Promoting Good Riding through Correct Form and Equitation 2008-07-05T10:16:54Z http://warsongequestrian.com/atom.aspx Quick Blog Fun Day tag:warsongequestrian.com,2008-06-29:6011554b-93ce-4280-b4f6-f081e70278cb Michelle 2008-06-29T07:09:26Z 2008-06-29T06:59:00Z

Madison and Michaela (above)



Madison and Blue (above)



Michaela and Penney



Michaela riding Penney without assistance.



Michelle's horse Jasper, hoping for another treat I'm sure!



Brushing Penney after the ride.



GDaddy showing Michaela how it's done.



Alex, Madison, Emily, Michaela, Kaitlyn, and Teri (Penney's Owner)]]> Learning to Post tag:warsongequestrian.com,2008-06-19:2af92f5f-1e91-4e03-82ba-db1be90e29b6 Michelle 2008-06-19T07:23:57Z 2008-06-19T06:05:00Z


Stretching after a long stretch of posting.



Your leaning forward and being silly. No fun allowed! ha ha.



Get your lower leg back a little.



This is nice, but you need to keep the weight in your heels and post from the bottom of your heal.



Get your lower leg back a little and toes in.



Awsome leg position, very nice Teri.



VERY VERY VERY Nicely done! Your leg and seat are perfection in this pic. This is the perfect post! Notice how you can still draw a straight line from your shoulder, through your hip to your heel. Your lower leg may be just a hair too far back but it's nearly perfect. This is what you want. If you are balanced and post from the bottom of your heel, this will come natural.



Get your lower leg back, remember the straight line from your shoulder, through your hip to the back of your heel.



Beautiful leg position.



Ver nice.



Get your lower leg back. You look like you are sitting in a chair!



Get your lower leg back.]]> Teri - Monday, June 16 2008 tag:warsongequestrian.com,2008-06-17:e36172d7-07be-4b8c-a463-8bc588f6fc0a Michelle 2008-06-17T12:07:01Z 2008-06-17T11:50:00Z


Your hands are just a hair high in this picture. It looks like you may be trying "puppy dog" a little.



This looks nice.



You are leaning too far forward.



Penney's nose is sticking out she's "in front of" the bit as opposed to "on the bit" which is what we want. More leg! More leg! More leg!



Ahhhh relaxation.
]]> Jonni tag:warsongequestrian.com,2008-06-01:497780de-a022-471d-afab-73c237d262a4 Michelle 2008-06-17T12:30:54Z 2008-06-01T12:14:00Z
Jonni has a fantastic attitude when we work together and because she has a great attitude when in training, she has the potential to go far. When it comes to sports and training WE ALL need to remain teachable and never "Know it all". Tiger Woods has a team of trainers that stand over him and correct and critique him as he practices. Just like other sports, the harder we work the better we get. I'm saying this because with Jonni I see someone that truly loves the horses and wants to learn and that's always a pleasure to work with.

 

In this picture you you need to sit up straight, roll  your shoulders back, lengthen your reins a little, and get your hands off the mare's withers.



Your posture looks much, much better in this picture. You need to get your shoulders back and your hands are a little low, you've broken "the line". There should be a straight line from the bit to your elbow. You are doing that funky thing with your fingers that Teri does to, they are squished together. Other than that, this is a nice pic.



Wow, the chick in the pink needs to lay off the cokes. Anyway, much better hand position. You could bring them in just a hair closer to your body but I can't really fault you a whole lot on this one. Very nice Jonni.



Your arms are a little too straight in this picture. You need to bring your elbows back in by your sides a little more.]]> Jonni and Kathryn tag:warsongequestrian.com,2008-05-04:194c7cf1-7178-4a83-b480-046bf580d432 Michelle 2008-05-04T07:19:38Z 2008-05-04T06:49:00Z Jonni and Jasper



Jonni has a fabulous seat and can do a beautiful posting trot without stirrups. The area's she needs to work on is 1) her leg position - her toes tend to point straight out and they need to point forward or in. 2) Her hands 3) Shoulders back 4) look-up and watch where you are going. Jonni and Jasper are a perfect match for each other, physically, they look really good together. Jonni had a great attitude and very pleasant to work with!



No kidding, this girl can do a beautiful posting trot without stirrups. I was so so impressed. She didn't bounce, it was smooth, and just beautiful to watch.





