Hello!
Seeing Warwick at work for the first time was very interesting. It’s the little things—the ones usually overlooked—that matter most. Problems only become real issues when they turn into nuisances or dangers; that is a lesson I will always take to heart.
The ground-work session, in particular, was fascinating.
The stunning young black mare made the biggest impression on me.
She was very uncooperative on Saturday—perhaps due to insecurity.
On Sunday, she performed like a machine. Her mouth was clamped shut and her tail clamped down tight; as the session progressed, she let her tongue hang out of her mouth. Warwick didn't address any of these signs, and I was deeply disappointed by that. On the contrary, he praised the young rider—who was riding with wide hands and pulling the horse’s head down, even though the mare was already moving well behind the vertical. At one point during the session, the rider even seemed to tighten the flash strap to prevent the mare from getting her tongue between her teeth. Yet Warwick praised how beautifully the mare was moving and how well the girl was riding. I still can't wrap my head around it.
She and her mother were there to learn, and I think Warwick had the opportunity to improve the lives of both horse and rider. Instead, he left some spectators—myself included—scratching their heads in confusion.