SaddlePsych'D
Well-Known Member
Thank you
It's taking a while to build things back up after it went a bit sideways with the last share but there is hope! It would be an honour to ride Rigsby!
Brief Lesson Report...A Thread
- Thread starter SaddlePsych'D
- Start date
It's taking a while to build things back up after it went a bit sideways with the last share but there is hope! 
Kunoichi73
Beware... My Plants...
What a great update. So glad you enjoyed your group lesson and felt it was a positive experience!
SaddlePsych'D
Well-Known Member
Back at the RS today for another schoolmaster lesson...Started not on the lunge for the first time. Horse apparently has a bit of a quirk about working at one end of the arena which, once you've had the conversation with him, he does get over and get on with things. Unfortunately for me he added in a spook. I'm sure if we had video of it I'd see it really wasn't much of anything, even in the moment I knew he'd moved on and forgotten about it, and I didn't lose my balance at all. Logically I knew all these things but struggled to just go 'come on let's get on with it'. I'm not even sure it's fear of falling off - I really was secure in the saddle and thought at worst if I had come off it would be very unlikely I'd be really hurt. My brain just escalates really quickly to 'not cut out for this', 'may as well give up', 'wasting time' blah blah blah - so unhelpful!
We kept the lesson down the non 'scary' end of the arena which helped me move on, calm down and focus on something else (pole work) so I was pleased that even though I 'had a moment', I did get to move on from it and stop the negative spiral from continuing. On the way home I thought perhaps the progress is reducing the amount of time it takes to put the brakes on all the negative nonsense, then one day perhaps I will just laugh at things like that and say 'come on horse let's go!' I have all the theory in my mind, it's practicing overcoming the blips in real life!
Big smiles again by the end of the lesson. I'm feeling braver; starting to feel less worried about going more forwards/having more power and starting to shift towards how great it can feel (a huge mindset shift for me) There were moments over the poles where I went 'oh wow!' out loud because it's like floating, and those are the other kind of moments you need to remember why it was a good idea to get on a horse in the first place
We kept the lesson down the non 'scary' end of the arena which helped me move on, calm down and focus on something else (pole work) so I was pleased that even though I 'had a moment', I did get to move on from it and stop the negative spiral from continuing. On the way home I thought perhaps the progress is reducing the amount of time it takes to put the brakes on all the negative nonsense, then one day perhaps I will just laugh at things like that and say 'come on horse let's go!' I have all the theory in my mind, it's practicing overcoming the blips in real life!
Big smiles again by the end of the lesson. I'm feeling braver; starting to feel less worried about going more forwards/having more power and starting to shift towards how great it can feel (a huge mindset shift for me) There were moments over the poles where I went 'oh wow!' out loud because it's like floating, and those are the other kind of moments you need to remember why it was a good idea to get on a horse in the first place
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
He really does look like a lovely schoolmaster horse.
When I do pole work, I often put the stirrups up just the one, to help adjust to the additional movement. It helps to keep your leg under you and your body over your feet for balance.
It is lovely to see you having fun.
When I do pole work, I often put the stirrups up just the one, to help adjust to the additional movement. It helps to keep your leg under you and your body over your feet for balance.
It is lovely to see you having fun.
SaddlePsych'D
Well-Known Member
Each lesson with him gets better and better. A shame we had the blip so early on but it's part of horses and part of getting to know him. He's also quite a bit bigger than most horses I have ridden, and narrower too, so even small things like that take some getting used to when 14-15hh cobs have been most of my experience!
I'll have a try of the shorter stirrups next time. I'm not sure if pole work was the original plan for this lesson or quick thinking from RI to get my brain somewhere more useful
My next ride is going to be the Intro test in 2 weeks - eek! Writing down my goals now so I can look back on them:
1) Don't fall off
2) Stay within boards
3) Have fun (and aim to smile throughout - there's going to be a pro photographer!)
4) Ride correct route and do transitions in the right places
And possibly, but much less important:
5) Ride a +60% test
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
See, I would reconstruct the list...Each lesson with him gets better and better. A shame we had the blip so early on but it's part of horses and part of getting to know him. He's also quite a bit bigger than most horses I have ridden, and narrower too, so even small things like that take some getting used to when 14-15hh cobs have been most of my experience!
I'll have a try of the shorter stirrups next time. I'm not sure if pole work was the original plan for this lesson or quick thinking from RI to get my brain somewhere more useful
My next ride is going to be the Intro test in 2 weeks - eek! Writing down my goals now so I can look back on them:
1) Don't fall off
2) Stay within boards
3) Have fun (and aim to smile throughout - there's going to be a pro photographer!)
