Tip/Quote of the Day!
It is a common mistake for novice riders to give the rein when the horse does the wrong thing, such as snatching at the rein or pulling on the rider. If you give when the horse does this, you are rewarding that behavior, and it will surely continue!
Tip/Quote of the Day!
When mistakes happen in the show ring, try to put them behind you immediately in your mind. Ride the next Dressage movement with confidence in front of the judge. If jumping, think positively forward and ride the next fence on course with enthusiasm.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
"Incorrect training is as if you buttoned a sweater wrong. In order to fix it you must unbutton it and start over again." ~ Reiner Klimke This is SO important! You can not just add another layer over top and expect it to be right. And this is true
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Think of letting your hips move towards the back of the saddle as your horse begins to jump. This will allow your horse's jumping motion to smoothly and naturally close your hip angle over the fence.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
"If you keep your hands still, you’ll start using your legs." ~ Ulla Salzgeber
Tip/Quote of the Day!
"We cannot touch the mouth until the horse is making enough energy that it’s safe to touch him in the mouth." ~ Laura Graves
Tip/Quote of the Day!
The evenness of the contact reveals the straightness of the horse. Instead of being tempted to try to fix unevenness in the contact with your hands, focus on helping your horse to use both of his hind legs evenly.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Think about having weighted elbows. When your elbows are hanging down by your hip bones because you have relaxed your shoulders and are allowing your elbows to drop, your hands will be in the right place.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Your engaged core is what allows your position to be unaffected by your horse's changes of speed on the flat.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Do not miss the possible opportunity to shorten your reins when your horse changes his balance in the direction of increased collection. But make sure you maintain forward feeling hands when doing so. If you do miss it, and are riding with a length of rein that was more appropriate
Tip/Quote of the Day!
If you ask for too much angle in any lateral movement (more than your horse can handle at that moment), you risk impeding the balance and fluidity of the movement, which should be some of your top priorities.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
The inside rein is like the directional or turn signal in your car. You use it to indicate the direction that you plan to go, but it doesn’t actually turn your car.
