AQHA Magazine January/February 2017 JAN_FEB 2017 AQHA_website (1) | Page 31

Correct Diagonal Rising with the outside leg sitting with the inside leg. Incorrect Diagonal Trouble Shooting Tips 1. If you have trouble picking up the correct diagonal to start with it helps to sit for the first three trot beats glancing at the shoulder and then starting to rise. This trick is not infallible but does often help! 2. Have someone watch you when you’re riding and have them tell you when the outside shoulder comes forward. 3. Breathe!!!When we’re trying to master a new skill, we can get so caught up with the task at hand that we forget to breathe! 4. When you’re in the show pen, glance down to check your diagonal, if it’s wrong, sit for two beats and start rising again 5. Practicing “feeling” your diagonals. Ask for the trot with your eyes closed (making sure you’re in a safe area), once your horse is trotting and your posting to the trot, glance down and check Most of all have fun! Don’t sweat the small stuff, just know that we’re all on this learning journey together. We all started out somewhere and it’s with persistence and consistency that we progress. January January • • February February • • 2017 2017 • • The The Australian Australian Quarter Quarter Horse Horse Magazine Magazine • • Page Page 31 31