Have you ever listened to a recording of your voice and said, “That’s not me! I don’t sound like that!” Actually, you do sound like that, but you don’t realize it as it’s hard to hear the timbre and tone of your own voice. The same principle applies to equitation patterns: what you as a rider think that the judge sees rarely match the reality of what you actually do. To perfect an equitation pattern, it is important for all of us to be on the same page.
You don’t become a good rider by “dreaming” it. While mental preparation is just as important as physical practice, the best riders know that they cannot skimp on either—each is integral to the success of the other. I often hear students say they dream of being an Olympic rider or of winning a World Championship. Dreams are wonderful, but they take a lot of work to make them come true. The only thing better than a dream is one that you have made a reality.
On the Home Front
Lance Armstrong didn’t win six Tour de France races by practicing only when he felt like it. He practices daily, cranking out 5–6 hour practices over hundreds of miles on a consistent basis. What does this mean for you? Practice, practice, practice. And when you’re done, think about saddling up a different horse to practice some more.
· Know the maneuvers. Dig out a copy of the latest AQHA Rule Book as this will provide you with a complete listing of maneuvers and skills that will be judged in an equitation class. In order for you to perform these maneuvers easily, you need to understand what they are. These maneuvers are the building blocks for patterns. The rule book gives examples of maneuvers to choose from and as a judge, we incorporate them into patterns. As an exhibitor you have the chance to work these at home, and make up patterns to help you perfect your performance for the show ring.
· Set time aside during each ride to practice pattern work. Now that you have a good hold on the individual maneuvers, put them together to form patterns. By working patterns on a consistent basis, your horse will be accustomed to waiting for your cue and then doing what is asked. If you only do patterns at the horse show, your horse is often startled into a maneuver rather than acting as your partner in the pattern. This type of practice is not only good for you, but it helps you to know and understand your horse. Patterns also have the added bonus of making life a little more interesting for your horse.
· Practice your equitation skills. Understanding the maneuvers and practicing patterns with your horse is only part of the equation—you need to practice your equitation skills equally as hard as your horse does! Ideally, work with an equitation coach to improve your leg position, hand position, balance, and symmetry of your ride. It takes more than a good pattern horse to be a great rider.
When I judge, I often ask riders to do more during their rail work. Getting the pattern done is only part of the equation class; classes are often won or lost on the rail. So, what can you do at home to make sure that I see your best ride in the arena?
Do Your Legwork
It goes without saying, but in order to develop a strong leg, you must practice without irons. Equitation riders cannot be strong if they don’t practice riding without irons on a consistent basis. Yes, it may hurt at first but the results are well worth the effort. Cross your irons in front of you and post at a long trot for ten minutes, gradually increasing the time you spend without irons. Don’t forget to practice sitting an extended trot, cantering, and holding a steady two-point position. When you know you’ve done the work at home, it makes it easy to perform in the pen.
Hands-Free Practice
It is just as important to be able to ride without your hands as it is without irons. (Even better, practice both simultaneously.) This necessary practice can be done in a round pen or on the longe line, preferably with a good equitation coach holding the end of the line. Riders can practice getting their diagonals without looking (yes, judges really can tell when you do a visual check to see if you picked up the correct diagonal), keeping their shoulders square and their body in line, and communicating with their horse. When riders can communicate transitions to their horse without using their hands, they are well on their way to riding great patterns.
At the Show
It’s just about show time, so what should your day-of preparations be? The steps below will help you to ride into the pen with confidence, knowing that the performance I see matches the one you give.
1. Read the pattern carefully. You’ll need to know it backwards and forwards so its actual performance comes naturally.
2. Write the pattern down. This will help you to commit the pattern to memory. Better yet, write the pattern down in a notebook you keep specifically for patterns. When you keep a pattern book, make certain that you write down the judge’s name, the show date, what went well in the pattern, and skills that you need to improve. This will give you a record of patterns you can practice at home as well as skills that you need to improve.
3. Walk the pattern. Clear a small area on the ground and walk through the pattern, mentally preparing yourself for cues you need to give your horse, timing, and the overall feel of the pattern.
4. Know your horse. If your horse has trouble counter-cantering to the right and the pattern calls for that maneuver, spend extra time preparing for that cue so you get it right in the pen.
5. Practice the pattern using cones or markers. Set some cones in the practice arena and ride the pattern. If possible, your practice pattern should have the same dimensions as the pattern you will ride in the show arena. This practice pattern will give you a good idea of what to expect of your horse, where you need to ride more strongly, and places where you can relax a bit.
And remember, a good equitation pattern should be enjoyable for you to ride, for your horse to perform, and for me to watch. That doesn’t mean riding with a big, cheesy smile, but I do want to see you and your horse looking comfortable together. Your performance of a pattern should be easy and fluid, not grinding and painful. No matter how difficult a cue or maneuver, I never want to see you grimace.
