10/ APRIL 2021 THE RIDER
Pro and Non-Pro Reiner Article Series Insiders Guide: Transitions
a part of the training. Doing circles inces- santly has no value; it’s also pretty boring for the horse! Transitions at all three gaits are bene-
ficial to balance and to create self-carriage of the horse. When a horse has learned this self-carriage, any maneuver that you may ask of them will be easier to accomplish, no matter what discipline you are riding. As I ride and train reining horses, I
Pro and Non-Pro articles written by Jen Jonas of Jonas Performance Horses (Pro) and Sharon Jones of Be A Bet- ter You (Non-Pro). Together, they are J&J Reining Inc. Both Jen and Sharon are believers in continual learning – if you’re not learning you’re not growing.
Sharon: I’ve been working with Jen as my coach for quite a while now – Jen helped me ‘finish’ the training on my reining horse Jade, who is now doing great things with her current owner. Regardless of the horse, Jen has always coached me on transitions. As they are such a key element, Jen felt it important to explain why. Over to you Jen!
Jen: I can’t say enough about how important transition work is in training. I believe a lot of riders don’t do enough of these in their workouts. Often, without direction, some non-pro riders can end up loping endless circles. Although for a reiner the ability to lope a circle is critical, it’s only
see improvement in my horse’s stops, spins, lead changes and speed changes in circles. Lead departures look prettier and they will be able to carry themselves better in the circle work. It also creates better communication between horse and rider as your horse pays more attention to your seat. All in all, a pretty cool feeling!
Sharon: Although I have done many tran- sitions under Jen’s guidance when I go for a lesson, I wanted to get a method from Jen that I could re-create at home, as I often ride alone or with another non-pro. One of the most valuable pieces of information I got from Jen was during our very first les- son – I was over-flexing the horse and Jen told me to imagine I was riding a coffee table, not one of those wiggly ones from the 1980s (Jen’s words!) but a straight coffee table. I work well with visuals so imagining
a straight coffee table helped me keep the horse straight. The second visual Jen gave me that stays with me is to visualize I am driving a speed boat – with the engine at the back, the front end is lifted. And that is a key for correct transitions.
Jen: Both upward and downward transi- tions need to be smooth. When a horse can do these well is when their movement is beautiful and fluid to watch, it looks effort- less!
Here’s the most common questions I get asked.
How do I create correct up transitions? • Forward impulsion comes from the hocks up through the back (visualize you are rid- ing up a hill or driving the speed boat) • Work on keeping soft and steady hands to encourage the horse to go forward into the bridle • Keep the horse’s rhythm of gait, imagine a metronome methodically creating that rhythm
How do I create correct down transi- tions? • Still think forward impulsion - coming from the hocks up through the back • Sit softly against the horse as they are
Tips to make the most of the “off- season” and prepare for 2021.
1. Host a clinic. Need a fresh perspective? Riding sessions and info-packed workshops. Adaptable to physically-distanced protocol. Great tips and fun!
2. Book some lessons.
“Is it me or my horse? Training
YOU to train your horse with the tools of eq- uitation science. Freelance coaching. Ask if I’m making farm calls in your area.
Sharing the science of equine behaviour and learning.
