I have been anticipating the jumps recently and I notice that's what's keeping me behind and a poor position. I suspect it's got to do with Ariel's recent stint of counter bending and giving me way more trouble in the arena than I'd like. I haven't let it escalate and she hasn't dragged me out of the arena on her whim, but I'd still like to get that respect back. As well, I seem to have trouble keeping our corners deep. This causes a poor set up usually and it is yet another cause to the issue over fences.
The flat work is mostly fine (it can always be better) but I have had trouble getting Ariel to respect my aids. I might have to resort to crops/bats and spurs again... which I don't really enjoy using but if Ariel is getting a bit sour with poor communication from her rider, I wouldn't be surprised if that's the reasons she's reacting the way she is. I don't blame her either... having clarity during a conversation about what to do is awfully important in my books.
As with all things to do with riding, it starts with the rider and I have been talking my mouth off on this area periodically for some time. I make excuses all the time but in order to get over my rut (both in riding and other areas), I will incorporate a balanced schedule and include other physical activities. Upon further reflection and not enough research, I started the BeFit's 30 Day Fat Burn workout that ScarletPen28 has done. Each video is approximately 10 minutes.
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Scarlet did this one and another combined; she's crazy. I can only manage this one right now... after doing day 1, I still can't feel my legs and part of my arse. I'm not sure whether to love or hate her for finding this thing. Tonight, I attempt the Cardio Extreme workout. If you don't see another post in the next few days, know that I probably didn't survive that video (10 minutes!! :O) and that +ADW found me curled up in the fetal position in the basement.
sorry it's been frustrating - i'm feeling very similar in my own rides too. if it makes you feel any better, the crops/bats/spurs whatever are there to making things easier. they help the horse better understand what you're asking so you can fuss less and spend more time on refinements. they are *not* punishments or anything like that
ReplyDeletethanks for your words of support...! i will just get into those aids next lesson and just suck it up because i am seriously getting frustrated with things that shouldn't be as much a problem anymore. i'm not a super duper rider but i would be considered a novice who should not be experiencing issues like this if i just suck it up and use the spur/crop/bat.
DeleteI think using riding tools is like using a yoga block...it's there to make things easier until you are able to do it without the extra help. I wouldn't feel bad about it. You're a very good rider.
ReplyDeleteAlso, you will improve re: the fitness challenge! The videos all repeat, so you will find that they get easier as the weeks go on (or else, you're simply getting better, I haven't decided which). There are 2 I found consistently hard, but I will let you discover them ;)
you're totally right. i should view it like that and just get on with it b/c there's no shame in getting a little help.
Deletei had to take a break today b/c i could barely get downstairs without the rails!! i'll just swap my first rest day this week with what i should have done today... you're clearly much more fit than i am!!
Did you just say 'arse'??? haha good luck on your workouts. I have a half marathon coming up in 9 days and haven't run more than 5 miles this month! I'm sure my poor balance standing up in the stirrups at the canter (my instructor's favorite weapon) is related to my terrible fitness.
ReplyDeleteyes ma'am i did!
Deletethanks for the encouragement... i had to put it off for 2 days because i caught something and i can barely breathe to do much. i did go riding though... and thought i was going to pass out up there! :\
good luck with your half marathon! that's way more running than i would be able to keep up with :P even if i wasn't sick...
Good luck with the new fitness regimen. I am terrible at keeping consistent over the long haul, but I definitely find my riding improves greatly when I am doing regular yoga and/or cardio/abs. And that is just with dressage, so I can only imagine the difference when jumping!
ReplyDeleteDon't worry too much about using the whip/spurs when necessary. I don't enjoy using them and my ultimate goal is not to, but during this stage of my riding development I just don't have my aids coordinated well enough to get the desired results sometimes. During leg yield, for example, I still can't time my aids correctly so I need to use the crop the first couple of times to tell B to move her hindquarters over, otherwise she will head to the rail completely crooked which defeats the purpose! After one or two taps with the whip, she will put two and two together and understand what it is I want, even if I am not necessarily doing it totally correctly, and it is usually smooth sailing from then on. (That is how it is with B, anyway. Of course Ariel may not be such a people pleaser! Gemma would kick out if I she felt I was using the crop unnecessarily which I always found unnerving as I was not too confident back then!). My trainer has told me it is better to correct an issue asap with a crop if necessary rather then allow a pattern of incorrect behaviour to start up that is harder to fix.
On the plus side, remember the old days when we needed to use the crop just to get them to trot or canter…!!! We have come a long way!!
thanks! it's taken a bit of a stall since i started b/c i got sick and had no desire to do anything. but, i'm determined not to let it get in the way and i'm going to be starting up again and doing as much as possible regularly! it would also force me to be better with my time management...
Deleteoh man! yeah, ariel is like that when you use those aids incorrectly... she's SO QUICK to remind you "hey lady, it's wrong up there." but your'e right that there is a pattern of poor behaviour starting up... i can't let that escalate again :S
thank you for reminding me of the progress!! i do quickly forget when i'm frustrated, that's for sure!