My new Wonder Pony and I are having a couple of steering issues. I can't quite figure out what it's all about. The first time he did it, was because when we turned to a jump the rain was blowing in his precious little face, and he basically refused to jump into the rain. My coach was there and said to just put him up (the wind and rain was getting worse.) We went over the jump away from the wind fine, but he wouldn't jump into it. This video was the next time I jumped him. No rain that time. I think he may be just "testing" his boundaries, but I'd love your opinion. (Laura)(Click on Video Title above (in blue) to read the answer)
Your horse has a great natural engine, with his hind legs active much of the time! That's a very good trait! The drawback to this type of horse though, is that they can be tense and rushy, like your horse is in this video. Often their sometimes overactive engine tempts their riders into using too much hand, which bottles up a lot of tension in the horse's body, and makes him come against your hand. To have success with horses that are prone to tension, you need to have a plan of action to encourage relaxation in your training and in your warm up at shows. (Click on Video Title above (in blue) to read the rest of this video critique)
You look like you have very solid basics. But you give me the impression that you are trying very hard to not move as your horse jumps. Like you have been told over and over that the most important thing is for you to keep your shoulder back so that you don't get ahead of your horse's movement. Which is not really correct...(Click on Video Title above (in blue) to read the critique of this video)
Video Discussion # 4: The great Andrew Hoy!Lets look at this video of the great Australian rider Andrew Hoy! This is a great example of a rider who is always in perfect balance with his horse. He is always poised and smooth. His horse is in self carriage, and he maintains a wonderful rhythm between and to his fences. This is what we should all strive for! (Although the pom pom on his helmet makes me laugh! We used to all wear them in the 80's - and you don't see too many around anymore.) What aspects of his riding really stand out to you? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read the discussion on this video)
Video # 7: This is Storey!Storey is an experienced jumper rider, but would like some advice on how to get better dressage scores with her horse. Since her horse does not accept the bit well at this time, she has asked if she would be better off leaving him on a looser rein for the dressage at her shows to keep him happier, or if she needs to keep the contact anyway. She would love some quick advice on how to help him accept the bit more, as she has an event this weekend! (Click on Video Title above (in blue) to read critique)
Video discussion # 3: Drop FencesLet's look at this video of part of a clinic given by Eventing legend Lucinda Green! I love the way she focuses on solid fundamentals like having horses calmly walk down drops and over ditches. It is one thing to use adrenaline to negotiate those type of jumps, and totally another to have the horse calmly and quietly understand how to negotiate them.
Notice how...(Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read discussion)
Video Discussion # 2: Dressage test with judge's scores and comments!Here is a dressage test at an event, where you can hear the judges scores and comments. This pair recieved a few comments of "needs more reach over the topline". What do you think the judge means by that? (Click on Video Title above (in blue) to read discussion)
5 and 6 bar competitions are so much fun to watch! Other than the obvious fact that the jumps are bigger, and therefore harder to jump cleanly - Can anyone tell me why this exercise of 5 verticals with a set distance between them gets more and more difficult as they raise the jumps?
What do you notice about how the whole line rides based on the quality of the jump they take at the first, smallest jump? And how can that be applied to your show jumping rounds?
Did you see any moments when a riders position was negatively affecting the horses ability to jump cleanly? (Click on Video Title above to read or join in on this educational discussion)
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