The Refined Rider

28/10/2024

Hey horsey friends!
My favorite equestrian artist is now offering up to 50% off her original paintings!🥳
Kasia Bukowska has a special way of bringing life into every single one of her masterpieces. I have three paintings already and will continue to buy from her! I wanted to let you all know, as there are several BEAUTIFUL pieces in her shop right now!👇
https://www.etsy.com/shop/kasiabukowskaart/?etsrc=sdt&fbclid=IwY2xjawGLuklleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZeuylq0LP_F-kkuqAZejazNWjU9qewbhRbilyOx_1YdRgydZOYK7e6FUA_aem_Wlul6m6auMuuXP-BipPncw

Shop Equine Art: Something Different by KasiaBukowskaArt located in Dubiecko, Poland. Top shop for gifts. Buyers bought gifts from this shop and gave them 5-star reviews!

10/10/2024

DRESSAGE TRIVIA!!!
Do you know the WHY you shouldn't ride too close up against the wall?🤔
There are a few different technical reasons why, but let's keep it simple! ...
What is the most basic, fundamental, reason why you should NOT glue your horse to the rail or wall?
The answer is simply that your horse WILL NOT BE STRAIGHT if you do...

Why🧐???
Because your horse's hips are wider than its shoulders!

Still lost?

You see, we riders tend to do things and make decisions based on what we see, rather than what we feel. So sitting atop a horse, we have a perfect view of the head, neck and shoulders. So most riders will form their track along the wall by placing the shoulders in the line of desired travel. And then we just assume that the haunches are following the shoulders in an orderly fashion. But the haunches simply cannot follow the shoulders squarely when the shoulders are placed too close to the wall because the haunches don't have enough room!

A horse will not willingly scrape its outside hip against the wall in the name of holy straightness 😉
If you ride your horse with its outside shoulder and outside hip straight up against the wall, or a few inches from it, you may feel like you are riding perfectly straight. But what is really happening is that half of your horse is straight with the wall, but the other half is lost.

The haunches are basically falling in, so the inside hind leg is not tracking under the body as it should be. You see, the inside hind is CRUCIAL for your ride. You want to be able to influence it and keep it reaching under the horse's body. Don't let it float into outer space!

So, be mindful of where you are placing your line of travel. Just think about staying a bit more off the wall so the haunches can follow the shoulders.

Check out our website for more visuals and riding tips!

28/09/2024

Did you know that you can get our Straight Rider Shirt custom made with ANY colors? 🤠 Get one made in your favorite colors or your barn colors:
https://therefinedridersshop.etsy.com/listing/1707592695/the-equestrian-straight-rider-shirt

29/07/2024

I have to share this one again because I have gotten SO MUCH positive feedback from OTHER DISCIPLINES other than dressage! Who would have thought that ALL EQUESTRIANS could benefit from this simple exercise that promotes GREAT results for ALL EQUESTRIAN RIDERS!💕... ... ... how about we all focus on our LOVE for our horses and the LOVE to learn more about our horses, and the joy we get when we learn WITH our horses! Society is cray-cray right now about the equestrian sport. But just remember what made you fall in love with the horse in the first place... IT WAS THE HORSE! ..."THE" HORSE MADE YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH "THE HORSE!"

Who is" "the" horse" "for you?

Remember "that" horse and keep doing what you are doing and don't let social media ruin it for you.

We are ALL equestrians, and this is an EXTREMELY VERY HARD sport. I'm not taking sides, but, let's just stop with the negativity, because we ALL have bad days. Let's just try to IMPROVE on the simple things, such as the classic serpentine 😉

Dressage geometry TRIVIA: When should you NOT ride into your corners? Do you know the answer? 🤔

There are 2 scenarios when you SHOULD NOT ride into your corner!

#1) When riding a 20 meter circle at A or C. You ride into the corner BEFORE the circle and AFTER the circle. But do not incorporate corners during the circle.

#2) When riding the canter serpentines. (many people don't realize this) The canter serpentines start at C or A and end at C or A, so once you start the serpentine at C or A, you need to leave out the corners! Again, you'll go into your corner BEFORE the movement starts at C or A, and go into the corner AFTER the end of the movement at C or A.

These two scenarios are often overlooked and cause a lower score for those movements. Accuracy is crucial and is one thing that you should be able to control. You can't change your horse's looks or natural movement, but you can change how accurate you ride your tests!

