Blackwood Performance & Sales Horses

✨Correct and effective position ✨

Something I know I used to neglect was my position. I didn’t understand how a bad position could affect my horses, and I only forced myself to sit semi-decent at shows.

What I’ve learned is - a good position isn’t just pulling your shoulders back and forcing your heels down, far from it. It’s a multitude of things, but the following is what made the biggest difference for me.

“Rowing” and the walk:
Elbows have to move!
Relaxing my shoulders, and “rowing” with my elbows felt bizarre to begin with, but now I couldn’t imagine riding it any other way. Really by riding with stiff elbows, we are blocking the horse, essentially applying a restraining aid. By ‘rowing’ with our elbows we’re able to follow the horses movements, and encourage the walk to grow. Not only do the elbows need to row back and forth, but also our belly button. Keeping our hips loose, knees off and belly button moving with the horse, allows us to be a more effective and correct rider.

Air under knees:
It’s amazing the difference having some air between our knees and the saddle can do! Clamping our knees on can block the horses movement and desire to go forward. In walk, what’s helped me is relaxing my legs and letting them come on and off the saddle each time I move my hips to the walk.
In canter I still have to consciously remind myself to keep air between my knees, especially when riding a fast or wild canter. I’ve noticed when I ride with my knee off, I sit better in the saddle, the horse feels more willing to travel forward and freely, and it’s easier to encourage the horse to work over the back.

Hands and wrists:
A bad habit I’ve struggled with is my wrists, in particular my left wrist turning in when I ride. It’s taken MONTHS to get it consistently straight and i still have to check in with it each ride.
Wrists that turn in make it difficult to keep a soft and effective contact, as well as encourages the elbows to stick out.
Another change to my position has been how I move my hands in trot and canter.
Think of canter like a circular motion, our hands have to follow that circular motions. Stiff, still hands - like in walk - block the horse. Trot is more up and down, so our hands need to move up and down. The goal is to follow the horses movement and avoid applying any “restraining aids!”

I am far from where I want to be with my position, but new habits take time and consistency.
I could talk all day about how changing my position has helped me and my horses, and I have an amazing coach to thank for that!

✨But first… coffee✨

Announcing my new rider, Tofu!
She’s on the smaller side so will be riding all the ponies for me from now on. 🐾😜

Welcoming the sweet little Spirit who is here for starting. ✨ isn’t he just handsome!

Some ✨PONY POWER✨ for your Wednesday morning.

Day by day, Pete’s trot is getting stronger and stronger.
Encouraging the horses stomach up is always in my head no matter what we’re working on.
Playing with creating and collecting energy can be used no matter what stage and level your horse is working at, and helps the horse lift their stomach. This, if used effectively, will over time create a bigger and better trot.

Dressage Coaching Townsville:

Specialising in:
- Teaching effective and correct riding
- Confidence building
- Test riding and competition prep
- Correcting difficult behaviour
- Creating a foundation not only nessesary for dressage, but a viariety of disiplines.

If your wanting to start your dressage journey, work up the levels, or simply to learn how to ride effectivly and correctly to bring out the best in yourself and your dance partner, don't hesitate to contact.

Coaching is available for beginners to experienced competitive riders, and sessions are taylored to your individual goals and experience.

Please note, coaching is currently available on your own horse/s. Blackwood Park is not offering lessons on school horses at this current time.

✨ Byalee Reward and Mirebella Park Ace ✨

Lottie, Pete and I took the big trip down to Toowoomba last weekend to compete in the QLD Gala Equine Youth and Pony Dressage competition.
Pete rode some beautiful tests, taking home a 3rd place in his Pony 1.3, and being under top 5 in both his novice his tests!
Lottie took home a tied 2nd in her 2.2, and placed top 5 in her elementary.

Very proud of both Pete and Lottie, and very grateful to the owners of both horses for allowing me to compete and train such talented horses (well ponies, sorry Pete!)

Against some extremely talented combinations, I am beyond happy with our efforts.

A big thank you to my coach Robert Shmerglatt, who travelled up to Pamona the week prior, to hold lessons before this competition. Robert brings out the best in both myself and my horses.

Wonderful photos by Sue Crockett Photography

🤩✨ Aren’t I lucky to have such beautiful horses in for training!! How can you resist those crystal blue eyes! 😍

This is the beautiful Jewel, owned by Carissa Johnstone, who is in training with me to be started and educated under saddle.

✨ Mirabella Park Ace ✨
owned by Kerby Siemsen.
This very talented pony is in for training and competition livery, he will be going down to the 2023 QLD Youth and Pony Dressage Championships with myself at the end of August.