AQHA MAGAZINE March / April 2020 AQHA March-April 2020 PRINT (1)High Res | Page 38

PG.36 AQHA FEATURE... AVOIDING ERRORS in the Arena To avoid errors, become a forward thinker as you show. Know exactly what you must do before and during any run. ERROR: CLASS OR PATTERN ERROR ERROR CONTROL & HANDLING Lack of judgement in any pattern can cause you to make errors. Beginning a pattern in the wrong place, or picking up a gait too early or too late are simple mistakes to make. You can help prevent these errors by studying and then following the written pattern completely. Be sure you correctly understand what is being asked of you in a pattern. If you don’t understand something, ask the steward to ask the judge to clarify. If a pattern indicates a 10mt circle, make sure it is just that. Reining patterns can ask for small or large circles, slow or fast. So make certain there is a good variation of speed and/or size in your circles. Read your pattern instructions well and study the drawn pattern. Mentally prepare yourself before you begin each class. It’s all about learning how to flawlessly show in or ride each particular class. Stay calm and prepare your horse patiently for the task ahead. Fear can often cause you to make errors. Work on controlling any of your showing fears by keeping a good mental image of you and your horse executing a perfect run and make sure to breathe comfortably through your classes. At all times, if you make an error, pretend it didn’t happen, leave it behind you, then get straight back to the business of showing your horse. In other words, be confident and move on. Taking all of the above into consideration can help you to show your horse more effectively. It’ll help you to become a more relaxed and forward thinking rider. This will build your confidence and help decrease your chances of making errors, placing you with a greater control on the outcome of each class. QUICK TIPS • ENSURE YOUR BACK NUMBER IS CORRECT. • ENSURE CORRECT REIN HANDLING. • ENCOURAGE SMOOTH TRANSITIONS. • DON’T CUT CORNERS IN RAIL CLASSES. • DON’T TALK DURING YOUR CLASS OR RUN. • LOOK UP, NOT DOWN, AND AT LEAST 2 HORSES AHEAD OF YOU. • MAKE SURE YOU’RE ON THE CORRECT DIAGONAL. • IF YOU TAKE THE INCORRECT LOPE OR CANTER LEAD, FIX IT IMMEDIATELY. AUSTRALIAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION - WWW.AQHA.COM.AU