Lesley's Corner
Lesley's Corner
Lesley is a "graduate" of Jimmy Wofford's training program, and has competed to the Advanced 4 star level in 3 day Eventing on a horse she bought off the track as a 3 year old. She has also trained through the Prix St Georges level in Dressage, and was an Equine Vet Tech at the prestigious Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, KY. A series of educational articles written by Lesley. If you have any requests for topics, please send them to: admin@myvirtualeventingcoach.com
Lesley's Corner
Is Your Horse Sore in These Very Common Areas??
Lesley's Corner
Do You Know What Skills You and Your Horse Need to Have Before Entering a Novice Level Event?
Lesley's Corner
"Reset" Your Aids
Horses are best able to answer our aids when they are clear, with no confusing background noise! What does that mean for us as riders? It means that we need to strive to begin each aid from a state of complete neutrality. A clean slate. Learn all about it here.
Lesley's Corner
Could YOU Jump a Fence That Fell Out of the Sky and Landed Three Strides in Front of You as You Canter or Gallop Along??
Lesley's Corner
An Exercise to Teach Your Horse to Be More HOT to Your Inside Leg Aid
In Dressage, we use bending to develop and prove lateral suppleness, allowing the horse to conform his body to circles and turns in balance. The horse must give TRUE bend, listening to your inside leg. Here is a basic exercise, for all levels, to improve the response to the inside leg!
Lesley's Corner
The Triangle Exercise
The Triangle Exercise is a fun, challenging exercise to test the precision and fluidity of your turns. It teaches riders to plan ahead and execute accurately to set themselves up for success. This exercise will help you be more accurate in the Dressage ring, and will improve your jumping as well!
Lesley's Corner
The Classic Galloping Position
The proper galloping position allows the horse to gallop freely & unencumbered underneath the rider. Done correctly, it helps the horse to be optimally balanced, reduces fatigue, and contributes to the long term soundness of our hard working Event horses. Learn all about it here!
Lesley's Corner
The "Floor" of Your Dressage Seat
Lesley's Corner
Dressage Canter Adjustability Exercise # 2
Transitions make up much of your Dressage Test. If you want good scores, you must be able to make smooth, balanced transitions! Here is an exercise to improve your horse's adjustability and rideability, activate the hind quarters, increase throughness, and improve the canter.
Lesley's Corner
An Exercise to Help You to Refine Your Turning Aids
Have you noticed how top riders turn with amazingly effortless and practically imperceptible aids? Turning is a perfect example of “less is more.” Here is an exercise that will help you to refine your turning aids, so that YOU can be one of those riders with effortless and invisible aids!
Lesley's Corner
An Exercise to Rev Your Horse's Motor - Building Impulsion & Hind Leg Engagement
A variation of the Rubber Band exercise, this "rev the motor" exercise helps you to turn the energy in your horse's stride into true hind leg engagement - which is the key to building collection! Here's how to do it: