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Confession time – My worst habit as a horse rider
Ok guys, I’m taking a leaf out of A Timid Rider’s book and I’m confessing. It’s about my worst habit as a rider. No it’s not about the fact that even after riding for twenty years I still frequently pick up the wrong diagonal on the left rein. Although in the interests of full disclosure I…
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‘A Touch of Class’ – Compeition Report
https://www.facebook.com/1168018333264632/posts/1925481080851683/ Last weekend Nonie and I packed up the float and trundled 35km down the highway to a Dressage and Hack show. Having a show on our doorstep is such a treat so although the lead up was not perfect I had to go, and we were rewarded with a great day. It also…
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2018 Australian Adult Amateur Dressage Championships
As many of you would be now know, Nonie and I recently ventured down to South East Queensland for the 2018 Australian Adult Amateur Dressage Championships. It was a brilliant trip and an amazing competition. Check out my recap video! https://www.facebook.com/thesandarenaballerina/videos/2225323824207993/
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3 essential ingredients that make a great coach
I have been very fortunate as a rider to work with some incredible coaches from whom I have learnt enormously. I’ve also worked with some arguably wonderful riders and coaches where I just haven’t got much out of the lesson. Over time I have come to realise that there are certain ingredients that make for…
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2018 – The Halfway Update
Given that 2018 is more than halfway over I thought it was high time for an update. Its safe to say that 2018 has not gone quite to plan. We certainly haven’t achieved all the goals that I set for us at the start of the year, but have learned a lot and we have made…
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Perspective – Dressage competition report
As I sat next to my float polishing my boots as the fog slowly cleared this morning, listening to the sounds of Nonie contentedly chewing her breakfast, I had to laugh to myself. Perspective certainly is a funny thing. Just over two weeks ago I surely would have been thrilled with any score above 60%…
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Cowgirling up in the dressage competition ring
Competitions in Queensland are synonymous with camping in your horse float, wildlife in the bathrooms, good times with friends and a bit of riding thrown in for good measure. Sometimes you also have to cowgirl up and ride through some nerves. This past weekend at the Townsville Dressage Club Winter Competition was no different. It…
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Learning the double bridle
After my last competition of the year in 2016 my coach recommended that I was ready to start Nonie in a double bridle. For me this felt like a huge step forward, a sign that I was becoming a ‘grown-up’ rider. I had a few out rides using the bits that had been hanging around…
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Clinic Recap
Well that’s a wrap on another awesome clinic with Dani Keogh. Walking away I couldn’t help but feel that this is what dressage is all about! I may be an average rider and while I love Nonie to pieces she is not the most talented horse in the world but over the past two and…
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Tilda Carnegie Paraequestrian – Featured Rider
Tilda Carnegie is a 20 year old dressage rider and University Student studying a Bachelor of Arts majoring in International Relations. On the face of it she is just like any other young adult, who enjoys hanging out with her friends, has aspirations to travel and complete a Masters Degree and to represent her country…