I remember all of my lessons as a teenager were getting me nowhere. I was told to keep my heels down and grip with my knees. No wonder sitting trot was a painful experience! I am now a rusty stirrup rider trying to get back into the saddle. These tutorials are super! I plan on learning lots and losing my fear. Thank you!
Hi there yeah I'm 58 years young lol And just getting back into my self but unfortunately with a disability but horses just make me feel free.. Do you know where she's from? I've watched so many of her videos I have a horse of my own but he's been out of work for about 3 year's.. He's a medium level Dressage horse big boy 16.3hh and will try find someone to help me retrain him.....
Omg me too literally heels to the floor grip my thighs no wonder I come out of the saddle, a fish out of water. The peg thing blew my mind. Also me and 30 seconds and I’m taking lessons again watching these are so helpful.
I used to do the same. But I suggest you watch the video of her beating the hell out of a client's horse for 20min. I've unsubscribed as of today. Sick to my stomach knowing I've followed her as long as I have. She duped us yall.
Alicia is the only person on the planet that could continue our success as riders for levels of all magnitudes! I'm using this my next time in the arena ASAP 😄😄😄 🐎 [we need trotting emojis] lol
Whoa, your break down of "Fear" part is just gold. It really hit me. I watch tons of riding videos but this video is super amazing with clear, easy-to-understand, real deep insights! Thank you for the great and detailed explanation for riders in all levels!
I've never actually thought of embarrassment when I'm horse riding 🤣🤣 I love the level of energy that goes into your videos!!! Your laugh is absolutely contagious, and you're like a little bright spark that comes and lights up everyone's day!!! Really helps out with learning!!!
I have been riding horses for five years as a child/teenager and never felt like i was going anywhere with my training.. Now i realize 6 years later that me and the people that trained me never stopped and focused on such basic movement. I might just start all over again and relearn everything to actually feel good and relaxed and in control over the horse while not making it uncomfortable. The fear factor is very real especially after a bad fall which consisted of me losing my confidence and gripping with my knees. Great video❤️
This has to be one of the best videos. Getting your stirrups the correct length is so simple but so important. My lesson today was without stirrups and my horse and I did so much better. Feeling really good. 👍🏼👍🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Help! Why do I sit so much better and wiggle less without stirrups? I never feel comfortable with my feet in stirrups. And I’ve tried several types. Put my learners up and down. Just not comfortable. My toes go numb after a time. PS, love your videos
I've been having horses of my own and trained for a bunch of teachers and going to riding school for over 30 years (!!) and I've learned this for my self. But no one has told me like you just did. So. THANK YOU!❤
Your explanations are on point! Makes total sense! I’m going to try the “abort” method next time I ride. I know as I keep riding the sitting trot my body gets tighter and tighter. This was a very helpful video! Thank you!! 💝
Absolutely amazing. Sitting trot is my nemesis and something that I have always struggled to achieve. I feel like I am bouncing all over my horses back and never making any progress and nobody has ever been able to give me a clear and concise reason why. Now it all makes sense. Thank you Alicia, you are my hero!!! After watching this video twice it makes so much sense and by understanding the mechanics of why we bounce ie: gripping knees and allowing myself to "abort mission" when needed is okay. 🤗😄💖
I love how well you explain things that can be hard to articulate, but I also love how encouraging you are. Your videos are always fantastic. Thanks for the fantastic teaching.
I didn’t realize how clamping my knees would cause my leg to move and prevent my weight being through my heels. The whole concept of self carriage and visualizing the peg really helps. Now I need to work on “standing on the ground”. Thank you, Alicia!! - Meghan C
I’m new to riding and at 64 , a bit nervous . Watching you with your beautiful partner and listening to you explain techniques to help with the trot has been wonderful and eye opening ! I’m so grateful and look forward to my next riding lesson so I can incorporate your suggestions . BRAVO 👏🏽. You’ve given me the encouragement needed to keep trying .
Thank You Alicia. I have had 10 years off of riding and so glad to return with your help. I listen to your videos on my way to work and I find its really helpful. The descriptive details you include allow me to visualize what is happening even though my eyes are on the road. I appreciate the forethought you put into the strategies used in the videos. Im 4 lessons back in and the repetition of listening or watching you videos (when not driving, of course) has offered me a quicker return to some moments of feeling reacquainted with the saddle. Im a professor of art and the descriptive visualizations are really working for my learning style. Thank you thank you thank you!
You are so encouraging! The first teacher who has truly been able to break things down into obi all, easy to understand steps! I just love your videos!
this is easily the best video of the sitting trot ive ever soon. i was once told to grip with my calves to stay in the saddle and i never succeeded. I'm going to try this next time i go riding, tysm! Also do you have a video about keeping your lower leg still while cantering and if you dont have a video on it could you make one? thank you for you your amazing videos and explanations!
