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Post by aBreeze on Feb 11, 2006 20:40:45 GMT -5
well, sorry they arent the best... indoor arenas were not made for high quality pictures. We now know, though, to leave the camera on its usual setting, and lighten them on photoshop later. Iv been riding saddleseat for about 6 months[one lesson a week], but Iv been doing western/huntseat for 8 years. My first SS show is TOMORROW! Im scared, but Keaton[horse Im on] is an old pro. Thanks! The arena was pretty busy -> trainer training, kid trying horse out, kid getting lesson w/ other instructor, woman I cant stand warming horse up. My main problems that I know of are leaning forward toes sticking out heels not down enough not looking up puppy paws < gotten alot better
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Post by 2hot2trot909 on Feb 12, 2006 19:09:19 GMT -5
when ur posting ur calfs could be back farther and heels down more in the last picture but looks good, good luck at ur show tommorow
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Post by SaddlebredChick08 on Feb 12, 2006 19:27:05 GMT -5
you need to sit as far in the saddle as you can.. your back is straight but your leaning forward.. you need to sit back and just relax.. your like posting forward instead up straigt up and down and you need to pull your arms back where they are paralell with your body and pull your hands up.
it looks like to me that the sitting forward thing would be cured with lots of no stirrup work.
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Post by butterfly on Feb 12, 2006 19:42:16 GMT -5
I agree with Ashley. No stirrup work helps you sit deep in the seat and use your thighs for balance. I would also suggest a lot of lunge work. Just drop the reins and act like you're holding them and work on balancing.
I have to say, the horse you're riding is sooo cute!
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Post by aBreeze on Feb 12, 2006 20:02:13 GMT -5
thanks everyone!
We did good at our show -> 2 firsts and 2 seconds
I do need to lower my stirrups a notch as well.
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Post by Machogirl on Feb 13, 2006 17:55:35 GMT -5
First off, congratulations on your placings!
Now for my critiques:
I agree that your stirrups should be lowered and you should do a LOT of work without your irons. You are leaning toward slightly, almost collapsing your upper body. You need to sit really straight and tall and enlongate your upper body. You should also roll your shoulders back and open up your chest. Make sure that you keep your elbows relatively close to your body and bent. You want a small angle between your arm and sides and also in your elbows (if this makes sense). Your chin needs to come up and you need to maintain focused in front of you so that you are well aware of your surroundings. I'm almost done! The last thing I'm going to mention is that you could be sitting slightly farther back into the seat. You look like you are sitting on your butt in the pictures, so try to roll yourself forward and rest on your pelvis. Lol, so sit back and roll forward.
I'm sorry if this is overly critical or confusing!!
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Post by aBreeze on Feb 14, 2006 17:16:31 GMT -5
nope, in no way is it too critical. I asked for a critique and thats what I got! My main problem is my legs. Iv had to completely retrain myself... it doesnt help that I have a rotated pelvis causing me to have feet that stick outwards anyways... Iv been bringing them back and parallel with the horse, and slowly there is a change. This is a bad before pic... I think dropping my stirrups will help get my legs in the proper position, though. While training my mare I got in the habit of looking down... were working on that as well... its hard to break habits, but it'll click eventually. thanks!
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Post by butterfly on Feb 14, 2006 17:20:43 GMT -5
I used to have that problem as well. Until I figured out that it's so much more fun to look up. LOL. My trainer had me walk around with books on my head. Just around the house, but it helped A LOT.
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iced
Academy Rider
Posts: 129
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Post by iced on Feb 16, 2006 10:33:50 GMT -5
I disagree with whoever said your leg needs to be pulled back. It doesn't...if anything, it needs to move forward an inch or two. Your toe should be perfectly aligned with your knee, and I think dropping your stirrups a hole or two would help.
If you're struggling to pull your lower leg back, that gives you a tendency to lean forward. Concentrate on keeping a steady lower leg, not a forced one. A lot of your problems will be solved right there.
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Post by Emily-Moe on Feb 18, 2006 16:49:57 GMT -5
Iced, when you say keeping a steady leg instead of a forced one, could you explain or elaborate on how? I have that same problem, with my leg coming forward...and i can tell how stiff it makes me to try to "hold" it in place.
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Post by SaddlebredChick08 on Feb 19, 2006 16:39:16 GMT -5
iced.. would you say that my leg position is correct? (my picture is in my profile)
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iced
Academy Rider
Posts: 129
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Post by iced on Feb 19, 2006 20:12:24 GMT -5
iced.. would you say that my leg position is correct? (my picture is in my profile) Almost...before you concentrate on pulling your leg back, make sure all your weight is pushing down in your heels. Your foot looks very weak because this is not happening -- as if you are gripping with your inner thighs to pull your leg back to the point of forgetting about your foot, and it's basically left to just balance in the stirrup and absorb shock while you post. If your weight was in your heels, your seat would be forced to roll back just another inch or so and put your upper body in a more ideal position as well. Do you ride with adjustable bars? If you do, what position are they in? The thing that draws my attention to a good equitation rider is a solid foot -- which you never hear, it's usually just categorized into "good legs". But without a solid foot position, it's hard to have good legs to begin with. Here are a few pictures of what I mean: www.howardschatzberg.com/dspLargePhotograph.asp?Photo=1039 - The way that her weight always sits in her heel automatically puts you in the proper sitting position for equitation. All the posting energy goes out the heel - if you're pushing down (and slightly FORWARD, against the adjustable bar pressure helps for me) instead of constantly pulling back-back-back, it's MUCH easier to steady your leg with a lot less obvious effort. That's why I'm a HUGE advocate of adjustable bars ;D Here's some more: www.howardschatzberg.com/dspLargePhotograph.asp?Photo=1041www.howardschatzberg.com/dspLargePhotograph.asp?Photo=908www.howardschatzberg.com/dspLargePhotograph.asp?Photo=694
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Post by saddlebredcutie4 on Feb 21, 2006 18:50:17 GMT -5
u look so cute on him I think I like him
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Post by rebelwalkinhrs on Feb 21, 2006 20:44:35 GMT -5
quick tip: I know that i had some major problems trying to keep my lower leg back when i started taking lessons, but something that really helped me was my instructor had me move my whole leg back and it put my lower leg in a better position. Dunno if it was just something for me or if it could work for everyone... but i guess its worth a try. And a way i would make sure that i was keeping my lower leg in the right position was a would glance down at my knee and if i could see my toe then it was not far enough back.
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iced
Academy Rider
Posts: 129
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Post by iced on Feb 22, 2006 14:27:04 GMT -5
it doesnt look like her legs need to be back farther just her calfs I'm sorry I wasn't clearer, when I mention "leg" I generally always am referring to the lower leg. Actual position of the entire leg is rarely a problem.
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