Judge my equitation!?

Question

Hey guys I need some harsh advice on my equitation!! I wanna hear the truth. I highly appreciate tips. I don't have any pictures of me riding her but this website does.. Follow the steps!

STEPS:

1. Go to http://capturedmomentphoto.com

2. Click on equestrian

3.Click on ECHO

4.Click on June 2008

5. Click on Cali Girl

6. THATS US!!

Also I would like advice on everything.. Me, my horse/pony/cow :) tack, clothes, etc.

Thanks!

Answer 1

TB Eventer is pretty much right on with the critique.  I was going to mention your hand position but I see that the post was edited to include that.

In addition to the two-point..I wanted to also suggest working on the lunge line without reins which will help your balance and encourage you to use your legs and body.  Also do this without stirrups too.  

At my barn, we also have vaulting lessons...where we ride "bareback" but with a vaulting surcingle which has handles for those moments when we can loose our balance!!  This is a great exercise for improving balance and working those muscles!!  Your inner thighs and groin muscles will feel the workout....we just use our body..hands/arms are being worked and have no contact with the reins...just balance and your body..even going into the canter is done by shifting your weight and body..and you can rally feel you and the horse working together without being able to hold onto the reins or stirrups!!

You really need to work on your pointing out toes...you can school (I'm not sure about showing with them) with offset stirrups or pads that will aid in keeping your foot in the right position in the stirrups.  Also, try to keep  the inside of your foot towards the inside of the stirrup...not towards the outside which will cause your knees to pull away from the saddle.  Have your instructor put a piece of paper between your lower leg and the saddle and make sure it doesn't fall or blow away.  Remember when looking down at your foot while mounted, you should just see the tip of your boots.

Also, remember to look between your horses ears and slightly turn your head (not your body) when going around corners or looking for your next move.

You hand position on the reins are not right..you should see your thumbs which means that your wrists will be at the proper angle to control your horse...don't have bunny hands!!

As far as your turnout...you look very poised and polished.  I love the fact that for your age, you are wearing jodphurs and a garter. You tack looks nice although I recall thinking that your saddle looked a little to big for you which could have an effect on your position or perhaps the picture..plus it looks new and not that broken in. Have you conditioned the leather to get it more supple?  If not, do that as it will break in easier and make it softer for you to grip against.

Until you get some of these flaws corrected, you might want to consider a different color jodphur that would blend more with the saddle that would conceal some of these flaws as you work towards your equitation goals.

Practice, practice, practice....and enjoy the challenge!!

Answer 2

While you have nice posture, you have some serious and basic faults.

Your heels are UP. This is riding 101. Heels up, your legs are loose, and you are constantly bumping him in the sides.

Secondly, your hands are way too low. This is putting constant pressure on the bit and you will eventually ruin his mouth. This also indicates that you are locking your arm, and not moving with the horse.

You have a nice turn out/appearance, but this is really sloppy riding. The two most important traits in a rider are tight legs and light hands.

EDIT: With a second look, I noticed that you are over flexing your back. Relax and tuck your seat under you. Your leg will come forward when you get your heel down.

Answer 3

Not impressed.

The horse does not suit the discipline you are riding.

Your stirrups look a little too short, it looks like you hold your leg too far back and your torso is too far forward.

When you are cantering your toes are pointed out....not attractive.

Keep riding, keep practicing!

Answer 4

your upper body looks GREAT!

but the one thing i would say is work on lots of two-point and no stirrup work to secure your leg.  your toes are pointing out a little too much, and you leg if a little far back which then brought your knee off the saddle.  

in some of the picture (like the 8th) your lower leg is good but your knee is too far off the saddle.  in the 10th photo your lower leg is on your horse, but you toes are too far out, and your knee/thigh should still be on the saddle.

pointing your toe more forewards will bring your knee/thigh onto the saddle.

but two point and no stirrup work will defiantly help your leg.

your pony is veryyyy cute [= looks a little pokey (judging by the amount of leg you have on) but very very cute [=  she looks like she could use a good deep grooming and maybe some show sheen next time to really make her pretty palimino coat glow [=  but depending on the level of shows this might not matter as much.

otherwise, its very nice.  your tack matches and looks clean, and you matched very well (shirt and ribbons) your coat looks a little big but I'm sure you'll grow into it..

nice job overall [=

EDIT: your hands are much too low, remember to keep your elbows at your sides  and your arms making a straight line from the bit to the rein to your elbow. (i'm sure its an attempt to get your horse to relax her head a bit.. but its really not going to work, its better to ride properly and push her into your reins as opposed to pulling her.

Answer 5

it was ok but u need to look up, dont slouch, raise ur hands, and there were a couple other things but i forgot sorry ;)

Answer 6

I think you and horse horse look great together, your horse has a lovely healthy look. You have your horse moving forward nicely. He has great activity in his hocks in every photo, so you are well capable of driving him forward.

Your turnout looks lovely, that looks like a nice bridle and saddle on him. Your jacket and clothes look lovely, you are a pretty pair.

Things I'd work on:

Keeping your heals down

Locking your elbows in by your side

Thumbs up on top - this creates riding with soft hands

I think possibly if you roll you knee onto your saddle a little more then your toes may stay in

And you both look like you're ready for the next stage of creating a nice contact with the outside rein and using lots of inside leg, then flexing him with the inside rein to have him start and round up.

I think you are doing lots of things right! Keep up the lovely riding. Sorry hard to mention more without a video.

Very best of luck with the competitions. :)

Answer 7

You've got a good start, but there are some big things that need to improve in order for you to succeed in showing.

Your hands are very low, especially for hunter/jumper. You need to bend your elbows. If you do this, your hands will come up. You want your hands near the withers, not the shoulders.

Even though you're doing hunter/jumper, you're only doing flatwork, so lengthen those stirrups! Also, work on doing LOTS of two point work to strengthen your legs.

Also, riding with no stirrups does wonders for your leg equitation.

One of the biggest things I see is that your toes are pointing out. I struggle with this too, but you need to point your toes straight forward, so you don't give your horse confusing cues.

I love that you are always looking up. That is super important, and it looks good.

Consider getting a trainer, if you don't already have one. No matter how experienced you get, there's probably someone who could teach you new things still. Trainers are great, and will be able to help you with all of this.

Answer 8

I would suggest that you don't have so much of a bow in you back. (in some pictues it looks a lot better than others) Sit up tall. Look the world in the face. Relax. Also, get those heels down   |

           V  

You may also want to keep your  knees so it looks like they're attached to the saddle and keep you arms up with some bend in em'.

I think you over all look really pretty in the saddle! Keep up the good work!! I love your jacket!!!!