Catherine is my instructor today (this picture is from this past summer)
Today I have a group lesson with Catherine, another full time instructor at the barn, and I’m looking forward to a lesson from a new perspective.
Catherine begins by honing in on my equitation. She explains that I have been using my knee for gripping. Instead, I should create some space between my knee and the saddle and grip more with my heel, with my toe pointed out slightly. When I do this, it causes my heel to go down (yay!) and brings my leg to the correct position, directly under my seat versus more forward, where it tends to slide when I grip with my knee.
She also explains that the outer part of my stirrup should be angled in against the outside of my foot to secure it for optimal support when jumping. I adjust my foot in the stirrup as suggested.
We then move on to my hands. I typically hold them directly above my lap. She explains that they need to be positioned much higher on my horse’s neck at all times. This “higher” hand position provides more control for me and more support for my horse. The reins should be taunt, creating a direct line between them and Jaliska’s mouth.
Catherine further notes that I sit upright which is more of the European style of “jumper” riding, but in the US riders are angled slightly forward from the hip. To correct this, she instructs me to move into my half seat or jumping position when posting, on the rise.
I practice all of these things to the best of my ability in trot and then canter.
We notice that Jaliska is still switching her hind legs in canter. Catherine explains that things like this are common after an extended illness (Jaliska contracted lime a month ago). She tells me to just “roll through it” and not to pay too much attention to it. I try to do this, though it is definitely distracting.
We work on some jumps. Catherine sets up a cross rail and then a second and third, all in a row. The jumping goes pretty well for the most part, except that Jaliska keeps cutting her corner after the third jump. I am instructed to stop her at the end a few times. When J and I are aligned straighter (versus cutting the corner), she lands on the correct lead (bonus!).
I have a lot to work on in to improve my equitation. I know, though, that it will serve me well in the long run, for my horse and for my success in the show ring.
