This past weekend about 20 of us New Mexico horsey-types had the distinct pleasure and rare opportunity to learn from Lucile Bump, a certified Level 4 Centered Riding instructor. Whether riding or auditing, we all took away priceless knowledge and awareness.
Because the moral of this blog post is not about riding–it’s about people. How people should treat people, and how people should treat animals, whether in a position of authority or not.
Lucile Bump is like everyone’s favorite aunt. Never a cross word, steady encouragement, and a constant twinkle in the eye. So, for instance, (in horse jargon) instead of saying, “You’re hands are too heavy and you’re pulling too hard on the bit!” (as many riding instructors might), Lucile calls out, “Put that bit out in front of your horse and then push him into it.” I know this probably makes no sense to you non-riding readers, but I hope you see the difference in approach. That’s what’s important.
Sally Swift devised Centered Riding decades ago because she was born with severe scoliosis and, over time, learned through her own experiences many ways to help horseback riders use their bodies “correctly” in order to achieve comfort for both themselves and their horse. And her methods recognize that using one’s body “correctly” may be different for every single horse and rider, so her techniques take each rider’s individual needs into consideration and conflict with no discipline, be it Western, English, jumping, eventing, endurance, or what.
Lucile began working with Sally when she was a teenager so had the good fortune of being immersed in Sally’s universal and effective techniques for almost her entire life. Lucile not only teaches riders, but also Centered Riding instructors, travels heavily, and has taught in 11 different countries. Quite a challenging schedule when one considers that she has her own 35-acre complex in Vermont, where 35 horses live and train!
Over the weekend Lucile worked with everything from beginner- to advanced-level riders, as well as with those who have been riding out on the range all their life but weren’t using their bodies “correctly” (for them). Every single rider achieved more comfort and relaxation in the saddle over the weekend, as did their horses, and Lucile gave us many tips and techniques to work with during the coming months.
Can you imagine how lucky we all feel to have soaked up not only Lucile’s help in our riding, but her exemplification of what makes a truly effective and outstanding teacher and life coach? She is not a guru — she lets each student find the answers themself. She just gently helps lead them there.
One who immediately recognized and wholeheartedly embraced Lucile’s essence the first moment she met her was Bear, my female Great Pyrenees. I had the great honor of hosting Lucile during her four nights here and Bear, a rescue who doesn’t take to just anybody, was standing outside the guest room door every morning from the crack of dawn until Lucile emerged an hour or two later. Bear has never done that with anyone, and I’ve had many guests in that room. Lucile brushed Bear every day while she was here and, honestly, I think if Bear could have gotten on the plane with Lucile when she left Monday morning, she would have.
Christina Savitsky, of Buckaroo Balance, hosted the Centered Riding clinic for the second time this year (thank you, Christina!), and we all are already signing up for another go-round next year! Bear’s going to be first in line to welcome Lucile back to Santa Fe with wagging tail and a big grin on her face — because I hope to host Lucile again, so am going to take Bear with me when I go pick Lucile up at the airport!
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