| Your next show is approaching. You are starting to | | | | up to work on myself. And I have to tell you, my |
| get nervous. You are starting to sweat. You are | | | | horse was a lot happier. |
| asking yourself why you are spending a ton of | | | | 3. Take lessons -- Yes, you have been taking lessons |
| money to compete when you are never in the | | | | the whole time. Well, don't stop! Don't be discouraged |
| ribbons. I have been there, believe me. I was | | | | that you have been throwing good money after bad |
| seriously considering not showing anymore. After all, | | | | by taking lessons. I used to go home and cry after a |
| why bother when I knew I was going to embarrass | | | | bad lesson because I just couldn't do what I was |
| myself and my trainer? I actually thought about | | | | being taught. I was getting the theory but not the |
| moving barns so I didn't have to see all my friends | | | | actual mechanics of it. After doing exercises to |
| winning blues and reds. I finally came up with some | | | | improving riding I started to get strong in the saddle |
| ways to really make a difference in my riding. I'd like | | | | and be able to do what was being asked of me. |
| to share them with you in hopes you will not give up | | | | Hooray! |
| on your dreams to win a champion ribbon. | | | | 4. Prepare for the show -- Make sure your tack is |
| 1. Exercises to improve riding -- I realized that to | | | | clean. Make sure your clothes are clean and |
| make myself a more effecti e rider, I needed to be | | | | well-fitted. Make sure your horse is groomed and |
| a stronger rider. This does not only involve riding. It | | | | shiny. Put some effort into your appearance. Nothing |
| involves exercising at home so that when you do | | | | says to the judge "this rider doesn't care" like a poor |
| ride, it will be a better experience for both you and | | | | turn-out. You could have a great ride, but if you look |
| your horse. There are exercises to improve riding | | | | terrible you will place below the rider who is of the |
| that are developed by riders so they know what | | | | same caliber but took the time to respect the sport |
| muscle groups to hit. I started these with low | | | | by preparing for the show. Cleaning everything is also |
| expectations, but found out only a few weeks into | | | | a way to make sure that all your tack and equipment |
| doing them that it was well worth it. My seat is more | | | | is safe. For example, you will notice a tear in your |
| balanced, my legs are stronger, my core (the KEY to | | | | stirrup leather when you are cleaning it. You will |
| a better seat) is helping all of my aids be effective. | | | | notice a loose shoe on your horse when you are |
| No longer was I driving with my seat. I was actually | | | | applying hoof oil. |
| driving with my legs, leaving my seat and hands free | | | | 5. Be mentally prepared -- If you tell yourself over |
| to collect and balance. I highly recommend doing | | | | and over that you are a terrible rider, you will start |
| exercises for riders by riders. | | | | to believe it. If you tell yourself that you are a good |
| 2. Get your horse schooled by a pro -- Yes, it makes | | | | rider ready to be great, you will believe that! If you |
| a difference. Before I started my exercises, it was | | | | are not mentally prepared, you can't win. Simple as |
| difficult to concentrate on the horse when all I could | | | | that. So pat yourself on the back every now and |
| think about was myself. How could I help my horse if | | | | then that you are doing everything you can to be a |
| I couldn't even help myself? I couldn't get my horse | | | | better rider. You are doing exercises to improve |
| into a frame when I was balancing on my hands and | | | | riding, you are taking lessons, you are working with a |
| leaning so far forward I would throw his balance off. | | | | great trainer. Why can't you be in the ribbons? There |
| By having my horse schooled by a pro it freed me | | | | is no reason you can't. Believe it and it will happen. |