PHASE 3: Balance
The final part of the jigsaw is flatwork, a chance to see horse and rider together. “This stage is always very telling,” says Sarah. “A pupil may say she can’t do sitting trot and by watching for a few minutes I can suss out whether it’s a rider or horse problem. Both need to be in good shape to work correctly.”
Eyes wide shut
“Once mounted, I challenge my pupils to think about what they’re feeling in their body, says Sarah. “Because of the Pilates they are now more aware of how things should be. Are they stiff in the hips, is one leg longer than the other, or are they struggling to sit up straight?” Come onto the quarter line and, once straight, close your eyes (if it’s safe to do so) and let your horse move under you without interfering. “While your eyes are shut, scan your body. What feels good and what doesn’t? Are you sitting symmetrically? Do your feet have equal weight? Once you’ve got this awareness you can use the first five or 10 minutes of a session to relax your tense bits.”
Ride in a tunnel
“I ask my pupils to imagine their horse is in a narrow tunnel, and to visualise him in the middle of it,” says Sarah. “As they ride, what do they need to do to keep him there? If they relax, what happens? If they become short in the leg on one side, or stiff in the shoulders, what happens? By being aware of how their position affects their horse, the riders build a toolkit of techniques to be effective in the saddle without interfering with his movement.” Also check your stacked boxes periodically to ensure you’re not collapsing or becoming rounded in the shoulders. “Another good visualisation is to think of making space under your body for your horse to fill. An incorrect position won’t allow for this.”