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Real Life Experiences
“Did my pony s e e a g h o s t ?“ “I’m no a t !“ Christmas che
CHARITY PONY REHAB
January 2016 £3.49 Issue 807
Dressage test tips! •Learn it •Practise it •Ride it
Cute
posters
Learn the rules of feeding
e h t o t t u P
test!
Pony European Dressage Champion Phoebe Peters gives her top tips and advice for successfully learning, practising and riding a dressage test!
Learn it
Fear the dreaded mind-blank no more!
1. Pattern matters
If you learn the test only using the letter markers, you could be more likely to forget it. Learn the whole pattern of the test so you get used to the way it flows. Don’t ignore the markers, but don’t rely on them either.
2. Mirror mirror
It can be helpful to remember that most tests mirror themselves. For example, if you need to perform a 20 metre circle and a serpentine on one rein, the chances are you will have to do the same on the other rein.
3. Be a pony!
Phoebe towoprry abtioupt w!hat
Only l. If you you CAN contro e ready and your pony ar d have for your test an l you can prepared well, al on the day. do is your best l what You can’t contro ! the judge thinks
If things go wrong etimes – humans and Everyone makes mistakes som : ponies! Here’s some tips to help 10 - this will help to nt cou and th brea p dee a l Take you to relax. make mistakes – l Remember you are allowed to don’t be too hard on yourself. – dwelling on l Perfect your ability to move on n from them. lear can you but , mistakes won’t help way dressage the e– l Make up for it in the next mov a one and a get ld cou you is marked means in theory to make up way a ays alw re’s The ! 10 in the same test for a mistake.
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To learn your test even better, why not put it into practice? Mark out a mini version of an arena, and run through your test on foot!
Practise it Practise makes perfect – make it count!
1. Clever pony problems Don’t practise your test as a whole, otherwise your pony might start to learn the test, too! If this happens he might anticipate movements, which could cause him to be less responsive. 2. Move it, move it! Break down your test into isolated movements and practise those. For example, if you are required to ride a 20 metre circle, practise this movement until it is as good as it can be, then move on to practising something else.
3. Build up Once you are confident riding several movements, you can build them up and gradually put three or four movements together. 4. Know your strengths and weaknesses Knowing what you and your pony are good at, and not so good at, will help you decide what you need to practise most.
5. Take a break Take regular breaks in training so your pony doesn’t become tired or bored. It’s important to keep his interest!
Ride it
Square halts
A perfect square halt is tricky to achieve every time, but it can be done! The trick is to get your pony as straight as you possibly can before you halt, so he steps into the halt evenly. If your pony finds if difficult to relax in halt, try subtly stroking his neck or, if you are far enough away from the jugde so they won’t hear you, make a soothing noise to encourage him to relax.
Accuracy is everything.
Circles
All circles should have four points – one at the marker you start the circle from, one a quarter of the way round the circle, one t halfway around opposite the star s rter qua e thre one marker, and of the way round. Remember to brush the track for a few strides at each point. Circles should have round edges, so think about joining up the points with curved lines. It’s also important to try to keep the same rhythm all the way round.
A perfect square halt
t one
Circle poin
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Circle
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point t
A F
K
1 2
4 Changing rein
of rein is The key to a good change r pony straightness – don’t let you p your Kee e! sid wobble from side to your so n eve ds han r you legs on and r leg you en pony stays straight betwe and hand. diagonal, If you are riding across the are aiming place the letter marker you s to help ear for between your pony’s t. you keep straigh
Straightness is key when changing rein
B
3
E
M
H C
Circle
point
three
Transitions
Walk to trot – Use your contact so you can push your pony forwards into it. That way he won’t lose any ene rgy. Trot to canter – Sit deep into the saddle and use your outside leg further back behind the girth so your pony kno ws which leg to strike off on. Canter to trot – Keep equal pres sure on your reins and with your legs to ensure a balanced downward transition. Trot to walk – It might seem stra nge, but use your legs as you ask for a downward transition. Think ‘forw ards to walk’. You want your pony to keep moving with purpose.
