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given a lesson on the lunge in Germany, I had to perform a group of coordinated exercises up there. That sure was an eye opener! Performing exercises whilst being lunged certainly is a great tool, which we could utilize more often.
In the sport of working equitation we are striving for a harmonious partnership whilst performing lines and obstacles with no resistance. With good preparation on approach to the obstacles you give your horse the best opportunity to reach the elusive score of ten. By using your eyes to look ahead and performing numerous half halts to increase the engagement and balance of the horse, you will execute a good line. With good preparation, you can avoid sharp turns and overshooting the entry to the obstacles. I often see riders looking down and not planning their line to the obstacle, then suddenly applying a harsh aid to turn and the horse reacts by opening its mouth or other forms of resistance. This may result in your horse losing confidence and certainly a poor score. Many riders tend to hang on the inside rein. The inside rein is the directional rein, and we ask for bend and flexion with this rein. Once the horse is bending, we should give the horse the job of maintaining the bend. As riders, we take on too much of the responsibility in the partnership with our horse. To achieve unity we must give our horse the opportunity to play a bigger role and balance out the relationship.
I see some riders stuck on the inside rein and never softening, this restriction brings about resistance and the horse will tighten through the shoulders and jaw. Often the rider who fails to soften the inside rein will have an inconsistent contact on the outside rein. The outside rein is your brake rein and also controls the degree of bend. It is important to maintain a light interpretive contact on the outside rein to encourage your horse to travel with straightness. In saying this, the rider who hangs on the outside rein too tightly will prevent the horse from bending to the inside.
Listen to the Best Teacher
If you are a good listener, your horse will let you know when you are not maintaining a good balance between the leg and hand. The horse is the best teacher of all.
Many years ago, when I was first learning dressage my coach would yell “More leg, more leg!” I was told to squeeze every stride. I am not the sharpest tool in the shed, so it took me quite a while to realize my horses were becoming flat to my leg and some were even sour to the leg aid. Learn by my mistakes; ask the question quietly with your leg. If your horse does not respond, you can back up the leg aid with the whip or spur. Next time you ask the question, give your horse the opportunity to respond to a light squeeze with your calf and expect him to readily respond. When training on an obstacle and the horse does not immediately respond to the aids, please do not start bullying him and getting rough. Take time to look back at yourself and ask “am I presenting the question in a way that the horse can understand? Am I using my body in a way that helps the horse or am I getting in his way?”
Less is more!
The sport of working equitation is built around honoring the noble horse. We achieve this by becoming good communicators. Horses communicate energetically. If you have clear intentions, your horse will answer your questions before you apply the physical aids. Now that is true unity! A rider who is a good listener, remains focused and calm, is well equipped to lead their horse beautifully through the spicy dance of working equitation.
Kim Peterson, Working Equitation trainer, competitor, coach, and judge came to the sport with a wealth of previous experience in other disciplines in her homeland of Australia. In addition to dressage, camp drafting (similar to a ranch horse versatility competition here in the United States), and trick riding, she and her students have competed successfully in Working Equitation since the sport was first brought to Australia.
Less is more!
The sport of working equitation is built around honoring the noble horse. We achieve this by becoming good communicators. Horses communicate energetically. If you have clear intentions, your horse will answer your questions before you apply the physical aids. Now that is true unity! A rider who is a good listener, remains focused and calm, is well equipped to lead their horse beautifully through the spicy dance of working equitation.
Kim Peterson, Working Equitation trainer, competitor, coach, and judge came to the sport with a wealth of previous experience in other disciplines in her homeland of Australia. In addition to dressage, camp drafting (similar to a ranch horse versatility competition here in the United States), and trick riding, she and her students have competed successfully in Working Equitation since the sport was first brought to Australia.