Yes my friends, we have found the solution to our "behind the vertical" woes! It was the horse equivalent of "problem exists between chair and keyboard" aka.. It's Mom's damn fault!
Had a wonderful lesson with my centered riding instructor Becky Hart, and she fixed ALOT of the issues we are having.
She started out by reminding me that at the level Monroe and I are riding at, we can't get away with the little mistakes anymore. My main problem is that I drop my right seat bone which makes me crooked, and results in a plethora of other issues.
She gave me a balance rein (to keep my hands quiet) and did her cool exercise to loosen up my legs, and sent me off at the walk with the instruction to "let my legs drape like velvet" around my horse. We also worked on having "heavy elbows" which softens your hands--cool little trick! Around turns we focused on the outside ear, and "lifted and shifted" (excellent way to make sure you use your seat-bones to turn!
Then we moved on to the trot and I had to be reminded to keep myself straight and "breath center grow" to half halt and keep myself aligned so I wouldn't perch forward on my seat bones. I fell apart a bit so we transitioned back to the walk, re-centered, and then continued back up to the trot by "shining the laser beams forward" (using your seat to round the back into the transition). Near the end I was being too pully with my inside rein, and using an opening rein to turn, which she corrected by making me ride with my thumbs touching.
It was a great lesson, and Corrie watched so she knows what to tell me if I get crooked when we jump!
Today I practiced what I learned yesterday and WOW what a difference!!! My horse was calm and relaxed, and round a lot of the time, and not fake round... TRULY ROUND. She even kept it at the canter!!! I stayed centered, kept my elbows heavy and kept myself relaxed and on my seat bones. It was the ride I have been waiting for for a long time!
There was no tension, my horse was relaxed and soft, and when she went round, she didn't duck, she lifted her back and kept her nose vertical! It was an amazing ride :]
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Behind the vertical... UGH
Today I rode in my new dressage saddle, and let me just say I LOVE IT!!! I love the tony slater, its really close contact, and super comfy, even though its not really padded. Definately well worth the 200 I spent on it!
Now for the frustrating part...
Monroe travels consistently behind the bit, and I am KICKING MYSELF FOR IT. UGH. I know exactly when she learned to do it too. *kicks self* I really need to fix it, it is soooo incorrect and so frustrating because I really want to gain the respect of the dressage crew at my barn, and I really want a correct horse so we have a chance if we ever decide to do a dressage test.
Part of the problem is that I get stiff, and I need to loosen up. Half the time I'm locked and pulling, and then half the time I throw away my contact... its a never ending battle!
I think we need to do more long and low work, we need to work slowly and carefully and avoid stress on either of us. Monroe is an over reactive horse, sand I think when I get stiff, she gets worried and upset and "hides" behind the vertical, because in her mind, if her head is down, mom leaves her alone. (Shame one me, UGH!)
Also need to remember, collection comes from the legs, not the hands. I think I need to repeat that to myself over and over and over again.
Now for the frustrating part...
Monroe travels consistently behind the bit, and I am KICKING MYSELF FOR IT. UGH. I know exactly when she learned to do it too. *kicks self* I really need to fix it, it is soooo incorrect and so frustrating because I really want to gain the respect of the dressage crew at my barn, and I really want a correct horse so we have a chance if we ever decide to do a dressage test.
Part of the problem is that I get stiff, and I need to loosen up. Half the time I'm locked and pulling, and then half the time I throw away my contact... its a never ending battle!
I think we need to do more long and low work, we need to work slowly and carefully and avoid stress on either of us. Monroe is an over reactive horse, sand I think when I get stiff, she gets worried and upset and "hides" behind the vertical, because in her mind, if her head is down, mom leaves her alone. (Shame one me, UGH!)
Also need to remember, collection comes from the legs, not the hands. I think I need to repeat that to myself over and over and over again.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
GREG BEST
Greg Best clinic today, and I must say, it was WONDERFUL and curse the College Board for scheduling AP exams for tomorrow!
Today we learned many things:
-Monroe could be much more neurotic (tehe...)
-She is obsessed with my actions before the fence
-she still drifts right (though "subtly" rather then glaringly like before)
-she worries about the waterford, and is much more relaxed and happy with the mullen mouth happymouth full cheek
-My right leg slips forward
-My legs slip in front of me over fences, causing me to either compensate by folding my upper body more, or land behind the motion
-My saddle slips back also causing me to be a little behind the motion of the jump
-My flatwork needs to be relaxed, without being sloppy
Now, to fix these problems I must:
1. Constantly run through my mental checklist, item number 1: right leg back!
2. Use an opening left rein over fences to prevent right drift
3. Keep my lower legs back over fences to attain proper body position
4. Build the energy in the corner and then slowly take back a bit before the fence. KEEP THE RHYTHM
5. Do not obsess over distance.
6. Keep my legs in the correct position, EVEN WHEN STANDING AROUND to form muscle memory
7. Do not obsess over the problem, or how good or bad the jump was- Think only of the solution
8. If you see nothing, DO NOTHING
9. If you don't like what you're seeing, DO SOMETHING. Better to do something about it, and know that it did or did not work for next time
10. do not "flop" over the last fence. your job is not over until you do the final transition
It was a wonderful learning experience today! Even better that my trainer was riding in the group with me :] Pictures later, more posting if I remember more stuff :]
Today we learned many things:
-Monroe could be much more neurotic (tehe...)
-She is obsessed with my actions before the fence
-she still drifts right (though "subtly" rather then glaringly like before)
-she worries about the waterford, and is much more relaxed and happy with the mullen mouth happymouth full cheek
-My right leg slips forward
-My legs slip in front of me over fences, causing me to either compensate by folding my upper body more, or land behind the motion
-My saddle slips back also causing me to be a little behind the motion of the jump
-My flatwork needs to be relaxed, without being sloppy
Now, to fix these problems I must:
1. Constantly run through my mental checklist, item number 1: right leg back!
2. Use an opening left rein over fences to prevent right drift
3. Keep my lower legs back over fences to attain proper body position
4. Build the energy in the corner and then slowly take back a bit before the fence. KEEP THE RHYTHM
5. Do not obsess over distance.
6. Keep my legs in the correct position, EVEN WHEN STANDING AROUND to form muscle memory
7. Do not obsess over the problem, or how good or bad the jump was- Think only of the solution
8. If you see nothing, DO NOTHING
9. If you don't like what you're seeing, DO SOMETHING. Better to do something about it, and know that it did or did not work for next time
10. do not "flop" over the last fence. your job is not over until you do the final transition
It was a wonderful learning experience today! Even better that my trainer was riding in the group with me :] Pictures later, more posting if I remember more stuff :]
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