Saddlebred riders do not want obedient horses. Bear with me. Dressage and saddleseat have many similarities: rearward balance and an uphill shoulder from the horse, seat and posture from the rider. That is a topic for another post. A dressage horse trotting down centerline has no idea what the test is. Rides at home areContinue reading “Obedience Epiphany”
Category Archives: Sports Psychology
Show Report: Winter Tournament 2, Hartselle AL
I hath cantered in a saddleseat show. On purpose. For this year’s Winter Tournament shows, I moved up from Beginner Walk-Trot Adult to the Advanced Walk-Trot-Canter Adult, skipping the four steps in between: Intermediate WT, Advanced WT, Beginner WTC, Intermediate WTC. In my first class at this level, I placed third out of five. AmContinue reading “Show Report: Winter Tournament 2, Hartselle AL”
Feast of the Epiphany
Epiphany is one of my favorite religious holidays. Not a surprise, as it involves the Wise Men and revelation. I’m all about smart folks and more data. An epiphany is the sudden understanding of something that was opaque. It’s not simply new information. It is about clarity where there was confusion. An epiphany cannot beContinue reading “Feast of the Epiphany”
That Moment When …
… I realize I have finally recovered from Nationals. The show was a big deal to me. You may have noticed. I spent many Saturdays preparing for it [Posts: Saddleseat, Boot Camp entries]. I wrote many posts before, during & after [Posts: NACHS]. I hung all of my ribbons in the middle of the livingContinue reading “That Moment When …”
On Task
Years ago, I was told that dressage means riding every stride [Square Horses]. Color me mystified. Previous Horse and I shared the foxhunter mentality. I tell you where to go and at what gait, you sort out the bits in between. As I’ve said earlier [Fifth Leg], it turns out that saddleseat is similar toContinue reading “On Task”
Fifth Leg Training
Last Monday [Slow Starter], I admitted that I have a hard time getting my brain in gear when I first get on a horse. It’s not all bad. There is even a training rationale behind it. When jumping, the situation can go wahoonie-shaped in a hurry. Either the rider errs or the horse expresses anContinue reading “Fifth Leg Training”
Slow Starter
Even after a year, I get a little anxious about getting on the Saddlebreds.* I’m better than I was, but my stomach still twinges when I march up the mounting block. Partly, I only ride once (or twice) a week and don’t ride any one horse regularly. Partly, I take after Pratchett’s Bursar, “widely accountedContinue reading “Slow Starter”
Virtual Brush Box 