Critique my riding?

Question

Here is me and Pep at a show: http://youtube.com/watch?v=bbDWyPGHWrk

I know her head isn't where it's supposed to be, but we still got 2nd place. Critique ME, NOT my horse. Thanks

Answer 1

you have a slightly forward position and you need to carry your hands a little higher, your arms are meant to be extensions of the reins. In a show you need to work to make your horse look its best; ride her forward a bit more and try and achieve a better outline. She's very calm and you look good together otherwise.

Answer 2

you looked a little sloppy, get it together, fix ur heels, position, and you seemed like u were looking down so lift ur head up a lil, but besides that u have a beeeaaauutttiifffuulll seat, ur really good but remeber that littl things throw off everything

Answer 3

I think you could use your legs a bit more to get your horse going instead of your seat. Everytime you sit you kind of shove your horse on and it makes your position look a bit untidy and your legs swing. Wrap your legs around the horse and it will look more attractive when you are relaxed and light with you seat and position.

Also rise a little higher. I think this might be because your stirrups are too long but I'm from England and I think I heard somewhere that in America you ride with longer stirrups, so it could be because of that.

Someone said before look up. You are looking at your horse but you should look where you are going. (I do this lol).

I am being very picky btw because you are a very good rider and your horse is very pretty. Congrats on 2nd place.

Answer 4

Overall very NICE!!!

here are a few of my observations-

1. your toes are pointed out and should be forward and the stirrup should be resting on the ball of your foot.  Your heels need to be down.  Try to work on keeping your lower leg steady...and post from your hips rather than your feet.

2. your hands should be closer together and more by the withers rather than by your knees..and thumbs up..you should be looking at your thumb nails rather than the side of your thumb.

3. I didn't see much of a difference in your speed nor a longer extension in the extended trot.  You need to push your guy on with your butt and leg pressure to get him to move on.

That's all I can remember off hand..but I thought you were both turned out very nicely and really look good together.

I would practice your leg position by working without stirrups a little and just keeping in mind some of the suggestions mentioned.

Congratulations on your ribbons....and PRACTICE...your off to a great start!!

**EDIT**

Went back and yes..check your stirrup length..you can do this by droppoing your stirrups and they should fall by your ankle bone...or some people when dismounted will measure the length by measuring against the length of your arm..arm extended and the stirrup is under your arm pit to the end of your fingers touch the leathers and the closest hole should be about right.

One other comment...your horse seems to stop every now and then at the walk...or kinda gets lazy..maintain contact with the mouth..and give a little bump every now and then to keep him/her alert and to remind him/her that you're there and there is work to be done!!

Answer 5

You are a really good rider.

Just put your hand up a tad. and RELAX. you look a tad stiff.

but still great!!!

Answer 6

your stirrups look a bit long, but that might just be me...try to ride with a bit of shorter, like half a hole. and keep your hands up a bit higher. But nice job!!! maybe if you did a bit more bend, too, but REALLY NICE JOB!!! i could critque so much more on SOMEBODY else, but nice job!!! thats all i really can critique.

Answer 7

I've been in a walk, trot horse show also and woooppppeee I got 1st place!

They judge you on your position and how fast you can get your horse to move or slow down. They also see if you are on the right diagonal when trotting. You looked pretty good, but next time work on your position in the saddle.

Answer 8

well, i have a comment about your stirrups...they are too long...when they are that lenght you cant put your heels down...and you need to keep your hands up

Answer 9

relax your hands and your entire body, sit on your seatbones and sit up really straight with your shoulders back alsoturn your leg IN it will be more effective and look much better- try lifting your legs out ((when your on the horse)) and then putting them straight down, then KEEP them in that place.

Good Luck  :) x

Answer 10

Hands up and relax more, other then that you lok prety good

Answer 11

toes forward pllleeeeaaaassseeee omg this is my biggest pet peeve. i'm bow-legged, myself, and its really hard to keep them forward but it looks SO much better & cleaner. Also, keep your chin up and looking forward. Pretend your chin is on a shelf. and sit up a little straighter. Otherwise, awesome job and congratulations!

Answer 12

Okay, the first thing that jumped out at me, like everyone else, was that you need your toes foreward and heels RIGHT down. Try shortening your stirrup a hole. You know how to check stirrup length, correct? The stirrup iron should be just beneath your ankle bone; on the ground, you can measure the right length by putting the stirrup leather against your arm. If you pull it, the iron should come right into your armpit.

Next is that you need to carry your hands, and engage your elbow a little bit more. What I want you to do is to, right now,is to fully extend both arms in front of you. Close your fingers. Swivel your hands until your thumb is pointing forewards, and it's fingernail is on top. That's how your hands should look. Now pull your hands in by bending your elbow, keeping your forearm straight(not bending it upwards), until you can find the "deepest" feel in your elbow. If you get it right, you'll find that it brings your shoulders right back. Finally, curve your wrists a little, so there should be a straight line down the back of your forearm and hand.

THIS is the position of your hand and arm. Many people get the hand position right, but forget about the importance of the forearm/elbow.

Okay, next thing I noticed is that your horse isn't foreword. I know you said not to critique your horse, but this would overall bring the two of you together(and get her head down, and what not). She's not overtracking at the walk and trot-- and we want her to. Her "extended" trot is more of what her normal trot should be. Remember when she leaned over to scratch herself? Also because she was not foreword.

Because she was just barely trotting, it made your rising trot look a bit awkward. With a bit more bounce in her step, it would be easier for you to come out of the saddle.

Hope that helps!