Riding At Home - 6 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Your Practice

Hi, Edward here,

This time in going to talk about practicing at home.

Before a competition and in between competitions it’s vital to practice at home, reflecting on what went well and then working on the bits that didn’t. In dressage, identifying the weaknesses is usually easier as you have the judges comments which can be helpful. When judging I see many combinations competing in the same class at the same show week after week, getting more or less the same score. This can be good if you are enjoying your horse, however sometimes it’s better to take a break from competing to work on training your horse to a higher level and then trying that next time you go out. There is a saying “You earn your rosettes at home, you just go to shows to collect them”. I believe this couldn’t be more true. Now for some tips on getting the most out of your training sessions at home.

1. Get someone to film you riding:

This can be very useful in terms of identifying what needs work and it’s also great way to see what went well. Plus, everyone always loves a video of them riding.

2. Put mirrors in your arena:

This one may be a bit tricky for some, but having mirrors installed can really help you get the most out of your training session. Just like filming, this enables you to see your strengths and weaknesses in action, but unlike filming it allows you to adjust accordingly in real time, and see the results straight away.

3. Practice courses at home:

Many people love doing this and I have got some course designs for smaller arenas.

It’s always great to introduce a new filler to your horse at home (some DIY ones can be great) as it can simulate more of a competition environment. At home you shouldn’t have the competition nerves and distractions, so the round should be enjoyable.