Micaela Mabragana, a working student for Olympian Lendon Gray,  came up with an entry that became a member favorite.   Such a favorite that the Barnby Notes team decided to add it as an insert to their hardcover notebooks.  Titled, "Phones, Salads, Baby Birds and Washboards," this entry provides analogies taught by Lendon on how to attain passive hands during riding.  

"One thing that I love about Lendon’s lessons is the attention she pays to my ability to be passive with my aids, especially with my hands. This doesn’t mean freezing on top of the horse, it means being part of him by staying elastic.  It is so easy for riders to hang on the reins or to get busy with our aids when we are trying to figure something out or when we are doing “fancier” movements.   I’ve had this lesson on pretty much all of my horses, all different breeds and levels, from 1st level ponies to big Grand Prix warmbloods.  Being quiet is one of the most important aspects of riding.   As Lendon would say, this is the moment you can “listen” to your horse.  If you keep asking question, you won’t “hear” any responses from the horse. If this is the case then your aids will have to become louder and louder to have an effect.   “Can you do nothing? “ Lendon always asks.  Being part of the horse without interfering is actually harder than it seems."  -- Mica, excerpt from full journal entry


Mica continues to write entries about her lessons with Lendon.  She is currently in Florida with six horses.  We wish her much luck.