Focus on position and correct ridingthis doesn’t mean becoming a stiff plank
but it does mean always working to
improve yourself as you would improve
your horse. We are all different and
have different styles of riding so no-one
is going to look the same. Though, in
saying that, you should sit proud, with
your shoulders back, heel, hip, shoulder
alignment, all while looking relaxed
and going with the horse. We are all a
work in progress but judges hate to see
riders motorbiking around the test. Get
someone to take a video of yourself to
assess the areas which you can improve
on.
Next, remember the golden rule, if
you are going to use your hand then
be prepared to use twice as much leg!
Judges hate to see riders wiggling and
fiddling with the bit. The hands are
not what gets a horse through and
connected, it is a combination of timing
of the leg, seat and hand. Focus on
riding the rhythm to a steady contact
and allow your horse to find the bit and
roundness instead of just trying to pull
his head down.
Learn your test! How guttered would
you be to lose marks over a course
error- learn the test so well that you
barely need to even think about what
you need to do next. This will polish the
test and give you the ability to focus on
your horse and your riding.
Never salute with the hand that you
carry the whip- again silly loss of marks!
Prepare! Lack of preparation is a
common mistake for riders of all levels,
this goes for transitions through to
lateral movements and even flying
changes. Be sure to let your horse know
that something is coming up before you
just throw him into the movement. Half
halt and say “hey, we are about to walk,”
for a trot to walk transition and then
trot his hind legs under him through it.
Remember the walk isn’t a time to have
a casual break, it is just as important as
the other paces! Same goes for upward
transitions and any other movement for
that matter, half halt and check in that
he is listening, is ready and then off you
go.
Train good, correct work. Judges hate
to see horses trundling along in an over
bent frame throughout the entirety of
the test. Your horse could move for a 9
but if he is over bent then your marks
could go down to a 5 or a 6, which
would be a huge shame! Not only is
riding in an over bent frame not correct,
but it put the horse on his forehand,
address his frame and get him looking
up and your work is going to improve
a lot, your horse will become stronger,
better in the collection and your marks
will go up and up!
We all have committed one or more of
these sins so don’t despair if you are
reading through and think that these
things sound like a bit of you! They
are all easy things to correct should
you need to and you will in turn enjoy
some better marks next time you tackle
the competition arena! Train well, be
prepared, good luck and most of alllove what you do every day! The winner
at the end of it all isn’t the person with
the most ribbons hanging on the wall,
but the person that loves what they do
every day.