Zoe on merlin...... cc if its kind please :)

[merlinsquest]

Zoe had a go on merlin yesterday at Loz_x place..... she looks like she enjoyed herself doesnt she.

Its the first time in over a year she has ridden him, and only gets to ride every few months anyway so be gentle

Merlin is under muscled as he has had the winter off, and goes a bit tortoise like in his neck when you take a contact, but in a snaffle he is a bit hard for her to hold as she is soooo light. He also goes hollow, which was pointed out earler......

But is her position ok for a very novice rider???

Check out that smile

 

[asbo]

last pic is fabby, shes a lovely little rider & merlin is lush!

 

[lozxox]

She looks really good, and seeying her ride Bunty and Merlin i'd say she is a pretty good rider! She has alot of talent with the riding! Hope your trips over help to bring more confidence into her riding Merlin!

 

[flowerlady]

Looks a little nervous in first two pics but what a change in the 2nd two like you say last 2 pics really enjoying once she got over what were probably nerves.

My vote says 2nd 2 pics position looks very good for a novice rider in fact for not such a novice rider.

Good on her. Watch out you'll be losing Merlin. Haha

 

[piebaldsparkle]

She has a lovely position and they make a great team. Tiny critic.......thumbs up!!

 

[merlinsquest]

I think the first two were early on in the ride.... I had been warning her not to panic if he ran off with her...... poor thing, no wonder she looks scared

Second two were at the end when she realised she wasnt going to die and could actually enjoy herself.

Merlin is such a dude, I dont give him credit for being able to be sensible (he never is with me)!!!

 

[merlinsquest]

She has got my genetic hunch wrists..... ha ha ha

I will work on that one with her....

 

[RoughcutDiamond]

I'm no expert but think she looks great - my lower leg could learn a thing or two from her! And love your horse too. Lovely photos - particularly the last one!

 

[merlinsquest]

Thanks for that... my whole position could learn from her

She is naturally straight where as I am a huncher!!!

Think I will get the last one printed up for her

She looks so happy

 

[Louby]

They are lovely photos especially the smiley one.
What is Merlins breeding, he could be my boys brother!

 

[Shilasdair]

* Shilasdair laughs evilly and rubs hands together*

Well, first thing is she's too slim......can't you make her obese with doughnuts...

?
Secondly, I have to concede that she has a very elegant and straight position, with nice seat (sits correctly in the saddle).
She has a nice leg position...soft and quiet...but her lower leg is slightly forwards. This is for two reasons, I believe - firstly she is riding with short stirrups (quite right in a field) and secondly because the position of the stirrup bars is too far forward for her on your saddle - she has to fight the stirrups to get her leg back. This seems to be quite common in saddles, but can make our life more difficult.
Lastly, her rein contact is good, but Merlin is taking a little too much contact (enthusiastic boy) and has made her hands turn over - remember 'thumbs up!' or if she's an alcoholic ) ) tell her to imagine she is carrying a couple of vodkas!
She looks like a talented rider, with an elegant position, and a nice 'feel' for the horse's way of going (and you can't be taught feel). I'd still like her better if she were ugly and 24 stone, though....so get stuffing those doughnuts in.
S

 

[merlinsquest]

I am told he is Welsh D x ISH.... but have no proof of either parents. Perhaps I should do a guess the breed with him??

He jumps like a stag and is very pony in his ways..... he also has the stamina of an endurance horse..... I have never ever known him to get tired.

Can you post a pic of yours??? He has a couple of doubles on here already!!!

 

[merlinsquest]

Awww thanks..... she will love to read this....

Despite me being a bit porky she is disgustingly skinny... but then so was I at her age... maybe thinner. She also eats like a horse with no ill effects.ha ha ha

The saddle is 17.5" so yes the bars could be hindering her... i hadnt thought of that... .I thought that after telling her she would be in the next county, that she might be riding a bit defensively (but she also looks relaxed so maybe not).

He is strong and this is his bad side, as his bad fetlock is on the inside, so he tends to pull to the outside. On the other rein he is more flexy and doesnt rush so much. But she does generally carry her hands like this, naughty girl

Considering she has only had 5 lessons when she was 8 (she is now 12) and four lessons when she was 11 (before merlin broke) she hasnt suffered too badly for my stingyness with the riding lessons.

