An Experiment in the Use of Constructive Criticism

Dressage looked fine - sack the cameraman as I felt sick as you went up the CL.

SJ smooth but looked a bit 'cautious' (not sure what happened at the 4 faults, did he chip one in or did you hold him a bit deep/miss) like you had the handbrake on a bit but still managed a nice rhythm.

XC Again, I would have ecpected more 'forward and flowing' - HOWEVER I know you know your stuff and as I haven't read any of what's been said, will know there's a reason behind how you rode it. The horse looks happy and settled, balanced and obedient.

No, I have no idea what I'm on about ;)

The cameraman is trying to get the sack, it does make you queasy. :o

I held for the one we had down as wasn't quick enough to get my canter back. I think I need to work on the moving on and coming back to try and make it seamless.

The danger was that my forward and flowing became longer and longer shots, but I wanted a confident round ready for his next (bigger) outing (which didn't happen, boo). :)
 
Mmmmm but I already know what level you ride at hence what I meant really was constructive...... It is a bit like preaching to the converted however as you already know where his strengths and weaknesses lie, but sit back and wait for the real "advice" to pour in...
He definitely doesn't look easy to me, or it would indeed look "effortless!"

That's the thing, isn't it, "effortless" is what we'd all aspire to but the journey there is often scrappy and scruffy and not much like the end product. I'm very curious how my riding, production, horses (me, me, me :p :o) is viewed and whether others would do anything differently. I wasn't being a smart ar$e earlier as I know you know your onions - and your young horses - so sorry if it came across that way. :o
 
Yes - time to buy a lottery ticket!

Crikey, not only does God exist, but he's a Dressage fan! :eek: Quick, pass me the prayer book!

Believe me, your "doing" on a bad day is still better than my "doing".on my very best day! *sniff* and I can't even improve over winter as pony decided he needed an extended holiday! :rolleyes:

Oh yes, I picture him as being Carl Hester-like but with a beard. :D We'll all be finding religion at this rate. :rolleyes:

Your pony is a shirker, one lesson from me and he was self-harming. ;)
 
With everything you've been through in the last year and the sense of humour with which you've kept us informed, as far as I'm concerned you are definately Superwoman and if you rode hanging upside down under your horse's neck there would never be any criticism from me. If there has been bad vibes for you on HHO than all I can say is these people must be s**t stupid. Give yourself a big pat on the back (without putting your shoulder out) and "kick on" for 2012.

Thank you, JEP, but I only steered clear of HHO for a while because I didn't want to expose you all to miserable me, it wasn't anything that anyone had said or done.

I shall be kicking on in 2012, or even sooner once Jup gets his promised days out hunting. :D
 
Thanks for that info, Trina, it looks v interesting. I'm definitely up for it and if a gang of us went we could learn from each other which would be useful. I need major amounts of bodywork doing. :eek: I'd have to arrange this for December as I'll need some realignment after my next op, I'm sure. :o

No problem. Always happy to recommend Becky. The testimonies on her website all ring true.

Just a note though, Becky is making some changes to what is available in 2012 - not sure about what is happening with the simulator sessions, i believe they are introducing simulator saturdays?
Also, you can take your own saddle provided the time slot is a a certain length ('strider' has to be recalibrated to your saddle). He normally has a dressage saddle on. Phone or email for a chat is the best bet.

Regarding 'realignment', i went to see Becky for a simulator session in July and was horrified that i couldn't even sit straight whilst stationary. I was tipping 'strider' to the left much worse than i had ever done (always had a tendency to be slightly off to the left). I blame my 9lb9 baby personally - but i have found a great 'back man' that has used a combination of theraflex and cranial-sacral therapy. I went for a simulator session recently (my backman waivered his fee so i could put the money toward a sim. session because he was intrigued). I was totally bang on central in a completely blind run (ie computer screens all switched off so i had no feedback as i rode) - very pleased with my backman :) Great way to see if you're being conned by your bodyworker or not ;):D

Have fun!
Trina x
 
I'd suggest once you're back from your hols as I'll be a month post-op so should be able to use all important parts by then. :p I'm sure there'll be a few others up for it, if you don't mind co-ordinating it?
 
not CC as such, but a question.... on the SJ, when Jup approaches the fence & moves across the front of it slightly, does it feel like he is deciding where to take off or is he drifting out of your leg?

I ask because Anky does it when he isn't 100% committed to a fence & i can't decide if he is weighing up the fence himself or trying to be a menace & ignore my instructions! (anky is 14, & thinks that his previous experience in life is applicable in all situations!)

Jup has a similar approach to anky, quite opinionated on the approach & thinks he knows best, but on occasions as i ask him to take off, his opinion doesn't always agree!

RD
 
not CC as such, but a question.... on the SJ, when Jup approaches the fence & moves across the front of it slightly, does it feel like he is deciding where to take off or is he drifting out of your leg?

I ask because Anky does it when he isn't 100% committed to a fence & i can't decide if he is weighing up the fence himself or trying to be a menace & ignore my instructions! (anky is 14, & thinks that his previous experience in life is applicable in all situations!)

Jup has a similar approach to anky, quite opinionated on the approach & thinks he knows best, but on occasions as i ask him to take off, his opinion doesn't always agree!

RD

He's definitely pushing into my leg, but when he's soft he doesn't do it; so the tension I get when he's spooky tends to make for more erratic showjumping rounds. He will, however, contort himself over cross country fences to avoid wearing them which I find reassuring. :p
 
I would love to be included in the session at Ashen if one does go ahead...sounds very interesting.

BD:definitely no need to stress or over-analyse your performance....the basics are very much still in there, & with more recovery time to allow you to regain your core strength & general well-being, I have no doubt you will be back to your best in plenty of time for next year.
 
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