A few tips/excersises to help my daughter please

[Ravenwood]

My 12 year old daughter who is very long limbed and gangly but only weighs 6 1/2 st has started riding a 15hh welsh D x. Trixie is a fabulous hack and hunter really safe but forward going and fun. My daughter has been riding her for about 2/3 years now.

Daughter has now started getting in PC and wants to get out and do some things with Trixie but as soon as you put Trixie in an arena/show ring whatever, she turns into a beach ride donkey! She trundles along with her nose poking out and an expression of total boredom!

If myself (or any adult for that matter) ride her you can make her go really nicely, but it takes an awful lot of effort and hardwork and the pony really doesn't offer any help but she really has the makings of being a super working hunter pony.

So, after all this rambling, my daughter doesn't really have the strength to pull her together and collect her and ends up being pulled forward with reins too long and pony looking like an ancient trekker!

She does seem to perk up slightly for jumping and this is going quite well but the flatwork leaves a lot to be desired!

What exercises could I do with her to help the situation? Any thoughts or experiences gratefully received

(bar the spikey cowboy spurs and a cat-o-nine tails

)

 

[trendybraincell]

transitions, lots of transitions! keeps them on their toes, so they have to be thinking, also helps engage back end more which should help the front, you don't want to pull her head in to an outline, leg to hand, push her into it. I know its easier said than done.

But be persistant and good luck

 

[Ravenwood]

You're quite right, the pony responds to the seat very well and you do have to ride her into the bit as opposed to pull her in. I just think that my daughter doesn't physically have the weight to make an impression and I need to make the pony respect her.

She has a walk and trot test on Wed evening and I just hope I can make daughter realise that she has to ride more strongly! (PS Are you allowed to use a schooling whip at an unaffiliated dressage comp?)

I also thought I could put some tape on the reins as markers so she keeps a contact and doesn't end up with washing lines!

 

[harvgj19]

I used to ride a cob like this. As previously said, lots of transitions, changes of rein, schooling movements, etc. Also, when she is schooling at home, carry a whip and the second there is no response to the leg, back it up with a tickle with the whip.

I think you can carry a whip in a non-affiliated test, but they might automatically deduct a few points for it. That is how we used to do it at the RS when we had fun dressage comps.

Good luck to her!

 

[Ravenwood]

Thank you, I might contact the RC and see if she can ride with a schooling whip - which with a flick seems to get her motivated!

 

[splatty]

My daughter at her local rc dressage comp did the novice ability and prelim and was allowed to use a whip without incurring any penalties.

 

[Haniki]

The continental style reins - webbing with little leather ridges are really useful for remembering to keep reins short and even. I use them for hacking. My friend (an AI) used to use them when teaching sometimes.