Coach Belinda Trussell has focused on getting me to be light in the contact with Biasini. He loves to pull like a freight train and the answer to that is to ‘give’ and be light. Then play with my fingers..right…then left.Is he soft on both reins? If no, then give again and play and give him a tap, tap, tap, with my heels. Follow up with a half halt from my knees or between my shoulder blades. What must I not do? NO Pulling!
Here is a video that will give you the idea of what I am being asked to do. Belinda was teaching and taking the video. Unfortunately the video zoom function on my phone was not co-operating! So you will have to keep your eye on Biasini and me when we are down at the other end of the arena
We may not have it 100% yet but next week we will be back in the arena working on it again! The photo below is of a professional rider from Sweden competing in the 2018 World Equestrian Games. Can you see how light the riders contact is with the horse’s mouth? She is not pulling at all . This is a lovely moment of her “giving”
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HorseAddict 
It’s counterintuitive some of the things we can do without pulling–like halting, for instance. I’m working on that one–giving with the reins a tiny bit, sort of like pushing my hands forward but they are pushing into a wall. As long as my horse isn’t acting like an idiot (read: she’s paying attention), as soon as I sit deeper into the saddle and do that little fake “push” forward, she halts. Who knew?
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No pulling, how amazing. Beautiful image and video, thanks for sharing!
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You are most welcome !
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Wow, this was fascinating! Dressage always mesmerizes me and I’ve wondered how riders cue their horses without seeming to give any visible outward signs. Thanks for sharing this video. Best wishes with your practicing! You guys can do it!
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Thank you Lillian. Yes it often does look like the rider is just sitting still but actually we have to be doing something almost every second!
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I love watching your riding videos, Anne. That last photo is stunning!
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Thank you Michele.. I’m glad you enjoyed
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As a not very coordinated person who can only do one thing at a time…..I would be in big trouble!
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I do not find it easy. Thanks for your comment Sandym
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Welcome, Anne.
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