Critique me (constructively) please

[Bluesy]

I've wanted to do this for awhile, but I'm a chicken with little confidence. But I'm forcing myself to do this since (A)I want to eventually be a good rider, and (B) I'm having lesson withdrawl - I've been working at a barn and don't always get the chance to trailer in/or the weather is crappy and I don't want to chance trailering in/there are shows that my trainer is at for the week(or weeks). Frusterating, because if i could have my way, I'd take at least four lessons a week.

I was in a wonderful clinic a couple of month ago and had some video taken. I was so disappointed in myself when I saw them later on; I thought I felt like I was sitting quite upright, but from the video, I looked quite literally like the "Hunchback of Notre Dame". I also was fidgeting too much with my outside rein - I had no idea I was doing this, mind you, I was trying to be as soft and non interfering as possible. Buh.

I am a H/J rider, but would really appreciate some feedback from you guys - I would love to take Dressage lessons if I could afford it (hopefully in the future) The pictures are from the "Dressage" day in the clinic- we rode for three hours, and I loved it, though I was fried by the end!

Some pictures that made me look half decent:
(though my shoulders are still rolled forward)
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2734009490044994600YIuSeY
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2388045590044994600AtwTDG
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2206045300044994600Wotjov
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2206045300044994600Wotjov

I'd like to see me hands up a little farther.

And the cringe worthy ones:
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2040887280044994600rWxzyv
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2523122450044994600Akgogr

I broke my left collarbone more than a few years ago, which doesn't help my shoulder situation. I also get anxious and tend to stiffen my shoulders quite a bit - resulting in massive knots - not trying to make excuses, but trying to let you know as much as possible.

I do have the videos and will post them if you want - I'd just rather not, because I look like an idiot in them ;)

[swgarasu]

You look like a hunter rider. :) For dressage, you sit deeper, and have a longer, draping leg. The way the horse needs to move under you is different too- his hind legs need to reach under more, and that energy should come through his body to the bit, with which you keep a steady contact. It's kind of complicated- there is a whole lot more to it than position.

[OnyxThePony]

Cool- a local hunner with dressidge aspirations!! :lol:
I find the biggest difference is in the seat; "sitting up straight' doesn't even come close to the correct feeling ;)
For the deeper dressage seat from the hunter seat, you need to open your hip. There are two ways (mechanically) to open your hip angle. One is from front to back, say like going from walk to two-point: you sit up straighter/taller, drop your leg down the tack so that the 'hinge' in your hip opens and brinigs your upper body clopser to the vertical. The second opening takes your lewg away from your hip to the side; you open your legs out and away from the horse's side so that your leg can lengthen down the tack and your leg lies more underneath you with your thighs flat against the tack.

Your hunter seat is sitting on top of the tack with much of your weight being transferred to your thighs (and the front of them at that), then dropping into dead weight in the calves/heels. Yours personally, looks great!!
To move to the dressage seat, you need to locate your seatbones, sit on them into the tack, open both hip angles, allow the leg to drape from inner thigh to lower calf and sit the weight distributed evenly from seat to lower leg. For this, your entire pelvic angle must change. NOT an easy feat for a hunter!! I just switched (back..again) to dressage for some intense flatting and my lower leg is still swingng like a mad thing and I still tip toward my mons(sorry if that it too graphic a word) and grip like a monkey with my legs.
Keep at it- it's kind of like trying to learn riding all over again :lol:

[Ambrey]

Have you ever ridden western? I found it much easier to find a dressage seat that didn't make my instructor cringe by starting with my western seat than with my h/j crotch perch. Not that parts of my riding don't still make my instructor cringe, but at least I have moments of brilliance ;)

You'll want your seat bones on the saddle and your abs brought up a little to straighten your back. You don't want your back arched like in a proper hunt seat position.

Just think of how many things you need to be able to cue your horse to do in dressage. You need full communication through all of your body parts- seatbones, legs, hands. That means your legs can't be hanging on for dear life and your seat bones can't be lifted up in a hunter crotch perch, etc.

It's a position that requires a lot of core strength, which I don't have, so I can hold it for limited periods of time ;) Also, you need to be flexible through the hips and pelvis.

[ideayoda]

I like the http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2293804310044994600qeIdDr and the http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2365981950044994600qvfNOk ones better for you and the horse are both more upright and open. The part below the waist is stretched and fairly nice but you tend to want to learn forward and sit far too light seated. OPEN the chest, think sit more on your pockets (since you are far from them at this point) yet still think is the leg longer enough to be like a feathered into the heel two point. The horse must not be allowed to go too low(ered) nor flat (think approach to a fence). Cute horse! Nice possibilities as a dressage rider as well.

[slc2]

elegant horse and rider, but the position needs to change for dressage.

[Bluesy]

Wow, thanks for all of the good advice, though I was suprised that you all weren't far pickier! ;) I trailered in to hack today, and really thought about sitting more on my pockets, opening my shoulders etc. I do have a question - do you still still more on you pockets even for the posting trot in Dressage? I never thought about it until later, that all the pictures were during the posting trot, where it's been pounded in to me to sit very lightly.

Ambrey - I acutally started out riding Western! What's funny is that I've decided that I'm going back to college for a second diploma in Western Horsemanship (I recently graduated with a English Horsemanship Degree) I haven't ridden Western much since I got into English. Here's a photo from 4-H days oh, probably over 10 years ago. http://pets.webshots.com/photo/1068618606044994600YBRZQD

Also, you need to be flexible through the hips and pelvis.

