Integrated Riding With: Judy Cross-Strehlke
Integrated Riding is a unique blend of Movement Based Learning activities used to increase the
neruo sensory reactions in the Brain to facilitate whatever learning activity is taking place.
This innovative use of Brain Gym, Centered Riding, and Balimo activities, based on the work of
Eckhart Meyners, includes exercises on the ground and on the horse. This combination enhances
whole brain activity to combine kinetic learning, necessary for improved riding skills, with
cognitive learning, necessary for technical skills.
Habitual posturing and movement creates one set of overdeveloped nerve pathways. This interferes
with the body's ability to learn a new movement because of the impact habituation has on the brain's
ability to send information to the muscles through the different nerve pathways.
By using a combination of specific types of exercises in a riding lesson, the emotional centers in
the brain are blended with the body to access the whole Brain This allows a blend of improved physical
and cognitive learning. Emotional stress whether through trauma or abuse, creates a blockage in the
body's ability to balance physically. Hands on contact, combined with relaxation techniques, helps the
body release these holding patterns which in turn opens up the body's ability to learn.
Actively moving the body in a new way retrains the nervous system to improve balance and movement. Certain
exercises and types of touch help to stimulate areas of the brain responsible for our survival responses
and our emotional reactions to situations. When we move a certain way, we enhance our ability to balance
what our body feels with what our senses tell us. When we blend riding and handling horses with certain
exercises, we provide physical stimulation that increases Neruo pathway development.
These easy to do exercises enhance the ability to learn to process information and respond to the world
around us in a positive and effective way.A 6 point program taken from the Balimo System helps to develop
the neural connections in the brain which are essential for riding. The exercises are appropriate for all
ages and levels of learning.
Targeting 6 specific areas of the body through certain exercises help reduce
stress and retrain the brain for greater integration of balance and movement. Riders of all abilities are
able to reduce stiffness, develop greater balance, and increase tone and flexibility.
Northern Maine Riding Adventures is Owned and Operated By:
Judy Louise Cross Strehlke
![]()
Robert "Bob" Flury-Strehlke
|
For More Information Please Click Below:
![]() Judys' Interactive Book |
Various international photos of Judy teaching. To view photos:
click here
![]() Who are we? |
Together, we have planned a trip into the world of horses, so that when you arrive, you can, together with your horse, travel where ever you want.
Piet Nibbelink owns a center for better communication with horses in the Netherlands. With his knowledge and experience he guides his student toward a harmony with horses.
In his view this can be achieved by truly knowing yourself, your state of mind and your body language.
Only then can you become aware of the unconscious processes that constantly influence the horse, and change so that you tell the horse what you meant to tell.
Judy Cross Strehlke's home is in Maine USA where she has her own riding center.
Her path with horses led her in many different directions, from University studies to the competition world of Dressage and Three day Eventing to Western Riding, to horses for therapeutic riding
When she met Sally Swift and studied Centered Riding, she found a place to rest in the philosophy of softness and awareness for the rider.
She is a Level IV Advanced Centered Riding Clinician and an advanced instructor for PATH Int', USA.
Her specialty is understanding how the Brain/Body learning connection can enhance riding for all disciplines.
She teaches instructors and students in Europe and the USA.
Originally from England, Sarah Jane Clarke moved to Spain at age eighteen, in search of the Spanish horse.
Today, she owns a dressage stable in Sanlucar.
She trains her Spanish horses according to the principles of the classical dressage, with a lot of patience and respect for the horse.
She is a Level IV Advanced Centered Riding Clinician and an advanced instructor for PATH Int', USA.
Also, she is an expert on the field of Spanish horses, and a professional intermediary for everyone who wants to buy his/her dream horse.
![]() Centered Riding® |
Centered Riding® is a method of riding that can improve the balance and Relaxation of every rider regardless of what discipline they ride. This method has been taught to western, to saddle seat, for dressage and combined training, for hunters, and for the disabled and for jumping.
Judith Cross-Strehlke has been teaching and following the discipline of "Centered Riding® Since 1980 when Sally Swift first started teaching in Maine. Judy has had the good fortune to have been trained by Sally Swift extensively over the last 20 years and is currently certified as a Level IV Instructor and clinician.
![]() Integrated Riding™ |
Integrated Riding™ is a unique blend of Movement Based Learning activities used to increase the neruo sensory reactions in the Brain to facilitate whatever learning activity is taking place. This innovative use of Brain Gym, Centered Riding, and Balimo activities, based on the work of Eckhart Meyners, includes exercises on the ground and on the horse. This combination enhances whole brain activity to combine kinetic learning, necessary for improved riding skills, with cognitive learning, necessary for technical skills.
Habitual posturing and movement creates one set of overdeveloped nerve pathways. This interferes with the body's ability to learn a new movement because of the impact habituation has on the brain's ability to send information to the muscles through the different nerve pathways.
By using a combination of specific types of exercises in a riding lesson, the emotional centers in the brain are blended with the body to access the whole Brain This allows a blend of improved physical and cognitive learning. Emotional stress whether through trauma or abuse, creates a blockage in the body's ability to balance physically. Hands on contact, combined with relaxation techniques, helps the body release these holding patterns which in turn opens up the body's ability to learn.
Actively moving the body in a new way retrains the nervous system to improve balance and movement.Certain exercises and types of touch help to stimulate areas of the brain responsible for our survival responses and our emotional reactions to situations. When we move a certain way, we enhance our ability to balance what our body feels with what our senses tell us. When we blend riding and handling horses with certain exercises, we provide physical stimulation that increases Neruo pathway development.
These easy to do exercises enhance the ability to learn to process information and respond to the world around us in a positive and effective way.A 6 point program taken from the Balimo System helps to develop the neural connections in the brain which are essential for riding. The exercises are appropriate for all ages and levels of learning.Targeting 6 specific areas of the body through certain exercises help reduce stress and retrain the brain for greater integration of balance and movement. Riders of all abilities are able to reduce stiffness, develop greater balance, and increase tone and flexibility.
![]() Journey into the horse's world |
The Journey is a unique co-operation between three international instructors, each experts in their own fields.
It is a three year training program, which covers the essential elements that come together with working with horses.
Piet Nibbelink will guide you through the first part of the program, where you will learn about communication between horse and human.
Judy Cross-Strehlke (USA) is a level IV Centered Riding instructor and will guide you through part two, which is about body awareness and effective movement in riding.
The third and last part will be guided by Sarah Jane Clarke, a classical dressage specialist trained by the riding school in Jerez. She will teach you about training horses.
For more information about the journey, click here .
|