4) Ride correct route and do transitions in the right places
And possibly, but much less important:
5) Ride a +60% test
Some points may happen out of your control.
1. Falling off happens even in the dressage arena, depending on conditions, so that could happen whatever you do (one I remember was snow falling off the roof, horse went crazy, rider plopped off). I would strike it off as you will automatically be fighting to stay on if something silly and unexpected happens. I would strike it as it isn't a nice thing to be thinking of.
2. Stay within the boards, that is a minor one, I have left the boards more times then I can think. If you concentrate on no 4 on your list, then staying within the boards will be happening anyway, if it doesn't then smile, continue, laugh about it afterwards. I dare say you haven't had a lot of experience riding with low boards as opposed to an arena wall/fence, so it could happen as your brain is processing lots of things, but it is less likely to happen if you are concentrating on where you DO want to go rather than thinking about what you don't want to happen, so I think no 4 is sufficient to cover this.
BTW, Last but one of BH's tests we hadn't even got in the arena when he side stepped and knocked over the K marker. Made me chuckle every time we passed it, wondering if I should do the transition where the marker should have been or where he left it. That one is mindset, it can either be a disaster or funny. No damage was done to the K marker. Other markers are also available
3. Have fun is probably what you will feel afterwards! Before and during the test, it is likely mild stress. I get over this by re-naming that feeling excitement! I find this exciting! The second part of no 3 is very important. Smile for the photos. Oh yes, not only will the photos be 100% better, but smiling will also help with the first part, the having fun. When you smile it helps you to think, oh, this is exciting and I am having fun!
4. Yes! But, again, this can be somewhat out of your control. I would prefer to think about the preparation, so learning the test so well that you know, for example "What was the movement before the one where I do the downward transition to walk on the left rein?" Or, "On which rein is the first 20m circle?" and you can pull the answers up without even running through the pattern. I like to learn them so well that I even know where I will rebalance and where I will look. Hell, if it is an important one, I even include where I will do a deep slow breath out for a downward trans or a sharp out breath for an upward one.
I visualise it in many arenas, including the one I will ride in, if I know it. One word of warning, I once visualised it in the arena I was going to use and they swapped the arena round so A was where C had been - that confused me! Also, getting the test wrong is also not a big deal. I actually did this the last test I did. I was going across the diagonal thinking, "Oh, BH this feels nice" and completely forgot to do a walk for 3-5 steps in the corner. I had no idea why the judge rang the bell. Of course, as soon as she told me, I remembered, smiled, chuckled to myself at the error and picked it back up. No worries, we are only there to have fun.
5. Looking at your riding and the test you are doing, I would likely predict an above 60% score, but that is up to the judge. I would say to come out knowing you did your best is the biggest goal. That said, I have a goal of above 70% for BH, as we always seem to get 69.** rather than 70, but it doesn't spoil my day. It is all down to the judge. Last time out, had I not dropped 2 marks for forgetting the 3-5 steps he would have got it, but that is cause to chuckle not be sad. I didn't do anything wrong, I was caught in the moment admiring my horse, and that can never be wrong.
So, my list is more...
1. Prepare well beforehand. Learn the test so I can recite bits out of order as well as in order. Visualise the test over and over, so I even know where I will rebalance, look or breathe deeply. Have a plan for warmup (I know you already did this).
2. Smile for the photos and remind myself that this is exciting.
3. Be easy with myself if the unexpected happens. Keep that smile, get back to the plan and be gracious with the horse but especially with myself.
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
Of course, your competition is for how ever you would plan it, this is just how I would frame mine! I am really looking forward to photos!
SaddlePsych'D
Well-Known Member
I'm definitely taking some pointers away from what you have written, thank you for taking the time to share how you would approach it. I have very little experience to draw on for this situation so am grateful for some experience shared!
SaddlePsych'D
Well-Known Member
Bonus lesson report... a unexpected space came up at the RS I am doing the in-house competition next week, with the instructor I was particularly keen to have a private lesson with after my recent group lesson.
New horse again; it helped him being another I know from RDA group. Now that's three horses I have ridden at the RS so my chances of being allocated one for the test I have sat on at least once before have increase very slightly. I always appreciate a fellow ginge so I started in a positive frame of mind and it felt so good to answer the question "do you have any goals?" this time with a "yes!" and for them not to feature anything to do with confidence (I am too busy focusing on this other thing to be pay too much attention to being 'not confident') Nerves turned up a bit but were repeatedly put back in their box (yes brain, I know there's a tractor going back and forth with big bales in flappy plastic, I know it's there but we are busy so shush).
