06/24/2022
5 more pattern memorization tips to keep you On Course at this wknd’s horse show.
I remember well that lost-in-the-jungle feeling when you don’t know where to go after an obstacle!
But who knows? It might not hurt to slip that course diagram under your pillow the night before…
USE COLOUR On your course diagram, use coloured markers to illustrate various gaits and transitions. This works well for equitation and horsemanship patterns, trail, western riding or reining patterns and dressage patterns. Perhaps green will remind you to go faster, like a traffic light (ie. Pick up a lope.) Red might indicate the stops.
Or the first section of jumps on the right lead in red (red equals right) and the next section in yellow (lemon equals left).
See shapes in the course and give word pictures to the obstacles based on their shape. For instance, you might see the first segment as a question mark, the next grouping as a zig-zag, followed by a letter J.
WHERE NEXT? Visualize exiting each obstacle and turning toward the next one. I remind my students to silently say the words “What’s next?” as they’re crossing each element to get their minds actively thinking ahead. I used to fall into the trap of jumping a fence and weighing how we jumped it while jumping it as well as re-living it on the following strides. By the time you’re landing from a jump or exiting an obstacle, it’s too late to analyze it. Forget it, pitch your thoughts to the next destination and leave the assessment until later.
WALK IT. I encourage students to set up pylons in a mini-pattern at the stable area or beside the trailer and walk through patterns on foot. Jumper and trail competitors are invited walk the actual course before the class. Or use sticks on the ground to set up a mini course. Actually putting yourself into the situation appeals to kinesthetic learners.
PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE. When memorizing a pattern, imagine where the in gate is. Where are the judges sitting? Mentally put yourself in the ring. If possible, watch the competitors in the class before you, preferably from a few different locations at ringside – not just the gate. By all means, get into the ring and ride or walk around the obstacles if show management permits.
GIVE YOURSELF TIME. Most patterns are available online before the show – don’t cram the day of the show. The more hurried you get, the more you’ll forget!