Approaching the Pattern
Show pen strategies, Part 1 of 3
by Allison Trimble
I have developed a presentation that I give to my clients who are getting ready to show that will help them be prepared when they walk through the gate. In the next couple of columns, I will be sharing that information with you. This month we will be discussing how to approach the pattern. This is not about the training that goes into getting a horse ready to show; it is just to help you prepare your mind for the pattern that lies ahead of you.
Avoiding a Score of Zero
This is one of the biggest apprehensions in novice showpeople and can seem to haunt riders from show to show.
Staying on Pattern - One of the first mistakes people make is attempting to memorize the patterns weeks in advance. It is more important to get the feel of the patterns. In the weeks before and the weekend of the show, watch a lot of runs and become familiar with the nature of a reining pattern rather than memorizing the pattern on paper. Once you are feeling the flow of the pattern, you will only really need to remember which way to start your circles, the order of the circles, which way you spin first, and whether the rollbacks are toward or away from the judge.
Right before your class, walk the pattern on the ground or trace it in the air as you visualize yourself running the pattern in real time. When you are in the pen, take a moment to think only of your next maneuver. Don’t overwhelm yourself and flood your brain by thinking about all the maneuvers to come.
There are other common errors that result in a score of zero that you should be aware of:
Excessive backing up – If your horse takes more than four steps backward at any point other than the specified back-up, you are considered off pattern and receive a score of zero.
Rein and Equipment Violations – In reining competition, you are only allowed to touch your horse, your saddle, or adjust your reins with your off hand if you are stopped and in between maneuvers. There are also very specific rules regarding equipment and bits that will result in a disqualification if not followed. Before the show, become familiar with the rulebook of the association in which you are competing, and make sure that you have legal equipment and are showing your horse in the right headgear.
Over- or Under-spinning – The way I teach my clients to count spins is like this: as you come around to the stopping point on your first spin, count aloud each time you come past that point, “one-two-three-WHOA.” If you count this way, and aloud, you and your horse will hear you say "whoa." It is also important that you have a crisp shut-off. Anything over a quarter of a circle of over-spin will also result in a score of zero. When your horse jumps out of a spin, or something else goes awry, it is easy to lose track of your counting, so be diligent about sticking to the method.
Preparing for Spins
In addition to what I mentioned above, make sure you take your time starting your spin. Take the first few steps slowly to make sure the horse is locked into the turnaround before you ask for speed.
Circles
When you first walk into the pen, stop, settle and take a deep breath. This will help to relax both you and your horse. Walk into your lead departure and make sure that your horse is set up to strike off on the correct lead. Keep your circles round and even, showcasing your horse’s steering and his ability to be willingly guided. Think about your speed variation and be conscious of not asking for comeback too soon or too late. Simply relax your body and ask your horse to come back to you.
Think your way through setting your horse up for his lead change. Think of your circle before the lead change as a “D” shape. Get straight before the change and stay straight for a few strides after the change.
Stops, Rollbacks and Backing Up
In all walk-in patterns, it is really important that you turn the corner to your stop sharply (think of it as a 90 degree turn), staying at least 20 feet from the fence, and get straight, straight, straight. Control your build-up so you are not running too hard too soon, or taking off halfway down the pen. You want your rundown to build incrementally faster with each stride your horse takes.
The last stride before your stop should be the fastest your horse has gone in the rundown. Be sure that you are looking up with your chest and shoulders open. Make certain that you ride all the way to your stop and that you are actually saying “whoa.” A lot of times--and this is an issue for me, too--people will forget to say the word in the show pen when they become tense.
Make sure your horse has finished the stop and stood up before you ask for your rollback. Look up and drive out of the rollback to avoid trotting steps. After your last stop, hesitate a moment, and then ask your horse to back up straight and at a cadent speed, being easy with your hand.
Congratulations! You made it through the pattern alive!