My requests were to practice warm-up and to ride through the test even just the once; we did those plus some exercises to improve transitions and accuracy of turns and circles. Forwardness was a challenge but I tried to ride as positively as I could, and we were accurate in our ride through. I was really chuffed and came out feeling like that was just what was needed to feel prepared for next week.
I noticed the schoolmaster lesson seeming to have positive effects on a very different kind of horse today, I think - more responsive horse to less responsive. I hope it will work the other way around so the confidence I had today will come back to my next schoolmaster lesson because cantering there seems like A Big Deal (with high chance of doom). Fairly sure it's not and will be the dreamiest canter work I have ever done when I'm done being scared about it.
*video featuring but not sponsored by Tropicana, though I thought the orange was quite fitting
New horse again; it helped him being another I know from RDA group. Now that's three horses I have ridden at the RS so my chances of being allocated one for the test I have sat on at least once before have increase very slightly. I always appreciate a fellow ginge so I started in a positive frame of mind and it felt so good to answer the question "do you have any goals?" this time with a "yes!" and for them not to feature anything to do with confidence (I am too busy focusing on this other thing to be pay too much attention to being 'not confident') Nerves turned up a bit but were repeatedly put back in their box (yes brain, I know there's a tractor going back and forth with big bales in flappy plastic, I know it's there but we are busy so shush).
My requests were to practice warm-up and to ride through the test even just the once; we did those plus some exercises to improve transitions and accuracy of turns and circles. Forwardness was a challenge but I tried to ride as positively as I could, and we were accurate in our ride through. I was really chuffed and came out feeling like that was just what was needed to feel prepared for next week.
I noticed the schoolmaster lesson seeming to have positive effects on a very different kind of horse today, I think - more responsive horse to less responsive. I hope it will work the other way around so the confidence I had today will come back to my next schoolmaster lesson because cantering there seems like A Big Deal (with high chance of doom). Fairly sure it's not and will be the dreamiest canter work I have ever done when I'm done being scared about it.
*video featuring but not sponsored by Tropicana, though I thought the orange was quite fitting
SaddlePsych'D
Well-Known Member
It's dressage day! Nerves coming in, understandably, and I'm taking the advice to turn those into 'Hey! This is exciting!'
I've been allocated my fellow ginge for the test. Warm up aim to really get him moving forwards, and hopefully establish the lovely accuracy we had in practice test last week (he made that fairly easy).
Mixed luck on my Vinted mission so sticking with my own olive/dark green breeches, and quite pleased with a sports/stock style short sleeved top I bought for a fiver, which I think looks quite smart tucked in.
Current mood...
I've been allocated my fellow ginge for the test. Warm up aim to really get him moving forwards, and hopefully establish the lovely accuracy we had in practice test last week (he made that fairly easy).
Mixed luck on my Vinted mission so sticking with my own olive/dark green breeches, and quite pleased with a sports/stock style short sleeved top I bought for a fiver, which I think looks quite smart tucked in.
Current mood...
The Fuzzy Furry
Living in 🦄 🦄 land
Good luck for later, remember to shrug your shoulders and then smile as you turn up the centre line 
SaddlePsych'D
Well-Known Member
Thank you! Smiles all the wayGood luck for later, remember to shrug your shoulders and then smile as you turn up the centre line
smolmaus
Well-Known Member
Have fun!! I think a pair of gingers is an EXCELLENT vibe.
SaddlePsych'D
Well-Known Member
A winning combo apparently. 72%...whaaat?!
smolmaus
Well-Known Member
SaddlePsych'D
Well-Known Member
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
Amazing, I am so happy for you. You both look fabulous, and happy!
SaddlePsych'D
Well-Known Member
Video to follow
I went in thinking I'd be happy with a 60-65% score, came out fairly sure I'd got 60+ and maybe had a good chance of 65 but +70 was not predicted! We had a wobbly bit where I went to do a long diagonal instead of a short one, and he was really not helping me out with staying forwards, but he was such a good boy for me and I am just so pleased with how it went even if at the time I felt like I was going to pass out (combo of adrenaline and a horse taking quite a bit of work to keep moving!)
