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HORSE Magazine



Features : Transform your riding

Monday 8 September 2008

Let's face it, work, family and money commitments all mean that it's difficult
to have lessons as often as we would like. While the ideal situation is to have an instructor on the ground to offer tailor-made advice for you and your horse, we've put together some great professional ideas to keep you motivated and improving until your next session with your trainer.

Balancing act

William Funnell believes that most rider errors are caused by a lack of balance.

“If you're tipping forward or back, you end up gripping to stay on, which interferes with the horse's natural way of going," he says.

To identify and correct any rider crookedness, William's wife and top event rider, Pippa, suggests riding a circle on both reins in trot. Then take your knees and thighs away from the saddle. If you don't fall either way, you are in balance, but if you are slipping you will find yourself gripping hard with the opposite thigh.

“To help maintain straightness don't let your inside hip collapse, and stay tall in the saddle. Keep your inside leg long and pressed down and mentally drop the outside shoulder,” Pippa suggests.


Half-halts are key

According to Spencer Wilton, the half-halt is one of the most important things you can do to improve your riding when schooling.

“Most people – including myself – don't realise how often they need to be used. On every 20m circle you should be performing a half-halt two or three times. Obviously, there are varying degrees of half-halt, but think of them as a pause, like a comma.

“They are simply moments that allow the horse's hindleg to catch up with his front leg to re-balance him. Regular half-halts also ensure that the rider stays focused and is paying attention,” Spencer adds.


Embrace your individuality

According to Steven Smith, improving your riding isn't always about making changes, but knowing your own strengths and weaknesses.
“Everybody is individual, but so many people try to ride in a certain way and mimic other riders,” he says.

“That is a massive mistake: you have to ride your own way. I coach people to use their assets instead of trying to change them.”

To read the full 'Transform your riding' feature, buy the October issue of Horse, on sale from 11 September