Please comment on my position - canter transition trouble.

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millreef

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Hello All
I've got a short clip (my 10 year old daughter took it so sorry it's not great), and looking at it I appear to stick out my bum and compromise my position therefore I rock (and not in a good way). I've my stage 2 riding exam in the middle of May so I'm really worried. I would appreciate ANY constructive comments to help me improve. I'd also be interested if there are any people out there experienced with the BHS stage 2 exam.
Thanks a lot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzs_mFEm2EU
 
Well, I don't think you are doing too badly at all, you lean forward as you ask for canter instead of looking ahead and sitting on your bottom (up straight). I don't have a tip as such but you don't look completely relaxed which will automtically achieve stickyoutybum as your body moves as one instead of two halves (your seat, and your torso). If you only relaxed, it would make it much nicer for you too as you would be able to go with the movement and better control the speed and collection :)
 
Looks to me like your hips are completely fixed, so you are unable to absorb the movement of the horse. This makes you tip forward slightly, which compounds the problem.

Best and quickest way to teach your body to be softer, more relaxed and to find your balance, is to ride with no reins (On the lunge obv!) Taking away your stirrups will make you tense up more and become even stiffer through the hip at this stage, but you will find that taking away the reins and and holding your arms out at shoulder height will make you feel the movement better, and help you to relax and sit into the horse rather than on him/her.

I trained in Germany, and this was the first thing the trainer had me doing to improve my seat. I spent nearly three months being lunged with no reins, then no reins and no stirrups, and it worked a charm to give me a deep, independent seat. I haven't ridden much at since losing my last horse a year ago, but I still find that the work I did on my seat all those years ago still helps me out today, even when I'm completely rusty.
 
Thank you for your comments - I'll try to do this next time I ride. It's also quite difficult here as all the horses except the odd one or two are ex-racehorses and on the forehand so they tend to pull you forward. I was really trying to lean back during this ride so when I saw the video I was a bit shocked that I still lean forward.
 
Don't be too hard on yourself, everyone makes this mistake! Your back looks straight overall, but you are bending forward from the hips so try to keep your overall centre of balance back. This will allow you to sit more in the saddle rather than bouncing off it, but it's easier said than done for everyone!!! :) Ditto the lunge lessons with no reins/stirrups - no pain no gain unfortunately!

Good luck with your stage 2, I am sure you will do fine!
 
Practice cantering without stirrups.

Sit up, relax and sit on your bottom a bit more so you are deeper into your saddle and let you body absorb the movement, I'd be temped to jack your leathers up a bit more, try and get that weight into your heal and life your hands up (will feel strange riding with your hands raised) but then you will find this will alter your position and improve your seat.

However, in your defence, depending on the horse and your saddle, it can be easier said than done as some horses have a better canter to sit to than others because of there paces and conformation etc and also the saddle as can make a huge difference too.
 
I agree with the others. Your pelvis is rather fixed which makes you bounce in the saddle. Thismakes the horse reluctant to canter as it blocks their movement and is uncomfortable. It is an extremely common problem and not easy to overcome. Ideally, your bottom should not leave the saddle in canter but it should move with the horse as though joined to the saddle in a kind of stroking movement. Riding without stirrups can help but sometimes makes people worse as they tend to tense up and grip with the knees. If you could have access to a mechanical horse (seen them for £250 on ebay) you could practice relaxing those hips and loosening them up. Good luck and let us know if you have any luck and what works for you, as I am struggling with the same problem for a lady that I teach.
 
hiya i personally think your saddle isnt helping it looks a bit small maybe try one that you can sit a bit deeper in??? and then all the things the others said might be easier? riding with no stirrups unfortunately is the best way to sit deep and use your seat as part of the aid for canter but be prepared its hell to start with !!!!
 
doodleberry said:
hiya i personally think your saddle isnt helping it looks a bit small maybe try one that you can sit a bit deeper in??? and then all the things the others said might be easier? riding with no stirrups unfortunately is the best way to sit deep and use your seat as part of the aid for canter but be prepared its hell to start with !!!!
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This saddle felt lovely in walk and trot - it was so comfortable but when it came to the canter all went to wobbles.
 
