Hunter Equitation ~PLEASE HELP~

[BobwhiteQuailLover]

When I post the trot, my knees move forward, how can I fix that? And what are some faults and disqualifications in Hunter Equitation on flat and over fences?


Thanks

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Not much you can do, beyond what you normally do grooming the horse, will do a lot of good. If your horse is already shiny and sleek (or fuzzy-sleek, this time of year <g>) and tidy, all you have to do is an extra-good job of it. If your horse is not normally kept pretty clean-to-the-skin, then I would not recommend trying to do anything major about it at this point, just do what you can without trying anything new or exciting.

And braid if this particular show requires braiding (not all schooling shows do) If you have not done much braiding it would be REALLY worth seeing if you can hire someone to do it for you (if you board) or if you can skip it for this show (call the show mgmt and ask if braids are optional or required). When braids are optional, a tidy clean 'down' mane (even if it is excessively long) looks WAY WAY better than an "I am trying to learn to braid" job

If you can get your parents or trainer to wipe the dust/mud off your riding boots just before you go into the ring, that makes a little better picture. At schooling shows the footing is not generally such that it is worth fooling with the horse's hooves before entering the ring.\\

When I post the trot, my knees move forward, how can I fix that?

At home, over a LENGTHY time period, with the help of your trainer, by acquiring a deeper and more secure seat. Do not even WORRY about it for the show. All you can do at this point is make it worse. Things are how they are.

And what are some faults and disqualifications in Hunter Equitation on flat and over fences?

What you'd expect. On the flat, it is bad to do things that are bad in any other rail class -- fail to take up requested gait, break out of gait, wrong lead, having your horse get into an altercation with another horse (this is the rider's fault). Also posting on the wrong diagonal. Beyond that, it is judged on the basic overall correctness of your riding, which is not something you can alter for the show ring.

Over fences, obviously you have to go over them, without stopping or running out, without knocking them down either, in the correct order

It is best to be able to get correct leads around turns and the # strides in lines that the course is designed for -- but neither of these things should concern you at this point in the slightest. Neither should posing for the judge or trying to disguise riding faults. Just shoot for getting around the course cleanly and smoothly. Again, in schooling shows this is sometimes quite adequate for a ribbon no matter what your equitation is like <g>

DO NOT TRY TO CHANGE YOUR RIDING FOR A SHOW. Not only is it utterly pointless, it is usually counterproductive and makes you do *worse*. Schooling at home -- i.e. the other 99.5% of your life -- is where you should be working on slippy knees or wrong diagonals or things like that. With the aid of an instructor.

Just stop worryin', already, and have FUN, ok? HAVE FUN. H A V E F U N . You know? Seriously

And then, afterwards, can I make a suggestion? You would avoid almost all these questions by going and WATCHING shows. Seriously. As a spectator. You can learn a tremendous lot that way. It is usually a good idea to carefully WATCH a division or 'type of show' a number of times before you even contemplate entering yourself in it. By that point, pretty much all of the questions you're asking us, you'll already have answered... and more!

Pat​

 

[michickenwrangler]

What Pat said.

When I first began showing--I was a little older than you--the trainers I worked with made us WORK two shows before we were allowed to compete. Learned a lot and learned that a horse show isn't just going and trotting in a circle for 7 minutes.

Then I discovered distance riding--where I can go on the course with a yellowed tail, shaggy horse, garishly colored tack, mittens, and a peanut butter sandwich and no one cares!

THEN ... when I finish, I don't get a little ribbon ... I get coffee mugs, water bottles, small tack trunks, t-shirts, horse gear and all other neat stuff.

 

[Rammy]

Grip with your thighs, not your knees. You should have a feeling like your rolling forward. Also keep your calves on your horse, but lightly. Thats what I do.


Rammy