Lesson Pictures!

[Tiffany01]

*I* think my pony and I have been getting better. My new saddle is on it's way and it's French calfskin leather HDR pro 18' inch seat.(to fit my big booty):D

http://s713.photobucket.com/albums/ww138/TMA572/Lost%20My%20Sock/?action=view&current=126.jpg
http://s713.photobucket.com/albums/ww138/TMA572/Lost%20My%20Sock/?action=view&current=009.jpg
http://s713.photobucket.com/albums/ww138/TMA572/Lost%20My%20Sock/?action=view&current=027.jpg
http://s713.photobucket.com/albums/ww138/TMA572/Lost%20My%20Sock/?action=view&current=017.jpg
http://s713.photobucket.com/albums/ww138/TMA572/Lost%20My%20Sock/?action=view&current=034.jpg
http://s713.photobucket.com/albums/ww138/TMA572/Lost%20My%20Sock/?action=view&current=127.jpg

[Tiffany01]

http://i39.tinypic.com/jpwh9f.jpg
http://i44.tinypic.com/2crmt80.jpg
http://i43.tinypic.com/2nvvxvn.jpg
http://i42.tinypic.com/15zi821.jpg

[*Teddy*]

you two are looking great! and congrats on the new saddle I know you'll love it(i love hdr's) and you will find your balance with the new seat size better.

[Tiffany01]

thanks!!

[hitchinmygetalong]

Looking good, Tiffany! :yes:

[Tiffany01]

Thanks.....

[enjoytheride]

I'm glad you took everyone's advice and opted for a bigger saddle, you will feel much more secure on Beautiful and it sounds like a very nice saddle.

[Sakura]

Great pics!

[Hazelnut]

You do look more relaxed and upright in the saddle. Don't you love spring?

When your new saddle comes you'll need to post photos of it and yourself when you get used to it!

[Tiffany01]

Im useing my trainer's saddle for now.

[RedTahoe]

Looking good.

I love the pony's name!

[Tiffany01]

http://i713.photobucket.com/albums/ww138/TMA572/Lost%20My%20Sock/018-1.jpg
http://i713.photobucket.com/albums/ww138/TMA572/Lost%20My%20Sock/015-1.jpg
http://i713.photobucket.com/albums/ww138/TMA572/Lost%20My%20Sock/014.jpg
http://i713.photobucket.com/albums/ww138/TMA572/Lost%20My%20Sock/009-1.jpg
http://i713.photobucket.com/albums/ww138/TMA572/Lost%20My%20Sock/004-3.jpg
http://i713.photobucket.com/albums/ww138/TMA572/Lost%20My%20Sock/010.jpg

[Tiffany01]

http://i713.photobucket.com/albums/ww138/TMA572/Lost%20My%20Sock/032-1.jpg
http://i713.photobucket.com/albums/ww138/TMA572/Lost%20My%20Sock/027-1.jpg
http://i713.photobucket.com/albums/ww138/TMA572/Lost%20My%20Sock/036-1.jpg

[SmokenMirrors]

Pretty horse...I was wondering, how often do you work him? His back end doesn't have a lot of muscling, he looks a bit thin in the haunches but that could be the angle of the camera or how they were taken. What do you do with him? How tall?

[SEFBH87]

Cute horse! Looks like she/he may need a few more calories to get a little bit more fill. She isn't skinny, just not fleshy enough for me :)

As for you, you have very nice posture but you look a little stiff. I have this problem as well, I try to look pretty and still but it ends up backfiring and I lose effectiveness. Also keep working on stretching down through your heel. What helps a little is if you think about turning your toes ever so slightly away from the horse so the inside of your ankle has contact with the horse and pull your leg back some. Your saddle also looks big, which doesn't help with trying to get your leg in the correct position!

It looks like you both are having fun and that is really all that matters :)

[Hunter Mom]

It is nice to see you in a saddle that fits you! Amazing what a difference it makes, isn't it?

I still think you'd do well to take your stirrups up a hole to create a little more angle behind your knee. As another poster said, bringing your heel in slightly will also improve your contact through your whole lower leg. You seem to be a little "pinchy" in the knee. If you're showing h/j eq, your hands are WAY too low, but might get by at breed shows.

[spaghetti legs]

your saddle fits you much better than the other one, congratulations.

suggestion - don't sit on your hands when you canter - lift them UP and Beautiful will lift up in front.

[ExJumper]

It is nice to see you in a saddle that fits you! Amazing what a difference it makes, isn't it?

I still think you'd do well to take your stirrups up a hole to create a little more angle behind your knee. As another poster said, bringing your heel in slightly will also improve your contact through your whole lower leg. You seem to be a little "pinchy" in the knee. If you're showing h/j eq, your hands are WAY too low, but might get by at breed shows.

If she shortens her stirrups, her entire foot will be on top of the flap. The flap already ends at her ankle. But I agree that the stirrups are too long. Perhaps a shorter flap would be helpful? Her stirrups need to be signifanctly shorter but her flap is too long. Catch 22. The seat looks good though, so we're half way there!!

I agree about the hands, as well. Resting your fists on your thighs isn't going to fly at a H/J show. I'm not sure about breed shows.

[Hunter Mom]

If she shortens her stirrups, her entire foot will be on top of the flap. The flap already ends at her ankle. But I agree that the stirrups are too long. Perhaps a shorter flap would be helpful? Her stirrups need to be significantly shorter but her flap is too long. Catch 22. The seat looks good though, so we're half way there!!

I agree about the hands, as well. Resting your fists on your thighs isn't going to fly at a H/J show. I'm not sure about breed shows.

Good call - maybe a half a hole to split the difference? That and working on keeping the leg well under her and maintaining contact through the leg, not just at the knee.

As for the hands at breed shows, I haven't had much experience at them in the last 20 years, but from what I've seen in photos/videos of them, their hands are a lot lower than at h/j venues.

[spaghetti legs]

As for the hands at breed shows, I haven't had much experience at them in the last 20 years, but from what I've seen in photos/videos of them, their hands are a lot lower than at h/j venues.

That doesn't make it good equitation.

[dghunter]

Agree that the stirrups definitely need to go up so you can get your weight into your heel. Also, you're riding with "piano hands" instead of thumbs on top. Not to mention that you're riding with your hands in your lap. The saddle does look much better though!

[Tiffany01]

I do the QH hunter stuff.

[crzychestnutrider]

I'm going to jump in here too. You two look lovely! And one can see just how far you have come. Well done! That said...I agree with the others who have suggested you shorten your stirrups one hole. This will help you get your heel down. It looks like(to me) you are balancing on the stirrup instead of using your lower leg and letting your weight sink into your heels. Also I agree about your hands. They are usless if they are in your lap. And I noticed in a couple of pics your fingers are open. That's a good way to lose your reins and get a broken finger(been there, done that) Thumbs on top and a closed hand:winkgrin: I have awful piano hands too and am really concentrating on stopping that. You seem to be looking down a fair bit too, try focusing up and in front of you. My coach is always saying "you will end up where you are looking" So if you're looking down......:eek:
You can see much improvement from the start of your threads so you are obviously working hard! Keep it up, looking good!

[SmokenMirrors]

I too have problems with "piano hands" as a friend of mine calls them, when I ride my draft mare. I concentrate hard to keep them the right way, to look like i am confident and know what I am doing.

The only reason I asked about the horse is he looks a bit lean in the hips and not a lot of muscle, so if your using him a lot he may need a bit more calories is all. Needs a bit more muscling in the hind end is all.....