PLEASE CRITIQUE ME DOING SOME FLATWORK!!!

Hey guys,
I have finally built up the courage to post some recent photoes of me doing flatwork... or go soft, I have only been doing english riding for 1 year now. This horse is a TB cross WB. I am only working him for a friend.
Cheers,








Thanks guys

For the most part, you look good. Better than a lot of riders that convert from western. My suggestions are to try and put your leg a little futher back, since you're riding dressage, you want it to be more under you. Also trysitting up a bit straighter and sitting more on your seat bones by bringing your seat a little closer to the front of saddle. Your hands were the biggest thing I saw though. Especially in the second picture you doing "puppy paws"; your palms are facing down, and your thumbs together when they should hand your palms facing and your thumbs up, like your holding a glass of water. But these are all finer tuning things. You appear to have a very nice seat and have good control of the horse. Good job

Yeah I agree, bring your leg back a bit but only a little :)

Roll those shoulders back a bit as well. And thumbs facing up as mentioned already.

You do look pretty solid though considering you're a converted rider ;) keep up the good work :)

P.s. Where in WA are you? Looks pretty green for WA :)

Holey Moley!! I love your friends tb cross.... *druel* You, as other stated need to sit in the saddle more, you sitting to the back of the seat. When you get on him, put your legs out of your stirrups and stretch down, everyone try it! Then slowly reach for your stirrups, this should put your legs in the right position. Your are a loverly natural rider sweetypie! Just a few minor fixes... and my dear your set to hit the dressage ring!!

Oh im sorry I can't get over your friends gorgues big boy... isnt he just the best looking horse! :P I really like him... if you havent worked that out yet lol :P

Helmet? I always like to see pictures with helmets. I know there are lots of kids who come to this forum. Show by example I always say. You do look lovely however.

Yes I agree with the helmet, although prettypalfry it is her choice, and her risk to take... :roll:

I am in agreeance with the replies so far. You are sitting too far back in the saddle so are not in the deepest/most effective position.

This could be you or the saddle, I've seen a lot of people who ride just a tad to short in the stirrup and push themselves back by trying to keep their leg long.

Puppy paws, I like that saying! yep you got 'em but a lot of people do so don't stress, as mentioned before try riding like you were holding full wine glasses, thumbs up or there will be less to drink after the ride

Puppy paws lead to Chicken Wings and chicken wings lead to the butch look meaning flat hands lead to elbows sticking out which leads to rounded shoulders. So try to straighten up, tuck in and roll back.

All this is very minor as you look like a very nice rider, it will just help you to be more effective.

Good luck and keep at it.

aww thanks guys! Yeh I will work on that, that saddle wasnt mine, it was my friends. Jazzyrider, I was in Darwin at the time. That's where my friend lives.... And yes, if you have ever been to Darwin it is green everywhere, unlike WA.

Delregans Way, im glad you like him. It was a big wakning for me to hop on a 17.3hh solid horse, when im use to 15hh ASH lol

I will post some more pictures in a month!
Thanks guys

lol yeah I've been to darwin :) that explains it then :)

I forgot to say before, he is a stunning horse. I've been thinking about putting a warmblood over my mare but wasnt sure but after seeing him I can tell the tb/wb cross is very nice :)

Yeh I like the combination aye! I also know a wb cross ASH, now they are nice!! *drool* :P Glad you guys like him, I will tell Aleisha (friend) that.. hehe He is only 4 to, and he is already that size!! Imagin him in another 2years, when he has some work done to him.... jeez he will be HUGE!! But he is such a gentle giant