Critique-Updated

[Aliascml]

I was hoping I could have some critiques from the last show I attended. The lesson horse I rode is a sweetheart and honest, but he is still green, quite forward and heavy on the forehand. This was his third show ever and I was so proud of him! :)

Here are some pictures from the show...
http://cynthiafleishman.smugmug.com/gallery/8232447_x3Whm#538435157_jNqDG
http://cynthiafleishman.smugmug.com/gallery/8232447_x3Whm#538436415_8nU3D
http://cynthiafleishman.smugmug.com/gallery/8232447_x3Whm#538436552_ioydr
http://cynthiafleishman.smugmug.com/gallery/8232447_x3Whm#538212052_abLeD
http://cynthiafleishman.smugmug.com/gallery/8232447_x3Whm#538222039_Bn9o5

Just a cute one
http://cynthiafleishman.smugmug.com/gallery/8232447_x3Whm#541549621_MCymm

Constructive critiques please :)

[VTHokie]

Sit up! In the shots between fences you are leaning forward too far. You won't be able to get him off his forehand using your arms. It comes from your seat and core. I have an OTTB and a draft horse trust me I've been there. ;)

[shawneeAcres]

Your horse is rather cute, has a very sweet expression and in at least one of the pics his form was fairly good with even knees. Hwoever, the fences are so low that it is difficult to really assess him beyond that.

In terms of the rider, a lot of work needs to be done on the base of support. The rider is turning the entire leg outward and gripping with the back of the calf. THis is causing the lower leg to swing back and the upper body to be unstable in the air. The thigh and knee need to be flat against the saddle and the lower leg should be long, with the heel much deeper to have a correct, safe base of support. Also the rider is throwing themselves forward, raising the seat out of the saddle and not closing the hip angle. She needs to work on allowing the horses natural thrust to determine how far out of the saddle the seat should be and not jump up the horses neck. I also would like to see the crest release much further up the horses neck with a bit of a loop in the rein for this level of rider/horse. The horse is being restricted somewhat from using it's head and neck over the fence due to the improper release, at this size fence it is not too much of a restriction for him, but as the fences get larger this will be a bigger problem for this rider, and particularly right now when the base of support is not solid. THe rider does use her eyes well, looking up and forward to the next fence and for the most part has a nice flat back. Spend some time doing a variety of exercises to develop a deeper longer leg, that does not grip with the back of the calf and the base should improve.

[CraziiPonii]

Everything that shawneeAcres said. Also- a horse that is on the forehand pulls on your hands because he wants you to carry him. You need to sit up and bring your shoulders down and back. On a heavy horse you do not want to be forward. Instead, drive the horse with your seat and do not hold him up.
Other than that cute horse and you guys look like you had a great time:)

[AnotherRound]

What everybody said. Sit back, sit down! If you grip with your legs turned out, your leg swings back and your upper body leans forward. Sit back! Sit down! Fix your leg.

That said, you and the horse are cute.

[Aliascml]

Thanks for the critiques so far. :) My instructors have told me to do a little two point, which I am obviously still working on and a small release to keep him from getting faster, since if he gets a big release he gets really fast. I just can't seem to give the right amount of two point and release. It is common that both are too big, too little or both, like in the picture. Also, my instructors like having our toes out a little to prevent knee gripping. So, I am not sure if I am exaggerating and have my toes out farther than what they want or if this is just different than what other people do.

[shawneeAcres]

Thanks for the critiques so far. :) My instructors have told me to do a little two point, which I am obviously still working on and a small release to keep him from getting faster, since if he gets a big release he gets really fast. I just can't seem to give the right amount of two point and release. It is common that both are too big, too little or both, like in the picture. Also, my instructors like having our toes out a little to prevent knee gripping. So, I am not sure if I am exaggerating and have my toes out farther than what they want or if this is just different than what other people do.


I think that your instructors should perhaps have you ride another horse some, I don't really feel from the pics (but I could be wrong) taht you are the rider to be riding such a green horse. In terms of toes out, what you want is a "break" in the ankle, allowing your foot to angle outwards, but you are turning your entire LEG out, the knee and thigh should stay against the saddle, not gripping but with firmness to resist any tendency to slip sideways etc. Hard to describe, but you have a certain amount of muscle tension without gripping.

