As a spinoff from a recent article I read on ...thought it would be fun to put together my own unwritten rules about showing and what I have learned (the hard way) about showing...
- check and re-check to make sure you have all your tack - girth and bridle especially, I am embarrassed to say I have forgotten my girth more than once
- always pack a pair of rubber boots - even if it's not raining, the morning dew will soak through your paddock boots. Nothing is worse than having wet feet all day.
- always bring an extra coat for yourself and an extra blanket your horse. Show nerves will make it seem like it's 10 degrees cooler
- keep a copy of your dressage test in your pocket, your nerves will make you forget everything you thought you knew
- watch the riders before you perform, it will help you remember your test/order of your jumps
- the cross country course jumps are bigger on foot than on horse
- bring a pitcrew, if you bring your husband, bring a back up pitcrew. I brought my husband, and lost him in between dressage and stadium only to find him at the neighbours BBQ because he got hungry (true story)
- always bring your own food, don't assume there will be a food cart... that's why I lost my husband to the BBQ
- if your pitcrew critiques you on your riding... tell them to ride it themselves next time. It always looks easier from the ground (that's a good thing, but really your pitcrew should be your support crew not your critque crew, critiquing is for at home)
- be nice to your pitcrew, remember they are there to help you, they have given their whole day to support you, if your attitude sucks you will be attending the next show alone
- don't worry if things don't go your way, that's all a part of showing. If you can't accept that your day probably won't be perfect, don't show
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Monday, October 1, 2012
The Crest Release
The crest release vs the automatic release is probably one of the most debated topics when it comes to jumping equitation. Relatively new to jumping, I was taught the crest release but when my release was recently questioned by a fellow rider who uses the automatic release, I took it upon myself to do some research about how the crest release became popular and why it is used by modern day coaches in the jumping world.
Over the years, jumping techniques have drastically changed. Most techniques derived from military influence. Barbara Ellin Fox, has explained beautifully the evolution and major influencers of the modern day crest release. She writes:
The biggest change is attributed to Capt. Federico Caprilli, an Italian Cavalry officer who started the jumping world toward making the transition from the backward seat to the Forward Seat. Caprilli, who was able to devote hours a day to riding and training, firmly believed that the hands should follow the horse’s mouth over the jump [the automatic release]...
In 1938 , Capt. V.S. Littauer, published book titled, “More About Forward Riding”, he argued, “Following the movements of the horse’s neck and head through the air requires a very strong seat and a great deal of rhythm, and might be impractical in many cases of amateur riding.” Littauer was a public instructor and believed a riding technique needed to be developed for the occasional, less athletic rider. [Littauer suggests that] “keeping a firm position, while having the hands in the air, requires a very athletic body and constant daily practice, I would suggest that you help yourself remain in balance by supporting yourself with your hands laid on the horse’s neck.”
Barbara Ellin Fox continues that...Caprilli believed that the horse should be allowed to travel and jump as naturally as possible and that it was the rider’s responsibility to impede the horse as little as possible.
Then came George Morris, the one accredited for popularizing the crest release in modern riding, especially in the hunter/jumper ring. Barbara Ellin Foxs simply explains the crest release:
The crest release is a method of placing the hands on the horse’s neck during jumping, so the rider does not interfere with the horse’s mouth. Riders are encouraged to support their upper body via their hands on the horse’s “crest”
Caprilli, Littauer and Morris all influenced the evolution of on the forward seat and the modern day riding technique of the crest release all to minimize interference with the horse's mouth and to stabilize the upper body over a jump with the forward motion of the horse.
Of course anything practiced or taken to the extreme isn't a good thing. The critique of the crest release is that some overemphasize George Morris's technique by being too forward out of the saddle, too flat against the horses neck and thrust their legs back too far. The dependency of the rider to lean their forward weight onto the horse creates a weak forward seat, and the weight on the horses neck can cause the horse to become unbalanced during the jumping motion.
The crest release, if executed properly can be a very useful tool to help riders learn how to engage a forward seat without impeding the rider's balance or the horse's mouth. Originally introduced to help novice riders, it now used by all levels of riders to safely get over a jump. Though it may not be the only type of release, it is definitely the most common practiced technique in North America.