Ay, there's the rub. I have a lot of stiffness in my pelvis/hips/back and it's as frusterating as heck. I see a massage therapist and chiropractor when I can, to try and sort these issues out - thank goodness they're mostly paid off with health care. :yes: Doesn't stop me from trying my best!

Ideayoda - I have the biggest issues with opening my shoulders and leaning forward! I'll totally think I am sitting straight, with my shoulders back - then I'll see myself in photos and think "what are you doing you dolt?" I really have to concentrate to keep myself semi upright. I will try harder with this.

It's funny you like those pictures - they were taken more than a few years ago, and I hoped I would have improved since then!;) The clinician had me really keep Bluesy quite slow (not with hand -with much leg, and slowww posting) and cadenced. I've been to several of this trainer's clinics and have always gotten in "trouble" for being a little lackadaisical (for lack of a better term) - I tended to ride with a longer rein and haven't always asked as much of my horse as I could. (Think like english pleasure - my horse will go on the buckle when in his quiet moods) That's kinda the way I was taught to ride. Unfortunatley I stayed with that same instructor for too long, even though she did teach me a lot, now I have a lot of catching up to do!

SLC - I've NEVER thought of myself as an elegant rider...I've always thought I was/am so behind everyone else! As for Bluesy - I've always thought he was special - and could do so so well if he had a different rider! :yes:

[Aimee Thanatogenus]

IDEA yoda has the best advice. She really knows what she is talking about.

[Bluesy]

:yes: It really sounds like she does Aimee. I hope my last post didn't seem like it was dismissing any advice - I think I just got rambling and wanting to discuss things!

I am very grateful for everyone's help and advice here. Everyone has given me something to really think about for when I ride.

Incidently, I did add the videos at the end of Bluesy's webshots, though I am quite embarrassed by them - they are cringe worthy. I admit have no idea what my left hand is doing.

http://pets.webshots.com/video/3093726820044994600hIeKSc

Anything about my horse/the whole package? I realize I am probably pushing him on to is forehand with my way(far for)ward shoulders and upper body. I also see that he could be more elevated on the front/using his hind end more - I think it would have helped if I had my hands slightly higher to encourage this. (and as well, not messing around with my outside rein)

I find riding to the left very difficult - I find I get very stiff (therefore my horse gets stiff as well) and my co-ordination goes pffzit! I also tend to ride very one handed - I can keep good/steady contact with my left rein, but am constantly losing my left rein contact - that rein always seems to get longer! Then when we go to the left I am constantly reminding myself to "let go" of the inside (I take too much contact with the inside rein - to the left anyway) and to shorten up my outside rein. Frustrating!

Sorry to keep bumping this up - I am trying to sort this out in my head and wanting to discuss everything!

[drsgerider1]

With regards to sitting up, the best imagery that helps me is "STICK YOUR BOOBS OUT" (as shouted by many instructors that I've worked with...). Take a deep breath in, expaaaaaand your ribcage by drawing your shoulders back and proudly...well, proudly displaying your chest!

[goeslikestink]

With regards to sitting up, the best imagery that helps me is "STICK YOUR BOOBS OUT" (as shouted by many instructors that I've worked with...). Take a deep breath in, expaaaaaand your ribcage by drawing your shoulders back and proudly...well, proudly displaying your chest!

yeap- frust the bust

[WindsongEq]

Sit sideways in front of a mirror, sit in proper vertical alignment, ear elbow shoulder hip heel. Then sit on the palm of your hand and feel your sitting bones. If you can't feel them, lift your knees slightly just for a moment, this will help you feel them, then drop your knees down. Try going back to your "usual" position then the one that looks right in the mirror. Feel how your sitting bones point down when you are correct and how they point back when you are sitting in what feels normal? Remember the feeling of what looked right in the mirror and notice the feel of the weight on your sitting bones when you ride. You will be able to self correct this way, long before you get too fwd with your upper body.
Our sensors lie to us but our eyes do not. Mirrors are a great tool to train our sensors what is proper alignment.

[Roan]

Another way to get the "feel" that works for me and might work for others. . .

Stand on the edge of the stairs so that your heel hangs over. Don't stand on the balls, use your whole foot except the heel. Once you get better at this, you can start using the balls of your feet. It's harder to do.

Stand up straight, chest open, arms hanging down and loose, and let your heel drop down. You *should* be pretty balanced like that without moving your body for balance or griping with your toes. Once you are steady like that, take inventory of where gravity is going through your body. It should go from your shoulder, hip (NOT BUTT! HIP!), and then straight down to your heel.

SLOWLY bend your knees as though you had "dressage length" stirrups. Don't move your pelvis or shoulders or anything, just bend your knees. You'll probably be gripping with your toes at this point trying to keep your balance and you'll have the urge to stick your butt out. Don't.

Slowly rotate your pelvis *upwards* until you feel yourself back in balance. Make sure your chest is open. If you are griping with your toes for balance, then you are probably leaning. Take inventory of the gravity -- it should flow from your shoulder, THROUGH your hip and down through your heel. Once you get it right, your body won't have to make little minute adjustments with weight shifts and toe griping.

Your butt should *not* be sticking out. I don't care how big your caboose is (mine sticks out a LOT normally), you shouldn't be standing like a sway-back horse and there shouldn't be a huge dip in your lower back. It should be pretty straight.

Once you get everything in line you'll get the feeling that you could stand all day like that. Unless you get a cramp in your calf :D

The hard part is transferring all this to the saddle and keeping it there :D

HTH
Eileen

[Bluesy]

Thanks for all the advice! It's very much appreciated - I'll definately put all these great suggestions to practice. :yes: :)