So the 80/20 rule really solves any movement you have in your lower leg. If your lower leg moves in canter but not trot, that just means your seat is not as strong in your canter as in the trot. Something I would really recommend you do is use the 2 point position or even a rising canter - this keeps your weight in your feet, keeps you off your knees and really helps you build strength so that you don't start gripping with your knees in the canter (which is why your legs would move)
Oh my gosh! I absolutely love you! You are so fun and funny and obviously really enjoying yourself. And you take the time to really think through what you are explaining and are sooo supportive. I am 54 and a novice western rider and stumbled on your video when looking for videos about keeping your seat. It is so helpful! Wish I could come and visit you where ever you are and have fun riding with you! (no to mention - soooo digging your fashion sense!)
OKAY!!! I’ve struck GOLD here!! Thank you, thank you, thank you for your approach, reasoning, training, and understanding! I’ve been watching videos of “the best”, not saying you’re not but those others that are supposed to be “the best”, and I’ve never understood so clearly, and never have had things broken down into bite sized chunks of information that are on points and MAKE TOTAL SENSE! Amazing! I was losing hope and really starting to think that training myself and horse was going to be impossible for me to accomplish. You’ve restored my faith and most important, my confidence. THANK YOU, for real!
You're so welcome, Linda! So glad to hear the videos helped you in restoring your faith and confidence in riding! We can't wait to hear more about your progress! xx
I'm working on my canter right now, but I've come back to this video because sometimes I need a reminder that three GOOD STEPS is better than three hundred bad ones. I used to ride somewhere that the instructor was always making me feel like I was too cowardly, not fit enough, not keeping up with everyone else and that wasn't acceptable. It was like I was auditioning for a place in the program (despite me having paid for it with perfectly good money X'D). I'm somewhere much better now where my instructor agrees with me, and it's really allowed me to move forward with my riding. There's no shame in aborting a mission that isn't going well!
Definitely helped me a lot! I just got a horse and I’m trying dressage! Don’t have a coach which is why I watch your videos keep up the great work😊 And a suggestion for a vid would be how to keep a stable leg throughout the trot and canter.
This is the first time I’ve watched, and you are great, I am 65 and have always rode western but I am trying to learn the trot and you have been amazing!
Another excellent video that will help a lot. You nailed it. It is so embarrassing when you think you're sitting trot is ugly...even when no one is around to see it! Can't wait to try. Thank you!
I listen and watch your videos every day, some are a few months old, but still very timely! I listened to this in the AM while I rode to keep all ur pointers in mind! Ur enthusiasm and encouragement is so helpful to me as I ride alone every day . I’m the person whose coach died! Thanks again so much for ur obvious caring!
Hello Lucie! So sorry to hear about what happened to yur coach! But we love the part where you get to listen to our videos and apply it to your next ride. This is great practice, Lucie!! Keep it up! xx
Well yet another brilliant video. Alicia the time you spend analysing the mechanics behind the problems is the whole reason you are able to give such informative, constructive advice. This is a gift young lady and we're so privileged to be able to see and hear and experience your amazing knowledge. This is definitely what you are meant to be doing.💚💜💛
I love watching you ride, Alicia. Wessel is so engaged, his hind end visibly drops even at the walk. Your tips for sitting the trot (my nemesis) make perfect sense and are extremely helpful. Yes, I've had my stirrups too long for the past 25 years - how could that have missed several instructors' eyes? THANK YOU! 😄
Alicia, you should do a video on how to make sure your saddle fits you as a rider. That’s one of the temaining reasons why people can’t sit trot. If your leg isn’t under you and your feet on the ground, there is no choice but to grip
Hi Tamara, Alicia has made a video about this, and standing on the ground th-cam.com/video/qL8swhRKY5s/w-d-xo.html with the saddle of course if you are very uncomfortable in it then it can make a difference but overall the biggest change is getting people to "stand on the ground" x
Told a friend of mine to stop being a peg during our last lesson when she complained that she was bouncing, everyone fell apart laughing, thank you for making these tips so fun to learn, makes everything so much more enjoyable when you can have a giggle about pegs and banana's whilst riding! love your content! 💖
OMG that was amazing! Thank you so much! I'm a showjumper (dressage lover tho) rider and I was never able to do sitting trot in training because we learn to always hold with our knees for jumping, so I was doing the same for the sitting trot, no one ever told me to just let go and relax. I love your explanations and all the videos are being super useful for me when training my horses.
