The coach's snapshot with Katie Kelly

This month we have called on successful show, dressage rider and coach, Katie Kelly for advice. Katie holds a string of National and State Titles in the show ring and dressage arena and her students are following in her footsteps, having amassed thousands of championships in all disciplines.

Lauren is a Level 3 HRCAV rider and her lovely pony is a 6yo German Riding Pony x Aust Pony. The pair have been together for two years.

My first thought, Lauren looks to be really enjoying herself, she has a lovely pony that should be well suited to dressage. They seem to have a very good communication and there is no doubt that Lauren is a serious competitor and this pair will have a great future. Lauren has a good seat and a serious commitment to her craft, her pony is trying hard for her.
The picture is a nice one, she just needs to work on getting her pony around her leg and into the outside rein. ‘Inside leg, outside rein’ is absolutely necessary to create a balanced soft dressage frame. We are trying to encourage our mounts to soften their frame, take the weight to the outside and stretch the body, which in turn rounds the back and opens up the movement. From this snapshot we see Lauren's outside hand is in front of the inside hand, her elbows are not by her side and her hands are flat. Lauren's inside hand appears to be directing the pony, whereas her leg and inside seat bone should be working to shift her pony's weight to the outside rein, the inside rein should be soft. The outside hand should remain back even when executing a corner. The rider must first be balanced in the saddle, independent of the reins. Lauren's weight in the saddle may be affected by using the reins in this fashion.
I would also like to see Lauren looking up and with more weight in her heels.

Kristy and her 10yo TB mare have been together for 2 years and are now riding level 3 HRCAV Dressage

Kristy's position at first glance appears very good, she is well suited to her horse and it’s a nice picture. I think this horse and rider combination are very serious and trying very hard. Kristy has her head up and looking ahead which is great.

The dressage riding position is all about producing a soft supple horse/rider combination. I would like to see Kristy relax her seat more. I cannot see what her other hand is doing but I would like to see her shoulders come back and relax her elbows, aim for a deeper seat, whilst keeping her lower back supple. This in turn will help soften the horses back and produce longer movement. As previously discussed riding using inside leg to outside rein.
At this level of dressage the horses head needs to be lower, he looks stiff and his mouth is slightly open. He is travelling along in a ‘nice’ manner but doesn’t appear to be working over the back and through the bridle. I would like see this horse more supple and really moving across the ground, by asking for more impulsion. One small point, the spurs are hanging down, therefore they are not really achieving anything.

Both these riders have shown enormous courage to offer their photos for discussion. It is paramount to their commitment to their craft and their desire to excel of which I have no doubt they will.

Story from Horse Deals Magazine May 2017

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