I know a lot of people ride western all the time and regularly do one-handed reinwork, but I am not one of those people.
Riding one handed is SUPER HARD when all you've ever done your entire life is ride with two hands, unless you were plodding along down the trail.
But when you get to the upper levels of working equitation, you are only allowed to ride one-handed. Not that we're anywhere near that yet, but I figure I better start now if I want to be any good at it in the future. Plus in WE you also need to ride with one hand to handle the garrocha pole, pick up a jug of water, ring a bell, handle a gate, and do a few various other things. So, we practice, and I think I am starting to suck less at it. At least, I'm able to get a few changes in here and there and pick up and replace the pole pretty easily now.
Bonus points - watch near the end of the video, the last attempt to jump the tiny jump. Dylan stepped on BOTH his pull on bell boots and ripped them both off at the same time. You'll see one go FLYING through the air!
Bonus points - watch near the end of the video, the last attempt to jump the tiny jump. Dylan stepped on BOTH his pull on bell boots and ripped them both off at the same time. You'll see one go FLYING through the air!
So what are you currently working on that you've been slowly getting better at?
That was funny- seeing the bell boot go flying! Me, I'm working on just getting the basics. :D
ReplyDeleteWe're working on one-handed too! For jousting, which for my horse who has only ever done big jumpers and eventing, it's been quite interesting. He's totally not bothered by cantering straight at another horse and having weapons thrown off him, but the struggle is me figuring out moving his body around with just one hand and riding him in a western saddle. Hopefully we'll get there soon!
ReplyDeleteI will never understand how on earth he managed to do that, ha!
ReplyDeleteI'm just working on not being a potato in the saddle. The struggle.
Too funny! Oh, Dylan.
ReplyDeleteNot horse-related, but I'm working on learning upholstery. Progress is steady and encouraging, but I can't wait till I'm faster at it.
ReplyDeleteha, definitely an athletic guy there huh lol. i kinda love how expressive he is with his forelegs in his changes too
ReplyDeleteNice job! I am (currently) working on keeping my chest up and my legs long. Mush harder than it should be.
ReplyDeleteLooking good! I need to work on one-handed work as well. I want to join a search and rescue mounted team but they have a requirement that you must be able to ride one-handed at the walk/trot/canter (so you can handle maps, radios, pony another horse etc. if needed). You are much further along than I am. It is hard! Especially with a horse who is still learning to stay straight even with two reins :-P
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