Sarah_Jane
Well-Known Member
Let me start by saying I still feel have no aptitude for dressage and my inadequacies in this phase frustrates enormously! 
On the plus side I have a horse who moves well and if I don't cock it up, she can do quite well in this phase. We have now done 3 BD competitions and had 2 mentions with pictures in H&H. See page 52 South West report.
For those that don't have H&H we scored 70% and won the Novice qualifier at Colraine despite her only being back in work a week following 3 weeks off at the end of the eventing season.
So with it being a big ambition to get a write up and picture for our success eventing we have now managed it twice for something I am not that interested in! Saying that I enjoy winning - anything!
Anyway I found something easier to rde last week! I went on a BE training course using a horse simulator. A really interesting time was had. The simulator is based at Jerwoods Farm, Culmstock Devon where Felicity Mann uses it to help riders perfect their position. Felicity's horse simulator is the latest model from Racewood. It is life sized and like a real horse takes every different type of saddle; GP, Dressage, etc. It has six paces and it is sensitive to leg, hand and seat pressure. *The simulator is surrounded by mirrors. Its gaits are not an exact replica of how the horse feels but it is similar enough to allow you to really work on your position.
Lets face it there are very few situations I will happily ride without stirrups and reins whilst focusing solely on my position. (Note I did keep my hat on!)
For me it was quickly noted that I collapsed slightly to the right, I was observed in all paces then helped to adjust my position. A common mistake is often to correct from the bottom up whereas the focus needs to be from the top. Your head weighs 8-12lbs and if that is pointing down it is like a horse on the forehand. Felicity worked with me to get my head in a neutral position with room between my chin and neck but not over correcting and either jutting the chin or looking up.
Then the focus moved to my arms which needed to hang from the shoulders more. Don’t think shoulders back as this can tighten the back. Think of room in the armpit and the arm hanging down. Moving onto the spine, we mustn’t think of a straight back as the back has a natural curve, it is all about getting it in the neutral position.
The final thing for me was to think of bringing my seat slightly forward on the saddle. These small adjustments made a huge difference and by the end of the session (25 min on the simulator) I felt a lot softer and more*connected.
Moving onto Sarnie she has now been back in work 12 weeks and is starting a little school work. She is the same as ever (uncooperative ) Took a little video last weekend and although you can see how much muscle she has lost I don't think she looks bad for a year off and 7 months in a stable?
[youtube]udaPeS5Etvw[/youtube]
It is great to have her back and we are just taking things steady at the moment.
Finally onto Impy my Master Imp 4 year old who starting to really come on. Rather hoping she isn't sold before next Spring, I am currently preparing her with a event future in mind, it is amazing how she is muscling up and getting stronger. She has quite a jump too!
Well I think that covers all my news for a minute, well not the nearly ready new lorry but that may be another post For a sneak prevew there are some build pictures on my Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151134462007320.460452.195149382319&type=1
On the plus side I have a horse who moves well and if I don't cock it up, she can do quite well in this phase. We have now done 3 BD competitions and had 2 mentions with pictures in H&H. See page 52 South West report. For those that don't have H&H we scored 70% and won the Novice qualifier at Colraine despite her only being back in work a week following 3 weeks off at the end of the eventing season.
So with it being a big ambition to get a write up and picture for our success
eventing we have now managed it twice for something I am not that interested in! Saying that I enjoy winning - anything!Anyway I found something easier to rde last week! I went on a BE training course using a horse simulator. A really interesting time was had. The simulator is based at Jerwoods Farm, Culmstock Devon where Felicity Mann uses it to help riders perfect their position. Felicity's horse simulator is the latest model from Racewood. It is life sized and like a real horse takes every different type of saddle; GP, Dressage, etc. It has six paces and it is sensitive to leg, hand and seat pressure. *The simulator is surrounded by mirrors. Its gaits are not an exact replica of how the horse feels but it is similar enough to allow you to really work on your position.
Lets face it there are very few situations I will happily ride without stirrups and reins whilst focusing solely on my position. (Note I did keep my hat on!)
For me it was quickly noted that I collapsed slightly to the right, I was observed in all paces then helped to adjust my position. A common mistake is often to correct from the bottom up whereas the focus needs to be from the top. Your head weighs 8-12lbs and if that is pointing down it is like a horse on the forehand. Felicity worked with me to get my head in a neutral position with room between my chin and neck but not over correcting and either jutting the chin or looking up.
Then the focus moved to my arms which needed to hang from the shoulders more. Don’t think shoulders back as this can tighten the back. Think of room in the armpit and the arm hanging down. Moving onto the spine, we mustn’t think of a straight back as the back has a natural curve, it is all about getting it in the neutral position.
The final thing for me was to think of bringing my seat slightly forward on the saddle. These small adjustments made a huge difference and by the end of the session (25 min on the simulator) I felt a lot softer and more*connected.
Moving onto Sarnie she has now been back in work 12 weeks and is starting a little school work. She is the same as ever (uncooperative
) Took a little video last weekend and although you can see how much muscle she has lost I don't think she looks bad for a year off and 7 months in a stable?[youtube]udaPeS5Etvw[/youtube]
It is great to have her back and we are just taking things steady at the moment.
Finally onto Impy my Master Imp 4 year old who starting to really come on. Rather hoping she isn't sold before next Spring, I am currently preparing her with a event future in mind, it is amazing how she is muscling up and getting stronger. She has quite a jump too!
Well I think that covers all my news for a minute, well not the nearly ready new lorry but that may be another post
For a sneak prevew there are some build pictures on my Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151134462007320.460452.195149382319&type=1
