Flatwork advice. Why am I so useless?

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showjump2003

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For those that jave ready my previous posts my mare is now working continuously in an outline in walk and trot on both reins and going really well. Went for my weekly lesson and can't help but feel really down hearted. My position has always been crap as has my riding! Today My instructor lent me her dressage saddle to see if it would help. It did help my position but I was still not putting enough weight through me heels and was still tending to tip forwards a bit. So after 20 mins of nice work we moved on to counter canter and changes and all went to pot. My crap position ment my aids where ineffective abd I just felt like I was confusing my horse and making her and myself tense and stressed. My instructor is fantastic and is doing the world of good for my horse.... but I really don't enjoy working on counter canter and changes. Spoke about this with my instructor who feels we should be doing this now as there is only so long you can trot and casnter in circles *im happy doing this by the way haha*.

Aggggg, not really sure what the point of this post is. Just feeling so dissapointed and fustrated with myself. I'm trying so hard with my riding and not getting anywhere. My position is still terrible and I'm not helping my horse.
 
What do you want to achieve with your riding? It sounds like you need a goal to aim for so that you can see a purpose to what you are doing
 
It was actually but i really liked the saddle. Not the saddles fault I tipped... I looks down too much and need to bring my shoulders back and sit on my bum more! I'm even worse in my own saddle.
 
I don't really understand why your instructor is pushing you to do counter canter & changes if your position is affecting the horses way of going. Without any doubt the riders position plays a vital role in how the horse goes, I agree there is only so much trotting & cantering in circles you can do, but why isn't she helping you to improve your position, from you pic ond the dun pony, you need your whole leg from the thigh much more back & underneath you, you need to sit taller, look up, bend your elbows & carry your hands more. Please don't think I'm being rude, but wouldn't a different instructor perhaps be more helpful?? If its any help, I cried in my sj lesson last week, convinced I couldn't ride at all & the mare was v naughty, this week my confidence was good, mare was fab & we jumped a 90cm course!!! So it isn't just you, hope thats of some help anyway. PM me if you want my dressage trainers number, she would sohelp you with you position.
 
Stop being so hard on yourself - it takes time, effort and practise to get stuff right - it's not going to happen overnight (says she who moans about her rubbish riding after every lesson - even though instructor says im getting loads better!)

Try thinking about your posture in the day too - thats what I'm having to do. If you look down when riding it's likely that you do the rest of the time as well. Try and relax about it as - talk to your instructor and work on one thing on at a time so you see some improvement. Do some things you are good at in the lesson as well. I'm sure is you talk to him/her they will be able to make you feel better
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I know it's frustrating!
 
My instructor is fab so no plans to get lessons with anyone else. I just keep trying to tell myself that we have come on alot in a short period of time and not to expect future improvements to happen so fast. I just want to keep my damned heels down!!! I must be gripping with my knees or else it wouldn't happen but I really don't think I am!
 
How long are your stirrups?? Are you reaching for them???

Sounds like you would benefit from some lungeing.........

I do the whole looking down thing as well - I think it's such a common problem.
 
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I do the whole looking down thing as well - I think it's such a common problem.

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Me too, which in turn for me anyway tips you forwards, then you lower your hands, then you start reaching for stirrups. You arent alone lol!

It is no good saying you are useless as that doesnt achieve anything - you have highlighted your weaknesses and you need to start working on them. I try to look up more and keep my shoulders back, keep my hands forwards and me elbows bent.

Can you go out hacking, maybe you have become a little stale with lessons, just so whilst hacking you can concentrate on what you are doing as a rider?!

Not meant in anyway to be having a go just trying to help you
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Chin up - literally
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Hb
 
Thanks, its ok, won't take any advice the wrong way! I am really trying to work out our problems and hoping we will get there eventually. She is only schooled twice a week max, then the rest of the time we do hacking and a bit of jumping so I don't think she's stale. My horse isn't in the wrong at all.... she really is a very honest mare, it's just me lol
 
I have been having lunge lessons ( on instructors horse ) and have to say it has done my position the world of good.
I have also been riding with out my stirrups as much as possible ( hacking and schooling) as i was unconsciously gripping with my knees which in turn was tipping me forward.
My position is still not good but is definately improving the lunge lessons are fantastic cause i dont have to worry about how the horse is going just how i am sitting. stick with things your pictures show just how far you have come you must be doing something right as your horse is working so much better!
 
Hi,

Are you doing any conditioning on the ground? Sit ups, back extentions etc?

You need to have a really strong core to keep yourself up right, shoulders back and butt under.

It might be worth spending 30mins 2-3 times a week at the gym working on conditioning your core.

I too am struggling with my ground work. My 6 year old mare has decided that is is far easier to buck then it is to move forwards collected and in a nice frame. It takes us about 20mins to settle down and work as a team!

Diane
 
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