Over the years, jumping techniques have drastically changed. Most techniques derived from military influence. Barbara Ellin Fox, has explained beautifully the evolution and major influencers of the modern day crest release. She writes:
The biggest change is attributed to Capt. Federico Caprilli, an Italian Cavalry officer who started the jumping world toward making the transition from the backward seat to the Forward Seat. Caprilli, who was able to devote hours a day to riding and training, firmly believed that the hands should follow the horse’s mouth over the jump [the automatic release]...
 |
| The Automatic Release; the hand following the horse's mouth |
In 1938 , Capt. V.S. Littauer, published book titled, “More About Forward Riding”, he argued, “Following the movements of the horse’s neck and head through the air requires a very strong seat and a great deal of rhythm, and might be impractical in many cases of amateur riding.” Littauer was a public instructor and believed a riding technique needed to be developed for the occasional, less athletic rider. [Littauer suggests that] “keeping a firm position, while having the hands in the air, requires a very athletic body and constant daily practice, I would suggest that you help yourself remain in balance by supporting yourself with your hands laid on the horse’s neck.”
Barbara Ellin Fox continues that...Caprilli believed that the horse should be allowed to travel and jump as naturally as possible and that it was the rider’s responsibility to impede the horse as little as possible.
Then came George Morris, the one accredited for popularizing the crest release in modern riding, especially in the hunter/jumper ring. Barbara Ellin Foxs simply explains the crest release:
The crest release is a method of placing the hands on the horse’s neck during jumping, so the rider does not interfere with the horse’s mouth. Riders are encouraged to support their upper body via their hands on the horse’s “crest”
 |
| The Crest Release; the hand pressing on the horse's crest |
Caprilli, Littauer and Morris all influenced the evolution of on the forward seat and the modern day riding technique of the crest release all to minimize interference with the horse's mouth and to stabilize the upper body over a jump with the forward motion of the horse.
Of course anything practiced or taken to the extreme isn't a good thing. The critique of the crest release is that some overemphasize George Morris's technique by being too forward out of the saddle, too flat against the horses neck and thrust their legs back too far. The dependency of the rider to lean their forward weight onto the horse creates a weak forward seat, and the weight on the horses neck can cause the horse to become unbalanced during the jumping motion.
 |
| The extreme crest release, note the rider's flat upper body and backward motion of their lower leg |
The crest release, if executed properly can be a very useful tool to help riders learn how to engage a forward seat without impeding the rider's balance or the horse's mouth. Originally introduced to help novice riders, it now used by all levels of riders to safely get over a jump. Though it may not be the only type of release, it is definitely the most common practiced technique in North America.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Tips for the Perfect Test by Jane Savoie
Following my last post about my dressage test, I stumbled upon a great article by Jane Savoie geared to help ride the perfect test. Read below for some great pointers from the article:
1. MEMORIZE YOUR TEST
So you want to be able to do the dressage test on autopilot, so that you can reserve all of your focus for riding your horse. You want to be riding your horse not concentrating on what comes next in the pattern.
To help you do this, start memorizing your test early on.
Visualization-I know that it takes approximately 21 days to develop a habit. So I start visualizing my dressage test every day at least 3 weeks before a show. I sit in an easy chair or lie down on my bed, close my eyes, and take 3 really deep breaths.
When you visualize the perfect ride, you program your subconscious mind to ride correctly. That’s because when you do “perfect practice” in your mind’s eye, your muscles will fire in the correct way. Experience yourself feeling calm, relaxed, poised and the harmony of being at one with your horse.
Do your test on foot.
Another thing I do walk and trot, and canter the parts of the dressage test at home in my living room as if I were riding them. Just mark off a rectangular area and trot down the center line, do your halts, trot off, plan where you’re going to turn, walk where you’re supposed to walk, canter where you’re supposed to canter. So you actually have a chance to physically practice.
Know your dressage test “forwards and backwards”.
The third way that I memorize a test is to learn it the way it’s written from the first entry to the final salute. But then, to know that I “own” that test, I pick any movement and ask myself what comes after it. And here’s the real thing that tells the story, I ask myself, “And what movement comes before this movement?”
2. THE ENTRY
What you do as you go around the arena really depends on your horse. I find it helpful to just walk around the arena with tense horses.
For the horse that tends to be a little behind the leg, you might decide to do some rising trot lengthenings outside the arena. That way you can make sure that your horse is in front of the leg and that you really get his motor going.
Or let’s say you have a horse that is spooky or to tends to get a little on the forehand. Do a little shoulder-in when you’re still outside the arena.
The next thing that you have to think about is whether you’re going to enter from the right rein or from the left rein? If your horse is fairly straight, enter from the direction you’ll be turning at C. That will trigger your memory if you blank out and forget which way to turn at C.
So, if I’m going to be turning right at C, I normally enter from the right rein. I enter from the left rein if I’m going to be turning left at C.
