ONLINE HORSE SOFTWARE

SPONSORS

HORSE VIDEOS

GLOBAL FEDERATIONS

HORSES FOR SALE at Horseville!

Have a
horse website?
Click here
HORSELOGS.COM - Feature Article from Lindsay Grice...
Feature Article from Lindsay Grice, October 2005

Q. I plan to show this season for the first time in trail, but the courses are so complicated I'm afraid I'll get lost! I have a hard time remembering showmanship and equitation patterns. I write them down accurately and memorize them, but when it's my turn, I often forget what comes next. Please help.

A. I have struggled with the same thing myself, so I know where you're coming from. I've been lost on countless hunter courses as a teenager! Everyone memorizes material in a different way - some are visual learners (learning through diagrams, demonstrations) and some auditory (responding to descriptions, word pictures). Others are kinesthetic (learning my movement and experience. Knowing your learning style is helpful. Try a number of memorization styles in each of these categories and see what works. I'll give you a few suggestions.

Memorize the middle. Often we get the first part of a pattern, poem or song down, but get stuck in the middle of the second verse. Start at the middle rather than rehearsing from the beginning over and over. Get to the point where you can start at obstacle three or five and pick it up from there.

Rhyme it. Word association, rhyme, or alliteration appeals to auditory learners. For example "Lope left after logs." or "Keep right a smidge after the bridge." Perhaps a green obstacle will remind you to go faster, like a traffic light (ie. Pick up a lope.) Give word pictures to the obstacles based on their shape and put them together in groups, or clusters of three. For example gate, fan, wagon wheel. You can do the same thing with a sequence of jumps of movements in an equitation pattern.

Walk it. I have my students set up pylons in the barn area and walk through patterns on foot. Actually putting yourself into the situation appeals to kinesthetic learners.

Put it in perspective. When memorizing a pattern, imagine where the in gate is. Where are the judges sitting? Mentally put yourself in the ring. If possible, watch the competitors in the class before you, preferably from a few different locations at ringside - not just the gate. By all means, get into the ring and ride or walk around the obstacles if show management permits.

Give yourself time. If possible, pick up your pattern the day before your class - don't cram. The more hurried you get, the more you'll forget!

Q. My eight year old daughter is showing in walk/jog this season. What tips can I give her?

A. It's important to remember to keep it very simple when instructing children. I usually give the young ones only two or three things to think about before their class. If you break down the things they need to remember about correcting their position into a simple three point checklist, they can keep repeating it to themselves as they travel around the ring. For example let's say a child needs to remember to focus ahead on the path in front of her, to turn her hands so that she can see only her first two knuckles rather than her fingernails, and to keep her lower leg back so that she can't see her toe poking out in front of her knee. Her checklist might be "Head, hands, heels." Although friends and family like to be around to cheer on the youngster, it's usually best to limit the visiting until after the class so that they can focus on their game plan. I think one instructor and one groom is all that need be involved in the pre - class preparation. After the class, focus on the positive by asking what she liked about her class, and then follow by discussing one or two things she might practise for next time.
Who Is
Lindsay Grice? lgrice.com
Lindsay Grice is a member of the American Quarter Horse Association's Professional Horseman Association and an Equine Canada Certified Level 2 Coach. She teaches horsemanship clinics in the United States and Canada and writes articles for several equine publications. She has made appearances on television and radio, speaking about horse related issues.

Lindsay has often been Ontario's top ranked Jr. Hunter Under Saddle rider, and in recent years has ridden several horses to AQHA's national high point year end status. Lindsay has a reputation for successfully training clients horses for new events - including Western Riding, Horsemanship, Equitation and classes over fences. She strives to create thinking horseman of her students by clearly communicating the how's and why's of riding.