24/07/2024

Check out my cool breed designs!🎠 Tons of items to choose from and I will do completely customs orders as well!

Shop Gifts and Tools for Equestrians by TheRefinedRidersShop. Speedy replies! Has a history of replying to messages quickly..

06/07/2024

Just DO IT!

20/05/2024

Beautiful feeling described here!

Happy Horses + Happy Riders

24/04/2024

DRESSAGE TRIVIA:

Do you know the answer to this "CORNER CONUNDRUM?" 🤔

How deep are you supposed to ride into your corners?

The answer is, it depends, and here's why:👇

Information is VAGUE out there! But according to the USEF Rule Book, “Corners should be ridden as one-quarter of a volte appropriate to the level of the test (10 meters at training-First Levels, 8 meters at Second-Fourth Levels and 6 meters above Fourth Level).”
[USEF Rule Book DR109]

But in reality, it depends on the development of both the horse and the rider. And in my humble opinion, this is the BEST answer. 🙌
It is far better to ride a good corner that will help support you and your horse for the next movement than to try to jam yourself into a black hole 😉

So definitely strive for the USEF guidelines, but only go as deep as you and your horse can without disturbing the rhythm, balance, and harmony.

07/04/2024

Get your Straight Rider Shirt made with ANY colors! Long sleeve or short sleeve. This is a great training tool that I have developed for riders of all disciplines. Get one here: 👇

This Gender-Neutral Adult T-shirts item is sold by TheRefinedRidersShop. Ships from Fort Wayne, IN. Listed on Apr 2, 2024

03/04/2024

Get your Straight Rider Shirt made with ANY colors! Long sleeve or short sleeve. This is a great training tool that I have developed for riders of all disciplines. Get one here: 👇https://therefinedridersshop.etsy.com/listing/1707592695/the-equestrian-straight-rider-shirt

The Refined Rider - Improving your dressage riding by understanding what exactly is going on under the saddle. Learn about developing "feel"

21/03/2024

DRESSAGE TRIVIA:
Which two movements are basically the same, but are actually more different than night and day?

Do you know the difference between the trot loop and the canter loop? Besides the fact that one is performed at the trot and the other at the canter, there is a MAJOR difference between these two movements.

They are performed in the exact same pattern, or path, so how can it be possible that they are so completely different?

Well, you know...
🎶🎤🎵 "It's all about the bend, bout da bend, bout da bend..."🎶🎤🎵

The trot loop at training level requires a change in bend twice. And it must be smooth and fluid. The changes in bend come at you quick and you need to navigate and plan and think....😰

The canter loop at first level does not include any changes in bend, so you ride the path with no worries of that! BUT this is actually a harder movement because it's actually much harder to keep the same bend in the canter without breaking to trot or switching leads! Welcome to counter-canter territory...🫣

Regardless, both movements require planning and attention to detail. See the diagram below to help you visualize both movements😎

13/03/2024

The Straight Rider Shirts are on sale! Any color combination is possible! Just leave a note on your order about your design ideas and I will do a custom order for you! Also, ALL training tools are on sale this week as well! Through March 17th. Check it out: 👇

Shop Gifts and Tools for Equestrians by TheRefinedRidersShop. Smooth shipping! Has a history of shipping on time with tracking. Speedy replies! Has a history of replying to messages quickly. Rave reviews! Average review rating is 4.8 or higher.

07/03/2024

Dressage geometry TRIVIA: When should you NOT ride into your corners? Do you know the answer? 🤔

There are 2 scenarios when you SHOULD NOT ride into your corner!

#1) When riding a 20 meter circle at A or C. You ride into the corner BEFORE the circle and AFTER the circle. But do not incorporate corners during the circle.

#2) When riding the canter serpentines. (many people don't realize this) The canter serpentines start at C or A and end at C or A, so once you start the serpentine at C or A, you need to leave out the corners! Again, you'll go into your corner BEFORE the movement starts at C or A, and go into the corner AFTER the end of the movement at C or A.

These two scenarios are often overlooked and cause a lower score for those movements. Accuracy is crucial and is one thing that you should be able to control. You can't change your horse's looks or natural movement, but you can change how accurate you ride your tests!

16/02/2024

New baseball caps with your horse breed symbol!

This Baseball & Trucker Caps item is sold by TheRefinedRidersShop. Ships from Fort Wayne, IN. Listed on Feb 16, 2024