Welcome. The 2008 show season is just beginning. We have been doing a series of articles with Lynn Palm that address the training and preparation needed to ride the training level test. A rider's progress through training level and their transition to 1st level can seem to be a slow and frustrating experience. A good foundation is so important to future progress through the levels. Although many of you are beyond this preliminary level I believe the process of getting through to the next level remains the same. Flexibility in our approach to training along with patience can do wonders to dissolve even the most difficult of hurdles.
Unlike other sports we, in the equestrian sports, have the addition of the horse as our partner in training and competition. Patience with ourselves as well as with our horses is a challenge. Developing skill and confidence are important for both rider and horse. Our second article by Jenny Rolfe provides some thoughts on the nature of the horse and how best to develop their confidence and skill.
The fluid process of training is perhaps what I enjoy most about dressage. At my most frustrated I am often drawn back to why I continue in dressage. For me, as I imagine for many of you, it is the challenge and the beauty of the sport along with the pure enjoyment of time with our horses.
|
Business Directory
20% Discount
Attention trainers, breeders and equestrian facility owners, this coupon is designed just for you.
New members to our Business Directory will receive 20% discount off their custom ad and web link in our standard and premium directory listings. |
|
| Limited Time Offer:
Good through 3/30/08 Contact us or call 925-984-2115 for details. | Contact Us | |
|
|
|
|
|
DEVELOPING THE YOUNG HORSE PART III
 by: Lynn Palm, Palm Partnership Training (TM)
"The Goal-Riding Training Level, Test 1, Part 4, the Seat Aid"
This is the fourth article in a series based on a compilation of material taken from my years of riding and training, previous series on rider form and communicating with your "natural" aids.
In order to ride a dressage test well, your horse must be responsive to your aids. In this article, I will explain how the rider uses the natural aids, especially the seat, one of the rider's most important yet often overlooked aids. A rider uses the natural aids-the seat, the legs, and the hands-to communicate with the horse. The rider's seat, along with the legs, controls two-thirds of the horse's body from the withers back. The rider's hands control the forward one-third of the horse's body including the shoulders, neck, and head. (more)
|
BREATHE LIFE INTO TRAINING
PART III
 by: Jenny Rolfe, www.spanishdressagehorses.com
The Importance of Building Confidence.
Much scientific knowledge and technical data is now available to help us as riders and trainers to advance the training of the athletic horse. The performance of sportsmen and women is now greatly enhanced by the amount of information that is available relating to the human body and how it can best cope with athletic development. However, even with all this technology at our fingertips, many sports psychologists are employed to motivate the individual , in order to gain maximum performance. Without the positive mental approach, it would seem that with even such in- depth physical knowledge, the athlete may still not be successful.
Confidence and motivation would thus appear to play a significant part in the journey for any performer. Many professional sportsmen take advice and motivation from "sports psychologists" as it has been recognized that for maximum athletic performance the person has to be not only physically fit but confident and enthusiastic. (more)
| |
|
|
|