Kathryn and Penny



Ohhhhh, we have much work to do on the hands, but fabulous leg position. You need to get your hands down and bring them in closer to you. Your elbows should be bent, they are sticking straight out.



What a beautiful leg position. You look balanced, the entire length of your calf is on the horse. You are going to be a great rider if you practice what you learn even when you are "riding for fun". You should strive to ride correctly, even when riding "for fun".



This is a beautiful picture, you look wonderful except for one thing... your whole foot is crammed in the stirrup which is DANGEROUS. If your position get's out of whack ... STOP .. and re-organize yourelf. Only the ball of your foot should be in the stirrup ESPECIALLY when you are riding for fun. Your foot could easily go all the way through the stirrup which would allow the horse to drag you if he / she took off (bolted).



You look great here, but I see a little too much foot in that stirrup.



Look at your leg... this is perfect. The entire length of your calf from knee to ankle is on the horse. Your ankle is flexed down and inward, your toes are forward, your heel is down, the sole of your foot is pointing out. Great job Kahtryn. You have great potential but your going to have to practice when I'm not around.



Your heel is digging into the horse in this picture (although I think she doesn't care, she looks like she's about to fall asleep). Keep your toes pointed forward.



This looks really nice Kathryn.



Way too much foot in the stirrup.

You need to work on 1) riding correctly AT ALL TIMES even when not doing lessons and "Riding for fun" 2) You are definitely ready to begin serious work on your hands



]]> Many Thanks Mrs.Malone tag:warsongequestrian.com,2008-04-16:a206c111-69ef-4bba-b0be-9f5439283d81 Michelle 2008-04-16T04:20:12Z 2008-04-16T03:46:00Z
Connie and Jack









Connie and Kathryn

Kathryn is doing so good. I was so proud to "show her off" to Connie. In the pictures below, she has a fabulous little leg position. She listened really well and did what Connie asked. Way to go Kathryn!!






Kathryn looks TOUGH AS NAILS!!!! I love it!! When she does start showing in the Hunter Divisions, she will be the one to beat!!






Connie and Teri

Teri did very well riding with someone new. She totally got what Connie was telling her and she tries so so so hard. She gives it her all and we are definitely seeing results.



(Above) I love this picture. I can totally see a bend in Penny. She is listening to your cues. You have a lot of inside leg on her and she is responding nicely. This is what you want. What's really cool is, you have almost no contact with your inside rein yet you are getting this nice bend out of her. Your leg is a little far back but you are getting the job done in this pic. This is what I mean by riding off your legs and not your hands. Don't get me wrong, you do want contact with the horses mouth but this photo is a good example of the horse responding to leg pressure.



(Above) You have very nice contact with the horses mouth in this picture. There is a nice strait line extending to the bit. You need to sit back a little, you are leaning forward. You need to get your heels down more and toes in.



(Above) Your leg position is BEAUTIFUL in this picture.



(Above) You need to get your weight down in your heals. You are getting a nice bend out of Penney in this picture.





Girlfriend!!! Get your heels down!!



You did really well taking from a new person.



Your leg position looks awsomw in this pic. You've come a long way Ms. Teri!!]]> Jack's Progress Report tag:warsongequestrian.com,2008-03-30:b6729e98-9872-446f-806e-846c8c37037d Michelle 2008-03-30T07:52:21Z 2008-03-30T07:32:00Z

When I bought Jack I quickly realized he knew only a few things such as how to lead at a walk, stand tied, have his feet handled, stand for the vet, load on a trailer, and he'll let you mount him. That is quiet literally all he knew. And he would walk on you and nip really bad.

Today he'll do the following:

  • Lunge to the left and right at a walk, trot, and canter.
  • Obey voice commands on the lunge line (for the most part, we're still working on it)
  • Speed up and slow down on the lunge line according to my voice commands.
  • Pick up the correct lead at the canter on the lunge line.
  • Ground drive lightly.
  • Follow the bit to the left and right (some)
  • Move off my legs (some)
  • He'll let me clip him.
  • I trust him enough now to let the kids work with him some. He's a pretty good boy.

When I first started riding him, he was very anxious almost like he was waiting on me to do something stupid on him. He's settled down a good bit and is a lot more relaxed under saddle.

