July '06 Tour Stop Notes

Fluidity
Walk

• Use your arms and upper body--be sure you are using your shoulders and ribs too.
  
• For peddling, push down with the ball of your foot

Trot

• for sitting trot, trot with your shoulders and ribs and pedal with your feet
• for posting trot, round your back every time you come down into the saddle

Pat says, "Do what your horse does in his body. Don't get in his way and restrict his movement."

Canter

• The canter is little leaps --bunch-- leap.
  
• Relax your butt in the saddle
• Canter with your upper body -- use your shoulders and ribs
• Push the saddle back with every stride, sit on your thumb
• Use your legs if the horse doesn't respond
• Change your energy to match the speed within the gait that you want.

Turning

• Turn with your body and if the horse doesn't respond, then use your reins
• Keep the peddling motion and moving your body through the turn

Sideways

• Take your whole body sideways

General--remember G1 with the bit!