Lesley's Corner
Interval Training For Conditioning the Event Horse
In the sport of Eventing, ensuring that our horses are truly fit for our level of competition is one of the best ways to prevent unnecessary injuries.
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
Monitor Your Horse's Stress Levels, For Best Results in Training
Horses become incapable of learning when they go past a certain level of fear, anxiety, or stress. This means that if you keep hammering away at the horse, trying to teach them something when they are currently overwhelmed with stress, it will not work.
Lesley's Corner
The Order of Aids For Changing Your Horse's Bend From One Side to the Other
Every single Dressage test requires the rider to change the horse's bend from one side to the other. With some tests having as many as 20 different opportunities to show the judge how good you are at changing your horse's bend. Or maybe how not so good you are at it!
Lesley's Corner
The Counted Walk - a Tool to Improve Your Horse's Carriage in Dressage
The Counted Walk is an "old school" Dressage exercise that I find to be highly overlooked and under utilized! It can be effective in improving the horse's balance and carriage, and to help him to better understand how to remain active behind even when going slowly.
Lesley's Corner
Riding From "Front to Back"
To ride from "front to back" means that the rider is using their hands to artificially shape the horse's head and neck, rather than letting the head and neck position change naturally as the overall carriage of the horse improves with training (ie collection.)
Lesley's Corner
The Function of the Rider's Elbow Joints
A rider's elbow joint is one of the most important joints in their body... especially so for those of us who ride Dressage! Learn about a very common mistake riders make with their elbows, that causes all sorts of unwanted resistance from their horses!
Lesley's Corner
Is Your Free Walk Really FREE? And Do You Make Good Use Of It?
Let's talk about WHY we ride our horses in the movement known as the free walk.
Lesley's Corner
There Are Always Two Sides to Every Story - Even Between You and Your Horse!
There are always at least 2 sides to every story. Of course we all know this to be true in life! But how does this concept translate into our riding?? Keep reading to find out!
Lesley's Corner
3 Distinctly Different Ways of Controlling Your Horse's Shoulders in Circles, Turns & Lateral Work
Did you know that there are 3 related but distinctly different ways of controlling your horse's shoulders?? Many riders are in the habit of using only one of these 3 methods. So they continue to struggle to accurately control their horse's shoulders in turns, circles, and lateral work.
Lesley's Corner
A TEST of Your Horse's Rideability & Adjustability
Generally a good, smooth, clean show jumping round happens when you have the right quality of canter, and your horse is rideable and adjustable between fences. Here is an exercise that will show you exactly how much adjustability your horse has!
Lesley's Corner
Does Your Horse Like Rein Contact Right Up to the Point of Takeoff at a Jump? Or Does He Prefer a Soft/Loose Rein in the Final Strides? Find Out Here!
To get the very best out of every horse when show jumping, riders need to really think about the specific way that each individual horse needs and wants to be ridden between the fences. Let me help you to figure out what kind of horse you have!
Lesley's Corner
Do You Get Nervous When You Perform at a Horse Show??
If you are like many riders, the act of performing in front of others will make you at least somewhat nervous, whether you realize it or not! Don't despair... there IS something you can do to help you deal with this uncomfortable feeling when it happens! Read on to find out what it is!