Goals:

  • Ride quietly under saddle at the walk, trot, and canter.
  • Pick up correct leads.
  • Flying lead changes.
  • Trail ride quietly.
  • Prove himself to be kid safe.
  • Jump.
  • Become Show Worthy for the Kids

Up Coming Training Sessions Will Include:

  • More lungeing working on transitions and voice commands.
  • Ground Driving
  • Lungeing in Side Reins.
  • Trotting under saddle
  • Cantering under saddle.
  • Intro to trail riding
  • Intro to jumping (ground poles and cross rails)
  • Intro to full sized arena (Connie's)
]]> Kids and Ponies tag:warsongequestrian.com,2008-03-29:af006f6a-792b-45d8-aa96-8f4e09b37c48 Michelle 2008-03-29T19:16:11Z 2008-03-29T18:36:00Z ANNOUNCEMENT

Atlanta Spring Classic II Hunter Jumper Horse Show

Location Information

The Atlanta Spring Classic is located in the Charles Walker Arena, and Arenas 4-7. The $25,000 Grand Prix on Saturday is held in the Olympic Stadium. Free Admission!

Event Description

Come by the Atlanta Spring Classic horse show to witness world class show jumping at its very best! Over 800 horses will be in attendance. Riders ages 6 to 60 years participate. The highlights of the Spring Classic will be the $7,500 Children's/Adult Jumper Classic along with the $25,000 Grand Prix events each week. Show jumping is daily from Tuesday through Saturday from 8a.m. to 4-6pm in the Charles Walker Arena and Arenas 4-7. A $25,000 Grand Prix will be held on Saturday at 2p.m.

Some days, it's just fun to groom and hang out with your horse!













]]> Free Riding Lesson 3/27/08 Teri tag:warsongequestrian.com,2008-03-28:68f2407b-48e4-46c4-909a-454498041f1c Michelle 2008-03-28T06:38:21Z 2008-03-28T06:20:00Z

You are doing so much better! You just need to relax more and keep concentrating on sitting deep in the saddle and moving with the horse. Your hands are really in the way in this pic. I think next time you need to just rest them on your thighs. At this point it's just going to take a lot of practice. You will get it though, I promise.



You are looking down and holding on to the saddle too much. Next time, I want you to rest your hands on your thighs. That's the only way you are going to be able to get your seat. You really need to start looking up when you ride. If you are looking down you are concentrating on the horse and not yourself.




Our new little lesson pony ... Jack. I have a good leg position in this pic and I am looking up. My hands are too high and I've broken the straight line from my elbow to the bit. I tend to "cheat" when I'm working with Jack. Instead of shortening my rein real fast I just pull it across his shoulder to pull his nose back to the inside. He knows nothing and tends to be all over the place but he's getting with the program pretty fast. I really am bad about "puppy dogging" my hands. ]]> Michelle tag:warsongequestrian.com,2008-03-23:8e11bf00-84a4-460c-aabd-6c15c9b10dfb Michelle 2008-03-27T21:31:56Z 2008-03-23T17:04:00Z

This our new lesson / show pony named "Jack Sparrow". We believe he's part Welsh or Halflinger. He's 14 hands and 5 years old. He was a rescue horse to an extent. He was living in very less than ideal conditions, eating hog slop  - literally! So far he's been worth the $250 it took to buy him. Anyway, he seems to be reallllllly "green". I've been riding him lightly in the round pen just working on turning and bending in small circles and moving forward off my legs. He's doing very well. He learns fast and really responds well to praise and affection. I love this little horse! I do feel like I'm riding a yearling though, compared to my 16.2 hand paint named "Jasper".

This is a perfect example of what happens when you look down.... you begin to lean forward in the saddle. I'm actually a little up tight in this picture which has a lot to do with it too. This was the first time I've ridden Jack - EVER. I should be sitting up, leaning back a little and watching where I am going. My leg is in a good position, I'm just leaning forward and looking down.]]> Teri tag:warsongequestrian.com,2008-03-18:eb8bb75e-783e-4a14-8e51-6748150339f0 Michelle 2008-03-18T22:59:06Z 2008-03-18T22:49:00Z


Your leg position is awsome in this pic. Realllllly nice.








]]> Teri tag:warsongequestrian.com,2008-03-09:59bf6315-e0b9-423c-b5b4-7ff85973d0d5 Michelle 2008-03-09T20:01:08Z 2008-03-09T19:46:00Z


You look a little far back in the saddle in this picture. You are looking up though, which is good.



You look really good in this picture. You look very "correct". You are not too far back, you are sitting up straight, and you are looking up.



