Rider(s) Name/Age/Experience esp development stage - initiation/acquisition/consolidation:
Arena Set Up/Equipment:
[ ] We will use only half of the arena, with poles laid across the middle as barrier. It will be useful to have one extra pole available for use in additional progressions.
[ ] Instructor will have or wear helmet in the arena, in case a mounted demonstration is deemed appropriate.
[ ] A simple diagram can be drawn on a chalkboard (or large card taped to wall).
[ ] Instructor will be positioned in corner, with exception of tack check, demo and 1st activity
Introduction:
This lesson is about the position is used in preparation for jumping and galloping. Before a rider works over poles or jumps, they must demonstrate balance in 2pt position – and be able to show the various releases. Today we will work on the “Mane Release,” and all through your riding career you will re-use this skill – as in, “if in doubt, grab the mane!” We will try it first at halt, then walk, then trot in the identified area of the arena.
Warm Up:
Walk around the specified area of the arena, with several transitions to halt. Then riders will move into a posting trot around the area, both directions.
Explanation:
- frees the horse’s back and hindquarters
- assists in following horse’s movement and staying in balance with increased activity
- the Mane (or other) release is intended to allow the horse the freedom to stretch its head and neck for jumps
Demonstration:
Instructor will model position on the ground, with descriptions (if possible, draw diagram on chalkboard or put up diagram).
- keep head up and look in the distance
- keep back straight and shoulders open/square
- keep elbows relaxed, so arms and hands are free to move as needed; shorten reins and place hands halfway up the horse's neck and hold a little piece of mane.
- your seat stays close to the saddle while you lean forward over knees, while keeping hips over heels (i.e. push pelvis back in the saddle and barely lift seat bones from the saddle; point them backward slightly, not toward the sky. Remember we are looking for a minimum movement, its just a shifting of your weight off the horse's back and into your legs and feet)
- keep ankles relaxed and heels lower than toes “bottoms of your feet look forward”
Activity/Progression #1:
Line up and halt on the rail one horse length apart. As required, riders shorten stirrups slightly above ankle bone to close angles of heel, knee and hip somewhat (lower leg feels more upright)(varies according to conformation of rider and horse, as well as type of saddle).
Riders will model the two-point position at halt, with physical adjustments made by instructor (ensure stirrup leathers are perpendicular to ground, no pinching of the knee, legs press against horse’s side just behind girth).
"How does that feel?"
Activity/Progression #2:
Riders will have horses move off, and practice two point position at walk, keeping their centre of gravity over the horses centre of gravity, feet as parallel to the horse as seems natural. “Keep your centre over your feet.”
common faults
= eyes re: direction and timing
= standing in stirrups too high above
= heels up
= gripping with the knee (lower leg is not on horse)
= breathing
= ahead or behind
"what do you find hardest about this?"
Activity/Progression #3:
Riders will execute transition to trot and practice two point position at trot. Lower legs, thighs are shock absorbers, hips and also knees and even ankles are hinges – horse open and closes the riders hips. Eventually, the size of fences being jumped with influence the degree to which the hip angle closes and the seat leaves the saddle.
"how do you find this exercise at trot?"
"so, what happened there?"
Cool Down:
Depending on rider level, it is often nice to walk without stirrups as part of cool down.
Conclusion:
Recap positional corrections for each rider, and benefits to the horse's motion and improvements to their base of support. Riders should be able to change from jumping position to flat position easily and smoothly. Also, they will want to work in forward seat for longer and longer periods.
Outline next steps in lesson progression i.e. over a pole on the long side, over a pole on the short side, trying it in canter etc.