Dressage Critique... PLEASE

[crazylegscapony]

Please critique me riding my 10 y.o. chestnut Thoroughbred mare. This is a schooling dressage show, hence the splint boots and northface.. :) this was two days after I got her, and we were doing Training level. Since then we have been schoolig 2nd level dressage. I know she is pretty resistant in several of the pictures... judge's stands and arena letters are scary!

http://www.photoreflect.com/scripts/prsm.dll?eventorder?photo=00KG00E9050005&start=0&album=0&adjust=-1

Thanks again
P.S. I have been riding for 2 years and do 3 Day Eventing... im not real dressage saavy!

[nutkin]

Your overall position looks quite good but the one thing that stands out in all the pics is that you need to bring your elbows back slightly by lifting your hands. Your seat though looks very good.

[jUmPingIsLifE]

The only thing that i really see is that you need to lift your hands up at least 4 inches, in some pictures a more like 4-6 inches. by carrying them low you will create a lot more tension and your horse wont be able to REALLY step under herself and use her body correctly and really swing the way you want and with your arms stiff and bracing you wont be able to swing with your horse so that you can both be loose and moving fluidly. if you pick your hands up they will probably go closer together too, with them down by your legs they are also to far apart.

you said the letters ect.. were making your horse a little weary which is probably why there is so much tension but the only way to get rid of that tension is to relax yourself so that your horse can relax.

[dressage1anja]

but the only way to get rid of that tension is to relax yourself so that your horse can relax.


That is not the only way.. Sack her out at home.. put leters in the arena and park a trailer at C where the judges trailer is.

Your hands need to be a little more infront of you and closer together. she isnt resisting you are somewhat restricting her movement by holding her mouth. Alot of riders love to put their hands down because they think it pulls their mouth down.. really it just restricts their inside leg to engage under and create impulsion or cadance. Also you need to sit more, your too light in your seat. Bend your shoulders and keep them to your side..

here are some pictures by my trainer Kellie-- look at her position

http://i1.tinypic.com/xkykr5.jpg
http://i3.tinypic.com/xkylcg.jpg

[GemmaA]

I agree with what has been said here, you certainly need to be lifting your hands and driving your horse up into that contact.
Remember, even at lower levels, the poll should still be the highest point, albeit with a 'longer' outline at novice level.
Putting your hands low does tend to fix them, and then you block all the energy from the hindquarters.

[herbyhorse]

You look more confident in trot, her canter suggests you are both a litle unbalanced, hence hollowness.

would like to see a softer more rounded back, your legs underneath you and your sternum softer (not sicking out in canter),

hands are a little set looking and wide which can be usefulf or schooling but doesn't look the job for actual class.

her trot though coming underneath her on the turn shots needs to step through further to carry ou both to show true acceptanc eof the bit and engagement rather than setting att he bit.

very well done though, nice mare and fabulous scenery! v. jealous!