This week in lessons...

Yesterday's fun show was a lot of fun and I want to thank all those that participated as well as those that helped out! I will post results in the barn this week! I think Zander/Chelsea were the clear winner  for the gymkhana type events, and Shawn/Stephanie for the hunters.

The most interesting even was the obstacle course, where I set up 9 obstacles, assigned them points, and competitors tried to get as many points as they could in 2 minutes. The rope gate proved to be the most challenging, and showed some holes in training that we need to work on! The rope gate event may find its way into lessons....

The other thing the obstacle course and the pylon race showed, was a big tendency of riders to look down at the obstacles they are trying to avoid...this isn't a particularly effective way to avoid something as we tend to end up going to where we are looking, and looking down really shifts the rider's weight forward and tips the horse even more on the forehand. A horse on the forehand is much less mobile and able to respond than a horse that is balanced more on its haunches.

So, what will we do in lessons?

Advanced horses and riders will work on leg yielding...at the canter. This helps to balance the horse, and set up for lead changes. Leg yielding at the canter is not something you will see in a dressage test, but is a good schooling exercise. Leg yield at canter will make it even more obvious that you need the horse's body STRAIGHT for the leg yield, with only flexion in the jaw, but at canter, you may find it best to keep the jaw/neck straight.

We are also going to work on better downward transitions to make sure all horses are rider's are set up to be able to do successful half halts. For a horse to be able to half halt, it needs to be able to do a downward transition that starts with its haunches, and stays light in the bridle. Once the downward transitions are correct, then all a half halt is, is you asking for the downward transition, but as soon as you feel the horse start to rebalance and take increased weight on its hind end, you allow it to move forward again.

The aids for the half halt will vary a bit from horse to horse, and from dressage to jumping, but are basically the same aids you need to use for a correct downward transition...which HAS to include leg so the horse doesn't pitch on to its front end like a bike going downhill and the rider using the front wheel brakes...

Off now to take Oreo to be neutered...if anyone is looking for a very affectionate, and handsome kitty, we have one that will be looking for a new home shortly!