It's often said, "Your horse is your mirror." Do you agree? In what ways have you seen horses "mirroring" their riders? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Video Discussion # 81: Top British Eventer Harry Meade talks about creating the right canter for Show JumpingHarry Meade makes some great points about finding the right canter for Show Jumping. At first I thought he was saying that the horse was the one doing the stalling in the corner on the approach... but after thinking about it, I think he is really just talking about the rider taking back and shutting the engine down a bit. Which usually does cause the hot horse to charge at the fence after coming out of the corner on the approach. Can anyone relate to this? If you ride a horse that tends to rush or charge to the jumps, do you think you may have a habit of taking back or holding too much through the corners? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to watch video, and read this educational discussion) Discussion # 111: "Symmetrical" is a good word to think about when riding...Symmetrical is a good word to think about when riding... Are you sitting on the horse in a symmetrical way? Are your hands and legs symmetrical when in their "home" positions? Do you ride your figures in a symmetrical way? Do you do plan your exercises in such a way to help your horse to become more symmetrical? What other examples can you think of, that we should be thinking about in terms of symmetry when riding? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Let's have a discussion about this quote: "Don't try to see a distance. Your horse has a pair of eyes and you need to let him use them. The more you do in front of a fence the more you will distract them." ~ Chris Bartle
It seems that the US is a country (and really the only country) divided between the two mindsets - on whether the rider needs to pick the jumping takeoff spots for the horse... or if the rider should set the horse up properly, and then let them do their job. So many of the most successful trainers outside of the US have spoken up boldly about this concept, yet it seems many do seem to not listen to it, or believe in it.
Think about it.. If we squelch our horses' very natural instincts to look after themselves when we are training, what is going to happen to us when we are out on cross country, and we eventually make a mistake (which is inevitable)? That horse, having had the initiative trained right out of him, has a much greater risk of hitting a jump or even having a rotational fall.
Putting it another way… if YOU were about to go running and jumping over hurdles, would you want someone else having control of your striding and footwork? Or would you be safer if you watched the jumps yourself and took care of your own feet? Your thoughts?? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Discussion # 109: Let's discuss the very common rider habit of posting with their hands!One of my biggest pet peeves is watching riders "post" the trot with their hands - letting their hands move up and down with their upper body while posting. And it is unfortunately seen in riders at all levels! Who can tell us why this happens with beginner riders? And for bonus points, who can tell us why so many experienced riders still do this?? I would truly love to know! ;) Also, what effect does this action have on the rein connection? In other words... why is this such a bad thing? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Discussion # 108: This is how many riders ride through their turns! Take a look at these two pictures... This is how many riders ride through their turns! The rider on the left is cantering through a right turn to a jump, but the rider on the right is merely walking on a cirle to the left.And these are both quite experienced riders! What effect do you think this will have on their horses? And what should they do to fix this problem? Do you think YOU have this problem?? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Discussion # 105: The horse's neck muscles tell the story!You can tell a lot about how correct a horse's frame is by evaluating the way he is using his topline muscles. The muscles in the horse's neck really tell the story, with an area of bulging muscle at the top of the neck behind the poll proving the horse is in a false frame, from being pulled together from front to back. The first picture shows the signs of an incorrect frame, while the one below it shows a horse that is using his neck muscles properly. What else do you notice about the difference between these two pictures? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Discussion # 104: What is wrong with this rider's lower leg position?Who can tell us what is wrong with this rider's lower leg position? Why is this position a problem? And how can this rider correct this problem? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Discussion # 99: Balance or grip over fences, which works better and why??It is very educational to be able to compare the specific details of different horses and riders who are at exactly the same point over a jump. Both are obviously great riders, but these two riders have very different styles and positions. Because the first rider's center of gravity is so far ahead of his feet, that iron strong knee grip is necessary to keep him secure. And the second rider is in such a good balance that they could completely relax their leg and be just fine. Balance vs grip, as a means to staying on a horse, are the two options we have. Which one is better or more reliable in each of the three phases of Eventing? And why? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Discussion # 98: Let's talk about the "electric butt" syndrome!Let's talk about the "electric butt" syndrome! You've probably seen some riders (or maybe it's you!) who always seem to make their horses hot or strong. This type of rider can usually produce great results when riding the lazy type, but is often not a good match for the horse that already wants to be hot. What do you think it is exactly that this type of rider is doing to cause the horse to feel like they are being constantly driven forward? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)Discussion # 97: Where are this rider's seat bones pointing? The rider position shown below - with an arched and hollow lower back, is unfortunately quite common. But look at what that hollowed lower back has done to this rider's seat! Who can tell us which direction this rider's seat bones are now pointing (rather than the ideal direction, which is straight down)? And what can the rider do to fix this problem? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Discussion # 96: Let's discuss a rider's mental focus in this sport!Having a narrow focus is like high definition, you will notice more details about whatever you are intensely focused on. If you widen your focus, you will notice less specific detail, but more overall details about your surroundings. Which do you think is better suited to each of the three phases of Eventing? And why?Discussion # 95: How would you ride this cross country complex?How would you ride this water complex? Would you jump the log in straight, and then turn to the brush jump out? Or would you angle the log jump in to set yourself up for the brush jump? And why? Which side of 16A would you aim for? And finally, what speed would you approach this complex? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Discussion # 90: Think about the amount of pressure that was on William Fox Pitt last weekend going into the Show Jumping phase at Rolex… being in first place, but knowing that if he made a single mistake he would lose the win...Think about the amount of pressure that was on William Fox Pitt last weekend going into the Show Jumping phase at Rolex… being in first place, but knowing that if he made a single mistake he would lose the win. How do you think riders handle that type of intense pressure, and still keep a cool, clear head? Let's brainstorm on the ways riders can learn to cope with this type of stress, and performance anxiety in general. (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)Discussion # 89: Let's talk about the similarities between a jumping horse and a pole vaulter!Let's talk about the similarities between a jumping horse and a pole vaulter. Take a look at this very cool video, which shows some great slow motion footage of pole vaulters. The more energy there is on the approach, the more stored energy will be in the pole when they place it to push off. And the higher they will then be catapulted. Notice also how close they must be to the "jump" on the takeoff to get all of that height. Similarly, horses need to be ridden forward right to the base of the jump to be able to rock back and coil the spring like joints of their hind legs to their fullest extent. Which allows them to most easily spring upward to clear great heights. Can you see the similarities? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Discussion # 88: Let's take a look at the balance of these two riders!Now, this is definitely not meant to be a "Eventers vs Show Jumpers" debate, but let's take a look at the balance of these two riders. Based on a recent discussion on Facebook, it seems many riders are under the false impression that an automatic release with a low hand would bring the rider's balance too far forward. But take a look at the first picture, and this rider's lovely and soft automatic release. You should get a sense that this rider could put her hand absolutely anywhere she wanted, even all the way down to her toes! ...without her balance coming forward.
On both pictures below, locate each riders center of gravity by imagining where their belly button is.... and then note where that point is in relation to both the horse's withers, and the rider's feet.
Because the rider in the second picture has a much more forward balance point, with the resulting pinched knee, and lower leg falling back - the only way he could possibly use the same kind of release as the rider in the first picture (if he wanted to), would be to rely on that extreme knee grip (which is his base of support in this case, rather than his stirrup.)
Both of these are great riders, who are very successful, and have a style that works for them. But we should be able to examine each rider's form and style, and learn from it. Please share your thoughts!(Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Quiz # 22: In a two stride Show Jumping combination, how many opportunities are there for a half halt? In a two stride Show Jumping combination, how many opportunities are there for a half halt? (Click on Quiz Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)Video Discussion # 78: I love this video on "Spook Proofing Your Horse"!I lovethis video on "Spook Proofing Your Horse"! I especially like what he says about giving the horse "time for reflection", and how the horse has the ability to "turn the bag off." Teaching the horse to want to face his fear and investigate, rather than trying to get away, will make him much safer to ride! What are your thoughts on this video? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to watch the video and read this educational discussion)Discussion # 86: Let's discuss hindquarter and hind leg conformation!Take a look at the pelvis, stifle, and hock angles on these two horses. Which one do you think shows better hindquarter and hind leg conformation? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Discussion # 84: Who can answer this rule quiz?? What is the exception to the unauthorized assistance rule on cross country? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)Discussion # 83: How would you ride this fence?Does the ground line of the ditch in front of this corner change the line in which you would approach and ride it? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Video Discussion # 77: Watch and learn from this very cool video from Centaur Biomechanics!It is so educational to be able to watch videos in slow motion! You can see so much detail that is easily missed at the speed of real life. One thing that I noticed in this video, is the clever footwork done by the horses. This should help to dissolve the theory (held by some) that we must find a perfect takeoff spot for our horses! This is Badminton - probably the hardest Event in the world! And in this short video, you can see horses jumping enormous obstacles from a multitude of takeoff spots. Note in particular the jumps at :29 and 1:29, where the horse meets the jump exactly on a half stride. Since the horse is being ridden forward in balance and rhythm... and because the riders are allowing the horse to do their own footwork... the horses can cope smoothly and easily. What are your thoughts on this video? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
How would you ride this Training level cross country complex? What line would you take through the combination? And what speed would you have on the approach? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Discussion # 76: Is this horse behind the bit? Or behind the vertical?Is this horse behind the bit, behind the vertical, or both? Is there something about the rider's position that may be contributing to this problem? And what should the rider do to fix this situation? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