You are looking down. When we look down we tend to slouch, everybody does it. You are a little far back in this pic.



You look like you are sitting down a little more in this pic, but you are still a little too far back.]]> Kathryn tag:warsongequestrian.com,2008-03-09:e0014b10-1f48-4cfb-b8f6-2dcffc768b2e Michelle 2008-03-09T19:45:54Z 2008-03-09T19:28:00Z



Kathryn you have a great seat. You look great in this pic even though the saddle is WAY too big for you. You are sitting up nice and straight and you are looking up.



You are stiff in this picture. You need to relax, move with the horse, and look up. Let her shoulder pop you out of the saddle. Let it come natural, don't force it.



This is excellent. You are looking up. You look relaxed even though you are at the peak of your post in this picture. You are going to be a fantastick rider one day.

Kathryn, your lesson today was short but you still did great! Practice, Practice, Practice!
]]> Teri tag:warsongequestrian.com,2008-03-06:25c0bd60-f4bb-48a4-8243-26b80d6f0e71 Michelle 2008-03-07T08:12:33Z 2008-03-06T21:54:00Z

Comments on Above Photo:

Good....

Your heals are down and toes are in. You have perfect contact with the horse's mouth - there is a straight line going from the bit all the way to your elbow. You are not holding the reins correctly but we haven't gone over that yet so I won't fault you on that.

Bad ....

After looking at all of the photos, I am realizing that part of the problem with your seat is you are sitting way too far back in the saddle. Your butt is pushed all the way against the cantle. It may be because the saddle is a hair too small and you need to stretch like we talked about. You are also looking down.



"YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO DRAW A STRAIGHT LINE THROUGH YOUR SHOULDER, THROUGH YOUR HIP AND IT SHOULD HIT THE BACK OF YOUR HEEL"



Comments on Above Photo:

Good....

Well done Teri! Your leg looks excellent and you don't look too far back in the saddle in this picture.

Bad ....

Your looking down.




Comments on Above Photo:

Good....

You are sitting down deep in the saddle.

Bad ....

You are looking down and your lower leg is way too far forward.



Comments on Above Photo:

Good....

This picture is much better. Your knee is bent, your leg is back.

Bad ....

Your leaning too far forward. Your looking down. Stretch your inner thighs and sit deeper in the saddle like we talked about. Your inner thigh should lie smooth against the saddle. You almost look like you are grabbing with your knees some which will push you up and out of the saddle.




VERY VERY NICE!!! You have improved so much and caught on so fast. The only negative I have about this one is you are looking down.




Once again, VERY NICE, but you are looking down. Get your heals down a little more.



Whoa nellie! You've pushed your self too far back in the saddle. Your leg is way too far forward. Your toes are pointing out some. You are sitting up nice and straight though.



Much, much nicer. Your lower leg could come back just a hair. You are looking up - good job. Your toes are pointing out a little.



Your too far back, looking down, lower leg is too far forward.



Excellent leg position but get your toes in more and heals down more. I don't think you are deep enough in the saddle.]]> Kathryn tag:warsongequestrian.com,2008-03-02:701eb40b-8ac8-4f16-847e-a6d48206074a Michelle 2008-03-06T08:01:21Z 2008-03-02T18:37:00Z





Comments on Above Photo

What's wrong?

Kathryn looks a little stiff in this picture, almost like she's holding her breath. She needs to try to relax and really focus on feeling the horse and moving with the horse. She looks like she's trying to grip with her thighs.

What's Right?
Kathryn does have a naturally great seat, she does not bounce all over the horse.



Kathryn is very relaxed in this picture. This looks a lot better. She's playing Simon Says in this pic.

We have 2  more pictures but for some reason they don't want to upload. Keep up the good work Kathryn and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE until our next lesson.



