Watching a horse and rider execute a pattern with complete harmony, precision, and control is really something to behold. They make it look SO EASY! In reality, hours of practice and training had to occur to produce such an effortless appearing performance. I tried a seemingly simple pattern with Dakota from the 101 Western Dressage Exercises for Horse and Ride book by Jec Ballou Aristotle. This serpentine pattern was unlike any other I had tried previously because instead of maneuvering around cones, I used poles. The poles acted as barriers and encouraged us to stay straight before and after completing the serpentine loops. This especially challenged my issue of collapsing my hips when turning, which throws Dakota onto his inside shoulder.
I will certainly use this exercise again! After three attempts, I could feel and see a change in Dakota's foot placements. He was more deliberate and I think was starting to get lighter in the front and more engaged in the hind. I also like that this pole set-up could be used a number of ways all in one riding session: 1 - the serpentine, 2 - just trot over poles, 3 - riding around the perimeter of the poles to complete a rectangle, 4 - side-passing over a pole or in between poles.
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🎬 Other videos you should watch:
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Why am I on KZread and what can you expect from this channel? I feel empowered to share my story and Dakota's story because I know there are people out there in the same boat we are; maybe my channel will help them in some way. Dakota is a senior horse who has spent most of his life grazing in a pasture. He wasn't really broke to ride until he was in his teens. I've had to overcome obstacles that prevented him from being ridden earlier in his life - finances, distance, time, and fear. Now, we trust each other and are both enjoying western dressage.
I'll share any dressage tests I ride, virtual or live (even the bad ones), with scores and comments from the judge. I'll give vlogging a try . . . which is scary, but I'm in this now! Any other horse-related content that I think could be worth sharing (DIYs, fashion, organization) could become a video.
I have ambitions to progress through intro level dressage to basic level next Spring. I'd like to give the WDAA International Online Challenge a try and maybe we will qualify for the WDAA world show?