The worst thing is that merlin seems to like her riding him better than me

sobs.

 

[Shilasdair]

[ QUOTE ]
Awww thanks..... she will love to read this....

Despite me being a bit porky she is disgustingly skinny... but then so was I at her age... maybe thinner. She also eats like a horse with no ill effects.ha ha ha

<font color="blue">Lard sandwiches - will make her nicely spotty, and fat

</font>

The saddle is 17.5" so yes the bars could be hindering her... i hadnt thought of that... .I thought that after telling her she would be in the next county, that she might be riding a bit defensively (but she also looks relaxed so maybe not).
<font color="blue"> She's quite long in the leg, and to me, it looks like the saddle just doesn't happen to suit her build. Are you similar in size to her - does it fit you? </font>
He is strong and this is his bad side, as his bad fetlock is on the inside, so he tends to pull to the outside. On the other rein he is more flexy and doesnt rush so much. But she does generally carry her hands like this, naughty girl

<font color="blue">Beat her...or give her a short whip to carry across the tops of her hands...that will make her thumbs stay vertical. </font>
Considering she has only had 5 lessons when she was 8 (she is now 12) and four lessons when she was 11 (before merlin broke) she hasnt suffered too badly for my stingyness with the riding lessons.
<font color="blue"> Agreed. Looks like she has quite a bit of natural ability. </font>

The worst thing is that merlin seems to like her riding him better than me

sobs.

[/ QUOTE ]
<font color="blue"> Then you have to kill her. No court would convict. S

</font>

 

[merlinsquest]

Lard sarnies sound gross!!!! No way will she eat those, she wont even eat butter!!!!

I hope I am in no way similar in size to a ridiculously skinny , 12 year old, 4 stone, 5' stick insect.......... but I am long from the hip to the knee... Have not a clue if the saddle fits me but i find it comfy!!

I was told that she has a natural balance and seat by my old dressage instructor (I use the term MY very loosely.... she attempted to mend my appalling riding and I gave up when merlin broke)!! But she was very complimentary about Zoe.

I think killing is a bit harsh, but restricting her rides to one a year may work.... with any luck she will discover boys soon and not want to play with my toys!!!

 

[Louby]

I will have a go, Im useless.
My horse is ID x Shire x TB, hes papered and more TB about 5/8ths but you would never think so. His dads The Humerist, have a look at him on Endhouse Stud website when you get a minute, my horse takes after him. I thought maybe your horse was by him too.

 

[Shilasdair]

[ QUOTE ]

I think killing is a bit harsh, but restricting her rides to one a year may work.... with any luck she will discover boys soon and not want to play with my toys!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Good plan - you could try to encourage one of those 'teenage pregnancies' and see if you can get rid of her from your precious horse that way...then no one would ever need to know if she is better than you.
S

 

[merlinsquest]

Noooooooo..... no babies!!!!!

 

[merlinsquest]

Piccys please.... to compare

 

[Weezy]

Wow, some VERY novice rider she is!!!! I disagree that her stirrups are too short, they look dressage length to me! Saddle doesn't do her any favours but her leg is only slightly too in front, in the first pic it is perfect - too many people (including me) ride with their lower leg too far underneath them.

A VERY pleasing picture if you ask me, I hope she had fun and does it more often

 

[Louby]

Im struggling, Ive only ever done this once before so I will have a play arround tomorrow as I cant remember how to do it

 

[merlinsquest]

Thank you for the lovely comments.... I hope she will do more with him, but the lack of a school means riding in the field is all she can do at the moment...... this field was good, but our is on a slope

not very confidence giving for her as he goes on the forehand and isnt too balanced at the moment

But we will see ....

 

[burple]

i think for a novice she puts us all to shame! what an elegant soft rider especially for one so young and inexperienced! and stunning horsey too

looks like she has skills that cannot be taught, things you either have or you don't! i would say this elegant young rider has defenetly (SP) had a delivery of naturalness

 

[merlinsquest]

Thank you Burple....... What a nice thing to say

 

[gemmagallagher]

The pictures are lovely, they both look as though they are enjoying themselves. Merlin is gorgeous!!