However, let’s say I have a horse that’s really hollow to the left (meaning he likes to bend his neck and carry his hind quarters to the left then); I’ll enter from the right. That’s because he’ll be straighter, and I don’t want the judge’s first impression to be that my horse is crooked.
Now, as you come down that centerline, look up, and make eye contact with the judge. This is part of showmanship. No matter how you’re really feeling, look confident, put a smile on your face, and come down that centerline like you own that arena. As you finish your centerline, keep your horse straight. Pretend you’re going to lengthen toward the judge so you ride him between the channel of your legs and hands. Then warn him that he’s going either left or right by asking for flexion at the poll when you’re a couple of strides before C.
3. CORNERS AND DIAGONALS
Okay, you’re in the arena. No matter what level you’re doing, you have to ride corners. The general rule for riding corners is that you don’t have to go any deeper into the corners than the smallest circle done at each level.
So, the smallest circle you’re asked to do for First Level is a 10-meter circle. That means you need to get into the corner to the depth of one quarter of a 10-meter circle.
But if you can show a difference between the line that you follow when you’re going into a corner and the line that you follow when you’re on your 20-meter circle, you show the judge that you’re a savvy rider.
Your rule of thumb is to ride into the corner as deep as your horse can manage. That is, he can keep the same rhythm, tempo, balance and quality of his gait.
The next things that all the tests have in common are diagonal lines. Here’s what I’d suggest. First, ride deep into the corner before you turn onto the diagonal. Then look at a point about a half-meter before the final letter on the long side. Aim for that spot when you go across the diagonal. By looking a little bit before the letter, you’ll have more time to really balance your horse for the next corner.
4. TRANSITIONS
Another thing that all the tests have in common is that you have transitions from gait to gait. And with the more advanced tests, you also have transitions within the gait.
First, let’s look at transitions from gait to gait. Always prepare for those transitions with half halts. However, the particular version of the half halt you give depends on the way your horse feels prior to the transition. This is because a transition can be no better than the stride just before the transition.
If your horse is well schooled, obedient, and is solidly on the bit, you can give what I call “Preparatory Half Halts”. That’s a momentary closure of seat, leg and hand–Take/give, take/give, take/give.
Direct those half halts to the inside hind leg. Give the half halts when the inside hind leg is on the ground just before it’s ready to push off. You need to time these half halts when the inside hind leg is on the ground because that’s really the only time you can influence a hind leg. Once it’s in the air, it’s already committed to its flight.
Your goal is to engage the inside hind leg prior to the transition. Give three Preparatory Half Halts prior to the down transition. Let’s say, for example, that you want to go from trot to walk. When you feel the inside hind leg on the ground, say something like, “Engage, engage, engage, walk”. Or you can say, “Now, now, now, walk”.
When I’m getting ready to do a downward transition, I tune into my seatbones. I feel which of my seat bones is being pushed up in the air or forward.
So I get into the timing of the inside hind leg being on the ground. Then, 3 strides before the letter, I give my half halts. I’ll say, “Now, now, now, walk,” or if I’m cantering, and I want to trot, I’ll say, “Now, now, now, trot.”
It’s pretty easy to feel the inside hind leg in the walk and in the trot. In the canter, feel the moment when your seat is deepest in the saddle. It’s also the moment when your horse’s mane flips up. So you can coordinate what you see with what you feel.
That’s how I prepare for transitions so that I ride a very accurate dressage test. I know how much ground my horse covers with each stride. So, when I’m 3 strides away from where I’ll be doing a down transition, I give my 3 Preparatory Half Halts–a momentary closure of seat, leg and hand directed to the inside hind leg being on the ground.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
The Perfect Dressage Test
It has been a long summer full of lots of riding, schooling and showing (yes I consider 5 shows a lot!), oh and also a big wedding too... Our dressage is slowly improving. We are now past the point where I want to hang on for dear life and now into more of a compromising situation - you give, I give. My hands have gotten much more softer, my seat much more stable and my core more stronger yet more supple. That's a lot to achieve in just one summer and I wouldn't have achieved it without my amazing coach who is nothing but encouraging (I don't learn well when I'm told I suck - lesson #1 find a coach who teaching methods best suit you). Unfortunately, I am still at the point where I ride best when I'm being instructed, left independent of my coach, my riding tends to go backwards. Hence why I always feel that my dressage tests don't reflect my true potential - but hey, Rome wasn't built in a day! Someday, I will stop over-worrying about remembering the test and start concentrating on the art of the perfect test (bending in the corners, straight lines, acceptance of the bridle, balance and that forever craved but not yet acheived "uphill" motion). Someday.... *sigh* Perhaps a swig of Baileys before my test will help?