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www.lindsaygriceridingcoach.com 2021 Judges Committee
Melanie Gray Shari Irwin
Kelly Lehman Secretary: Kit Bartle
(519) 372-2527 (519) 440-5941 (519) 807-2660 (519) 732-0263
email:
melaniegraylifecoach@gmail.com email:
shari_irwin@hotmail.com email:
maddavery@gmail.com email:
drumbolady@hotmail.ca
Website:
www.whao.org Celebrating 68 Years! 2021 Sr. Judges
Cally Jo Fritz 21 Taylor Blvd., Elliot Lake, ON P5A 3H5 H: (226) 289-8563, C: (519) 280-8169 Email:
callygene@gmail.com
Melanie Gray 202011 Hwy 21, Owen Sound, ON N4K 5N7 (519) 372-2527,
melaniegraylifecoach@gmail.com Shari Irwin
166 Gleasons Corner Road,
Castleton, ON K0K 1M0. (905) 349-1092, Cell (905) 440-5941
shari_irwin@hotmail.com
Jamie Kuhl 899 10th St. W., Owen Sound, ON N4K 3S3. H: (226) 909-1447. C: (647) 290-6093 jamie@archlines .ca
Kelly Lehman
895893 Oxford Rd. 3,, Drumbo, ON N0J 1G0 C: (519) 807-2660. E:
maddavery@gmail.com Anne Marinacci
65 Swayze Court, Smithville, ON L0R 2A0 905-957-5619
Janet McClure 14156 Ten Mile Road R.R. #3, Ilderton, ON N0M 2A0 (519) 666-2482
janetmcclure1@gmail.com
janetmcclure1@gmail.com
Tom Saul 574 Valentina St., Petrolia, ON N0N 1R0 (519) 882-0958
tbsaul@outlook.com
Kris Simpson 711 Middletown Rd., RR #2, Waterdown, ON L8B 1P7 (519) 831-7922
richlandshowhorses@gmail.com
Don Stauffer 9626 Wellington Rd. 14, P.O. Box 16, Conn, ON N0G 1N0
(226) 258-9206, Cell (519) 604-8864
thestauffers48@gmail.com
Robyn Storey 6-120 Dudhope Ave.,
Lorie Duff Cambridge, ON N1R 4T7
(519) 620-9015, Cell: (519) 841-3934,
gatorrocks@hotmail.com
Brenda Thompson 284 Whitmore Dr., Waterloo, ON N2K 2N5
(519) 884-4050, Cell (519) 577-7320
bmctearnen@yahoo.ca
Mike Tucker
1581 Maple St. N., R.R. #4, Fenwick, ON L0S 1C0
(905) 892-5610, Cell (905) 984-1581
m.tucker@hotmail.ca
Jr. Judges
Dave Black 36 Woodhouse Ave., Port Dover, ON N0A 1G0 C: 905 921 0359
Email:
diamondbquarterhorses@gmail.com
Erin O’Drowsky 253 James St. N., St. Mary’s, ON N4X 1A5
H: (519) 284-0684, C: (226) 377-0244 Email:
eodrowsk@gmail.com
Inactive Judges John Ward
7651 County Rd. 10, Vankleek Hill, ON K0B 1R0
H; 613 867-0776, C: 613 867 0776 Email:
dufflorie@yahoo.com
Erin Fawcett 9 Strong Court,
Brantford, ON N3R 7Y4
C: (519) 754-3526, H: (519) 753-0757 Email:
efawcett78@hotmail.com
Roy Ionson
Roy Ionson passed away and will be deeply missed by anyone who had the opportunity to meet him. Roy and his wife Joan were instrumental in pro-
The horse world lost another icon on March 21st.
moting and building the quarter horse breed here in On- tario. Roy was a founding member of many associations and served on several board of directors. He was a judge who was respected for his knowledge and honesty. Roy and Joan started a small tack store out of their
garage and it grew into one of the most successful tack stores in Ontario when it settled in Chesley Ontario. Roy always had the coffee pot on and would share sto- ries and help anyone who needed it. His generosity and trusting nature was unheard of in the horse world. Al- ways there to help with advice, a loan of some tack, his trailer or anything that someone needed. He was happy to sponsor local saddle clubs and right up to the big as- sociations. Nothing was ever too much trouble. He loved a good horse sale and loved to deal tack and horses always with a smile and a laugh. Roy thank you for everything. You will be missed
by many and we hope your stories live on through the people lucky enough to share them with you. Our sincere condolences to Joan, Lee, Judy and Bruce on their loss. Ride on cowboy and hopefully you can find a pot of coffee and some old friends to keep you company.
transitioning down • Work on closed, soft hands; just enough to prevent the horse to fall on their forehand • Keep the rhythm as the horse slows down, the beat will be slower yet still in rhythm
What makes an incorrect transition? • Lack of impulsion – think about the rhythm • When the rider is stiff and braces with their seat and hands • If the horse hollows their back with their neck tight and braced – this feels uncomfortable for the rider and is not comfortable for the horse either • If the horse falls on the forehand and pushes through the bridle
The end results of a correct transition: • More forward energy • Your horse will be able to round their back and not brace in their front end • Your horse will be lighter on their feet • Your horse becomes more responsive and with lighter cues • Your horse’s shoulders will be more elevated allowing self-carriage
*Images shown are horses with correct self-carriage ac- complished through transition work
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