5th lesson

[taskey]

http://s294.photobucket.com/albums/mm86/tracyaskey/?action=view&current=SANY0021.flv


hi all i hope you can see this. this is me attempting to do a rising trot. i kept on getting the giggles as i just could not get it.

i would love some constructive critism, please dont be mean.

i have been reading how to do the rising trot and i think i am going up and down rather than forward with the horse, i have also been taught to grip with my knees. i am open to suggestions of things to try as you can see i am still holding onto the saddle at the beginning

http://s294.photobucket.com/albums/mm86/tracyaskey/?action=view&current=SANY0020-1.flv

many thanks for looking

Tracy

[Grinyer224]

although i have only just started riding - i think you're actually doing well if thats one of your first attempts at it.
i can hardly get off the horse without hesitating so i don't know how i will cope standing in the stirrups ( my friend should get loads of pics of me makin an ass of myself)

[elaine@dow-evan]

Well, I cant comment as I've only been riding a little over a year, but you look as though you are doing well. Your lower leg looks quite stable and you havent got a "death grip" on the horse's mouth...and you look as though you are enjoying it.

[jacs205]

hope you don't mind me commenting when I am pretty new to this too? I've been told by RI not to grip with knees so that the movement is more fluid. You look good though and lovely horse:)

[Shire Monster]

Well done you, you seem to be doing really well. I'm not sure I'm in not position to give you any kind of constructive critisism, as a beginner you look absolutely marvellous and as far as your giggling goes ... you are up there on that stunning grey beastie to enjoy yourself, and if thats what you are doing then fantastic, giggle away :D

[Spider]

i think your doing rising trot really well!!
looks really good :D

[LaurenEff]

I thinks your doing really well!! I was always told never to grip with my knees and to push up with my thighs. I think the only thing you could do is try and bring your shoulders back a little. x

[Hammie]

Looks basically OK to me. Are you holding on to the saddle in one of the videos? It's a bit hard to see. If you are I guess your instructor told you to do so, but I'd have thought if you do that your hands would be a bit in the way as your crotch comes forwards?

[oinkmoooink]

I think you look as if you are doing really well, you like like you've got the rhythm sorted and just need to get more confidence. As others said, you shouldnt grip with your knees, though your instructor may haave told you to to build up your confidence so you get a feel for the trot, before asking you to do it differently, but you have a nice stable lower leg, the rest will come with time.
Well done, i cant remember my first rising trot, but i expect it was awful!

[charismabird]

Seriously, if your instructor told you to grip with your knees, I would get a new instructor! Gripping with your knees will make it so hard for you to ever ride well - it totally impedes proper use of your leg and you'll see that once you've mastered the basics. You do look like you have a good sense of rhythm, but your lower leg is kinda swinging in the breeze (due to the knee-gripping, so not really your fault!). You need to get your calves into nice close contact with the horse's sides, almost as if you're wrapping your legs around him, make sure the stirrup iron is on the ball of your foot and drop all your weight right down through your heels - then you'll find it easier to squeeze with your lower leg to keep the horse going. For the rest of your body, pull your shoulders back and hold your head up as if there's a string attached to the top of your hat, drawing you up nice and tall. Keep looking straight through the horse's ears, and push your pelvis forward, up and out of the saddle slightly - you don't need a big rise to do it right: the less movement from you, the less your balance will be disturbed and the less energy you will expend. I would also try and carry your hands a little bit higher, because that will really help your balance, and you definitely need to shorten your reins (though I appreciate that you're not hanging on the horse's mouth, which I hate). Just keep practising and you'll get it - it will all suddenly come together one day and you'll feel great. In the meantime, consider yourself lucky - you have rhythm, whereas I've seen so many beginners with none whatsoever, who are always going to have problems with rising trot! Anyway, my main advice is to make sure you establish a really correct position and a good, secure seat right at the very beginning - it will be invaluable to you as you advance - which, of course, you will. Good luck...!

[taskey]

thank you all for your kind words.

i do really enjoy it and i find it really hard work, but i suppose, like everything it does become easier and more natural.

riding on thursday so i cannot wait

Tracy