memorable one.  May we take this opportunity of apologising for the fact we ran out of seating and may inadvertently have turned anyone away.  It was the first time Ladykirk Indoor School had been used for a public event, and we were concerned about space.  However, now we know for next time and look forward to seeing more of you there in the future.  Our grateful thanks must go to the Askew family and to Lucy Simpson and her family who run Ladykirk Equitation.

Photographs Courtesy of Allegra Loch and Jim Gibson (www.gisphotographic.co.uk) 

Dear Sylvia
 
I just wanted to say thank you for a truly enjoyable afternoon yesterday.  It was wonderful to watch – and particularly interesting in that you used horses/riders at different levels so that we could see how the classical techniques improved both.   I am a keen follower of natural horsemanship (Parelli) and to hear someone else talking about putting the relationship first and the importance of the seat rather than the reins was wonderful.  We’re used to being thought of as the “rope twirling weirdos” and it’s normally overlooked that it’s all about learning to ride with your body and that building up the horse and the relationship takes years –there is no quick magic fix.  There were some very interesting comments made when you asked your final rider to put her hand on her hip and ride with one hand – so helpful to those who do not appreciate that the body needs to align with the horse.... and the proof was right in front of them – an immediate improvement!  It was a fantastic turn out and we can only hope that everyone goes away with your message firmly in their heads – and shares it.  I do hope we can encourage you to do some more events like this????
Thanks again
Samantha

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I attended the recent demonstration of horsemanship at Ladykirk and wanted to let you know how enjoyable, informative, educational and impressive it was.  f I could achieve even a small degree of the skill and empathy shown by Sylvia I would be over the moon (as would my horse I'm sure) Please pass on my comments to all concerned. Thank you. Lesley Carnie.

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Thank you Sylvia for sharing your vast experience with a captive audience! Your beautiful friend Prazer showed such enthusiasm and immense presence, desperate to display your combined talent to all of us. The atmosphere created in Ladykirk\'s magnificently restored arena was the perfect venue for this truly classical master class!
I am sure that each and every one of us was deeply moved as you produced the silver Saint Christopher gifted to you by your late husband Sir Henry! Thank you for sharing that moment.
I am grateful to have captured most of your mounted demonstration on dvd, to be treasured always!
Hopefully there will be more events in the future to look forward to.
Kindest regards, Liz Holmes

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Dear Sylvia,
Just a short email to thank-you for a most enjoyable and useful day yesterday at Ladykirk. It was well worth the drive over for us, and my 15 daughter [a sometimes hard-to-please teenager] also enjoyed the day.
I saw a demonstration you did [somewhere?!,sometime ago!!] when you wore a Phantom of the Opera costume but always  thought that Classical Riding was for better folk, on better horses.
Having always yearned to feel a lightness and harmony in riding,  I knew I didn't want to attend lessons where someone stood in the centre of the arena yelling about kicking and pulling, yet I wasn't sure how to proceed. Your book 'The Classical Seat' was an excellent help, and I have, I suppose, begun a journey, such as you described yesterday.
I thank-you for what you are doing. I intend to join the CRC, and perhaps we will meet again if I can manage over for some lessons.
Best Wishes, Carol Dobson

Mrs H
Hope you, Prazer and Judith have all recovered from your day yesterday... what a fab day, what a prestigious venue and what a brill turnout... you must be thrilled with it all!
Thank you once again and many congratulations on such a successful demo.
Love Mel (Wilkes) x

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Dear Sylvia
I did come to the demo, and I was really glad I did.
2 particular subjects were very interesting and I related to them well.  The 4 year old, because I have one who has just been backed and brought on in March and I am so very glad that big circles and hacking are the correct things to do- as I have been challenged about this!
Also the horse Boomy is a very quiet, sensible version of my veteran!
It was great to see him moving forward lightly and responding to the quieter riding, it's amazing how a change can be established over 15 minutes or so.  It has given me a little hope that my old boy may one day behave, then at 21, perhaps I must put those efforts into the young horse!
It was also wonderful to see you riding your lovely Lusitano, he is magnificent.  Also, I would seriously like to join your riding club.
My kindest regards Kay

Dear Sylvia
Thank you very much for your demonstration yesterday, it was amazing as usual, the hilight of the festival. Your horse looks awsome.
Many thanks & take care. Alison

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Dear Sylvia
Once again thank you so much for the inspiring and enlightening afternoon.
Regards Joan Stewart