@Smokey
Dawwww Santana sounds cute <3
@Hime
Congrats! He's
so cute. I know the father was Palomino and you really wanted that color, but c'mon, that blaze is adorable and chestnut it cute too!
@Summer Eventer
Alrighty! c: So, onto critique.
There are three main things I notice. You looks very much like a jumper in equitation, which isn't bad, you actually have very nice eq. it just needs some tweaking for dressage c:
In the picture below, you'll see I've circle three different things in different colors:
Red: Your heel is actually okay. Having your heel down is a /big/ thing in jumping and english eq. but in dressage, everything is more about being an /effective/ rider as opposed to an equitationally correct rider. If your heel is in a place where it isn't bumping the horses sides and can easily be moved to cue subtly in different places, than it is in a good place. However, I did choose to circle your heel because it is very close to the girth. Some cues are given at the girth, but the girth is quite a thick layer to be cueing through, so just make sure to get your leg back a little bit farther behind you. I also realize that it may have swung forward slightly with your horses stride. It's hard to tell without video :3
Blue: Your hands are awfully tight on the reins. You should be able to comfortable hold your hands above the horses withers with a straight line extending from the horses mouth, up the reins all the way to your elbow where it should bend at a slightly more obtuse than 90 degree angle. It is important to remember than collection and roundness does not come with increased rein contact; it takes a balance of all aids to collect your horse correctly. In fact, the horse should round and come onto the bit without anything above a neutral, steady contact. Your hands could also use to be turned in slighly as they look pretty upright.
Green: When you're a jumper, a slightly more forward position is correct as it allows the rider to come up into two point better and also maintain balance when cantering in half-seat, but in dressage you need to sit back a little in a more upright position C:
Anyway, I hoped I helped somewhat! I'm also sorry if what I said contradicts anything you've been told XD Cheers!
He is sooooooooo darn cute!
