In a couple weeks I will be going for an evaluation lesson at a new barn. Do you have any tips for what I should practice? I am a western rider who will be switching to English. I currently ride a pretty green 4 year old, who is very forward. I usually ride 2-3 days a week.
I have been doing walk, trot, a little canter, stops, turns, transitions, bareback (walk and trot only). I have done a in hand gallop on her. She has been in training for some more advanced trail maneuvers, opening gates , getting the mail and what not. I do not jump, unless unintentionally. I have been riding her with light bit contact, and mostly leg aids, she is very responsive to light leg aids. I can use a direct rein or a neck rein with her.
I can tack up English or Western, groom, muck, etc. I have been doing transitions like walk to canter, stop to trot, etc. I have a very general idea of how to use my seat, can someone please go into more detail about how to use it? What should I practice otherwise? I have been doing bareback lately. What should I be doing to make sure I do well?
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com I'd guess that I'm an advanced beginner or intermediate. How do you think I would place, beginner, intermediate, advanced?
Ride like you always ride and just do your best. I prefer that riders don't study up when they come to their evaluations because they are stiff and almost unnatural. I would rather see what they already have learned because-guess what! - we spend the next month or so usually unlearning and relearning basics before anything.
It is a lot easier to go from english to western, and you will probably evaluate a little lower than you expected. Unfortunately, the person on the ground can see habits you have that you don't know about because it "feels normal" , when in fact it isn't.
I would ride like you normally do and practice the things that you have been practicing so that you can come into the lesson relaxed and don't try to cram for it. It's better to do the things you know well than to try and do new and more impressive things poorly.
-Transitions to the walk, trot, and canter
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com - The halt
-Keeping yout heels down and your legs straight from your ear to your hip to your heel
-Have someone videotape you riding and watch your position and see what you need to wok on
-You will also be switching from a curb to a snaffle so keep your hands light and restinga an inch or two away from the withers
Hope This Helps!
I switched from western to english most imporant english is a way smaller saddle make sure to keep your butt in the middle of the saddle and ride in shorter stirrups becuase in english the stirrups are way diffrent.