So back to those goals:
1) Didn't fall off. @Red-1 was right. It didn't really enter my mind and even if it had it wouldn't have prevented a fall anyway. Scrap this one for next time! (I've tagged you Red as I really appreciated the thought you gave on my goals, but no expectation for you to reply as I know you have lots going on)
2) Stay in boards - again, why did I think that was going to be such a big deal. Just ride where the test says to and you're covered on this one, doi!
3) Have fun - definitely got that one down! It's a really friendly venue, everyone encouraging, and my ever supportive OH there with Ivy the Greyhound. No photographer after all though.
4) Correct route - pretty much, as before nearly made a wrong turn but my mind didn't go blank as I'd predicted it might. I did lots of prep to learn my test inside out which helped in the excitement.
5) 60%+ test - well, smashed that one!
Eta - cross posted with you Red!
I went in thinking I'd be happy with a 60-65% score, came out fairly sure I'd got 60+ and maybe had a good chance of 65 but +70 was not predicted! We had a wobbly bit where I went to do a long diagonal instead of a short one, and he was really not helping me out with staying forwards, but he was such a good boy for me and I am just so pleased with how it went even if at the time I felt like I was going to pass out (combo of adrenaline and a horse taking quite a bit of work to keep moving!)
So back to those goals:
1) Didn't fall off. @Red-1 was right. It didn't really enter my mind and even if it had it wouldn't have prevented a fall anyway. Scrap this one for next time! (I've tagged you Red as I really appreciated the thought you gave on my goals, but no expectation for you to reply as I know you have lots going on)
2) Stay in boards - again, why did I think that was going to be such a big deal. Just ride where the test says to and you're covered on this one, doi!
3) Have fun - definitely got that one down! It's a really friendly venue, everyone encouraging, and my ever supportive OH there with Ivy the Greyhound. No photographer after all though.
4) Correct route - pretty much, as before nearly made a wrong turn but my mind didn't go blank as I'd predicted it might. I did lots of prep to learn my test inside out which helped in the excitement.
5) 60%+ test - well, smashed that one!
Eta - cross posted with you Red!
SaddlePsych'D
Well-Known Member
The Fuzzy Furry
Living in 🦄 🦄 land
Well done 
SEL
Well-Known Member
Woohoo - well done that's brilliant
Kunoichi73
Beware... My Plants...
Brilliant! Well done you! 
SaddlePsych'D
Well-Known Member
A double lesson report with bonus jumping...
First up was schoolmaster lesson yesterday after dressage. On a new horse and first time at that RS sharing a lesson. Other rider much more experienced and riding the coach's youngster who is learning the ropes of working in the school. I can't quite work out why but I went from doing helpful mindset stuff in the morning to help manage nerves/excitement of dressage to being back in that 'small', helpless and self-critical place in the schoolmaster lesson. Coach seemed to interact more with the other rider and I felt a bit 'lost' at points although I wondered if this was on purpose to take the pressure off me and just work at my own pace to get to know this new horse. I did keep going though and by the end thought we had some nice trot over some poles, hadn't burst into tears and dismounted, and was particularly proud of keeping my focus putting us on a circle out of the way when the baby horse had a bit of a napping moment.
Then today back to the big RS for a group lesson which I mainly booked as it looked like only one or two others were booked in but there ended up with seven of us which was an interesting choice for Ms 'Overwhelmed by being in arena with one other horse' of yesterday. Turned out it was a jumping lesson week and I think the last time I jumped was around a year ago. Three jump grid with circles, so no time to get too worried about things. I had an absolute blast, much to my surprise! Felt a bit 'flappy' and untidy at points, horse ducked out once, but I was braver than I thought and while not completely successful in the execution, I really got into the mindset of focusing on good turns, straightness, look up, and leg on!
Interestingly left lesson hungry to get back on the more forward-going schoolmaster! Losing power down to jumps isn't a great feeling. At least the stakes aren't too high at 40cm
I have opted out of schoolmaster Confidence Clinic next month, ironically not feeling confident enough for this though have asked if I can spectate and perhaps join as a rider for a future one.
First up was schoolmaster lesson yesterday after dressage. On a new horse and first time at that RS sharing a lesson. Other rider much more experienced and riding the coach's youngster who is learning the ropes of working in the school. I can't quite work out why but I went from doing helpful mindset stuff in the morning to help manage nerves/excitement of dressage to being back in that 'small', helpless and self-critical place in the schoolmaster lesson. Coach seemed to interact more with the other rider and I felt a bit 'lost' at points although I wondered if this was on purpose to take the pressure off me and just work at my own pace to get to know this new horse. I did keep going though and by the end thought we had some nice trot over some poles, hadn't burst into tears and dismounted, and was particularly proud of keeping my focus putting us on a circle out of the way when the baby horse had a bit of a napping moment.
