By Ann Hayes
Photos by: Pat Jarvis ©2019
How do posture and balance contribute to excellence in horsemanship? Ask Maria Wasson who, with her husband Stephen Miller, built West Winds Farm in Longmont on 40 magnificent acres at the base of the Colorado Rockies.
West Winds Farm is not only Maria and Stephen’s home but also a productive hay farm. Moreover it is home to “West Winds Center for Equestrian Arts” which comprises a large central barn and two full-sized riding arenas. There are pastures, ponds and satellite sheds for the horses that live on the property. This is Maria’s domain. Here she trains horses and educates riders in a unique style—a style that draws on many disciplines but is very much her own.
Maria grew up in the Denver area and was drawn to horses early in life. A whiz-bang rider from the get-go, she became an A-rated United States Pony Club (USPC) rider, the highest rank attainable in that program. During a year abroad in college, she attended the University of Sevilla in Southern Spain learning Spanish and riding a multitude of horses in different disciplines from Grand Prix Dressage and Doma Vaquera to race horses and parade horses. Returning home, she undertook serious dressage competition, winning RMDS and FEI championships on her own horses Andiamo and Orcas. A strong mastery of principles of dressage underlies her riding and teaching.
Maria has a passion for understanding how learning happens in herself and others. Armed with a graduate degree in Education from the University of Colorado, she strives to improve communication with her students, adjusting exercises as appropriate and praising each bit of improvement. Learning is quiet, clear and steady. Patience and compassion open many doors. Says Maria, “I teach because I love to watch the process of learning unfold.” She welcomes students at all levels of ability and all persuasions for private and also for group lessons.
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Quadrille
A favorite at West Winds is quadrille practice, usually occurring on the first Saturdays of each month. “Quadrille” is an 18th century French term for a four-sided couple’s dance. Maria’s equestrians have their own version. Six to eight riders perform synchronized movements in an arena. Maria calls, “Prepare, one, two . . .” alerting them to anticipate commands such as “Flank”, “Shanghai”, “S-turn”, “Down the quarter line.” Horses and riders diverge, merge, and interweave in patterns that amaze the mind and eye. Did you miss a turn? How embarrassing! All is forgiven as you get back in stride. Benefits of quadrille include increased spatial awareness, listening skills, and the elixir of riding in formation with others.
Developmental Equitation
Another of Maria’s themed group lessons, Developmental Equitation, combines dressage, quadrille, balanced seat riding and Working Equitation in an inviting, step-by-step approach. Lessons usually occur on the third Saturday of the month. The format includes an obstacle course that is freshly designed for each class. A set-up of cones, barrels, and ground poles simulates obstacles one might encounter on a trail ride or working ranch, such as a gate or livestock pen. Riding the course builds understanding and trust between horse and rider leading to a safe, happy partnership.
In all these exercises, it is not just the path one travels but how one rides each step. Principles of dressage apply as much to rounding a corner or opening a gate as to riding a “squirkle” (Maria-lingo for the combination of “square” and “circle”).
Workshops at West Winds Farm
Maria is developing a series of workshops focusing on the horse/human relationship. At the introductory workshop, titled “Posture and Balance for Horse and Rider”, Maria discusses the challenge of achieving dynamic balance when a vertical being (human) is seated on the spine of a horizontal one (equine). Is that what riding is, biomechanically speaking? Such topics are grist for the mill at West Winds Farm. Says Maria, “When I am riding and the horse is balanced under me, the combination of effortlessness and power is amazing.”
Quadrille: Usually held on first Saturdays of the month
Developmental Equitation: Usually held on third Saturdays of the month
Workshops: Will be announced as they occur
To register for classes or lessons please contact:
E-mail: Maria Wasson
Phone: 303-579-1417
For more information visit: westwindsfarmcolorado.com
The Boulder County Horse Association would like to thank Ann Hayes, Pat Jarvis and Maria Wasson for their contribution to connecting the horse community in Boulder and beyond. If you have a story to share please contact BCHA.