some advice needed!

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oldie48

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Hi
I did a Nov 28 test ride today with an excellent list 1 judge on Mr B, got a good score (72%)and OH videoed it. I came home pretty pleased but when I looked at the test I was horrified, it was like watching paint dry and I look like the hunchback of Notre Dame. OK, so I know I'm getting on in years but why or bl...dy why do I back off and let him dribble along as soon as we do a test? At least he was pretty roundish most of the time, but not "through enough", the test was actually, however, accurate. I thought I'd nailed the trot but if I'd just put my leg on and been a bit braver, he'd have been more into the bridle and I think I'd have looked less like a marionette! I always find the canter a bit tricky as I brace my lower leg when I get tense which makes me bounce around too much but he does have a great canter if I'd only let him go forward and soften my hands. Mr B has very good natural paces but they are so much bigger than I'm used to so what feels like enough, just isn't! Grrrr, it is just so frustrating.So any tips on keeping a good forward rhythm and what's the best way of improving the lower leg in canter, I have a rather "chair seat" and lack flexibility in my hips.
 
I'm no expert but I would do lots of work with no stirrups :) Try warming up the canter with a two point seat, really get it going at the start.

Well done on the score, and at least you know what you need to work on :)
 
Before you beat yourself over the head too much, I record jumping lessons weekly. Some times I record from two angles with two devices. One of them definitely slows the horse down and I've compared same footage taken on two cameras to work this out! It's good to know what to work on as well tho.

I've discovered as soon as I get on a strange horse I start leaning alarmingly backwards. Had no idea!
 
I'm doing Novice 28 on Thursday. Well done for getting 72%, thats a whopping score. I think you are being hyper critical of yourself . Any chance of you posting the video?
 
Hi video is accessible,I think. The entry and first trot is missing as OH missed it which is a shame as I got an 8 for the entry. I hope it helps you in some way.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rt3GN1w95o
claracanter said:
I'm doing Novice 28 on Thursday. Well done for getting 72%, thats a whopping score. I think you are being hyper critical of yourself . Any chance of you posting the video?
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Hi video is accessible,I think. The entry and first trot is missing as OH missed it which is a shame as I got an 8 for the entry. I hope it helps you in some way.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rt3GN1w95o
claracanter said:
I'm doing Novice 28 on Thursday. Well done for getting 72%, thats a whopping score. I think you are being hyper critical of yourself . Any chance of you posting the video?
Click to expand...
 
Is that a show, or a clinic? Anyway....yes you do need to go much more forward, the horse has lovely paces but is just going through the motions while you are riding him quite timidly. Suggestions: sit up, sit on your bum, lift your hands so there is a straight line from the bit to your elbow, and ride the horse "up" - don't worry so much about fiddling his head down - if he was properly forward the contact would be there (from him to you, not the other way around). You are also sitting quite crooked, way off to the left. Nice horse.
 
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Thanks, clinic with a test ride. It's the "I'm doing a test syndrome" OH had short clips of me not doing test and horse was much more forward, much rounder and I looked better, altogether happier picture. Need to sort straightness as it is a problem, usually I'm crooked the other way and can end up getting wrong lead left canter. Yes, he's a lovely horse and I am very lucky to have him, he's also a complete gent to handle and have around. Thanks agian for your input.
Cortez said:
Is that a show, or a clinic? Anyway....yes you do need to go much more forward, the horse has lovely paces but is just going through the motions while you are riding him quite timidly. Suggestions: sit up, sit on your bum, lift your hands so there is a straight line from the bit to your elbow, and ride the horse "up" - don't worry so much about fiddling his head down - if he was properly forward the contact would be there (from him to you, not the other way around). You are also sitting quite crooked, way off to the left. Nice horse.
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oldie48 said:
Thanks, clinic with a test ride. It's the "I'm doing a test syndrome" OH had short clips of me not doing test and horse was much more forward, much rounder and I looked better, altogether happier picture. Need to sort straightness as it is a problem, usually I'm crooked the other way and can end up getting wrong lead left canter. Yes, he's a lovely horse and I am very lucky to have him, he's also a complete gent to handle and have around. Thanks agian for your input.
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Don't do yourself down: you ride quite well but could use some further input from a competant instructor to get the best out of yourself and your horse if you want to progress.
 
