CC my riding please

B

BBP

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 July 2008
Messages
6,587
Visit site
I posted this in CR as well but the more advice the better.

I don't often post videos of me riding because I know I'm not that great. ....BUT! I do want my little chap to progress and if I'm holding him back by being rubbish that won't happen, so i think its about time I opened myself up for some constructive criticism!

I backed him myself, having not backed one before. I made a LOT of mistakes on a very sharp panic prone animal (think trying a dummy rider only for saddle to slip and dummy to get torn limb from limb as poor terrified animal bolted through a wooden fence) but after years of very slow progress trying to repair any damage I did, I am finally at a stage where I can ride him, i.e. ask more of him.

The video includes a little jumping from today - the thing that struck me the most is that i look like im fixing my hands and not giving over a fence. I didn't feel like i was catching him in the mouth so was surprised when I watched it to see how still they are and how he can't use his neck (I have jumped a total of about 20 times in the last 10 years, so im not great at it!)

The next bit was part of my dressage lesson working on adjusting the trot, collecting and riding it forwards. (until this year we had no adjusting buttons, just trot and canter...quickly!) It shows a bit of how his head carriage is inconsistent and how I fix and fiddle my hands. Tips on improving this would be much appreciated!

The last bit is some bareback playing, to show what a wonderful horse he is, to overcome his flighty sharp nature and look after me!

That's enough of me telling you what my problems are...i'm meant to be asking you guys! If for each bit im doing wrong you have a great tip to improve it that would be great. Two years ago I slipped a disc and have been perched on him ever since being quite ineffective. I don't have that excuse now as im mostly pain free, so go for it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_iZcjApWN0

Thanks!
 
Thank you. That's his party piece now, but I did realise that when I started teaching him to neckrein he thought the reins in one hand was his Spanish walk cue. He's very sweet and tries so hard to please.
 
He looks to be working well, if a little uptight, I think working him long and low would be beneficial. :) He looks the type that needs to learn to lengthen and extend, taking the contact forwards.

As for your hands when jumping, it looks like you are tense through your shoulders and elbows and softening these would help, perhaps jumping without reins might help? Also keeping the inside hand carried when turning as it was dropped a few times allowing him to lose the inside bend.

He looks a lovely sort. :)
 
Thanks. You're right, he can come very up and into me. We did do 10mins of long and low at the end when he had calmed down, usually I try to do a lot if it throughout the session when I'm riding alone, so its nice to know I'm thinking along the right lines.
 
He looks lovely :) Nothing to add that hasn't already been said, I think if you can get him to lower and stretch out a bit then he'll be a real cracker!
 
I won't comment on the jumping bit as you look good, and I personally, as long as I get over the jumps I'm happy!

With the flatwork bit, you look like your a bit 'forward' with your arms. I think you'd also benefit from without stirrup work as you seem to be ever so slightly bent forward as if your gripping with your knees? Just do some without stirrup work. Get your self into the saddle a bit more. Remember that the contact should feel like its coming from your shoulder blades- a good thing for you would be to put a short stick behind your back through your elbows. That will give you a feel of how much 'straighter' you should be . It's strange at first as feels like you've really got hold of their mouth. Also not sure if you we're taught this away but remember it should be inside leg to outside hand- your outside rein controls speed and balance and your inside rein is for bending, 'talking'.

He looks like a great wee guy! Looks lots of fun :)
 
Did you see the loose horse jumping without a rider on GN programme on Channel 4 last night, it was really enjoying itself. I know people use this as one way to get youngsters to jump in a better shape and enjoy what they are doing.

As you have a school, and a pony who seems to like doing different things you could start with one jump with wings and build up to a lane, and let him learn to carry himself over jumps which in the longer term will help him look after you!
 
I woudl say sit more on your bum, you seem to be tipped forward and birgn lower leg slightly further forward. once you get beyond this stage you will need more buttons further back whcih you wont have with your legs where they are. relax youer shoulders and hand and keep your hands still and by the neck. if you watch your hands are still some of the time then one goes sideways then other. this gives an inconsistent contact if you are asking him to come round and on the bit. part the outside rein as he will look for that for stability. Dont worry i did this until my trainer (grand prix dressage rider said about them)
 
Thanks. All useful comments. The tipping bit is getting better as my slipped disc gradually improves, this time last year I could have chewed on one of his ears I was so far forwards. A lot more improvement to make though. I've been trying really hard with my hands but I cannot seem to keep them still and soft. My brain gets the theory but can't seem to put it into practice. I feel sorry for the pour lad as I'm just bot getting it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top