[2boys]

Thanks for the critiques so far. :) My instructors have told me to do a little two point, which I am obviously still working on and a small release to keep him from getting faster, since if he gets a big release he gets really fast. I just can't seem to give the right amount of two point and release. It is common that both are too big, too little or both, like in the picture. Also, my instructors like having our toes out a little to prevent knee gripping. So, I am not sure if I am exaggerating and have my toes out farther than what they want or if this is just different than what other people do.

The way your toes are, is helping to CREATE the pinching. It seems to me, like others have said, that your position is not helping him come off of his forehand and get quick (get forward as you mentioned). He is adorable, but maybe a bit too green for you right now?

[Aliascml]

I have a lesson tonight, so I will concentrate on sitting down, sitting back and not turning my leg out. Once in a while, I ride a different school horse, but there are not very many of them compared to students and this horse is one that is used the least. Thanks again

[Aliascml]

I was wondering if my position was any better on these other two horses? These pictures were from last fall. Thanks

http://www.facebook.com/photos/?ref=sb#/photo.php?pid=4507935&id=646905064

http://www.facebook.com/photos/?ref=sb#/photo.php?pid=3400185&id=646905064


This was a picture of the same horse from the show, but during a lesson.
http://www.facebook.com/photos/?ref=sb#/photo.php?pid=6923244&id=646905064

[brummelhorsefarm]

I was wondering if my position was any better on these other two horses? These pictures were from last fall. Thanks

http://www.facebook.com/photos/?ref=sb#/photo.php?pid=4507935&id=646905064

http://www.facebook.com/photos/?ref=sb#/photo.php?pid=3400185&id=646905064


This was a picture of the same horse from the show, but during a lesson.
http://www.facebook.com/photos/?ref=sb#/photo.php?pid=6923244&id=646905064

Links dont work! Try using the link below the photo that reads "Public Link" :)

[HARROLDhasmyheart]

SIT UP, put some weight in your heels, and shoulders back! Also, in a few of the pictures from the horse show you are drifting badly to the side--in the vast majority of cases you want to try and jump down the middle of a fence, but especially with a green horse as they are just learning their job.

If he gets too strong after fences, perhaps try a strong half halt and a "whoa" rather than just giving a tiny release and praying for the best. Is it possible that so much contact actually makes him go faster? I'm thinking that if he's so heavy on the forehand he could be clamping down on the bit and using his weight against you.

Just some food for thought.

Also, the facebook pictures didn't work!

[findeight]

Ask your instructors to have you work on the flat without stirrups and do some ittsy bitsy little grids with no irons. Lunging with no stirrups and no reins would also be the classic excercise for you at this point.

You are just not sitting on the horse and have a really insecure postion. You cannot get your weight down and, really, looks like you need a little stronger position before you go jump even the teeny tiny crossrails in the show. He is green, has a few bad habits and you can't help him until you get a strong and secure position.

Don't mean to be harsh here, trying to be helpful and keep you aboard when you jump.

Use the more used, less fresh horses too, not a greenie. You are trying to learn and they will teach you and help you where this one will take advantage of your weakness.

Don't get discouraged, keep at it, work hard, get a schoolie that will help and you WILL get there.

[Aliascml]

Here are some recent pictures of me riding and the first two pictures are of me riding two other lesson horses.

http://sports.webshots.com/album/573339507vHAymJ

My left leg, from ankle to knee, has been hurting a lot lately while riding. It seems to hurt worse when I try to fix my legs and bring my toes in. The strange thing is that it is only in my left leg and is the worst when I am riding in my tall boots. I was wondering if anybody had any ideas on how to fix this problem. Thanks

[sportassage]

Keep working at your two point to build up your legs and stretch into your heels. Do it in all gaits. Also, remember to bend at your waist when you close over your fences, don't just stand in the stirrups. I agree with the other posters to go back to the basics on the flat before attempting any fence work.

[Horsegal984]

When you jump, don't think about trying to get your butt out of the saddle as much as think about trying to stick your butt out behind you. I think that part of the reason you have a hard time with a longer release is that you're balance is so in front of your leg already that it you pushed your hands out more you feel like you're going to tip over. I speak from experience! ;)

Here, I'm still working and learning every day, but here's two of my pics that I think show the difference in where your butt should be pretty well.

here's where you are
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2068661&l=065d84812b&id=573317078

here's where your butt needs to be
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2638358&l=fc23764b39&id=573317078

See how in the first picture if you took the horse out from under me I would tip forward, but in the second one i would land square on my feet? That's a much more secure position, esp if you're riding a greenie who might do something suprising at a fence. ;D

[Aliascml]

So, My upper body should be less vertical and my butt should be pushed back more and less up?