Coming next issue: "Schooling your Horse," followed by "Mental Rehearsal for the Show Pen."
by Allison Trimble
I have developed a presentation that I give to my clients who are getting ready to show that will help them be prepared when they walk through the gate. In the next couple of columns, I will be sharing that information with you. This month we will be discussing how to approach the pattern. This is not about the training that goes into getting a horse ready to show; it is just to help you prepare your mind for the pattern that lies ahead of you.
Avoiding a Score of Zero
This is one of the biggest apprehensions in novice showpeople and can seem to haunt riders from show to show.
Staying on Pattern - One of the first mistakes people make is attempting to memorize the patterns weeks in advance. It is more important to get the feel of the patterns. In the weeks before and the weekend of the show, watch a lot of runs and become familiar with the nature of a reining pattern rather than memorizing the pattern on paper. Once you are feeling the flow of the pattern, you will only really need to remember which way to start your circles, the order of the circles, which way you spin first, and whether the rollbacks are toward or away from the judge.
Right before your class, walk the pattern on the ground or trace it in the air as you visualize yourself running the pattern in real time. When you are in the pen, take a moment to think only of your next maneuver. Don’t overwhelm yourself and flood your brain by thinking about all the maneuvers to come.
There are other common errors that result in a score of zero that you should be aware of:
Excessive backing up – If your horse takes more than four steps backward at any point other than the specified back-up, you are considered off pattern and receive a score of zero.
Rein and Equipment Violations – In reining competition, you are only allowed to touch your horse, your saddle, or adjust your reins with your off hand if you are stopped and in between maneuvers. There are also very specific rules regarding equipment and bits that will result in a disqualification if not followed. Before the show, become familiar with the rulebook of the association in which you are competing, and make sure that you have legal equipment and are showing your horse in the right headgear.
Over- or Under-spinning – The way I teach my clients to count spins is like this: as you come around to the stopping point on your first spin, count aloud each time you come past that point, “one-two-three-WHOA.” If you count this way, and aloud, you and your horse will hear you say "whoa." It is also important that you have a crisp shut-off. Anything over a quarter of a circle of over-spin will also result in a score of zero. When your horse jumps out of a spin, or something else goes awry, it is easy to lose track of your counting, so be diligent about sticking to the method.
Preparing for Spins
In addition to what I mentioned above, make sure you take your time starting your spin. Take the first few steps slowly to make sure the horse is locked into the turnaround before you ask for speed.
Circles
When you first walk into the pen, stop, settle and take a deep breath. This will help to relax both you and your horse. Walk into your lead departure and make sure that your horse is set up to strike off on the correct lead. Keep your circles round and even, showcasing your horse’s steering and his ability to be willingly guided. Think about your speed variation and be conscious of not asking for comeback too soon or too late. Simply relax your body and ask your horse to come back to you.
Think your way through setting your horse up for his lead change. Think of your circle before the lead change as a “D” shape. Get straight before the change and stay straight for a few strides after the change.
Stops, Rollbacks and Backing Up
In all walk-in patterns, it is really important that you turn the corner to your stop sharply (think of it as a 90 degree turn), staying at least 20 feet from the fence, and get straight, straight, straight. Control your build-up so you are not running too hard too soon, or taking off halfway down the pen. You want your rundown to build incrementally faster with each stride your horse takes.
The last stride before your stop should be the fastest your horse has gone in the rundown. Be sure that you are looking up with your chest and shoulders open. Make certain that you ride all the way to your stop and that you are actually saying “whoa.” A lot of times--and this is an issue for me, too--people will forget to say the word in the show pen when they become tense.
Make sure your horse has finished the stop and stood up before you ask for your rollback. Look up and drive out of the rollback to avoid trotting steps. After your last stop, hesitate a moment, and then ask your horse to back up straight and at a cadent speed, being easy with your hand.
Congratulations! You made it through the pattern alive!
Coming next issue: "Schooling your Horse," followed by "Mental Rehearsal for the Show Pen."
Labels: allison trimble, horse shows, On the Plus Side, reining, September 2009
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