While most of us may never have the chance to compete in the Olympics, or even ride a grand prix horse, we can all learn something of value from Hester. Throughout the clinic he provided tips and prescribed exercises that every rider, at every level, can work on at home. Here are three of our...
Canter leg yield from 3/4 line to track. Once on the aids, then leg yield from the track to the centre line followed by a 10m circle with slight counter flexion. Trot a square, establish the straightness both through turns and on straight lines. Then ride an early turn on long side – ensure straightness a...
Nash was great today – following our session at Clayfields with Steven Smith yesterday. He worked in well and was very relaxed. We had the first fence, which was a shame, and then I made a mistake into the double and got a completely off stride going in, which put us wrong for the second...
A nice reminder of the Scales of Training, and what each level means (with drawings which illustrate the meaning)…
Venue: Solihull Riding Club Discipline: Dressage Test: Novice 24 Judge Jane Ratcliffe Percentage: 63.70% Place: Indiv 13thTeam 11/33 Judge’s Comments: “A smart horse. Correct paces. Pleasing work at times, but needs to support on hinds more now along with more suppleness through the back to develop the engagement and balance.”
Venue: MDRC Club Field Discipline: Riding Club Dressage Championships Test: Novice 27 Judge Amanda Rawson Percentage: 67.14% Place: 2nd Judges comments were: “Boldly ridden test. Now needs to develop the balance for the higher marks” Only our second Novice test – so really pleased with 67.14% – even with a 4 for the medium trot...
So I’d say an educational 4 days at the All England Jumping Championships Hickstead. Fair to say we didn’t take the place by storm – but we certainly had fun! Wednesday 2 September – Arrival Arrived about lunchtime and settled the horses into their stables, next door to each other, with Una in the end...
Our best round to date – putting everything Michael Jones and Emma have been coaching me towards. Ran through fence 6 as I got him too close, making the related distance at fence 7 a stretch – but otherwise a really pleasing performance. As I exited the ring, the course builder commented that it was...