]]> The day I captured .... Captain ...... Jack........ Sparrow! tag:warsongequestrian.com,2008-02-29:bd83e7bc-1ad2-4430-863d-c188ff2aef88 Michelle 2008-02-29T00:12:40Z 2008-02-29T00:03:00Z


]]> Teri tag:warsongequestrian.com,2008-02-24:aed86965-46ad-4f20-b293-b026f9e94979 Michelle 2008-03-27T21:55:58Z 2008-02-24T20:45:00Z The Good and The Bad

Today was Teri's 3rd riding lesson and she has greatly improved from where she was. I feel that the concepts that I am trying to teach Teri are really starting to click. She looks a lot more secure in the saddle and her horse is even riding a little better. Penney was a very good girl today! We are starting with her legs as a foundation for everything else she will learn. In my opinion and from my own experience there is no greater asset than riding with ALL of your weight in your heals, with your toes facing forward. Secondly, being able to balance over the horse while riding in two-point has proven to be a priceless skill as well. What Teri and I have been doing in her very first riding lessons is focusing on her leg position and balance in two-point. What I do is lunge Penney while Teri focuses on riding in two-point staying mindful of her leg position. We've done a little trotting work and she's beginning to grasp the concept that her ankles / heels are basically the "shocks" on her body when she's riding in two-point.

This is Teri and Penney before we began Our Lessons Together - Walking



What's wrong?
  • She's looking down at her horse.
  • Not a lot of weight in her heels.

What's right?

  • Her lower leg is back in a more correct position.
  • She has some weight in her heels.
  • She's sitting up nice and straight.

This is Teri and Penney before we began Our Lessons Together - Trotting



What's wrong?

  • She's looking down at her horse.
  • She has no weight in her heels, her toes are even pointing down.
  • She's bouncing in the saddle.
  • She's leaning forward.
  • Puppy dog hands.
  • Her horse is in the middle of the round pen, not on the rail.
  • Her heels are digging into the horse a little.

What's right?

  • She's trying.

Teri Today -
After the lesson, she rode without me "spotting" her.
Below each picture I'll comment.



What's wrong?

  • She's gripping with her knees.
  • She's to straight up and down, she needs to get down a little and lean forward a little more.

What's right?

  • She's looking up.
  • Her toe is forward.
  • Her lower leg is back.
  • Her horse is on the rail.



What's wrong?

  • She's just a hair too far forward in this picture, she's not quite in the "titanic" zone.
  • She needs to squat down just a tad more.

What's right?

  • She basically looks wonderful in this picture.
  • Her leg is in perfect position.
  • Her weight is in her heels.
  • Her toes are forward.
  • She's looking up.
  • Her back is straight, not hunched.
  • Penney's on the rail.
  • Great job Teri!!

What's wrong?

  • Toes out.
  • Not quite far enough out of the saddle.
  • Heels aren't down enough.

What's right?

  • Her lower leg is just behind the girth.
  • Her chin is up.



What's wrong?

  • A little too far out of the saddle.
  • Heels digging into horse.
  • Toes out.
  • Needs to bend at waist more and flatten back, cop a squat!!
  • Might be looking down at horse.
  • May be gripping with knees again.
  • Focus on getting your weight in your heels.
  • Learn to depend on your lower leg, ankles, and heels to balance yourself instead of your knees, hands, thighs.

What's right?

  • Her lower leg is in a good position just behind the girth.



What's wrong?

  • Hands way up in the air, but that's ok because we've just been working on your legs.
  • Get your heels down more.

What's right?

  • Nice leg position.
  • Toes are forward, not out.
  • Looking ahead instead of down.
  • Penney's on the rail.
  • Good job!



What's wrong?

  • Leaning too far forward just a little, lean back a little and look up.
  • Get your heels down more.
  • Hands too far up.

What's right?

  • Nice leg position.
  • Toes forward.
  • Chin up.



Teri acting silly.



What's wrong?

  • Toes out.
  • I think you are sitting too far back in the saddle, you need to find the "sweet spot" in the saddle, I'll show you next lesson. I think you'll do better in an 18" saddle.
  • Hands too high.

What's right?

  • Sitting up nice and straight.
  • Good flex in your ankles, heels nice and down.
]]> Michelle Pics tag:warsongequestrian.com,2008-02-22:5ebfc05a-fe1c-4cc3-97f9-5584c7843c36 Michelle 2008-03-06T08:02:24Z 2008-02-22T10:55:00Z What's wrong with these pictures?



What's Right?

  • Excellent Leg Position - Heels Down / Toes In
  • Excellent Seat
  • Sitting up Straight in the Saddle

What's Wrong?

  • "Puppy Dogging" Hands
  • This rider obviously isn't taking anything serious!

Next Picture...



What's Right?

  • So-So leg position
  • Excellent Seat

What's Wrong?

  • "Puppy Dogging" Hands
  • Looking Down
  • Slouching
  • Shoulders Forward
  • Toes pointed out
]]>