Unless otherwise noted, all quotes on this page are the work of Lesley Stevenson. Please ensure proper attribution when sharing. Thank you!
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"During your course walk carefully and check the take-off and landing points at each fence. Ask yourself: how fit is my horse, how undulating is the course and how will this affect the time allowed?" ~ Michael Jung
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The horse should be in front of the leg and carrying itself without support from the rider - every stride.
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"Young horses need plenty of opportunities to get used to the various cross country fences. Cross-country training should be included at least once a week." ~ Michael Jung
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Bounces teach horses to be quick thinking - an essential quality in an Event horse.
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A good halt is square because it was a good halt. Not because the rider has taught the horse the "trick" of squaring up after an unbalanced halt.
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Keep your hands forward thinking at all times - don't be "stealing" from the hind legs.
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Don't miss your chance to make a good first impression in the Dressage ring, with a forward, confident center line, and a smile for the judge!
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Point your chest in the direction that you want to go. If you turn your horse with your body position, you will probably find that you will need a lot less hand and leg to get it done.
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"Create a work station on your yard, where everything to do with work happens – for example, tacking up and washing off – and keep his stable for relaxation only. Then your horse knows he can totally relax when he’s in his stable and won’t be expected to work.
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"A major consideration concerning the horse’s posture in all lateral movements is the bend in the rib cage behind the withers. For achieving this bend is the foundation for the suppleness of the entire horse. One will never achieve this bend if one rides the lateral movements on
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From Facebook fan Elise Vandover ~ "I often tell my students that the outside rein is like the vinyl wall of an above-ground pool; elastic, stretchy and flexible, but enough of a boundary to keep the 'water in the pool'."
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Remember that to balance your horse in front of a fence you do not necessarily have to slow down. Many times you simply need to change the shape of the canter stride - i.e. bring the horse into a more uphill frame.
