busy prepping for the show season!

hey everyone! many apologies that i have not been on in such a long time. i have been very busy with things around the farm, i have a few new horses, i’m working on some ponies for pony finals this summer and it’s been just so much! 

Equitation only please! While this is a good picture of him, I know my horse isn’t all that athletic. :P he does his best though.
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Everything this rider is doing, is basically correct. Her heel is deep, but could be deeper. Her leg should be more forward, next to the girth, which would correct the following problem- tipping forward. She is jumping ahead slightly tipped forward onto her horse’s neck. The rider should bring her chest up, not as close to her ]horse’s neck. Her release is a little more advanced than the basic crest release, but not quite an automatic release. With the success of this release, she seems like she would be able to master the automatic release with ease, although it is not neccessary - but good to know, once at that level. She is looking at the next jump, not down at the current one.

This horse definitely seems like a people pleaser! He is making his best effort, and loves pleasing his rider! His thick blaze and willing expression makes him look gentle and kind.

The horse is shiny and groomed well. His hooves are polished. The saddle pad looks too big for the saddle, but all other tack in in good repair and clean. The rider is turned out well, but could shine her boots a bit more.

Sorry. Bad quality picture…it was taken from a cellphone.
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This picture is pretty good to be taken by a cellphone!

This rider has good basics. Her heel could be down more, and her leg could be the slightest bit more forward, securely at the girth. Her knee is in an incorrect part of the saddle. It is a common mistake- holding the knee on the knee flaps. The true purpose is to block the knee from getting too forward, and prevents a rider from jumping ahead. Because she is making this mistake, it causes her to jump ahead, or jumping for her horse. The pony is hardly at the bascule, or highest part of the jump, and the rider is already too forward out of the saddle. Her crest release is good, and should give the pony enough freedom on the landing to regain his balance.

Although the jump is small, I do not particularly like the distance that pony and rider are jumping from. It looks a little tight, even for a tiny cross rail. His hind legs are not even, which tells me he is not content with the distance. Another sign of this is his slightly sour expression. His front legs are not even either, although, like I said, he is not at the bascule of the jump.

The pony is shiny, and appears to have a good basic grooming job. His socks appear a bit yellow, so I suggest scrubbing them well when bathing, but it could just be the effect of the camera.

I give props to the horse- he is a brave jumper. He has found a distance to the bank that he is content with, but the rider seems to have not been prepared for take off. She is pulling her horse is the mouth, not releasing, and not allowing him to jump freely. This is probably one of the worst errors. She is leaning over the side, which throws off a horse’s balance. Her heels could be deeper, which is more critical than jumping on flat terrain in an enclosed arena. Security in the saddle while on a cross country course is definitely top priority. Her horse is making do with his limited jumping efforts, but clears the bank anyway.

Vermont Summer Festival Champion Limit 3’ Equitation :) 

This rider almost has textbook perfect form. Her heels are in the down position, and her leg fastened at the horse’s girth. Because of her horse’s darkish color, it is hard to see perfectly clear where her elbow is, but her release appears to be good. Her seat is the very small fly in the ointment, because although it is over the saddle, it could be a little bit higher out over the saddle for the sole purpose of avoiding getting left behind.

The rider’s overall turnout is very nice. She is smartly dressed, and riders who dress cleanly for the show ring should always be applauded for their effort and consideration.

I’m guessing you just want an equitation critique because this is an equitation class, but let me know if you want me to do hunter. :)

Me and one of my horse Phoenix a few months ago in a national competition. What should I improve?
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The first error, and probably one that should be addressed immediately, is that the rider is looking down. In my early days of riding, every single one of my trainers said ‘If you’re looking down over the jump, you’re going to end up down in the jump.’ Looking down, believe it or not, completely diverts your weight down, and also deters your horse from jumping to his potentional. By looking up and where you are going next, your horse will feel where you’re weight it, and go that way. The rider’s heel should be much deeper. Her release is good. But again, I emphasis fixing the issue of looking down.

Thanks!
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Once again, we have another rider who has nearly textbook perfect form. The rider displays a beautifully executed automatic release, allowing her horse to use his head, while maintaining control. She is looking up and forward. Her seat in the perfect position out of the saddle- not sitting and not too far out, not jumping ahead. Her heel appears to be the only issue. If it was farther down, it would allow for her leg to stretch down and give more balance to this great rider!

The horse is athletic and willing. He is scopey, although does not display the tightest tuck over this jump. Yet the horse still succeeds thanks to his scope and ability.

The horse has been impecably groomed. He is shiny which is the result of long, numerous grooming efforts. The rider, like her horse, is cleanly turned out. All of the tack appears fitting and clean. I like to see horses braided for the bigger classes, even jumpers, but that’s a personal opinion. :)

I’m Sorry!

Hey everyone! I want to thank all 36 of you for following me, and I’d like to thank the people who promoted me! I couldn’t have gotten here without you guys :D

I want to apologize to those of you who sent in conformation pictures. I attempted to judge them, but it is pretty hard for me because I don’t have much experience with it. I will study up on the books at the barn that relate to conformation, and maybe if I feel competent enough, I will judge conformation. Sorry again guys D:

Riding.

Is it ok to submit jumping videos?
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To answer your question, yes videos are ok, just please keep them to under two minutes. Thanks! :)

This rider exhibits a common fault known as ‘piano hands.’ By turning your thumbs in, rather than keeping them straight and up, it lessens the ability to use the reins. She should try to keep her thumbs on top, is if she was holding two ice cream cones instead of reins. This also causes the elbows to turn out, which they should be at the rider’s sides. Her heel is deep and secure, although it appears that it has come off the horse’s barrel a bit, losing contact for forward motion. She is sitting tall and her eyes are up and looking where she is going.

Her horse is content and accepts the bit. He is being walked on a good rein length, with just the right amount of front bend. I do recommend that the horse does excersises to engage the haunches, as there is no bend in the back.

This muscular horse is of a good weight. His color will make in stand out in any class. He is groomed well, although I do recommend hoof polish for shows. The rider is dressed for what appears to be a schooling show. I also recommend either cutting or removing the excess helmet strap. The tack is clean and well fitting.

Anonymous asked: Who is critiquing? And what sort of ethos does he/she have to analyze it?

While I am not an “R” rated judge, nor am I a professional, I do have 12 years of riding and showing experience under my belt. I currently compete in the large pony hunters, junior hunters, and 3’6” equitation classes in everything from C rated to AA rated show circuits.