Classical Dressage pointers

Some great tips from the Classical Dressage site:


'Ride with an aggressive navel' - Nuno Oliveria (ok that one makes me laugh!)


'The shoulders are  level with each  other and rather than, as is usually described when talking about  position, holding them open and flat back, think of opening the  ribcage from the front as this uses different muscles and lets the  shoulder girdle remain soft and free.'

'Finally, point your toes as far to the front as your conformation allows so you can lie as much of the inside of your leg as possible against the side of your horse. My favourite description of this is the German one of “like a wet dishcloth”. It doesn't cling - it's just there.'

Loving this site.  

Dressage scribe for the day

This weekend, I'm going to a dressage show - but without Kadey.

I put my hand up as a penciller/scribe. I figure it's a good chance to get my hand back in the game, maybe make some new contacts in the dressage world and learn what judges are looking for and at. Basically it's like having a lesson, free of charge.

Only thing is, my first classes are Elementary level. Eek! I haven't even ridden an elementary test before, and now I'll be taking notes for moves I may not have even SEEN before!

In all, a good opportunity to learn. I'm going to study the tests before hand so I understand the movements and what's happening.

Whee!

Back to square one. Or no square, without an arena...

I spoke to the owner of the flood-lit arena down the road.... it is only available for agistees.

So, back to square one. There is a McMansion between here and that place however given that they're clearly not badly off, I don't think the incentive of 'I'll pay you if I can use your arena' will really get me anywhere. Boo hiss.

Of course, just as I heal and can finally get back in the saddle, the days will be getting shorter. Argh!!

Show Prep: Plaiting a horse with a thin neck + great tips for sewn english plaits

Found this video on YouTube - brilliant advice for hiding/enhancing a thin neck and also some great tips for sewn plaits in general. Waxing the thread with beeswax? GENIUS! 

Zen and horses

From a BlogHer blog by AnnaB:

"This year I have worked with some really great horses, who I usually meet in the middle of an unwanted behavior. After a little equine CSI work- the problem frequently boils down to a dislike of fighting. Meaning a trailer issue is more likely a resistance to the fight about the trailer, than the actual trailer itself.  It’s not so much what we ask them to do, but how we ask. Once communication breaks down there is no joy on either side.

And it doesn’t necessarily mean the rider is violent or abusive by human standards. Horses are so sensitive to our moods- frustration can feel like a punishment and depression can feel like pressure with no release in sight.

I don’t know that it matters in the end who started it, or why. Both sides have to surrender their defensiveness to start over. The bigger heart should apologize first; some of us learn that from our horses. Then like kids on a playground, we can go back to our game.

When working with animals, I see myself as a peace-nik. I refuse to continue a fight or hold a grudge. Post the Serenity Prayer in the barn if it helps, but the useless bickering has to stop. I choose to stay relentlessly positive, and behave as if I have an infinite well of honesty, optimism and creative ideas- along with all the time in the world. I’m no saint, but if I can act that way for a while, horses will come the rest of the way to meet me. Then trust can grow as the adversity retreats."

Which is interesting... and so true. I'm always amazed by the impact of little things, like getting a horse to change pace under saddle or on the lunge, with something as simple as adjusting my breathing or softening the look in my eye.

I have ordered some books from Amazon to explore the topic (and make the most of my stuck on the ground situation), I'll blog any findings or key outcomes with Kade as I go :) 

This is just a little bit awesome :)

Dressage: UK vs USA

A great breakdown on the various levels of dressage in the UK (which I'm pretty sure we follow here) and USA (SOURCE):

Re UK dressage levels, affiliated dressage is governed by British Dressage (www.britishdressage.co.uk) which is similar in set-up to the USDF.

The various levels in increasing order of difficulty are (new movements introduced at that level shown in brackets):

Intro – (walk & trot tests)
Prelim – (working trot & canter)
Novice – (medium walk, trot & canter, counter canter ,rein back)
Elementary – (leg yield, collected trot & canter, simple changes)
Medium – (shoulder-in, half pass, extended & collected walk, extended trot & canter, travers, half walk pirouettes,
Advanced Medium – (flying change)
Advanced (4 times changes)
Prix St Georges
Intermediare I
Intermediare II
Grand Prix

A little bit about how our classes are divided: We don’t split classes by amateur/professional status, instead we have a system of horse & rider ranking. Horses accumulate points as they do well in competition & once they reach a certain level are upgraded & are no longer allowed to compete at a level. This stops a Prix-St-George horse from being able to contend an elementary class.

Riders are given a group level, entitling them to compete in the Open or Restricted section at a particular class level. Once a rider has experience in the level above, they must compete in the Open section of lower levels.

To compare, the US system (explained in Lauren Sprieser's blog):

Intro - walk/trot
Training Level - walk, trot, canter
First Level - walk, trot, canter, lengthening trot & canter, leg yield, beginning of counter canter
Second Level - collected trot & canter, medium trot & canter, shoulder in, travers, renvers, rein-back, simple changes, turn on haunches, counter canter
Third Level - collected, medium, and extended gaits, half-pass, flying changes, plus the stuff from Second Level
Fourth Level - basically same stuff as Third Level but higher degree of difficulty. Flying changes every 4th stride, canter half-pirouette.

Earn your prize

Sir, I want that trophy. 

Do you want to steal it?

No, Sir.

Do you want to win it?

No, Sir. I want to earn it.