Harmonious Horsemanship
Story appeared in the 2017 issue of QMS Connections Magazine.
BY JODINE BUYDENS, EQUESTRIAN PROGRAM DIRECTOR
This connection, this harmony with an animal is what drew me to horses as a child—and is what draws me to horses still. The idea that an animal so large and so capable of overpowering us would let us onto its back, would willingly carry us, is magical to me.
“The noises around us drift off; soon they are a faint hum in the distance. Our breathing synchronizes as we enter the ring. The grass is short and springy under his hooves, absorbing our weight as we canter across it. The jumps are bright and colourful, vibrant reds and blues, contrasts of black and white. As we gallop to our first fence, the breeze rushes past our bodies, yet it seems as though everything else in the world has stopped. It is just horse and human united in harmony, in a common joy that comes from these moments together.
Our love of jumping, of performing, brings us together as we dance our way around the course. It is a give and take, as our synchronized bodies flow together. It is an intricate choreography of body and soul as we follow the pattern of lengthening and compressing, of winding turns, as the earth rises and falls beneath us.”
Horses have shaped the course of my life for as long as I can remember. They taught me to ride in the hills of Scotland, allowed me to become a trail guide in Mexico and introduced me to grooming and riding as a profession at Spruce Meadows in Calgary. In the wine country of California, I became a real life horse whisperer; in Los Angeles, I grew into a hunter/jumper trainer; and in my hometown of Nanaimo, I became a passionate student and practitioner of Equine Facilitated Wellness and Leadership. Horses led me around the world on adventures, and then guided me home to share what I’ve learned.
My path is unique and my experiences have been spectacular; however what I hold most dearly is what horses have taught me about myself. They have taught me that being courageous does not mean being fearless—rather, it means taking risks despite my fears. Working with horses has softened my edges while reinforcing my strength. Horses have shown me that true leaders listen and inspire, seeing the potential in others that which they cannot yet see in themselves, and assisting them to reach that potential. From horses, I have learned when to be patient and when to push. I have discovered the value of curiosity, commitment and hard work. Most importantly, from these amazing animals I have learned to trust myself, be myself, and love myself.
It is these gifts, and my desire for others to learn them, too, that are the undercurrent of the changes I have made to the QMS Equestrian Program.
From its early days, the QMS Equestrian Program has been driven to create well-rounded horsewomen and horsemen. This drive has not changed, but how we do it has. In today’s age of instant gratification, continuous online connectivity, and schedules jam packed with activities aimed at students receiving first choice university acceptance, we need to explore how we best reach this new generation of riders. We need to focus on continuing to provide them the deep, fulfilling experiences that have shaped our alumni for almost a century.
Integrating the Equestrian Canada Rider Level Program into all QMS riding programs, adding Board Authority Equestrian credit courses such as Introduction to Horse Training, Equine Athlete and Equine Management, as well as encouraging our coaches and equestrian teachers to create fun, engaging and educational experiences for our riders are examples of different ways that we are working to fulfill my vision for the QMS Equestrian Program. Yet, if there was only one lesson I could leave for our QMS students that applies to all areas of life, it would be this:
Every result out there, whether it be the perfect hunter round, the perfect halt, or the flawless execution of a natural horsemanship game, became desirable for a reason. Along the way, people realized when horse and human are in true harmony, in true connection, in true partnership, the end result shows itself. What we must remember is that it is the process, the journey, which creates the moments of perfection, of harmony, of connection.