HINTS FOR YOUNG HORSEMEN

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22250, 15 November 1937, Page 10

HINTS FOR YOUNG HORSEMEN

NYDFA CUP COMMENTS

JUDGES' OPINIONS ON SHOW PERFORMANCES

Hints to young horsemen are contained in the comment of the judges of the Nydfa Cup competitions for boy and girl riders at the Metropolitan Show.

For riders between 15 and 20 years the judge was Mr A. N. Grigg, of Surrey Hills. Mr Grigg said that the competitors did not make enough use of their legs in controlling their horses. Many good books on horsemanship were published, which explained theuse of the aids in riding, and anyone who was keen should study such a book. Practice might make a good rider, but to be a finished horseman the theory must be studied also. "To put your horse in motion a sudden kick in the ribs is wrong. Close your legs to signal to the horse that you want forward movement. If he does not respond use your heels firmly. Give him a chance to think before you punish him. "Neck reining was often done wrongly. In this you should not pull at the reins. Move your bridle hand over to the side to which you wish to neck rein, or bend the horse. This movement presses the reins flat on the side of his neck; you must teach him to bend away from this pressure on his neck. The idea is to teach the horse to steer easily with one hand, leaving the other hand free to use a stock whip, a polo stick, or what you like.

"In stopping the horse, as you tighten your reins you should close your legs, because this makes the horse gather his hocks under him, a position from which he can turn quickly or start forward again as you wish. A common fault is to put the feet forward and pull like a man rowing a boat. This tends to stop the horse in a sprawling position, from which he cannot recover quickly. His legs are not under him, and before he can stand up straight or make a new movement he has to waste time gathering himself together.

Position for Mounting

"There are times of emergency when the rider needs to jump into the saddle and be away. Even then it is preferable for the horse to stand until your scat meets the saddle. In training horses, which is what this competition is aiming at, it is unquestionably right to teach the horse to stand quite still until you have not only mounted but have given him the signal to move. "The key to the whole business is: learn to use the aids, and use them as signals to your horse. Don't expect to ride by main force." For riders up to 14 years the judge was Colonel Neilson (Hawke's Bay). The following are his comments: "There was a very good entry, and the genera] standard was hi'rh, with some extremely good. Some riders were rigid in appearance on entering the ring. One should sit as naturally as possible without any stiffness. There was an inclination to ride with the extreme tip of the toe on the stirrup. "When leading a horse one should not look round into his face. Give him a little rein between one's hand and his mouth. When girthing up it is desirable to keep a horse's head up when doing up the last hole or two. "Ride round the outside of the ring, keeping well out from the judge, so that he can see you to advantage. Sympathy between child and pony, saddling, and leading were all extremely good. "The scale of points makes marks very easy to gain for saddling, mounting, leading, and sympathy, and gives these an exaggerated importance. If the marks for these were reduced, or a few more added for scat and hands, it would make it easier for the judge to separate the very close competition."