Alicia and team!!!!! ANOTHER phenomenal video. Let me just say that your "arrows" and bright colored lines that you use in these videos to help show directions and angles is a super good key for me! They unlock that weird mental block in my mind!! When you were explaining that fine balanced position for the sitting trot, and you used the red arrow to show the direction your pelvis should be going (towards their ears), was awesome. That visual is exactly what I need to learn!!! I can even imagine that arrow while I'm riding. In my last lesson I just kept thinking "red arrow to the ears", "red arrow towards the ears", "pelvis up", "nobody on the ground gets to judge me perfecting my riding", in that mantra. Super super awesome. You're so "through" with your teaching. Just So amazing!!! The ability to mold, change and adjust yourself for the individual is absolutely master level teaching stuff and so good for the riding community. Every person is different and so is every horse, yeah?! We all need a coach who gets that! We've got two horses here now that we're rescued. Both mares, one three years, one 12. Can you give me any good advice for working in the ground with a horse who really only understands vocal cues? The three year old mare was a cart pulling horse for a short time before being re-homed. She doesn't understand leg cues and will rear if you try. Any awesome ground exercises I can use to help progress them more towards being a dressage horse? Would absolutely love and appreciate any advice!!! Thank you again guys, You're all literally my heros every day! Sincerely from the US of A!
Thank you so much for this! Your guides are so helpful you have no idea. I’ve had some difficult and frustrating times with my new horse. I just recently started riding warm bloods and it’s very different from fjords. I’ve lost a lot of confidence. Your videos make me want to get back on her to try again. ❤
Wow 😀🐴👌Wessel is very well trained, and you Alicia is a very painstaking, excellent rider, also a fun and patient coach 🙏💪💪 I hope, I also my horse can be trained, so it can build my confidence to be stronger 👌💪❤️
It’s been such a fun journey for me, working on my position. It’s amazing how much softer and more responsive your horse becomes when you are soft with your seat. I was definitely trying to hard, it’s not about brute strength.
Blessings upon you Alicia. Just watched the OTTB video and now I am ready to restart my OTTB. What I really wanted to tell you I watched the 3 videos in the e-mail this week. I had the best time tonight. I lightened my seat etc. and cantered in my dressage saddle. No pressure, Lightened the whole load. Had not tried this since I can remember on my Friesian. Probably 18 months. Plus i laugh with you. Love this. did not know you were here.
Update - followed these steps this morning & was able to build up to sitting for 9 steps (& without my horse hollowing because I wasn’t bouncing) Yeah, thank you so much Alicia 🤩 xxx
I haven't ridden for almost a year now and your videos are soooooo helpful!! I feel like I'll feel more confident when I start the lessons again! Aaand I have questions : Do you have any advices for riders starting lessons after a long time? And what we can focus on for when the monitor isn't watching us? Sometimes in group lessons, 10-15 min can pass before we get their full attention. During these time, I often feel pretty lost. And I also have the same question for riding alone for the first time. I'm guessing it could be pretty disorienting to not have immediate external feedback. Really thank you for making these videos 💕
Great video ! I taught my daughter how to ride at 5 yrs old this way 33 yrs ago. We had to walk trot canter standing up learning correct balance and then sit to halt before she could have the reins. It was on a trustworthy care taker mare of course on the lunge. She is a GP rider and trainer now and has an excellent seat I believe is from her foundation. I teach students this as well. It’s so nice to see this being taught so well to so many it truly is amazing technique 😊🙌
Hi, ALECIA. I was told years ago that the Peg is like a Clothes pin popping off the horse. I was educated that sitting trot has something to with the hip flexors being tight.
Hi Kimberlee, Great analogy!! Yes you are right that if your hip flexors are too tight then you will grip with your knees and then make staying in correct balance and position difficult
Thanks so much for this episode, I've been struggling with sitting trot with my new horse and the exercises in this video look like they'll help so much. I can't wait to try them out!
Wow~~ everything is so good and logical. I think the most difficult thing is fear, people always have a lot of criticism and ridicule until you really give up. Like me, people always told me , Sam, if you want to get better grades in dressage, you need to change horses or buy a schooling horse or a grand prix horse, but I never did it and I never give up my horse. I have trained my horse at 5:00 or 6:00 in the early morning for four years and find a good coach. No body disturb us, my family just do our business in riding. Maybe, people should learn to ignore people's crazy criticism and ridicule, we will get more confidence more success.
Like clouds in the sky, people's opinions are forever moving this way and that. Breathe Know your thoughts are good.👍 Observe, listen, weigh it up and remain true to yourself. Smile. The world is full of opinions...😊.🌹💕 👍 🌈
Sitting trot isn't an option for my horse until he gets stronger but couldn't resist the opportunity to listen to my favourite dynamo. All the enthusiasm and knowledge.
I was riding for a wonderful German instructor who broke it down wonderfully, in a way that not only made sense, but my body could understand (which is the difficult part for me).
Phenomenal teacher, I'm speachless! I understood the gripping knees when I continuously lost my stirrups: it should be one of the first things we're taught to avoid...
This helps so much, I was the youngest in my grade 2+ riding lessons. In year 8 whilst everyone was in year 9-11. Now I have recently been moved up to grade 3 I will need to improve things such as my sitting trot, canter transition and leg yielding.
