We laugh through most of our lessons, but we also work hard. And the caliber of riders and horses we have reflect our mission to create confident, capable dressage teams.
We have a show team that some students choose to join, and we like to win ribbons, but the focus of our riding academy is not on winning, but on mastery. You should compete only with yourself , and performing better is always our highest goal. What Does This All Mean? Well, it all really boils down to this: find instructors you trust.
Of course, as a dressage riding academy, we recommend dressage as a discipline because we believe you can get a strong advantage by starting here, but we specifically want to persuade you that a good instructor is paramount, especially in the beginning. The point of this post is to convince you to look at more than just the dollar value or convenience of the lesson. Like everyone else, we like to save money and convenience when and where we can.
But the appeal of spending less on lessons or doing it on your own decreases significantly when you take into account the damage that having poor instruction can do. The dilemma is that there is no test, certification, or licensing for instructors, so it falls on students to tell the difference between a good one and a poor one. So, instead, take a moment to evaluate why you or your child want to start riding, and if the answer is to have fun while learning to be a capable, adaptable rider, then dressage and Edgewood Equestrian are your solution.
Comment or Questions? Contact us! Home Advice Why Dressage? The dilemma of choosing a discipline. Why Dressage? This issue also faces the other disciplines under examination here. Share this: Facebook Twitter Email.
How to Hold the Reins — according to Hilda Gurney. Welcome Jasmine! Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. If a horse stops at a fence, known as a refusal, or runs past a jump, known as a run-out, the pair earns 20 penalty points.
A second refusal or run-out at the same obstacle is an additional 40 points, and a third results in elimination. Penalty points are also earned for every additional second over optimum time.
The this phase, "tests the pair's precision over a series of colorful fences made of lightweight rails which are easily knocked down. This final phase tests the stamina and recovery of the horse after the very tiring cross-country phase. To sum it up, this is a grueling phase not for the faint of heart.
Horses and riders must be fit, brave, and precise to compete safely and successfully in this disciplines. As always, there are levels for the most beginner students, and most trainers will have experienced lesson horses available to learn on. Many riders can be good at two or all three of these disciplines.
If you like jumping, but prefer a slow, rhythmical pace and want your horse to be the focus, check out the Hunter Ring! The horses were necessary to carry their riders many miles over the varied terrain of the countryside in pursuit of their game, often negotiating the creeks, ditches, walls, and fences they encountered along the way.
Although somewhat recreational from its beginning, the task of the working hunter became less rugged and more refined and competitive, thus the show ring hunter was born," According to the USEF. The hunters are subjectively judged with the horse as the focus. A quality hunter is defined by conformation, athleticism, disposition, and jumping form and "must still exhibit the traits desired of a good field hunter— calm disposition, good manners, smooth gaits, steady way of going, and pleasant and efficient jumping ability— but must do so with style, presence and superior technique.
Hunter classes are offered in a wide range of sections both over fences and on the flat for any level of rider. Most hunter courses are a basic combination of natural-looking fences including flowers, boxes, etc, but are still made of poles that are easily knocked down. The exception here are International Hunter Derbys. These classes were created to bring tradition and basic riding principles back to the sport of showing hunters.
In this class, a horse is judged on keenness, athleticism, and handiness as it negotiates obstacles typically encountered while galloping in the open field. The hunter ring is ideal for riders who love to jump, but prefer a more controlled environment than the Show Jumping.
If you like running fast and jumping high with only the clock as your judge, the jumper ring may be the place for you! Commonly referred to as "jumpers," this sport is about time and speed. A horse incurs faults for each mistake made: four faults for each rail knocked down, four faults for every refusal, and 1 fault for every second over the maximum time allowed to negotiate the course.
The horse with the least amount of faults and the fastest time wins. Jumper courses, which are technical in nature and typically consist of jumps, require strategic riding in addition to a swift pace. Show Jumping is spectator friendly and easy to understand. Large sponsors, fun pre-event activities, and exciting jump-offs make the big-money classes a family friendly event for anyone in the community. Ready to get involved? Browse trainers and schedule a lesson today! It will be flawless and flow smoothly and immediately catch the judges eye as soon as the entry comes in the gate.
For ' flat ' equitation classes , riders should use invisible aids. A curb bit is allowed in Western Dressage because so many people use curb bits in western riding. A snaffle is ok at all levels but must be ridden with two hands. The horse should be bent in the direction he is going. There are obvious advantages to riding in a dressage saddle — the blocks on a dressage saddle are really made to help you and to put your leg in the correct position.
But if you are aware of your position, your hip angle, and the length of your leg, you can still ride effectively on the flat in a jump saddle. Saddle seat is a style of English riding that differs considerably from other styles such as hunt seat and dressage. Riders in equitation classes are penalized for leaning forward to any significant degree. As an equestrian sport defined by the International Equestrian Federation, dressage is described as "the highest expression of horse training" where " horse and rider are expected to perform from memory a series of predetermined movements.
The hunter — jumper division also known as working hunter classes is a branch of showing where a horse is judged on its suitability for hunting and its ability to move in a smooth and consistent manner.
The class is split into two parts, jumping and conformation. While judged on the flat , the class provides a base for natural progression to over fence class. Equitation is the art or practice of horse riding or horsemanship. More specifically, equitation may refer to a rider's position while mounted, and encompasses a rider's ability to ride correctly and with effective aids.
Equitation classes occur in the Hunt seat, Saddle seat, Dressage, and Western disciplines. Dressage tack is different than hunter tack in more than just color.
English riding is a form of horse riding seen throughout the world. English riding is an equestrian discipline with many different styles; however, at the most basic level, most versions require riders to use both hands on the reins, rather than just one hand, as is seen in western riding.
Maclay conceived of a trophy that would inspire young riders to develop the best horsemanship skills and instill in them respect and compassion for their equine partners. Equitation Over Fences. Designed for amateur and youth competitors, this event tests the rider's seat, hands and ability to control and show an American Quarter Horse over fences.
The course consists of at least four obstacles with a minimum of six jumps required. There is an age limit for these classes usually riders between the grades of 4th and 8th. Hunter Under Saddle horses should be suitable to purpose.
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