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Run Away Horse...
With our next show in a matter of a couple days, I have been trying to cram as many lessons in as possible to prepare ourselves for our first dressage test. Eddy was a superstar last weekend, so I was feeling that Eddy should be on his best behaviour during our lesson. Well, I felt wrong. Though he is getting much better at the downward transitions... his prior life he only was given the "go" and never the "whoa". (It took me a year and a half to get him to stand beside the mounting block and another half year to get him to only walk as I got on).
Eddy was as hot as hot can be. Realizing that I had been practicing the walk/trot test for the last couple weeks instead of the entry test which I was suppose to ride, I needed to work on my canter. And away we went..... Goodbye Ali and Eddy.....
Usually the canter is our best gait, best form, best impulsion, best carriage, but last night it became all about going stronger, faster and lest more and more out of control. Because he is a jumper, I sometimes worry if I can't steer him I may find myself jumping out of the ring (Yes, he is a point and aim kinda guy...)
I could see my coaches blank expression meant - OMG, we're doomed for Sunday's test. "Maybe he just needs a good run?" She suggested. Well, that's fine and dandy I complied, (if you can't beat 'em, join 'em, right?) IF I had any type of brakes. We switched the bit up to a western snaffle. I am not hard handed, so this bit isn't cruel it just gives me a better insurance policy for stopping. It actually makes Eddy quite soft when he is one of "those kind of moods" but for everyday riding, it is much too much of a bit. (I used to put my old mare in this bit when the spring time came and the happy bucking and bolting fits began. It made her very sweet. As my coach would say "you could melt butter in her mouth". I don't really get that saying, but it really sets the tone... )
Out I went for a run. My mind is thinking "am I crazy ?" - or - "this may be kinda fun". Not everyday does your coach condone you running your horse to take the edge off. Low and behold, it was what we needed. We did a beautiful controlled canter all around the fields of the farm AND I HAD BRAKES! We returned to the barn. I thought we were going to call it a night, but back we went to the ring. Let's test the theory.... yup, it worked. We did a perfect dressage test.
What's on the itinerary for Saturday? A good run on the trails. LOL
Eddy was as hot as hot can be. Realizing that I had been practicing the walk/trot test for the last couple weeks instead of the entry test which I was suppose to ride, I needed to work on my canter. And away we went..... Goodbye Ali and Eddy.....
Usually the canter is our best gait, best form, best impulsion, best carriage, but last night it became all about going stronger, faster and lest more and more out of control. Because he is a jumper, I sometimes worry if I can't steer him I may find myself jumping out of the ring (Yes, he is a point and aim kinda guy...)
I could see my coaches blank expression meant - OMG, we're doomed for Sunday's test. "Maybe he just needs a good run?" She suggested. Well, that's fine and dandy I complied, (if you can't beat 'em, join 'em, right?) IF I had any type of brakes. We switched the bit up to a western snaffle. I am not hard handed, so this bit isn't cruel it just gives me a better insurance policy for stopping. It actually makes Eddy quite soft when he is one of "those kind of moods" but for everyday riding, it is much too much of a bit. (I used to put my old mare in this bit when the spring time came and the happy bucking and bolting fits began. It made her very sweet. As my coach would say "you could melt butter in her mouth". I don't really get that saying, but it really sets the tone... )
Out I went for a run. My mind is thinking "am I crazy ?" - or - "this may be kinda fun". Not everyday does your coach condone you running your horse to take the edge off. Low and behold, it was what we needed. We did a beautiful controlled canter all around the fields of the farm AND I HAD BRAKES! We returned to the barn. I thought we were going to call it a night, but back we went to the ring. Let's test the theory.... yup, it worked. We did a perfect dressage test.
What's on the itinerary for Saturday? A good run on the trails. LOL
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Our first show... setting the bar
Back from our first show of the season! Apparently, according to my friend, I was suppose to set the bar low for my first show, so there is room for improvement. Unfortunately that will be a hard target to reach. We got reserve champion! Out of a class of 24 - an unusual large turnout, we managed a 2nd place in our first course, a 1st place in our second course and a 2nd place in our third course. The hack class we totally bombed, but what do you expect when an averaged sized outdoor ring is full of 24 horses... mostly ponies and I am on one of the biggest horses out there. Yes, I almost ran over a pony in our canter (the ponies brakes were better than ours) and yes, I was on the wrong lead (oops), but there wasn't enough room to concentrate! I was trying to keep everyone alive! Well, I guess there will be room for improvement after all.... hahaha. I am so proud of Eddy, he lived up to his show name, Steady Eddy. Someone even joked that he was drugged.... no! just "chilled" and I am just fine with that!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
The man from snowy river
On a whim, I decided to go for a quick ride on my retired mare. Having to catch up to the other riders already on trail, I threw on my helmet, a halter bridle and proceeded saddle-less. My stiff mare was feeling quite limber and (breaking all rules) I pushed her into a jog as soon as I got on. Sheylan (my mare) was all business.