Don't be so hard on yourself! Canter is amazing and you have a nice seat in canter which you just need to carry into the trot work. Less fiddling with the hands and ride the horse more forward into a steady soft contact half halt to control speed rather than fiddle and once the horse is self carrying he should be stiller in the contact. So more impulsion not speed steady head carriage. Sit on your bum push tummy forward and raise hands, there's not massives to fix at all!!
 
Theres no instant fix but knowing that you're closing him down in a test scenario is half the battle imo :)

I think I recognise the venue, test riding clinics are probably the best way to address this as it's a pretty controlled environment so you don't have too much else to stress about.

I get the feeling that you need to take a leap of faith :) you already know that he feels better in the rein when ridden forward. I find they are also nicer to sit on if they are taking you along, the back is looser, the balance improves with better engagement, you have something to adjust with your half halts so the movements and transitions are easier. Then it's much easier as a rider to sit without tension because the horse is more relaxed... it's chicken and egg , a bit.

Can you do some more test riding either at home/online dressage/clinics so you can gently challenge your nerves and get the feeling you achieve in the warm up period to carry through into the test?

He is looking super btw, agree with others that you need to be a bit kinder to yourself. It'll come :)
 
Completely agree with cortez, you've got the balance and your accurate enough just be a bit braver and put the energy and impulsion in. I have the same problem and do the exact same thing with mine in a test situation everything is just nice, as i'm affraid to 'rock the boat' so to say. Also depends what the judge you have on the day is looking for, some go for accuracy, some go for paces, some prefer certain types of horses. You've got the basics there just think more forward and you'll be away. Lovely horse.
 
Thanks, yes I've started doing some online dressage as well as the clinics and I think you are spot on, it is about a leap of faith. MG has done a super job with him, he's not the tight, tense anxious horse that you sat on, that wanted to run away from the leg and grab hold of the bit to balance, although he can still have his moments. We now have a "flexible poll" and neck that moves so when he's through, we have a proper engine which has been a bit of a shock! AM are doing a fantastic job of putting me back together and I'm going to go more regularly as they are really rebuilding my confidence. TBH a year ago I would have looked at that video and been thrilled perhaps it's a sign of how much I've moved on, that I it just made me annoyed with myself for being a wimp!
milliepops said:
Theres no instant fix but knowing that you're closing him down in a test scenario is half the battle imo :)

I think I recognise the venue, test riding clinics are probably the best way to address this as it's a pretty controlled environment so you don't have too much else to stress about.

I get the feeling that you need to take a leap of faith :) you already know that he feels better in the rein when ridden forward. I find they are also nicer to sit on if they are taking you along, the back is looser, the balance improves with better engagement, you have something to adjust with your half halts so the movements and transitions are easier. Then it's much easier as a rider to sit without tension because the horse is more relaxed... it's chicken and egg , a bit.

Can you do some more test riding either at home/online dressage/clinics so you can gently challenge your nerves and get the feeling you achieve in the warm up period to carry through into the test?

He is looking super btw, agree with others that you need to be a bit kinder to yourself. It'll come :)
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Riding a dressage test is as much a state of mind as it is technique.
Many enter the arena with the plan of not asking too much, just get through the test with minimum errors, play it safe, almost try and hide from the judge. Then there are the other lot, you know, the ones that make you want to watch them.
When you enter the arena go in with a 'LOOK AT ME' attitude. You've seen the rest, now watch the best! Feel proud of your horse and push to give his best. Dare the judge to give you anything other than a ten.
Sure you might make a mistake but it's better to lose 4 marks on one movement than 2 marks on all 12 movements.
 
^^ wot PM said.

When I started adv med with millie Adam told me to start every movement with a capital letter. Not a little dribbling half pass... Half Pass! Helped me to think about preparing each movement and then really going for it.

Had Lady Inchcape as my judge at the native pony champs the other day. Met her in the tea queue and she said you must show your ponies off... be bold!

Talk about getting it from the horse's mouth ;)
 
True, true Milliepops - back in my showing days (and now in demo and film work) I always mentally say "Showtime!!" to myself as I go down the centre line/step on set. BUT you've got to be prepared and sure that you've got it in the bank before you step out to strut your stuff.
 
Tomorrow is hopeless as I'm away for work but could probably nip down Thursday morning :) was just there today, we should coordinate diaries better! :lol:
 
Has pat been in touch about the roadworks? I think everyone got through OK today but they've had a few problems with workmen being funny about letting people through.
 
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