Then today back to the big RS for a group lesson which I mainly booked as it looked like only one or two others were booked in but there ended up with seven of us which was an interesting choice for Ms 'Overwhelmed by being in arena with one other horse' of yesterday. Turned out it was a jumping lesson week and I think the last time I jumped was around a year ago. Three jump grid with circles, so no time to get too worried about things. I had an absolute blast, much to my surprise! Felt a bit 'flappy' and untidy at points, horse ducked out once, but I was braver than I thought and while not completely successful in the execution, I really got into the mindset of focusing on good turns, straightness, look up, and leg on!
Interestingly left lesson hungry to get back on the more forward-going schoolmaster! Losing power down to jumps isn't a great feeling. At least the stakes aren't too high at 40cm
I have opted out of schoolmaster Confidence Clinic next month, ironically not feeling confident enough for this though have asked if I can spectate and perhaps join as a rider for a future one.
SaddlePsych'D
Well-Known Member
Another double report, no bonus jumping this time!...
Dressage again yesterday - same horse, same test, different judge. Guided warm-up with instructor went well - even adding in some canter and halt-trot-halt to see if we could really get the activity going. Seemed to be working despite me still feeling under the weather with a seemingly never ending virus of some sort. Until some dog-based interference occurred (my dog, mine and OH's fault, no-one else impacted, and no harm done) which left me feeling pretty embarrassed/shamed more than anything as my team-mate was an absolute saint so I never felt unsafe. I emailed the RS after to explain, acknowledge and apologise because I felt so awful about it. The test went okay considering; I'm proud of being able to go in and keep my 'business head' on. We got better marks on a transition I really had wanted to improve from the last test and started with better activity than last time, but ran out of steam and not quite so accurate so scored lower at 68% which I was still more than chuffed with.
Then on to another schoolmaster lesson, another new horse but oooh I like this one. I mean I like most of them to be honest but this guy has a particularly great rep as a confidence giver. It was challenging practice in ignoring things out of my control (specifically in the form of a 5yo horse having some 'moments' in the arena) which I didn't like that much but it will certainly be good for me if I ever want to compete one day and go in a proper warm-up environment. I did my first canter at the schoolmaster RS - it's a bigger deal there than other RS, I think because the horses are bigger! I am very proud of this baby canter in the video below, left wanting more, and really looking forward to doing an Intro test in October. So excited I have already memorised the test.
'Team Ginge'...
Next dressage partner...
Dressage again yesterday - same horse, same test, different judge. Guided warm-up with instructor went well - even adding in some canter and halt-trot-halt to see if we could really get the activity going. Seemed to be working despite me still feeling under the weather with a seemingly never ending virus of some sort. Until some dog-based interference occurred (my dog, mine and OH's fault, no-one else impacted, and no harm done) which left me feeling pretty embarrassed/shamed more than anything as my team-mate was an absolute saint so I never felt unsafe. I emailed the RS after to explain, acknowledge and apologise because I felt so awful about it. The test went okay considering; I'm proud of being able to go in and keep my 'business head' on. We got better marks on a transition I really had wanted to improve from the last test and started with better activity than last time, but ran out of steam and not quite so accurate so scored lower at 68% which I was still more than chuffed with.
Then on to another schoolmaster lesson, another new horse but oooh I like this one. I mean I like most of them to be honest but this guy has a particularly great rep as a confidence giver. It was challenging practice in ignoring things out of my control (specifically in the form of a 5yo horse having some 'moments' in the arena) which I didn't like that much but it will certainly be good for me if I ever want to compete one day and go in a proper warm-up environment. I did my first canter at the schoolmaster RS - it's a bigger deal there than other RS, I think because the horses are bigger! I am very proud of this baby canter in the video below, left wanting more, and really looking forward to doing an Intro test in October. So excited I have already memorised the test.
'Team Ginge'...
Next dressage partner...
Kunoichi73
Beware... My Plants...
You're doing so well now. It's lovely to see, particularly given where your head was a few months ago. Brilliant progress!
SaddlePsych'D
Well-Known Member
I think it's testament to my never giving up and to the power of riding in the right places/being with the right people.You're doing so well now. It's lovely to see, particularly given where your head was a few months ago. Brilliant progress!