Ann Genovese and Shannon Darby.

Under Cover
A Kudzu Klinic with Ann Genovese
By Jenn Greenlee

May 3-4, 2003

Cheryl and Gadabout prepare to assist Ann with the lunging demonstration.
If you want rain, just schedule a Kudzu Klinic! Rutledge Gross, Kimberly Murray, Ann Genovese, Liz Heiden and even Cole Heiden braved 60mph winds and a tornado watch (unbeknownst to them eventual tornado warning) to set up Ann's dressage arena for the next day's Kudzu Klinic. How could they accomplish this you ask? Simple-they were under Ledgerly's covered arena. Under Cover would continue to be a necessity of the weekend.

Early (but not bright) on Saturday morning, Suzanne Henderson, and her horse, ET, marched down centerline in the first Ride-A-Test of the day. Stephanie Hutcherson, Liz Heiden, Laura Gerling, and myself followed suit at our assigned ride times. After scoring each of the rides, Ann briefly worked on some of the movements with the riders. She also checked tack and made a few slight adjustments. It was amazing to watch the changes in the horses as Ann worked with the pairs.

Also amazing was some of the video footage that we watched during the lunch hour. Ann wanted the group to focus on the concept of self-carriage. She demonstrated this through numerous examples. I came away wanting to float with, not ride on, my horse.
I had an opportunity to do just that after lunch. In private sessions we each worked with Ann on our individual weaknesses. I was riding my friend's young Westfalen. "Story" has a tendency to be unfocused. Ann worked with us to gain her attention. That was the key. Once I had that I was able to ask much more of her, which she gladly gave.

Other riders: Mary Andrews, Shannon Darby, Virginia Davidson, and Marjorie Hicks also enjoyed the changes they saw in their horses. These riders followed the format of the previous day with one major exception. Instead of a Video Lecture for lunch, they watched a Lungeline Lesson. Cheryl, a boarder at Ledgerly volunteered herself for the demonstration. Ann explained the importance of this tool and showed the group the subtle changes in Cheryl. Everyone was quite impressed.

It is not often that riders are able to get to know their judges. How often have you wondered exactly what the judge was thinking, or why they gave you a certain mark for a movement? It seems as if they are distant entities. This weekend we had the opportunity to uncover some of the mysteries of the judge's point of view through spending time with Ann. Her vast knowledge and honed eye enlightened riders. We all came away with a new skill or piece of knowledge that will be built upon. I can't wait to ride another test for the judge Ann Genovese, for I know that she will be fair, yet offer some of the best constructive criticism ever written by a judge.