I took note of your comment yesterday about standing , I always thought we should try to length our legs( stretch). I have now taken my leathers up by a hole. What a difference. Both legs feel much even. And my sit trot was fabulous. Not worry about reaching down with my legs so much. Able to relax much more x
This was great. I am working on myself with my instructor and this video came at such the right time. As a western rider turning into a dressage rider, I wish these lessons were given to me years ago. But hey I have the knowledge now and I am so thankful for it. I can’t believe how lofty my ponies trot is with these little tweaks to myself and my pony is happier for them. Thank you for another great video. Now on to watching the one on no bounce in the canter 😁
Thank you this makes so much sense, I’ve only just got back into riding after years out of the saddle so I’m trying to get over my fears of being confident in the saddle again
I have been riding for so many years, and this guide is fantastic! I definetely become a peg every once in a while while riding, and the added negative outcome is that I get winded and exhausted (and the horse in turn is difficult to keep forward) - the AHA moment for me was to stop squeezing and think about my soft bum 😂 when I keep my own tension at bay, the horse moves better! Great video instruction, thank you!
Hello from Australia. Having a ‘plan for success’ is awesome. And stirrup length so simple but so important. Mine were actually too short and not allowing me to sit deep in the saddle. Completely different now in the trot. Thank you!!
I have struggled with sitting trot for ages! Everyone always says ‘relax’ but relax what??? The peg explained it so well snd loved to see your different trots and seats. Thank you so much again!
Unbelievable! I seriously had the BEST ride tonight, thanks to this video and the things I learned! Thank you thank you! And I’m sure if he could, my horse would thank you too!
Loved your explanation about gripping and anxiety. When trotting a full circuit at "sitting" I personally find that if for some reason I start to lose my seat I go into a rising trot for a few strides and then back to sitting. This works for me and my horse as, if I walk him for too long he will start to get bored so I have to keep changing what we do and if necessary go back to what we were trying to do a bit later on in the proceedings. If that makes sense. My neddy is not a dressage beastie but will try and please so long as you keep him interested.
Yea i don't know but you are awesome,both alicia and natasha and all the backstage crew(film and stable workers).I learn and have fun watching you,both are important to me,greetings from Greece!
I want your outfit!!! So cute!! Thank you for the video! The pelvic stretch to the head really helped me with understanding correct posture, no sexy back bend 😊
love this video! i had to learn this myself when i started riding bareback! i could sit my nice slow trot, but going up to or coming down from the canter, i'd be bouncing all over the place! and from the bouncing, i'd get anxious and tighten and tighten and i'd bounce even harder. even though it went against my instinct to tighten my grip, i eventually had to learn to just loosen and relax into it.
I have been riding for 14 years. The last horse I rode had a bouncy trot but I was super relaxed on him and was so used to his rhythm. He sadly passed away so I now ride a mare that is the complete opposite of him. She is smaller, has a faster pace, bounces like crazy to me and it is hard to control the speed on her. On her, I bounce a lot but now through your video I understand why. I am always a bit nervous on her bc I lose control over the speed. She is very sensitive on the leg commands as well, she grabs onto the reins and just GOOOOOOEEEESSSS. I am not gripping onto her with my bottom legs, but I am gripping with my knees. Which is wrong. Thank you for explaining it all
Thanks, Valeska! LOVE that this has been an eye-opener for you!! We can't wait to hear about your progress once you try out these techniques in your next ride xx
Thank you so much for this Alicia. I always thought I needed to drive my horse and create the rhythm with my sit to have a fancy trot, but not anymore ! What a good lesson, can’t wait to be tomorrow to try it. 🤗🤗🤗 Could you make a video about horses that don’t walk correctly please ? (My horse trot every time I take my reins from extended to collected walk even if I don’t loose the contact in between …🤔) Thank you very much, see you at the seminar 🤗
Thank you for this! Now I bettter understand how to interpret and use the pyramid. Love the "banana too "! I ride Western Dressage Level 2 working on Level 3. My beautiful mare is a gaited horse. A Missouri Foxtrotter.
You're welcome, Lynne!! Soo glad to know you're enjoying the videos!! We look forward to hearing how it goes for you when you get to try these techniques xx
I loved the explanation of the sturrup length...I don't have a coach and it's hard to know some of what might be the simplest thing! Thanks again for an awesome video.
Love your videos! My poor husband tolerates me watching them into the wee hours of the morning! Your contagiously encouraging voice and knowledge transfer is the best! Thank you! My horse has crazy giant movement, gives no favors and is a forever man child… a tutorial on how to manage a horse with larger than life movement would be amazing!!! 😊🙏🙏🙏
I used to love trotting on my mare, but now I am riding a massive dressage gelding, with such amazing and powerful gaits and I just can’t seem to sit his trot. I thought it was just because he is so much taller and stronger, but now I realize I actually am scared to lose control or fall off, so I peg, too. Thank you so much for this video I will definitely try your tips!
You are god to me After I watched thousands of videos and then I clicked onto yours and it actually made me realize the qctual issue with my seat I was never fully sitting on my butt! Update: It actually felt way more comfortable and my posture was better and my back and heels were aligning When I started trotting though I was still bouncing but didn't tense up and didn't went into chair seat mode Also had to correct myself a lot but my seat was definetly better than last time!
