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The 2002 TDC University is basing its sessions on equestrian literature. The fourth session reviewed concepts from Kyra Kyrklund's book DRESSAGE WITH KYRA (© 1998 Trafalgar Square ).
On Saturday morning, May 18th, I audited the TDC University Session IV, "Exercises with Kyra." Fortunately, it did NOT include any sit ups!
Instead, I was treated to an informative and interactive lesson taught by Jennifer Parker, our TDC President. The lesson was based on the book DRESSAGE WITH KYRA. Kyra says, "You can never spend too much time trying to perfect your seat."
Jennifer showed us how to find our seatbones by lifting both knees up in a 90-degree angle at the horse's withers. The seatbones really made contact with the saddle. Ask yourself, "Is there equal weight on both seatbones?" Then let your legs down slowly and try to maintain the feel of even seatbones. Keeping this position of evenly weighted seatbones is even more difficult once the horse is moving.
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Balance is key. The rider must try to sit absolutely aligned on the horse. It is helpful to have a ground person to look at the rider from the front and from behind. The rider sometimes cannot tell if she is a little left or right of center because some riders naturally lean more in one stirrup. The ground person can help the rider stop bad habits and start forming correct ones.
I was able to ask questions throughout the session to clarify what was said. It was almost better to not have brought my horse, because I could watch the riders demonstrate the leg position and hand position in various patterns and gaits.
I highly recommend auditing the TDC university sessions. I was able to see different horse and rider positions and improvement by implementing correct seat, elbow, hand, and leg position. For example, even though my horse and I are not ready for the counter canter loop in First 4, watching it gave me a better understanding of how important rider position is and how good habits need to be
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