Working on the basics may not be sexy or fun, but the basics are what allow you to ride beautiful, uphill flying changes, half passes, and experience moments of harmonious connection with your horse. If your dream is filled with blue ribbons as you ride your horse up the levels, the basics are essential.
Any complicated endeavor – whether it is tennis, building a business, or dancing ballet – has basic principles and a system that you must learn in order to succeed. Riding is no different.
What are the basics?
The basics ARE the Training Scale! The Training Scale is your Formula to Progress. Rhythm, suppleness, and connection are the three most important elements to any ride – regardless of your discipline or level! When you master these three basics, you will have a partnership based on trust and harmony. Without these basics elements, you will be frustrated and stuck. You may resort to kicking and pulling. You might get off in tears and I’m not even kidding!
Want to learn more about the Training Scale?
Come to my FREE Webinar on the Training Scale. I anticipate this will be my biggest Webinar yet! In it, I will go over:
- Each level of the Training Scale,
- How you can use the training scale to improve your daily rides and your horse’s overall development,
- How you can use the training scale to solve problems instead of going to your coach,
- And More!
If you can’t attend LIVE on June 25th at 12 Noon PT, RSVP anyways as it will be recorded for you.
How much time should I spend on the basics?
As much time as it takes! The biggest mistake that I see riders make is they don’t spend nearly enough time working on these basics before moving on to doing movements. It is totally ok to spend the entire ride just focusing on these basics. I do this all the time – even with my Grand Prix horses!
I’m getting ready for a show… don’t I need to practice the test?
Yes. Of course leading up to a show you need to practice the test, however, in the warm-up, you MUST always achieve rhythm, suppleness and connection before riding through the test. Then whatever “issue” or problems you encounter in the test, go back to the basics to fix these problems.
When your basics are correct the movements get easy! Plus your horse it willing, balanced and focused. Please take the time to come to my free webinar on the Training Scale. You will have a plan and a structure for your next ride (and all your rides after that)!
Click here to RSVP for the webinar.
Happy Riding!
Amelia
