IN ASSOCIATION WITH SCHOOLINGSOLUTIONS l IMPROVINGSYMMETRY
No horse is completely symmetrical but how can a rider help to engage a stubborn hindlimb?Dressage coach and judge Kim Ratcliffe takes a duo through lateral work exercises that will help
WHETHER YOU WORK at grassroots or grand prix level in dressage, there is always something to hone. This statement rings true for Joanne Dagley-Cleworth and her Hanoverian gelding Uptimistic (‘Jack’), a duo heading along the path towards the World Class selection programme for Para dressage.
Today they are being trained by dressage coach and judge Kim Ratcliffe with the hope of uncovering what a judge is looking for, and how they can work towards that in their own training at home.
“It’s useful to get a judge’s point of view from a coach,” says Joanne, who had to learn to ride again following spinal surgery in 2018. As the pair warms up, Kim takes a few moments to bring an awareness to Joanne of her position.
As she has no feeling in her seat or left leg, spending time at the beginning of a session to establish good posture is important.
“Keep your shoulders back and allow your hips to move forward. You can’t keep the hips relaxed and forward if the shoulders are forward. You need to relax your body and move with the horse,” says Kim. “Keep your hands forward, too, and don’t let your head bounce. This shows that your shoulders are tense.”
After warming up in walk, trot and canter, it is time to incorporate some lateral work.
EXERCISE 1 FINDING FORWARD MOMENTUM IN THE HALF PASS
The focus today is the half pass, and Kim instructs Joanne to begin