you will prob hate me for saying this but see if you can try dressage saddle? if you have never rode in one before its horrid but it really does help keep you in a deeper seat ? but your position is not horrific at all so dont be frustrated about it its just practice practice practice and being on the lunge is great as someone else can steer for you whilst you relax . also try doing pilates or something like that which will relax and strengthen you also make sure your back is in good order and have a massage we would do that for our horses right? so why not ourselves? xx
 
doodleberry said:
you will prob hate me for saying this but see if you can try dressage saddle? if you have never rode in one before its horrid but it really does help keep you in a deeper seat ? but your position is not horrific at all so dont be frustrated about it its just practice practice practice and being on the lunge is great as someone else can steer for you whilst you relax . also try doing pilates or something like that which will relax and strengthen you also make sure your back is in good order and have a massage we would do that for our horses right? so why not ourselves? xx
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Hi doodleberry, I'm certainly not hating your comments - just really glad of the advice so thanks. I have ridden in dressage but feel like I'm cheating!
 
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Also, the horse being on his forehand will make it so much harder. Adjusting your position may help, but unless the horse steps under himself and offers his back it will still be a struggle as he will throw you forward with every stride. Transitions and change of tempo in walk/trot will help and then once he's more "up" in front, try the canter and remember to sit when you ask.
 
Agree with the others re: fixing of the pelvis, but just wanted to add.....you look like you are almost resting on your hands and using them as a support, which isn't helping the rocking.

You need to bring your hands up so there is a nice bend in your elbow and a straight line through your elbow and wrists direct to the horses mouth. Keep your elbows relaxed and thumbs on top...

Good luck with your exam.
 
Another thing you could try would be opening your shoulder and chest area, this should help to bring your upper body back slightly and raise the hands off the withers. A good tip for relaxing the leg down and getting your bum in the saddle more is to raise and lower the heel in the stirrup without moving the whole leg. Try to relax your body while maintaining you muscle tone and remember to breathe, in through the nose and out through the mouth and think of pushing your tummy muscles forward and down as you breath out. (this is really beneficial for transitions) Simple :D

I am sure you will be fine in the exam, best of luck :)

Remember to always look where you are going, not at the floor but to a higher point and remember to smile!
 
TBH i cant comment as i did mine years ago and am not involved in any way now with the BHS exams, your position is not bad by any means, do you know what criteria you have to meet in the riding, is there any chance you can have a lesson with an instructor beforehand that knows what to expect in the exam? Try not to get in a tizz about it :)
 
millreef said:
Do you think I'd be able to pass my stage 2 with my current position?
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i am sure you will be fine i think stage 2 is just about being able to do all the paces and transitions and jump they are not expecting grand prix dressage at this level . although it has been 20 years since i did mine ! i had a pony who flew round the jumping course with no brakes or steering but i managed to pas with flying colours prob coz i stayed on!!! just remember to look up you will be fine believe me i have seen a lot worse xx
 
I've been riding for most of my life with more lessons than I can remember but I still have difficulty in understanding what "sit on your bottom" means. I am sitting on my bottom (I have enough of it), but does it mean sitting more on your coccyx?
 
He he that made me giggle :D yes sort of. In your video, you lean forward and actually, to be pedantic, that is how we are taught in BHS, no offence at all as apparently many ride well like this, I also sat forward on my bones until I started dressage. That's when I learnt how stiff it makes your upper body and locks your knees.

Sitting on your bottom means not sitting on the ischeum, the pointy part (the comfy bit that protects your privates) but rocking back on it slightly to release your lumbar vertebrae (so it looks like your are sitting on your bottom, rather than your ladies bits). Sitting forward locks them up so you are only mobile from the thoracic region. Rocking back releases the vertebrae lower down so that you can move your waist independently from your pelvis - try on your chair.

In answer to your question about passing your exam, you'll pass most definitely. And that's what you want so, sorry to go on.
 
Perfect - thanks for that advice (you've just cleared up one of those questions you wish you knew the answer to but were too afraid to ask)!
I have a lesson tomorrow so I shall be trying to get off me ladies bits on on me other bits! (makes no sense to anyone else but I finally understand)
Cheers:D
 
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