I bobbled along bareback down the driveway, to the back hill which leads to the creek where the other riders were waiting. I steadied her into a walk at the hill, but halfway down, a walk just wasn't going to cut it for Shey and she went into her trot again. Did I mention it was slightly muddy, I was bareback and going down a hill?? (again with the breaking of all rules - hey, you gotta have a little fun on the retired one's, right?) I felt like the man from snowy river, galloping down the steep ridge. Well, I wasn't galloping, and though the hill is steep, it probably wasn't as dangerous - my horse can maneuver down anything if you give her her head. Despite that I sure felt like I was going to go "over the handlebars" as my fiance would put it. Squealing all the way down, I sat back as far as I could and "rode it out". I survived.
We joined the others and set out in a swift trot around the meadow. The more we trotted, the faster we were getting (yes, I was leading) and the more I began to realize I had very little control with the halter bridle (why the heck did I put that thing on anyways??). We switched to the back of the line when one of the other horses decided that being nudged forward to catch up meant leap forward on all fours, buck down a slight hill and then buck all the way up it (wow, I wish I could creatively write how funny it was to watch the rider's eyes scream "OH MY GOD" whilst her mouth formed a slight smile as she got him back under control).
I decided enough of the shanannagans, I gotta get this beast under control before the other riders never ask me to ride with them again. Well, a little too late I guess, as I took up my reins, sat a little deeper, Sheylan took full advantage of the small hill in front of us and squealed (that's my warning bell), bolted forward and bucked all the way down the hill. Again I found myself in the same predicament going much faster than I preferred downhill. I do know enough to keep her head up, but unfortunately the halter bridle was no such help. Her head was so low to the ground I thought this was it, over the handlebars I go. Well, if I wasn't gifted with coordination I was gifted with supreme balance - I have survived spooks like you wouldn't believe. My wonderful center of gravity saved me and I stayed right on her back the entire way down until I finally managed to pull her head up at the bottom. I was having too much fun to tune her in... and burst into laughter as did my fellow riders. Nothing makes me smile more than when my horse feels good enough to grace me with a few happy bucks :)
I bobbled along bareback down the driveway, to the back hill which leads to the creek where the other riders were waiting. I steadied her into a walk at the hill, but halfway down, a walk just wasn't going to cut it for Shey and she went into her trot again. Did I mention it was slightly muddy, I was bareback and going down a hill?? (again with the breaking of all rules - hey, you gotta have a little fun on the retired one's, right?) I felt like the man from snowy river, galloping down the steep ridge. Well, I wasn't galloping, and though the hill is steep, it probably wasn't as dangerous - my horse can maneuver down anything if you give her her head. Despite that I sure felt like I was going to go "over the handlebars" as my fiance would put it. Squealing all the way down, I sat back as far as I could and "rode it out". I survived.
We joined the others and set out in a swift trot around the meadow. The more we trotted, the faster we were getting (yes, I was leading) and the more I began to realize I had very little control with the halter bridle (why the heck did I put that thing on anyways??). We switched to the back of the line when one of the other horses decided that being nudged forward to catch up meant leap forward on all fours, buck down a slight hill and then buck all the way up it (wow, I wish I could creatively write how funny it was to watch the rider's eyes scream "OH MY GOD" whilst her mouth formed a slight smile as she got him back under control).
I decided enough of the shanannagans, I gotta get this beast under control before the other riders never ask me to ride with them again. Well, a little too late I guess, as I took up my reins, sat a little deeper, Sheylan took full advantage of the small hill in front of us and squealed (that's my warning bell), bolted forward and bucked all the way down the hill. Again I found myself in the same predicament going much faster than I preferred downhill. I do know enough to keep her head up, but unfortunately the halter bridle was no such help. Her head was so low to the ground I thought this was it, over the handlebars I go. Well, if I wasn't gifted with coordination I was gifted with supreme balance - I have survived spooks like you wouldn't believe. My wonderful center of gravity saved me and I stayed right on her back the entire way down until I finally managed to pull her head up at the bottom. I was having too much fun to tune her in... and burst into laughter as did my fellow riders. Nothing makes me smile more than when my horse feels good enough to grace me with a few happy bucks :)
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