Make me a better rider (please!)

[arizonahoney]

I ride about 5 - 6 times a week (mostly hacking) and have a lesson approximately every fortnight. I enjoy jumping and compete at 2' and 2'3" locally...

Here's my problem though, I rarely school because I go into the menage and my mind goes completely blank on what to do. Sure, I have a couple of ideas, but I get bored fairly quickly and get really self-conscious because more often than not there are spectators

My horse can go nicely, but I think it needs me to be a bit more disciplined and less vague.

Ideally my wishlist is:

For me - work on a consistent contact (hands rather too light) and lose the wobbly legs
For horse - get his attention early on and make him use his rump more

Mini-milks for all who got to the end of this rambling post and Haagen Dazs for those with suggestions!

 

[ThePony]

I'd get this book http://www.amazon.co.uk/101-Schooling-Exercises-Horse-Rider/dp/0715319507 it is just fab (have the jumping one too and it is just as good!). My mind just dries up when I school so having a massive load of ideas is really useful. In the front they also list common probs and what exercises would help with them. Just ace!
mmm, and thanks for the haagen das, v much appreciated!!!

 

[seadog]

Buy some dressage tests, you can get them from loads of websites from 30p per test and it will really give you something to focus on, even if you never go to a dressage comp.

 

[arizonahoney]

Buy some dressage tests, you can get them from loads of websites from 30p per test and it will really give you something to focus on, even if you never go to a dressage comp.

I like it...and would never have thought of doing that...

 

[seadog]

I know! I got some for xmas one year and thought ...."what the bloody hell do I want with these!" and have since really got into it.
When I first learnt them I could barely do a prelim and now am schooling at medium level.. they have been really helpful and made schooling interesting for me