Watch and learn

As a keen equestrian, it’s likely you want to spend as much time in the saddle as you possibly can! But did you know that you can improve your own riding skills and horsey knowledge even when sitting on the sidelines? Here are five benefits of watching others ride!

1. While it’s important to understand how and why your pony feels the way he does when you’re riding him, learning more about his – and other ponies’ – way of going and paces from the ground can help you get the most out of him.

Knowing the basics, such as the number of beats in a pace or what it looks like when your pony is on the correct canter lead, is key to improving your balance, rhythm and overall success!

Plus, you might find that, when looking at your pony move from the ground, he has a really large stride, for example, so you’ll need to adjust pole and jump distances to suit him.

2. Watching pro riders is sooo cool and it means you can discover loads about how to achieve a perfect position, as well as the aids used to perform all sorts of fancy moves. You’ll have to watch closely, though, as their cues are sometimes sooo subtle yet still so effective!

Why not watch a whole class at a top level event and pay attention to how the riders perform a certain move or approach a specific jump? It’ll be really interesting and you might even be able to apply it to your training!

3. If you’re keen to try some of the more difficult dressage moves on your own pony, watching a more experienced person ride these moves is a great place for you to start.

Maybe you’re not totally sure what a turn-on-the-forehand is or where your pony’s legs are meant to be when riding shoulder-in – whatever it is, understanding what the move looks like and requires your pony to do will really help you get to grips with it!

4. Although the basic principles of riding different ponies are the same, they are all individuals and how some ponies react to things in the environment (including their rider!) will be different to others.

Whether you’re watching a pony who’s spooky, laid-back, whizzy or straightforward, you’ll find out more about what makes him tick which means when it’s your turn to ride, you’ll nail it!

5, If you aren’t sure how to approach a particular combination on your showjumping or cross-country course, then watching other people jump it is the best thing you can do!

Maybe two spooky fences are on a tricky angle and it’s better to ride a smooth curved line between them so your pony has plenty of time to judge what’s in front of him. Remember, how someone else rides it might not always be the right thing for you and your pony, so speak to your instructor if you’re unsure.