What do you think of this horse? And rider critique?
Hi there! The horse is a beauty! A real honest one that seems absolutely ideal for you to be learning on. In particular the canter is definitely its best pace. Looks to be well schooled and obedient. I like this one a lot :) The first rider has a good position and hands but needs to relax their lower back as it is making them stiff to rise and sit to the canter. It is not terrible, just a small improvement that could make the horse's way of going a little easier. In the trot the horse looks like it could do with being a bit more forwards, once this is done the rider will find it easier to ride without having to "lift" themselves out the saddle. The second rider has a good overall position and is more than capable of getting the horse going nicely by the looks of things! The main criticisms here would be that the rider is stiff in the knee and lower back. Once they can relax these areas, the canter wil be easier to sit to and balance will improve. Try not to fix the elbows and stiffen the shoulder, allow the hands to move to be more forgiving on the horse's mouth. Overall both riders are very neat and kind riders. Only a few small criticisms, but it will come together in time and with practice. A really very nice video that I enjoyed watching. Hope that helps! :)
Horseback riding - two point?
Check out the link below to a George Morris article to see a correct two-point position.
How is my riding (also stirrup question)?
What is this, a Paso Fino or something? Most of us on Yahoo are either English or Western riders. I certainly have little experience with gaited breeds, but I'll comment where I can. To the eye of a non-gaited riding instructor, this little horse sure looks weird (but fun)! Yes your legs are too far out in front of your body, but also your butt is too far back. You want your butt to sit in the middle of the saddle, while yours is way up on the cantle. But I know that this is the way saddleseat riders sit, so this position may be correct for your discipline. It would not be correct for other English disciplines such as huntseat, dressage, eventing, or balance seat riding. If you want to fix the problem of your legs too far forward, you need to start with your seat. Move your seatbones forward until they are firmly planted in the center of the saddle, directly overtop where your legs are already. If you continue sitting with your butt too far back in the saddle, your legs will always go forward to compensate. You could try lengthening your stirrups a hole, but I suspect it will not help. Only getting better body alignment will help (straight line from ear, shoulder, hip, to heel). I'm sure what your instructor means about diving into the turns is that you are leaning in on the turns, causing your horse to become unbalanced and speed up. Sit up straight, half halt, and support the horse with your inside leg at the girth and outside leg slightly back, so that you don't have to use so much inside rein. This will give you a smoother, more balanced turn.
Raining! I teach horseback riding lessons and don't have covered arena. What should i do for lesson?
Back in the early 1980's I developed a lesson plan for just such occurances (Used to drive the barn owner CRAZY 'cause I was still makin' money.). The owner of the rental horses LOVED it 'cause all her tack got cleaned thoroughly! I would have the kids take out the saddles and bridles of the horses they rode and CLEAN them! As they took them apart (This got FUN), I'd explain what each piece's name was and how it was used in the over all picture. While you're at it, drag out some old bits too! Toss 'em at the kids and ask them what they are. (I had a LOT of fun with a full cheek double twisted wire snaffle...).
I want to be a part of the equestrian olympics?
I know this is a very big goal, and I won't be incredibly disappointing if I don't make it, but it won't hurt to dream right? I've had my own horse (until a few months ago) and taught myself to ride. In my town, riding lessons aren't an option, but I did an online thing with a few different 'trainers'. I'd send them a video of me riding, they would tell me what to fix, I'd send them a video of my improvement and so on. It works, but it takes 10x longer than traditional lessons. This is the last video I got, though it wasn't my best: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbDNRGDFTAA From this video, I improved my posting trot, and arm position. I'm still a bit awkward with my shoulder-hip-heel alignment. I will be 18 in October, and plan on moving to a better place to keep a horse (don't worry about the financial stuff, I've already got that figured out). When I move, I will get myself some good lessons, then buy a good horse. So anyways, my question is, with good lessons, can someone who only started riding at age 16, and only started getting lessons at 18 ever have a chance? I'm asking because every horseperson I know has been riding since they were 3 years old haha. I want to do showjumping or dressage (not eventing though), I like both equally, so I will chose depending on what my future horse prefers. Any tips? Anyone know good trainers in the Seattle, WA area?
Differences between Hunt Seat Equitation and Hunter Under Saddle?
Just a suggestion, add the link to the youtube video to the description, will make it easier for people to find. As for your question, Hunter Under Saddle is a flat class that judges how the horse moves and Equitation is judged on how the rider rides. EDIT: You don't have to pay for the photo to put the link in the description section