Showing/Dressage help please

_daisy_

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I think this is going to be more from a judges position than anything else.

Does it matter if you dont hold your reins correctly in any showing class or in a dressage comp? What I mean is your rein below your ring finger?

Its just that I got thinking whilst poo picking this evening about when I get back on riding & taking the horses competing again. I went to see the surgeon on Tuesday and the physio yesterday for my wired up finger. My surgeon is telling me I can ride till he gives me the all clear and the physio doesnt want to see me again till I have the wires removed (11days to go!! wohoo!) as theres very little movement in my finger at the minute - I cant straighten it or bend it anymore than it is already bent, however this should not be the case when the 2 wires are removed.
in case you dont know what im on about

this is the position of it at the minute


So when I do get back on I will have very little strength or movement in it and both the surgeon and physio have said it could take up to 12 months to get asd much movement as im ever going to get into it.

So was wondering if I would get marked down form holding my reins incorrectly in my left hand only? would it matter if I held the rein after my middle or little finger?

If so would it be adviseable to get a letter from my surgeon to state the problem as some people I have known have got one?
 
i shouldnt matter.. they dont look that close and neither off them are looking to omuch at the rider.

That looks very painful.. i wish you well ma dear! just enjoy your ponies.
Lou x
 
thanks LL - i would hope it doesnt but if there is nothing between the choice of position then they would look at minor points?

Yes it was painful - it still is if I catch it say when putting long sleeve tops on or doing haynets. But the majority of the time is bareable. The most annoying thing is I cant straighten it and I keep trying but theres no chance of it because of the wires
 
nasty!

In dresssage, the riders marks are a number out of 20, and generally they are loooking at you sitting up, the effectiveness of your aids and your relationship with your horse.

I dont think there is a set way to hold your reins.. just the taught way if you get me.

If they knocked you down it would be one mark so i wouldnt worry about it!

Just enjoy your horses while you fix!
Lou x
 
thanks for that. Apart from spending time with them whilst I poo pick, I cant ride so im having to exercise in hand so that means me jogging - bloody knackering!! specially keeping up with a big 17.2hh who strides out. At least ill get a bit fitter
 
Personally I can't see that this will matter. Think of using a double bridle. You put one rein either above your ring finger or below your very smallest finger.
I can't see that you will get penalised for this. Like other people have said, the judges would be unlikely to focus on on how you hold your reins.....
smile.gif

Hope it heals soon. Enjoy your dressage/showing.
smile.gif
 
In dressage it will not matter at all. You will not be marked down however you hold the reins. You will only lose marks if you horse is affected by it, i.e. tense and evasive or falling in/out.
 
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