Use both hands and legs for transitions
Visit ponymag.com for videos of Phoebe riding some dressage movements, plus helpful commentary!
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s ’ l o o h Sc
Get the most from your riding school ! lessons – Lorraine Jennings shows you how
Ns ew eries!
Part 1
cool!
I
f you ride at a riding school you may think you’re never going to be as good a rider as your pony-owning friends. But think again! You have the chance to ride loads of different ponies so you’re able to learn how to sort out the different problems they throw at you – and that could make you a better rider! The way you think affects the way you ride. If you think something is going to happen it usually does. Just because a pony behaves in a certain way for other riders, doesn’t mean he’ll do the same with you – and this applies to good things as well as bad! This month, we’ll look at some pony personalities you might meet at your school, and see how you can change the way they behave for YOU!
Goldie – the riding school saint! Ev
erybody wants to ride Goldie beca use she’s as good as gold . Goldie is troub le-free so enjoy riding her – but use the time wise ly. Work on your position, yo ur aids and the accuracy of shapes and trans itions.
Dopey – the riding school tortoise
Dopey’s plain lazy and nobody likes riding him because he’s suc h hard work. Poor Dopey! Imagine how he feel s when everyone moans about him! One of you needs to be enthusiastic – and it’s got to be you! Brighten up Dopey’s afternoon and he might feel like brightening up yours. A little bit of effort before your lesson will make a big difference. Next time you ride him, give Dop ey a reason to perk up. Bounce up to him and give him some fussing. Get him out and make him walk pro perly to the school – if he tries to dawdle, give him a tap him with your whip. You may think holding your con tact will slow him down but thin k again! Your contact is like the lid on a coke bottle. Shake the bottle with the lid on and the drink bubbles up inside – without a lid it pours out and goes flat. Bottle up some energy by ‘sha king’ Dopey using your legs, and keep his lid on by keeping your contact. If he doesn’t listen to your legs tap him with your whip. Don’t give up – if he knows you’re not going to give up then he will have to respond to your aids .
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Buck – he got his name because that’s what he does!
Buck’s super scary because whenever you ask him to canter he sticks his head between his knees and up comes his bottom! Be prepared – NOT scared! Buck can’t buck if he can’t get his head down so keep hold of your contact and push on into canter. The harder you use your legs the further under his body his hind legs will go – making it impossible for him to lift his bottom and buck! He’ll be so surprised at the new you he’ll forget all about bucking.
Zippy – she’s only got one speed – fast!
Your arms work ha rder than your leg s on Zippy, and you dread cantering because you’re afr aid you can’t stop. Although Zip py is a speed mac hine she hasn’t go time to spook or bu t ck so trust her and relax, and she will too. Pulling back on he r reins will make he r nervous and she’ll try to run aw ay from the pressu re in her mouth. Open and close yo ur fingers on your reins so your hands and arms fee l more relaxed to her (even if they don’t to you!). Hu g her sides with yo ur legs so she doesn’t get a shock when you do put your legs on and she’ll soon ca lm down. Allow plenty of tim e for your trot transitio n. Sit into the saddle so your we ight slows her down – and do n’t forget to breathe! It relaxes you.
Boo – sweet but spooky
Boo is frightened by the wind, that corner of the school and of anything else she thinks is out to eat her! Poor Boo needs you to hold her hand! Give her something else to think about – in other words, you! Forget about where she might spook and focus on riding her straight. Keep the pressure the same on both reins and use your legs together to push her forwards and straight.
as a new Try to look at every pony you ride ch you tea challenge – they’re all there to rself looking something – and you’ll soon find you to dread! d forward to riding the ponies you use
Don’t miss next month’s PONY, and solve specific riding problems with Lorraine’s help! Go to ponymag.com to upload pictures of your favourite riding school pony – and tell us all about them!
