Trainer of Champions - Mark Sheridan HOW DO I GIVE MY HORSEMANSHIP PATTERNS THE POLISHED LOOK THAT CAN WIN, AND WHAT ARE THE FIRST THINGS THAT CATCH YOUR EYE AS A JUDGE? PART 5
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n the last installment, we talked about riding your pattern correctly and with symmetry. Most of the articles in this series are to give helpful advice on what to do correctly to raise your score and help you with getting to the next level. However, I want to make sure that I also give plenty of ideas on what NOT to do! There are so many times when I am judging and want to just get up and help someone with their ride. That is the trainer and coach in me. Many times I will say to myself, “If they just didn’t do that particular thing in their pattern, it would have gone so much better.” There are also times when the level of competition at many weekend shows is above-average. Riding a clean, mistakefree pattern can land you close to the top without having a prefect ride. Every judge has pet peeves, likes and dislikes. I would say that my biggest issue is using the spur stop on a loose rein and only riding the horse with your legs. This includes riding the horse in the pattern or on the rail with the spur brake to adjust your speed, and having your horse canter with his hip too far to the inside. Usually when this happens, the horse will not move correctly in a three-beat cadenced lope. Spur stopping your horse will also push your knees out and you will lose contact with the sides of your horse,
as well as creating unnecessary space between your leg and the barrel of the horse. An extremely loose set of reins will create additional lack of communication with the horse. You would also have to raise your hands way too far to reach the mouth of the horse when picking up on the reins. I understand that the western pleasure class has created some of this, however horsemanship is an entirely different event. Many exhibitors will also draw their horses down to the trashy, slow lope which will make it easier for them to sit in the saddle more quietly. I understand the thought process in this concept, but I want to reward proper movement at all three gaits. It is necessary for horses that do the trail event to have a spur stop on them to be able to lope into a six-foot box and stop properly and suddenly without pulling on their mouth to avoid stepping out of the box. I also feel that having more buttons on your horse is a good thing, as long as you do not take it to the extreme. Riding your horse in the trail and western riding will require leg pressure to manoeuvre around obstacles freely without pulling on your horse’s mouth. If your horse does have a spur stop, there is nothing wrong with gently picking up on the reins, squeezing with your legs, and using a soft verbal cue to halt. Reasonably loose
reins are ok, as long as the exhibitor can remain in light contact with the horse’s mouth by picking their rein hand up a few inches. Total communication between horse and rider is what I personally look for. Hands, legs, and the seat - used equally - will make the communication for performance work great. More tips to follow next month and until then, enjoy educating your horse and yourself! Mark Sheridan has been operating his training stable and producing winning all around show horses for over 28 years in Cave Creek, Arizona. He trains Quarter Horses for all around events in open, amateur, and youth competition and has a passion for teaching. He has trained and coached four reserve youth world champions in horsemanship, trail, hunter under saddle, and hunt seat equitation. He enjoys the class of western riding and makes it his specialty. Mark has been an AQHA (AAAA ranked) and NSBA (Category 1 ranked) judge since 1992. He is a past president of the Arizona Quarter Horse Association, a member of AQHA Professional Horsemen’s Association, and was awarded Arizona’s Most Valuable Professional Horseman in 2008. More information can be found at his website, www.marksheridanqh.com.
Announcing The Ultimate Lead Changes Series! Over two years in the making, this 3 DVD set from AQHA Judge, AQHA Professional Trainer and clinician, Mark Sheridan is now available! Beautifully fi lmed and edited with over four hours of hands on instruction, this series takes the rider through achieving the perfect lead changes from start to finish. These DVD’s are a wonderful tool for all riding disciplines from Western, English, Dressage, Reining, Working Cow horse, Hunters and Jumpers, and more. Mark Sheridan brings a hands-on, easy to understand, step-by-step teaching style that will ensure your success. Lead changes can and should be fun for you and your horse. Don’t miss your chance to finally achieve proper correct and relaxed lead changes from your equine partner. For more information and ordering, visit www.marksheridanqh.com 10 • Saddle Up • November 2011
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