Applying the Principles Hopefully, this extensive background material and explanation has prepared you for a somewhat briefer description of the structure and organisation of the clinics themselves. They proceed from the general to the specific, from an experiencing of the basic concepts to an application of them in riding. All the participants gather for what is usually a Friday night group introductory session. The format of this session is variable. In an on-going series of clinics, it addresses the changing needs of riders as they progress.
Some riders expect a formal lecture and come prepared to take extensive notes.
Once the riders have located their hip joints and are flexible enough in them, their standing and bending readily lead to sitting. I watch them carefully in these activities and often work briefly with individual riders to demonstrate. Where they sit on the ischial bones affects them literally from head to toes in our experiments. Of course, it also profoundly affects them in the saddle and in riding their horses. With the promise to pursue this topic on Saturday, I conclude my portion of the evening.