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Headcollar know-how Discover how to fit your pony’s headcollar correctly, look after it and perfect your leading skills. We show you how!
Put the rope over his neck
Lift up the noseband
Put it on
, unfasten the Before you put a headcollar on your pony to be fitted. buckle on the near (left) side so it’s ready lead rope over the place Approach your pony quietly and the top of his neck. muzzle and Next, bring the noseband up and over his behind the sits it take the headpiece over the poll, so that e. Then kpiec chee the ears. Finally, fasten the buckle on you’re ready to go!
Fasten the cheekpiece
Headcollar types
Headcollars are great because they come in all sorts of colours and designs. Nylon ones are ideal for leading your pony in and out from the field, and you can pick almost any colour you like! When travelling, or when your pony is out in the field, leather headcollars are safer to use because they will break if they get caught on something. Leaving a headcollar on field-kept ponies isn’t essential, but it can help if your pony is tricky to catch. If you don’t want to leave an expensive leather headcollar on your pony in the field, consider buying a special field safe one. They are designed to release in an emergency.
Make it last!
Stay safe during transit 26
longer. If you llar correctly means it will last Looking after your pony’s headco – wash off any tack her same way as your leat have a leather one, clean it in the soap to keep dle sad ly app then h or sponge and grease and dirt with a damp clot it supple. y during the favourite leather headcollar awa You might decide to store your her dressing leat a use , mer shows. In this case winter, until it’s time for the sum dry! ere ewh som it sure to store or oil to stop it cracking – and be them in a fabric machine washed, and placing be can llars dco hea Most fabric the metal bits from protect the washing machine bag or pillow case will help to ). hine mac hing before you use the was (remember to ask your parents y. rust ng omi bec them to prevent After washing, dry the metal bits
Lead the way
Headcollars are generally used for leading and loading ponies, so it’s important to stay safe. Always wear a hard hat and gloves when handling any pony – you never know when something might scare them and cause them to take flight. It’s correct to lead your pony from the near side, standing next to his shoulder. Take hold of the rope, under your pony’s chin, with your right hand and pick up the slack with your left hand. Never wrap the rope around your hand because it’s dangerous. If your pony takes off, you’ll be going with him!
Tips and tricks
l When you’re not using your headcollar, roll up the lead rope to prevent it dragging on the floor (pictured below). Make a loop in the rope at the buckle end, then wind the rest of the rope around the loop until you get to the end. Finally, thread the end of the rope through the end of the loop – simple! l If your pony needs to be clipped on his face, use a headcollar with fastenings on the side of the face. These can be undone, allowing whoever is clipping to gain better access. l Adjustable headcollars are useful for young ponies who might still be growing. They also allow you to adjust the fit to suit different ponies, although it’s better if each pony has his own. l When tying your pony up in a headcollar, secure him to a piece of baler twine or a quick-release safety tie, and always use a quick-release knot. It is better for the pony to be able to release himself if he pulls back, as it could stop him getting injured.
Lead a pony from the left
TOP TIP!
nd
Never wrap the lead rope arou your hand – it’s dangerous!
Oh dear, this one’s a bit big!
Too tight and it will pinch!
Does it fit?
This headcollar is a perfect fit
Could you spot a correctly fitted headcollar from a poorly fitting one? Try our mini quiz to find out! 1. The noseband should sit above the projecting cheek bones. oTrue or oFalse 2. You should be able to fit four fingers between the noseband and the pony’s face. The same applies for the cheekpiece. oTrue or oFalse 3. The headpiece sits in front of the ears. oTrue or oFalse 4. A correctly fitting headcollar shouldn’t rub the pony’s face. oTrue or oFalse
How did you do?
Roll up lead ropes after use
Check your answers! 1. False. The noseband should sit approximately two fingers width below the projecting cheek bones – the same as a noseband on a bridle! 2. True. 3. False. The headpiece fastens behind the pony’s ears – otherwise it would fall off! 4. True.
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