The funnel works best when we
(1)Pour knowledge into it; and
(2)Filter that knowledge.
Where can we find knowledge? Sources of knowledge are all around us.
-Word of mouth – friends, trainers, judges.
-The written word – books, magazines, the internet, test sheets. If you can’t afford books of your own try your local library. Even if they don’t have the books you want they will order them in for you and membership is usually free. A recommended reading list is enclosed in the appendix.
-Pictures – photographs, drawings, paintings
-Film – video, dvd
-Spectating – at dressage competitions (tests and warm-up arena), at training sessions, at lecture-demos
-Writing - at dressage competitions
Ask yourself – what do I like and what don’t I like and why? Teaming up with a friend/ group of friends can be a fun way of doing this. Find a person who you can talk to, bounce ideas off, share your thoughts and check out theirs, of good intellect but not necessarily of the same views as your own – use photos, books, videos as stimuli. “Do you agree”; “Why yes? Why not?”. Relate to your own experiences.
A word of warning! I don’t have a partner who is horsey. I know some of you will have! Do be careful…mine hates me to talk horse with him. He has no interest and it simply bores him and diverts him from his interests.