32/ SEPTEMBER 2020 THE RIDER


The Science of how Horses Think & Learn Preparing for the horse show exam.


7 tips to be ready for next season. Part 1


By Lindsay Grice, Equine Canada certified coach and show judge.


In the let-down of all the cancelled horse shows


and fairs, I’ve been encouraged by something – riders are taking lessons and working diligently on their homework in between.


They’re preparing for next season. They’re repairing from last season. Remember reading a test question and the thrill


of “Yes! I studied that!”? Conversely, “Rats, I meant to go in for extra help with that…I hoped it wouldn’t be on the test.” Schooling shows, provincial competitions , na-


tional championships– quizzes, tests and exams. This unplanned “off-season” is a time to be mastering skills and working through them in your practice ring so you can have a well-rehearsed answer when the question presents itself in the show ring. Be it a rollback turn in equitation over fences,


counter-canter in a horsemanship pattern or a water ob- stacle filled with the real stuff in competitive trail, there’s nothing like the confidence of having a ready answer! Here are 4 tips to help get you ready for the ring


next season: 1. Know your why. A clear sense and regular review of the reason you want to compete makes persevering


The Fire Horse


them to obtain greater health, better


under-


standing of their expected roles, and better rela- tionships with their human part- ners.


Through my


classes and daily contacts, I en- courage others to develop closer bonds, apprecia- tion and mutual trust with ani- mals, and a re- spect for all life in this world.


Chapter 21


By Lauren Bode All content copyrighted


My mission statement: Having developed and


practiced my talent for years, I speak for animals. I willingly provide a


voice for the non-human creatures of our world, in the hope that I may assist


A Ponytale Slow down and enjoy


life, its not only the scenery you miss by going too fast, you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.


Eddie Cantor I arrived at the barn


around 1pm, I immediately saw quite a few children


As a judge, I'm giving and grading your next horse show exam. As a coach, I help you study for it!


through your homework easier, partic- ularly after a disappointing schooling session. Are you enjoying your chosen discipline? Do your goals fit within your family budget and shared values? If not, it might be time to adjust your horse goals, switch disciplines, coaches or stables. Showing will not be as fun or productive if you’re pressured by points or people – i.e. a year-end award, your peers or even your coach – before you are ready. If you’re not enjoying your hobby…it’s a job. 2. Are you lacking elements of tack or turnout? Sift through the needs vs wants. Save the money you’d spend on show fees until you have enough for classic, conservative equipment and clothing. Insider tip – with so many scores, penalties and rules to juggle in


around the barn, it looked like we were going to have a fun time.... I quite enjoy the squeals from the chil- dren, whenever their pony or horse said something funny, there are usually tears as well, but just tears of em- pathy with their pet, because they have been speaking with their animals all the while and often fantasised ...what if....what if...their pony listened when they told them they were going to get a new pink blanket, or what if their pony had lis- tened when they told them how sad they were, when their best friend did not speak with them any- more?......so I started to speak with the first pony, who complained of his aches and pains and rushed through his routine, speak- ing of his favourite moves, learning to back up, having a few girls who told him good things and rode him well, gave him lots of treats...I had to touch his tummy at this point....he told me of the times he felt sad because someone was mean to him, the time he had to “mind his manners”? he did not understand the


Are your aids, lateral movements and stride adjustments well established, even in the midst of distractions? Does your horse nail his leads – every time, everywhere? Is he calm and fo- cused riding beside other horses and off-property? If it’s not happening outside the ring, it’s not likely to happen inside.


our heads, judges


don’t notice brand la- bels and trending styles as much many riders are led to be-


lieve- I sure don’t! What DO I no- tice? Fit over frills. Tailoring over trends. Now’s the time to get your hat shaped and your jacket altered. 3. Do your homework! Horse show success is more than luck. Are you able to perform all the required gaits, movements or jumps in your class, even those optional ele- ments? Don’t be caught off- guard by counter canter, turn on the fore- hand or a ground tie obstacle. Be ready for the “bonus mark” exam questions -a left hand trail gate or work without stirrups. Are your aids, lateral movements and stride adjustments well established, even in the midst of distractions? Does your horse nail his leads – every time, everywhere? Is he calm and


words but the tone of his lit- tle lady’s voice spoke vol- umes. He was proud to announce to all around him how much he enjoyed showing and jumped quite well as he proceeded to ask about his ribbons...quite an experience....the onlooking crowd of children and adults roared with laughter inter- spersed with tears at the go- ings on at the barn which the pony related. I moved onto the next pony after telling my friend how loved he was and what a fabulous ride he offered to all the girls who were all so in love with him. The day went by very


quickly, we stopped and had a bite to eat.....bar-b-que no less, tofu reserved for me, a sip of water and I was back to the matter of the day, this was when I noticed that all of my underage followers were not in the group fol- lowing me around. I pon- dered for a moment wondering if I had said something upsetting to the children, this not being my modus operandi...I let the thought leave my head, after all I had more important things to focus on right now...the pony in the stall in


focused riding beside other horses and off-property? If it’s not hap- pening outside the ring, it’s not likely to happen inside. 4. Know your rule book. Be famil- iar with how your class is scored, penalties, procedures and unper- mitted tack. Class descriptions in- clude carefully chosen adjectives to depict the ideal horse or rider posi-


tion and/or performance. When you’re out of the ribbons, it’s rarely due to, “The judge didn’t like my horse.” |


As a judge, I’m giving and


grading your next horse show exam. As a coach, I help you study for it. Next month, let’s look at 3 more tips to study for and nail your next horse show exam.


interest in equine behaviour. After 25 years as a competitor and horse trainer, Lindsay enjoys teaching clinics and travelling to On- tario farms as a freelance instructor. She’s taught the science of equine behaviour and learning for horse associations, courses for University of Guelph and therapeutic riding facilities. Lindsay judges many disciplines and breeds and serves on an


About Lindsay Grice. A horse show judge and certified riding coach with a special


EC judging committee Why do horses do what they do? “In the horse world, our traditions and evidence sometimes collide – I love to help riders solve their horse puzzles with logic, patience and equitation science.” www/lindsaygriceridingcoach.com


front of me. I greeted him with my


usual breezy way, and asked permission to go into his stall with him. He was a bit aloof and stepped back as I entered, I asked him if it would be better if I left the stall, after all this was his space, but he bowed his head and told me to stay. Slowly he started to


speak, the thoughts did not go in a positive direction and I was horrified to hear what he was passing onto me, he told me of the time when he was dragged out in the field and was tied to the ground someone had a foot on his face and he was hurt time and time again, the last time he said it happened he was blinded by the lights, the sirens got louder and everyone was screaming. He showed me a hole in his stall where the people would peek to see if the barn was empty. I tried my best to tell the pony that this would not happen again, as the law en- forcement people were checking into the matter. My group of onlookers must have seen the look on my face because one of the ladies stepped forward and


asked me if I was alright...I relayed the message from the pony to the owners of the barn, the owner then told me that was the reason she had sent the children to the other barn so that they would not hear what the pony was saying. Appar- ently, the owners have been having some problems with their pony whom they found


in a field about 5 miles away from their home, the animal was distraught and uncom- fortable. I sincerely assured the pony again that the own- ers were looking after him. As of that date, overhead cameras complete with lights were installed to deter any stranger from coming onto the property hopefully.


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