Ability...how did you learn?

K

katiejaye

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 September 2005
Messages
1,347
Location
London/Herts
Visit site
Just interested really to know how people furthered their riding ability and competition careers? I ask as a very nice lady (and good rider) on my yard (who has a 4yr dressage horse) has just spent a fortune on a GP dressage horse from Denmark that our YO/trainer will compete. I asked her why she would spend all that money if she wasn't going to compete herself and she said she felt that the only way she could take her riding to the next level is to be taught on an experienced horse so she can understand the more complex movements (e.g. Piaffe, pirrouetts etc). So she will not compete the horse, but have lessons on it until her riding improves enough for her to do so.

It seems like a good solution if you have the money. What I wondered though is if you aren't in the position to ride an experienced horse how do you take your riding to the next level? I am currently doing elementary on Louis and so far so good as we are learning the ropes together, however sometimes I find it hard to teach him things I haven't necessarily ridden before. I understand the theory and have of course been taught how to half pass etc but obviously it would be easier for me to know how it should feel if I had sat on a horse who was established in it. I would love to take my riding to the next level and potentially one day aspire to do PSG.

I am just interested in people's views and experiences and how you took your competition career/ability up a gear.
 
I am in the exact same position, Molly and I are learning together. Now that we are moving along my instructor teaches her the more difficult things first but when I mentioned riding a school master she said most of them are very difficult to ride and I am better off with Molly as she is a very good teacher ie press the right buttons and she is more than happy to give it a go, get it wrong and not a chance! I would still love to be able to ride something more experienced too though but will have to stick to learning on my girl and then get a youngster in a few years and use my knowledge on that. Hope that makes a bit of sense!!
 
So far as Dressage is concerned I think you do need to try and ride the higher moves on something that knows the ropes so that you understand what you are trying to achieve.

I have a homebred horse that I muddled along up to Medium on. He has a lot of movement so at Novice and Elem we got very high marks. However, as we tried to learn more advanced movements e.g. true changes, pirouettes, even attempting a bit of passage etc, we got a bit stuck (and went eventing instead - he is know a lovely all round schoolmaster for a friend of mine!).

With the wonderful benefit of hindsight (and if I'd had the money) I would have a) sent him away for a couple of weeks to learn higher moves with a professional; and b) had some lessons on a schoolmaster (at GP or similar level).

I think you can muddle along together but it requires even more dedication than dressage generally does (which I didn't have because the urge to jump was too strong!!), but it certainly makes it easier if you're not totally the blind leading the blind!
 
it's interesting that you both seem to agree. I am thinking about having lessons on a school master but not sure/where to go about that. CSYMolly, Louis is quite similar in that he will only do something if I ask perfectly which is good but makes the process so much longer than simply knowing what it should feel like and what I am asking for. Suzy I'm also getting to the point of training at Medium level at home and am anticipating the same problems as you mention as although Louis has it all there it's hard to teach it when you aren't quite sure what it should feel like. My YO has also agreed that it would be easier if I could sit on something that was more experienced. He was offered for me to sit on one of his horses which is great but it's not quite a school master, it's competing at Advanced medium but is quite a temperamental type so has been known to through a big old strop if you don't ask for things properly!
 
I had lessons on a schoolmaster. He wasnt straightforward but he was very established at the movements.

I learnt a lot.......in particular the feeling when it was correct. I dont honestly think there is a push button ride but this horse was honest enough not to take the P*** too much if I got it wrong.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I learnt a lot.......in particular the feeling when it was correct.

[/ QUOTE ]

that's exactly it really, knowing the feeling of when it is right.
 
Oldencraig EC do schoolmaster lessons. Not sure if they are a bit far out for you though?
smile.gif
 
If you don't know anywhere to go, although it is a bit tiresome, why don't you ring round some of the BD trainers in your area and ask if any have schoolmasters they teach on? I know that there are a few people in my area (H enley/Reading) who have retired (from competition) Prix St George/GP horses that they teach on - there all a bit stiff and possibly not the most wonderful/best trained, but they have given a number of my friends the right idea as to what all these tricky movements are meant to feel like! If you just go a few times it probably doesn't matter too much if the 'trainer' in question ends up not being your cup of tea - it is just a means to an end.

It is definitely worth doing, as it cuts down on the inevitable mistakes we all make when we are trying to learn as we go along. My horse would have been much better for it, but thankfully he holds no resentment towards me provided he gets his dinner every day (that's what I love about horses!!)
 
[ QUOTE ]
Oldencraig EC do schoolmaster lessons. Not sure if they are a bit far out for you though?
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

thanks that great, they are not too far from me. I will def be in touch with them. Thanks
grin.gif
 
One of my friends is a BHSAI and has ridden a lot of young horses and bought them on at dressage but whenever she feels like she needs to go that much further she goes and books a weekend at Yorkshire Riding School with the Bartles to ride their schoolmasters.
Sasha Stewart was saying the same thing in the comment yesterday in H&H. Carl competes her youngster and GP horse and she has an easy school master to teach her the intricacies before she rides the GP horse. This is a lady riding at World level eventing so her dressage will be pretty good but she admitted it was a heap of learning.
 
thanks that's really helpful as it confrims what I thought. I will definately actively look into some lessons on a schoolmaster as I really think it will helps Loops and I to move up a level.
 
While I'm at uni and not getting to ride much, I go every week or two for a schoolmaster lesson - usually on an ex-advanced eventer who knows his stuff! It comes at a cost, but is really good fun doing more advanced moevments which I wouldnt normally be able to do. It certainly helps to know what you should be feeling on your own, knowing the aids, and being able to working on your general position without having to also think about doing a million other things at once! Definitely recommend
smile.gif
 
i think i might have told you before that ive had a few lessons on Kay's horse, Mac. I really got a feel for what i was meant to be doing and how everything was 'meant' to feel. I havent had a lesson on anything else apart from Archie for a long time tho. Altho hes young and we're learning together, hes mega quick on picking things up and remembers well. Ive watched Andrew riding him and he explains what hes doing which makes it easier for me - and as archie learns quickly he gives me quite a correct feel naturally.
 
taught myself to jump on horrible horses who didn't help. When I was 15 I was loaned a mare competing elem but well established with the tricks - she gave me the world for my dressage knowledge. Don't think you can learn dressage without this help - it is the only way to get the feel. Its why I have no problem with good people having a sit on the dressage horse - they find him shocking in how easy and correct he is too ride. Riding youngsters all the time makes you forget how it should feel!
 
I have had School Master lessons at OEC and they are really worth while.

Dont be mistaken tho as perfectly trained as they are they also know all the ways of avoiding the advanced work but I think that just adds to the excitment of when you get it correct.
 
I've always gone down the blind leading the blind route I'm afraid, but really can see the value of lessons on a school master so you get the feel of what is correct
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top