38/ APRIL 2019 THE RIDER


Top 7 Ways To Spot An Effective Rider


By Kathy Farrokhzad Riding effectively can mean


many things to many people. But in riding horses, it’s often diffi- cult to know which part is the horse’s doing, and which part is the rider’s. Or is it? As riders, we are occasion-


ally lucky enough to have a more skilled rider (or trainer) get on our horse. Then we can begin to understand the power of effec- tive riding, because suddenly, our own horse develops far ad- vanced skills - in a matter of minutes! That’s when we witness for ourselves the effect the rider has on the horse. For many, this “journey” to-


ward effective riding is what drives them to keep practicing, keep learning, step out of their comfort zones, try new things, listen to new people, and essen- tially, try to become better riders. I don’t think we can ever reach perfection when it comes to de- veloping skills. One of the key tips I’ve


learned along the way is that you can develop an eye to detect the truly effective rider. And it’s not always evident in their riding po- sition (although many people look good AND ride effectively). In fact, once again, it’s the


horse you can turn to. Learn to listen to the horse, and you’ll know when someone is an effec- tive rider.


You just need to know how


to “read” the horse. Here are the top 7 ways you can spot them. 7. The horse is moving freely and energetically. It’s a feat in itself to be able


to get the horse moving well, but then also stay out of his way. One way you can spot the effective rider is to notice how easily the horse can move. Is he restricted in some


way? Does he have an inconsis- tent tempo or unusually heavy footfalls? Is he rushed, or is he uncomfortably slow? Does he seem to know where he’s going? Or is it all the opposite? He


steps forward boldly. He shows no sudden changes of balance. He’s fairly light on his feet and keeps a consistent tempo no mat- ter what he’s doing. It all looks simple. All that “freedom” is testa-


ment to the rider’s ability to go with the horse, not interfere, and work with the horse. 6. Both stay in good balance. The effective rider is a stu-


dent of balance, both for herself and her horse. The reason? Bal- ance is literally one of the most fundamental aspects of riding, no matter the discipline. Developing balance is a key focus at all times. Maintaining balance makes everything seamless and easier for the horse. The effective rider can first


create good balance in the horse, and at the same time, maintain


rider is, especially when there are little disruptions, and lots getting done. If you see the horse moving boldly in balance, you know that the rider is up there doing some amazing things. And the more bor- ing it appears, the better! 2. The rider improves the horse as she rides. There is nothing more amaz-


ing than watching a horse trans- form into a majestic equine just minutes after the effective rider gets on. Tension? Gone. On the forehand? Not after


her own body position in such a way as to enhance the horse’s movement. Good balance is an accumulation of many little aids that add up to keeping the horse from falling to the forehand. And again, it looks like


she’s doing nothing. 5. Easy transitions. Another way to know the


effective rider is to consider the quality of the transitions. Are they lurchy or flowing? Does the horse fall to the fore- hand, or maintain balance to, through and after the transition? Does the energy stop through the transitions, or does the horse step through boldly? Does it look like the horse is pre- pared for the transition, and knows what he is doing and where he’s going? The rider has influence on all of the above factors, and there’s no


doubt about it - the horse can only transition as well as the rider can ride! 4. Everything is getting done! (Straight lines straight, circles accurate, transitions in place, bold movement). Accuracy is a bit of a trickster because when everything goes right, it all looks so easy. The ed- ucated observer knows that when the ride is flowing and the move- ments occur where they are sup- posed to, there is a lot of fantastic riding going on by the rider. Somehow, she has earned


the teamwork of her partner, and the result is evident in their im- peccable communication. 3. Rider looks like she’s doing nothing. When there’s effective rid-


ing going on, there is little to be seen. Quiet riding is a key clue to knowing just how effective the


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the rider re-balances the horse. Rushing, short jagged steps?


All smooth and longer after a few minutes. 1. The horse looks happy. When it all comes down to it,


there is no other way than to de- scribe it: the horse simply looks happy! He is confident in his movement. If he was tense to start, he is relaxed and calm at the end. There is a distinct absence of pinned ears, tension in movement and expression, and a calm, flow-


ing side-to-side tail as he walks. Now, it must be said that it takes years and years to become this sort of effective rider. And we all progress at our own rate, and go through learning stages and plateaus as we develop. But after you’ve learned the


fundamental skills, you can begin your “effectiveness” journey fairly early in your riding career. You might not become effective in all areas, but you will begin to find that you can influence the horse in the above ways in some areas. It just takes practice!


Bio: Kathy Farrokhzad is an EC coach and author of the Horse Listening book collection, and Goal Setting For The Equestrian: A Personal Workbook. New Book! Horse Listening Book 4: 20- Minute Exercises To Add Variety To Your Riding Routine. If you liked what you read here, check out


her blog at


HorseListening.com for many more articles about horses, riding and life in general.


COSA to offer benefits to Ontario horsepeople


TORONTO, February 1, 2019 - The Central Ontario Standardbred Association (COSA) today an- nounced its intention to offer ben- efits coverage to all Standardbred horsepeople in Ontario, beginning April 1, 2019. Any horseperson with a valid


Standardbred Canada license, Al- cohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) license and On- tario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card can access benefits as a member of COSA. A trainer or owner is required to have one start at any Ontario racetrack in the pre- vious calendar year to be eligible for benefits, while a caretaker must work for a trainer who made a minimum of one start at any On- tario racetrack in the previous cal- endar year to be eligible. “COSA invites any horseper-


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son who races at any Ontario race- track to become a member of our organization and participate in this substantive benefits program,” said Bill O’Donnell, President, COSA. COSA will receive a percent-


age of purses paid by Ontario Rac- ing member tracks to fund its ben- efit program, which includes Liability Insurance, Members Li- ability Insurance, Fire and Trans- portation


Insurance and


Supplemental Disability Insur- ance.


“Ontario Racing continues to


work toward its vision of a cus- tomer-focused, unified Ontario horse racing industry,” said Katherine Curry, Executive Direc- tor, Ontario Racing Management. “Working with a trusted partner like COSA to ensure a continua- tion of a benefits program avail- able to the province’s horsepeople will bring a stability sought by all across the racing community.” Ontario Racing represents


over 95% of the horse racing in- dustry, across all levels of racing and breeding of racehorses in On- tario, including representation by racetracks and horsepeople’s asso- ciations. An FAQ section is available


at www.ontarioracing.com Are you planning a Horse Show,


Clinic, Sale or other equine event in 2019? Call Us! (905) 387-1900


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