Thank you for your kind words! I'm glad that we were able to provide you with a new perspective on your seat and help you realize the issue you were experiencing. Enjoy your journey of learning and growing as a rider. x
What a wonderful explanation. I shortened my stirrups about a month ago because I would lose them during canter, and my horse has been going better thanks to that. I have always had a problem gripping at the knee, so next ride I’m going to try the abort method and abort as soon as a feel like I’m gripping. I’ve subscribed and will be watching all the videos on the channel over the next few days!
Hi Alicia, Another super well informed video. But please explain what we should be doing with our core and how to absorb the movement of the horse enabling us not to bounce. Plus in a working trot and extended trot how to sit absorbing the movement of the horse. Many thanks
HI Linda, try to think of staying in balance while on the horse, you don't need to absorb the movement as such. The idea with dressage is to be effective in your aids but sit on the horse in the most balanced way that allows the horse to perform to the fullest. Your core does have a role in stabilizing you so you can be still but this is best learned though doing pilates out of the saddle so you become aware of how to use your body. Try watching this video th-cam.com/video/BR0qkZy0sbQ/w-d-xo.html
Thank you for your very detailed explanations and teaching. Your method of teaching is superb to help a student understand complex concepts & processes that can be overwhelming & difficult ri get past. Thank you!
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I remember all of my lessons as a teenager were getting me nowhere. I was told to keep my heels down and grip with my knees. No wonder sitting trot was a painful experience! I am now a rusty stirrup rider trying to get back into the saddle. These tutorials are super! I plan on learning lots and losing my fear. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing!
Hi there yeah I'm 58 years young lol
And just getting back into my self but unfortunately with a disability but horses just make me feel free..
Do you know where she's from?
I've watched so many of her videos I have a horse of my own but he's been out of work for about 3 year's..
He's a medium level Dressage horse big boy 16.3hh and will try find someone to help me retrain him.....
Omg me too literally heels to the floor grip my thighs no wonder I come out of the saddle, a fish out of water. The peg thing blew my mind. Also me and 30 seconds and I’m taking lessons again watching these are so helpful.
Same! 🙄
Very helpful. Thank you💕
I love the way you teach! Beginner here at 63 and I hang on your every word😊
Wow 63😍😍 goodluck
👍👍👍♥️♥️♥️🐎🐎🐎 1:09
😍😍😍 yassss I'm beginning here at 38 so I can be a full blown cowgirl by 40 ❤ lets keep living dreams 🎉 thank you for sharing
I used to do the same. But I suggest you watch the video of her beating the hell out of a client's horse for 20min. I've unsubscribed as of today. Sick to my stomach knowing I've followed her as long as I have. She duped us yall.
Alicia is the only person on the planet that could continue our success as riders for levels of all magnitudes! I'm using this my next time in the arena ASAP 😄😄😄 🐎 [we need trotting emojis] lol
Yes, I need more emoji options. Lol!
LOVE LOVE LOVE this!! Can't wait for you to try this out on your next ride xx
Just use the peg
So nobody forgetts what not to do
What an amazing coach! 👏
Thank you.
I'm a cowgirl with this problem and lemme tell you. This is 100% accurate for us too, and helped my working ranch horses MASSIVELY!
Thank you so much!
Thanks for sharing this because I was wondering if it's different because I don't plan and riding English
Whoa, your break down of "Fear" part is just gold. It really hit me. I watch tons of riding videos but this video is super amazing with clear, easy-to-understand, real deep insights! Thank you for the great and detailed explanation for riders in all levels!
You are welcome, Alisa! Thanks so much!
🎉😢🎉🎉😮🎉🎉🎉😢
I've never actually thought of embarrassment when I'm horse riding 🤣🤣 I love the level of energy that goes into your videos!!! Your laugh is absolutely contagious, and you're like a little bright spark that comes and lights up everyone's day!!! Really helps out with learning!!!
Thank you so much!!
I have been riding horses for five years as a child/teenager and never felt like i was going anywhere with my training.. Now i realize 6 years later that me and the people that trained me never stopped and focused on such basic movement. I might just start all over again and relearn everything to actually feel good and relaxed and in control over the horse while not making it uncomfortable. The fear factor is very real especially after a bad fall which consisted of me losing my confidence and gripping with my knees. Great video❤️
This has to be one of the best videos. Getting your stirrups the correct length is so simple but so important.
My lesson today was without stirrups and my horse and I did so much better. Feeling really good. 👍🏼👍🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Woohoo! Super job, Jane xx
Help! Why do I sit so much better and wiggle less without stirrups? I never feel comfortable with my feet in stirrups. And I’ve tried several types. Put my learners up and down. Just not comfortable. My toes go numb after a time. PS, love your videos
*leathers
Omg i love her energy and ACCENT! All in all she’s amazing with amazing techniques! Love from Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 ❤
I've been a peg. 😂. I'm riding trail tomorrow and will focus on seating. Thanks so much.
