Quick report: riding simulator and sitting trot!

[Pippity]

I've just got back from my half-hour on the simulator at Carrington, and it was really worth the money.

For a start, it turns out that I've been lurching waaaaaay to the left, which explains why I have a tendency to lose my right stirrup. After half an hour of sitting straight, I no longer feel quite so convinced that I'm about to topple off the right-hand side, but it still feels weird.

And the instructor (whose name I can't remember but who was excellent) was able to explain and demonstrate sitting trot in a way that I actually understood! I still don't quite have the belly muscles to do it for more than ten strides or so at a time, but at least I know what I'm aiming for, and what it feels like.

The best explanation for me was to stop thinking of it as sitting deep in the saddle. Start thinking of it as a minimal rising trot - the same hip movement but such a tiny rise that I don't actually leave the saddle.

The simulator isn't going to be replacing my normal lessons, but I'm definitely going to be making the effort to get out there every couple of months.

 

[St Nicnaclaus]

It's fascinating isn't it. I ached like mad the next day though.

Definitely something to do every few months.

 

[PleaseVenus]

Oh wow, that sounds really useful!

Glad it was helpful

 

[FlaxenPony05]

Sounds fantastic, and very useful indeed!

 

[mandwhy]

Sounds great! Think I might book a lesson!

 

[GLW]

I have been considering simulator lessons too as my mare is a bit sensitive and I don't want to be bumping around on her trying to improve my position! I have recently had a lesson on the lunge on one of the RS horses which was great (and again, something I could never do on my girl) and I intend to have a few more (maybe one a month) but I think simulator is probably the next step up.

Great to hear another positive review and I hope you achieve your goals with it

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

The thing that really helped me with sitting trot was realising that it isn't meant to feel mega comfortable if you are doing it right, and to just relax and stop trying to do anything like sitting deep or anything, as you can only start to do that once you stop trying to do it as it just makes you tense.

So much easier to get all that when you don't have to worry about steering or crashing into the horse in front! It sounds excellent!!!

 

[shadeofshyness]

Was your instructor Faye by any chance? She's brilliant. I ride at Carrington weekly - you should book a normal lesson there, you'll enjoy it! Glad you had fun on 'Othello'

 

[Pippity]

Was your instructor Faye by any chance?

I haven't got a clue! About 5'4", collar length auburn/brown hair, and quite a lot of eyeliner? Whoever she was, she was brilliant.