[Akyashaa]

Hello guys
I haven't posted in ages, due to a very simple reason, no horse to ride.
I am back in Germany and slowly starting to get back into the riding, I am planning to do dressage on a low level competitive level sometime in the near future and I think I found a good horse that I am shareboarding for it. Her training level is that of a 3-4 year old due to an accident she had and the owner getting pregnant, she's a 7 1/2 year old Thoroughbred and about 17 hands. She's very sweet in the arena and handling but since she had the accident is not able to be ridden alone for hacks, has to be accompanied with other horse for that. The video shows my 7th ride on her. I just started with her.
I need some critique on me and her, if we have some talent to eventually compete in dressage with the proper training, i have a trainer.
I think what I can pick out is that from western riding I still have a lot of slack in the reigns, I also pull up my legs in the canter a tad bit, and I think my shoulders could be back some more and the everlasting unbreakable habit of looking down /sigh as well as probably making my stirrups a little bit longer like a whole or two, I will do that eventually, hard to get used to it again, still used to the AP saddles....
For her I think I need to get her moving of her hind end a little bit more, she needs to learn to accept the bit better, which is why she's bobbing her head a lot I think. I think with proper training and riding she'll become more quiet and solid, but like I said her training level is more of a 3-4 year old...
What do you guys think? I hope the video works for you....

MySpaceTV Videos: Georgie and I, June 01 2008 by Lady Akyashaa

Thanks a lot,
Nadine

[Akyashaa]

anyone?

[megan_kat22]

As you said, your reins have too much slack :] They are almost in your lap, which has given the horse contact, but put you off balance. If you take up some, you will be in the correct position, and your contact will be the same. Remember you will still need to have bend in your elbow, and don't let your hands be puppy paws! Other than that I think your riding is very effective :]

[Akyashaa]

Thanks, I have a trainer coming out next week, it's always good to have someone watching you picking out your mistakes, that's one of the reasons why I like taking video so I can see for myself as well... I think one of the things I have to work on as well is get her to move off her hind end some more and extend the trot a little more.. but that'll come in time...
Other then that do you think we could compete in lower level dressage?

[i luv my spirit]

I am not good at critiquing, but I had to say she is adorable. I love her. Good luck.

-Hannah

[Chester]

Since you asked, you shall get. Thanks for the pm to alert me to your thread.

First go back to the kitchen. Do you remember that exercise I gave you ages ago to fix your trotting? You are not and cannot be rising correctly with your weight in your shoulders bringing you forwards. Head to the kitchen now. Put your hands resting on the bench whilst you stand with in your riding position with knees just touching the cupboard doors. Hip over heels and ears over hip remember. Now lift your pelvis up and forward and back without the rest of you moving. Do this every day for 10 minutes. Hold your head and eyes up high whilst you are doing this exercise.

Right, that is the trot hopefully back on track. Hopefully will also go someway to getting rid of your chair seat and get your legs under you at all times. If not, do lots of dropped stirrup work. Meaning, no stirrups. Walk trot and canter. Also standing on the bottom step with just the balls of your feet on the step and wiggling your upper half around a bit. This will help to develop your seat more.

Half halts? Yes, what happened to them. I didn't see any happening before the transitions hence why they didn't really happen or were so abrupt that the horse was not looking good and you were losing your position. Remember, half halts are your friend and your horses friend.

There is not enough inside leg. That is why there is no bend to the horse at all. If I was to look down on you as you were doing a corner I want to see the WHOLE horse bent to the corner.

Your hands have improved lots. There isn't the puppy dog hands there use to be but you need to lift them up and carry them and keep them stiller. Your elbows now bend and that is good. Try riding and carrying a cup with some water in each hand. That will demonstrate to you that they need to be stiller.

Legs? Why are you kicking her each stride at the trot? Use your whole leg to ask by squeezing her on. This will also help to keep your leg in place and stiller. You are a very noisy rider. I didn't see the need for the constant kicking her on.

Now where I would normally say PICK UP YOUR CONTACT, in this case I will not. If you do you are going to be in her mouth. She will be happier with a looser contact until you have improved yourself.

There is improvement from the last critique I gave you and definately from the first I ever gave you but some things seem to have slipped a bit and it is back 3 steps to correct them.

I would like you to work on those things above and post another vid in a week or so so we see how it is coming and where we need to nag you more.

Of course you can do lower level dressage. If nothing else it is a good way to go watch other riders and get the horse out and about so when you do get serious about the competition she will be more settled to it.

[imjustjoking22]

I am going to stay away from critique except to say get your hands up and together!!

The horse has a lovely trot for dressage- she moves nice and big and not too rushy. The canter obviously needs work but for her training level and how much you have ridden her it is fine.

Make sure not to throw it all away on your downward transition! Every transition is a training opportunity- so make them very crisp and correct and you will notice all of her gaits improving

[Akyashaa]

Thanks a lot chester! I know I've lost a lot of what I worked for mainly do to the reason I hardly rode over the past year Which was due to me selling my horse and moving back to Germany, but that's no excuse. I will take your advice and start working on it!!!
Thanks everyone!!