Let us know how you go!
I've been having horses of my own and trained for a bunch of teachers and going to riding school for over 30 years (!!) and I've learned this for my self. But no one has told me like you just did. So. THANK YOU!❤
Your explanations are on point! Makes total sense! I’m going to try the “abort” method next time I ride. I know as I keep riding the sitting trot my body gets tighter and tighter. This was a very helpful video! Thank you!! 💝
Glad you liked it, Allison! Can't wait for you to try it on your next ride xx
I’ve watched 50 plus videos on a sitting trot and your video made everything feel comfortable. You’ve got my subscribe!!!! Thank you millions
Absolutely amazing. Sitting trot is my nemesis and something that I have always struggled to achieve. I feel like I am bouncing all over my horses back and never making any progress and nobody has ever been able to give me a clear and concise reason why. Now it all makes sense. Thank you Alicia, you are my hero!!! After watching this video twice it makes so much sense and by understanding the mechanics of why we bounce ie: gripping knees and allowing myself to "abort mission" when needed is okay. 🤗😄💖
Wow love reading this Jodi! xx
First time in over 30 years, that someone explained this to me like this - and now I can’t wait to practice 🥳
Go for it and let us know how you go!! Yay!!!
I love how well you explain things that can be hard to articulate, but I also love how encouraging you are. Your videos are always fantastic. Thanks for the fantastic teaching.
Super glad you enjoyed it, Jennifer! xx
Today I did 4-5 steps without bouncing in trot!! I am do proud of myself. Small steps and plenty of practice.
Super progress!! Thanks for sharing x
I didn’t realize how clamping my knees would cause my leg to move and prevent my weight being through my heels. The whole concept of self carriage and visualizing the peg really helps. Now I need to work on “standing on the ground”. Thank you, Alicia!! - Meghan C
Hi Meghan! So glad you enjoyed the video so much! Let us know how you go working on "standing on the ground" x
I’m new to riding and at 64 , a bit nervous . Watching you with your beautiful partner and listening to you explain techniques to help with the trot has been wonderful and eye opening ! I’m so grateful and look forward to my next riding lesson so I can incorporate your suggestions . BRAVO 👏🏽. You’ve given me the encouragement needed to keep trying .
Glad you find this helpful, Toni!! We look forward to hearing about your progress!! xx
Natasha picked an amazing partner with this business. You are both fantastic and make riding so much fun and pleasurable. Thank you.
Thank you!! xx
I'm a beginner so i really appreciate your clear explanations. Thank you!!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank You Alicia. I have had 10 years off of riding and so glad to return with your help. I listen to your videos on my way to work and I find its really helpful. The descriptive details you include allow me to visualize what is happening even though my eyes are on the road. I appreciate the forethought you put into the strategies used in the videos. Im 4 lessons back in and the repetition of listening or watching you videos (when not driving, of course) has offered me a quicker return to some moments of feeling reacquainted with the saddle. Im a professor of art and the descriptive visualizations are really working for my learning style. Thank you thank you thank you!
We love this!! Soo glad these videos are working well for your learning style! Thank you so much for tuning in!!
I'm so glad I found your channel! Awesome teaching descriptions and you add a lot of humor to explain each step. Thank you🐴
You are so welcome!
I don’t get why people don’t like these videos! The way you explain it is phenomenal and so easy to understand!!!
So glad you are enjoying the videos, Jessy! And we appreciate the LOVE and support!! xx
You are so encouraging! The first teacher who has truly been able to break things down into obi all, easy to understand steps! I just love your videos!
Thank you Susan! x
this is easily the best video of the sitting trot ive ever soon. i was once told to grip with my calves to stay in the saddle and i never succeeded. I'm going to try this next time i go riding, tysm! Also do you have a video about keeping your lower leg still while cantering and if you dont have a video on it could you make one? thank you for you your amazing videos and explanations!
So the 80/20 rule really solves any movement you have in your lower leg. If your lower leg moves in canter but not trot, that just means your seat is not as strong in your canter as in the trot. Something I would really recommend you do is use the 2 point position or even a rising canter - this keeps your weight in your feet, keeps you off your knees and really helps you build strength so that you don't start gripping with your knees in the canter (which is why your legs would move)
Oh my gosh! I absolutely love you! You are so fun and funny and obviously really enjoying yourself. And you take the time to really think through what you are explaining and are sooo supportive. I am 54 and a novice western rider and stumbled on your video when looking for videos about keeping your seat. It is so helpful! Wish I could come and visit you where ever you are and have fun riding with you! (no to mention - soooo digging your fashion sense!)
HI Jillian! SOOO happy you are enjoying the videos so much! Hope the tips on improving your seat helped :]
I did ride this way this afternoon and I overcame both my fear and my peg situation. I'm so so SOOOO happy. Thanks from France and kiss kiss !
