Dressage (+ photos) today!

Fiona

Fiona

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Hi there

Eventer's dressage again today, this time tests 111 and 125.

Warmed up well though arena was v busy (tempted to put the green ribbon on her tail for next week as a couple of riders touched her with their schooling whip they passed so close)...

Anyway..

First test seemed nice. She was much straighter on the long sides, circles and loops seemed even and didn't bulge in odd places, canter good (seemed to be more in balance and not running. Outline was fairly even, and I really tried to keep my leg on, not drop hands and not let her fall on forehand. Result of all this effort..54% with comment that she had no engagement.

Second test was a novice one so movements happened a lot faster, but she went well. Extension in canter is better than trot at the moment (for some reason). Got 55% (but being marked against horses with up to 20 points) and nice comments from judge at the bottom.

I think she is going better all the time, but it's not being reflected in her marks when we are out in public and it's driving me insane. I wouldn't have a chance of winning as a lot of pro's are there, but even to break the 60% barrier would be fabulous (we got a 67% in unaff novice a fortnight ago).

I have watched the video over and over and I'm not holding her into an outline without using any leg to back it up, she is tracking up and she has a regular rhythm and a consistent outline.

On the plus side though...we got 2 7's in the first test, it was a nice sunny day, and a friend who hasn't seen her before says she thinks she will do an exceptional test in the future (maybe I need to get her a different rider)!!!

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and just one of her looking so smart after being clipped last week..

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Fiona
 
This photo prob doesn't show it as it's at a bit of an angle, but she is built a bit downhill, which doesn't help her dressage.
V pleased with the way she's strengthened up since she came back into work last autumn though.

Fiona
 
Sienna is the same - it's so unfair, my sons pony doesn't have to make any effort to go correctly he overtracks and everything is naturally in the right place, these poor mares have to try twice as hard
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Have a friend who says it is v hard to move up from % in the 50's, as horse could have improved from a 'low' 5 to a high '5', but still looks the same on the scoresheet. Wish I had seen some of the higher scoring tests though.

For our final halt the comment was 'straight on centre line, good square halt' and only got a 6 for it. How DO you get higher marks??

Fiona
 
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and a friend who hasn't seen her before says she thinks she will do an exceptional test in the future (maybe I need to get her a different rider)!!!


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No you dont need another rider but a little clue. Look at your position in the 3rd pic (standing) vs pics 1&2 (working).
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She is looking really well indeed
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I would however, say that the first two pictures your hands/arm is dead straight, where as your standing still picture you are sat correctly with your hands up and elbows bent
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If you rode her that way this may help pick her up and make her look less on her forehand.
She looks like shes working well behind, although difficult to say from pictures (any chance we can watch the vid?)
But i think shes def improving
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[ QUOTE ]

No you dont need another rider but a little clue. Look at your position in the 3rd pic (standing) vs pics 1&2 (working).
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HAHA Snap!
 
I dont know much about dressage i'm afraid but i just wanted to say i really like your little mare.

I'm sure she will start doing better once she has a little bit more experience and schooling coz if i remeber rightly she is only young isn't she??

If you do get bored of her you know she is more than welcome to try some SJ with me LOL
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I dont mean to be rude but I think BB has it right, you seem to have a forked seat in pic 1. Only know as I used to suffer from this, I had a downhill TB that leaned on me and it was difficult not to be pulled forward onto my pubic bone.
Spent some time have lunge lessons with no stirrups to get me to sit properly and lots of transitions for TB.
The beauty of photos and videos for self examination.
Good luck
 
I have been working with no stirrups on the two older horses at home (but not the youngster - guess why). Do find this is v useful for improving seat and stopping tedency to tip forward. When I actually feel like am leaning too far back my hubby swears that I am actually in a good position ie if I think am upright I am probably tipping slightly forward.

Don't know about elbows though, don't think they were completely straight, and if they had more bend would need to lengthen reins surely.

Am going out to ride soon, so may try removing stirrups - hope I don't fall off and break my neck.

FIona

(will speak nicely to D and ask him to put part of her test onto the computer)
 
Thanks Kelly, she loves her SJ too, only little comps so far, but jumps about a foot higher than the jump every time, so hoping to do a bit more with her soon. She is only young so balance hopefully should improve, she stood on one front foot with the other one tonight and pulled her shoe straight off, she really hasn't worked out what she's doing with her legs.

Fiona
 
Maybe will take stirrups away for the week and see if I can notice any improvement at the end.

Any tips for the 'engagement issue', will try and get video up soon as I know it is hard to generalize from 2 photos.

Fiona
 
Hi

I like the pics a lot!! It is great that you are getting out there and competing, it is the best thing that you can do.

What I would suggest is lots of transitional work in your schooling at home, walk to canter, canter to walk is a very good one for both making the canter more uphill and building up the hindquarters as she does look a little bit on the forehand in these pics. (I don't mean to critisize, it is just my opinion)

I think you should be very pleased and don't worry too much about judges comments, just take them onboard and think how your training can improve the overall picture as well as the marks- your marks will increase, it is just a training game!!

Keep us all informed!!

Dutch
 
Hi Fiona!

How old is your mare? I have now read some of the posts and you are doing everything you can. Your seat looks good to me, I wouldn't take the stirrups away too much on a young horse, as you don't want to unbalance her in the process (which is easily done stirrups or no stirrups!!)

I think transitions, as much hill work as you can and time will be the best things you can do and you can look forward to great things!!!
 
your arms are VERY straight, and there is no issue with lengthening reins! as long as there is the same contact it doesnt make a difference! if your reins are lengthened and elbows bent then you will still have the same contact! an dthe longer the reins, you can sit back more!
 
Thanks D

Unfortunately she is still a little croup high, so easily looks on the forehand.

I tried a little work without stirrups the other day, not much but I found it easier to keep my shoulders back and not tilt forward. DIdn't do a lot though, as I didn't want her to start to stiffen and resist.

Also did an interesting exercise at an RC flatwork lesson last night, had to tuck outside hand under the neckpiece of her breastplate and ride transitions on an oval shaped circle using cones to aid the straightness. Having a v consistent 'fixed' contact really seemed to help her, so I will try this again at home and see how it works in canter.

FIona
 
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