I’ve been taking time off riding as I’ve been home to seen my family. So imagine my surprise today when I had my Sunday afternoon group lesson and heard the riders had been working on canter strike offs and cross country!
I was given Sky to ride today, who I’ve never ridden before, as I’m pretty sure they reserve her for grade 3+ riders. A bit worried she might be difficult to ride, one of the girls told me she was a lovely mare to ride. Just as well really as the class voted Sky as lead file as they believed she was the most forward going horse in class. I personally would have voted for Millie, who I rode in my last lesson and is THE fastest little pony I have ever ridden! She’s so fast that usually when we are trotting in open order she has to come in on the inner track as she walks and trots so quickly!
Today’s lessons was working on rhythm, which was extremely useful. We did some work without stirrups in trot and one by one cantered around the inner track randomly to see if we could develop a balanced and rhythmic canter. Sky cantered wonderfully and the teacher said she had a good balanced canter. Although she did seem to want to join every one else who were walking around the outside track, thankfully she did listen to my legs and hands. When Beth, the instructor introduced a cross pole on the inside track for us to canter across, Sky did as she was told and I certainly didn’t feel like I was going to fall off and felt out of control. Unfortunately for one rider, his pony continuously refused to jump the cross pole, despite getting faster and faster in canter every time they made the pony come round again. It seems as though the pony is just as quick to slam on her brakes as she is to canter around the school! Thankfully the boy managed to get the pony to jump the poles after following a tiny pony!
I’ve booked myself a private hour lesson with Glo again next week as I think time off the saddle has made me lazy and slightly more weary about falling off. But I have a job interview tomorrow with the British Horse Society to work on their magazine so I’m really looking forward to that. Hopefully I’ll be able to find myself a job combining my journalism skills with my passion for horses and riding!
Things to work on
- Keep elbows back and shorten the reins during walk
- Fold during take off, not before
- Use the outside leg more when turning to avoid letting the horse drift across
- Stretch legs down during canter
- Change whip after a change of rein, not during the change of rein when crossing the middle of the school
- Do not take the reins of a martingale bridle over the horses head when leading!
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Hi Samantha,
Comment by searchingforserenity 10 July 2008 @ 5:33 pmI like the blog, I’ve added you to my roll. Journo horse riders united
Good luck at the interview!
Comment by Wiola 11 July 2008 @ 12:01 pmJust noticed that in your “things to work on” you’ve put changing a whip after a change of rein and not when crossing the school.
Comment by searchingforserenity 11 July 2008 @ 9:15 pmIs there different ways of doing this? My instructor always barks at me unless I change my whip when crossing!
Wiola: Thanks! It didn’t goo too badly and I’ll keep you posted on the outcome!
Mary-Ann: According to the books, you’re suppose to change your whip when you cross the school, but my teacher says it might be better to do it before or after as you’re doing so much trying to maintain straighteness when changing the rein that when you change your whip, you might affect the rein contact. I think the teacher suggested it because as a beginner rider, there’s so much to remember! But I’m guessing the more experienced you become, the easier it becomes to change the whip in the middle of changes of rein because you can keep your straightness. Although there’s no harm practising now!
Comment by samanthawong 12 July 2008 @ 10:42 amAh, that explains!
Comment by searchingforserenity 12 July 2008 @ 12:38 pmI have no problems going straight, it’s the little circles that cause me the problems
That and being constantly told off for having long nails!