Super job, Ziza!! Love it xx
OKAY!!! I’ve struck GOLD here!! Thank you, thank you, thank you for your approach, reasoning, training, and understanding! I’ve been watching videos of “the best”, not saying you’re not but those others that are supposed to be “the best”, and I’ve never understood so clearly, and never have had things broken down into bite sized chunks of information that are on points and MAKE TOTAL SENSE! Amazing! I was losing hope and really starting to think that training myself and horse was going to be impossible for me to accomplish. You’ve restored my faith and most important, my confidence. THANK YOU, for real!
You're so welcome, Linda! So glad to hear the videos helped you in restoring your faith and confidence in riding! We can't wait to hear more about your progress! xx
I'm working on my canter right now, but I've come back to this video because sometimes I need a reminder that three GOOD STEPS is better than three hundred bad ones. I used to ride somewhere that the instructor was always making me feel like I was too cowardly, not fit enough, not keeping up with everyone else and that wasn't acceptable. It was like I was auditioning for a place in the program (despite me having paid for it with perfectly good money X'D). I'm somewhere much better now where my instructor agrees with me, and it's really allowed me to move forward with my riding. There's no shame in aborting a mission that isn't going well!
You are amazing!! We're happy to know this video helped with your riding and we can't wait to hear more about your progress!! 😘
Definitely helped me a lot! I just got a horse and I’m trying dressage! Don’t have a coach which is why I watch your videos keep up the great work😊 And a suggestion for a vid would be how to keep a stable leg throughout the trot and canter.
That is awesome!
I LOVE How you answer to all most every comment❣️ this really shows that you care about your fans❤️❤️
Thank you so much! We are so grateful for your support. :)
This is the first time I’ve watched, and you are great, I am 65 and have always rode western but I am trying to learn the trot and you have been amazing!
YAY! You've got this xx
Another excellent video that will help a lot. You nailed it. It is so embarrassing when you think you're sitting trot is ugly...even when no one is around to see it! Can't wait to try. Thank you!
Thanks, Jenel! Tell us how you go when you try it xx
I listen and watch your videos every day, some are a few months old, but still very timely! I listened to this in the AM while I rode to keep all ur pointers in mind! Ur enthusiasm and encouragement is so helpful to me as I ride alone every day . I’m the person whose coach died! Thanks again so much for ur obvious caring!
Hello Lucie! So sorry to hear about what happened to yur coach! But we love the part where you get to listen to our videos and apply it to your next ride. This is great practice, Lucie!! Keep it up! xx
Well yet another brilliant video. Alicia the time you spend analysing the mechanics behind the problems is the whole reason you are able to give such informative, constructive advice. This is a gift young lady and we're so privileged to be able to see and hear and experience your amazing knowledge. This is definitely what you are meant to be doing.💚💜💛
Super feedback, Pippa! Love this xx
I love watching you ride, Alicia. Wessel is so engaged, his hind end visibly drops even at the walk. Your tips for sitting the trot (my nemesis) make perfect sense and are extremely helpful. Yes, I've had my stirrups too long for the past 25 years - how could that have missed several instructors' eyes? THANK YOU! 😄
LOVE reading this Faith! So good x
Alicia, you should do a video on how to make sure your saddle fits you as a rider. That’s one of the temaining reasons why people can’t sit trot. If your leg isn’t under you and your feet on the ground, there is no choice but to grip
Hi Tamara, Alicia has made a video about this, and standing on the ground th-cam.com/video/qL8swhRKY5s/w-d-xo.html with the saddle of course if you are very uncomfortable in it then it can make a difference but overall the biggest change is getting people to "stand on the ground" x
Told a friend of mine to stop being a peg during our last lesson when she complained that she was bouncing, everyone fell apart laughing, thank you for making these tips so fun to learn, makes everything so much more enjoyable when you can have a giggle about pegs and banana's whilst riding! love your content! 💖
Thanks!! So glad it helped xx
funnier had you said "This is not Friday night!"
Im a beggener english rider and advanced western cutting horse rider and this vidio helped so much!!
OMG that was amazing! Thank you so much! I'm a showjumper (dressage lover tho) rider and I was never able to do sitting trot in training because we learn to always hold with our knees for jumping, so I was doing the same for the sitting trot, no one ever told me to just let go and relax. I love your explanations and all the videos are being super useful for me when training my horses.
Love it! Thanks for sharing Julia!!
Alicia and team!!!!! ANOTHER phenomenal video. Let me just say that your "arrows" and bright colored lines that you use in these videos to help show directions and angles is a super good key for me! They unlock that weird mental block in my mind!! When you were explaining that fine balanced position for the sitting trot, and you used the red arrow to show the direction your pelvis should be going (towards their ears), was awesome. That visual is exactly what I need to learn!!! I can even imagine that arrow while I'm riding. In my last lesson I just kept thinking "red arrow to the ears", "red arrow towards the ears", "pelvis up", "nobody on the ground gets to judge me perfecting my riding", in that mantra. Super super awesome.
You're so "through" with your teaching. Just So amazing!!!
The ability to mold, change and adjust yourself for the individual is absolutely master level teaching stuff and so good for the riding community. Every person is different and so is every horse, yeah?! We all need a coach who gets that!
We've got two horses here now that we're rescued. Both mares, one three years, one 12. Can you give me any good advice for working in the ground with a horse who really only understands vocal cues? The three year old mare was a cart pulling horse for a short time before being re-homed. She doesn't understand leg cues and will rear if you try. Any awesome ground exercises I can use to help progress them more towards being a dressage horse? Would absolutely love and appreciate any advice!!!
Thank you again guys,
You're all literally my heros every day!
Sincerely from the US of A!
Wow Jesse! This comment is amazing and so heart warming, thank you xxx
your instructions are like none other i've found! so simple, and comprehensible. thank you.
Thank you so much for this! Your guides are so helpful you have no idea. I’ve had some difficult and frustrating times with my new horse. I just recently started riding warm bloods and it’s very different from fjords. I’ve lost a lot of confidence. Your videos make me want to get back on her to try again. ❤
Wow 😀🐴👌Wessel is very well trained, and you Alicia is a very painstaking, excellent rider, also a fun and patient coach 🙏💪💪
I hope, I also my horse can be trained, so it can build my confidence to be stronger 👌💪❤️
Thank you so much, Nury! xx
It’s been such a fun journey for me, working on my position. It’s amazing how much softer and more responsive your horse becomes when you are soft with your seat. I was definitely trying to hard, it’s not about brute strength.
This is amazing, Ruby!! Love that this exercise is working well for you xx
Blessings upon you Alicia. Just watched the OTTB video and now I am ready to restart my OTTB. What I really wanted to tell you I watched the 3 videos in the e-mail this week. I had the best time tonight. I lightened my seat etc. and cantered in my dressage saddle. No pressure, Lightened the whole load. Had not tried this since I can remember on my Friesian. Probably 18 months. Plus i laugh with you. Love this. did not know you were here.
That is awesome!
OMG!!! This helped me so much, now my sit trot is better than EVER!!! THANKS so much! 😍😊😊💕
Glad it helped!
Update - followed these steps this morning & was able to build up to sitting for 9 steps (& without my horse hollowing because I wasn’t bouncing) Yeah, thank you so much Alicia 🤩 xxx
Look at you!!! Woohooo! 👏👏👏
Absolutely agree on this. After my bolt in the air disaster I have been doing walk to trot and back and building confidence back. Its great
Great idea xx
I haven't ridden for almost a year now and your videos are soooooo helpful!!
I feel like I'll feel more confident when I start the lessons again!
Aaand I have questions :
Do you have any advices for riders starting lessons after a long time?
And what we can focus on for when the monitor isn't watching us? Sometimes in group lessons, 10-15 min can pass before we get their full attention. During these time, I often feel pretty lost.
And I also have the same question for riding alone for the first time. I'm guessing it could be pretty disorienting to not have immediate external feedback.
Really thank you for making these videos 💕
Hi there! Watch this space for answer to this one xx
The peg gave me this moment of wow, I am holding on to much because I carry my weight in my knees and not my feet. Thank you so much!!
Yay!!!! Tell us how you get on x
Great video ! I taught my daughter how to ride at 5 yrs old this way 33 yrs ago. We had to walk trot canter standing up learning correct balance and then sit to halt before she could have the reins. It was on a trustworthy care taker mare of course on the lunge. She is a GP rider and trainer now and has an excellent seat I believe is from her foundation. I teach students this as well. It’s so nice to see this being taught so well to so many it truly is amazing technique 😊🙌
Thanks, Kelly!! Glad you enjoyed the video xx
@@YourRidingSuccess I think your a fantastic teacher !
Wow! Thanks, Kelly xx
Hi, ALECIA. I was told years ago that the Peg is like a Clothes pin popping off the horse. I was educated that sitting trot has something to with the hip flexors being tight.
Hi Kimberlee, Great analogy!! Yes you are right that if your hip flexors are too tight then you will grip with your knees and then make staying in correct balance and position difficult
Thanks so much for this episode, I've been struggling with sitting trot with my new horse and the exercises in this video look like they'll help so much. I can't wait to try them out!
So glad you enjoyed the episode so much! Would love to hear how you go trying out the exercises!
Wow! I'm getting back into the saddle again and this was so helpful! Thankyou!
SERIOUSLY YOU ARE EVERYTHING THANK YOU!!! You always know what we need!!!
Love it, Taylor!! Happy to help xx
Wow~~ everything is so good and logical. I think the most difficult thing is fear, people always have a lot of criticism and ridicule until you really give up. Like me, people always told me , Sam, if you want to get better grades in dressage, you need to change horses or buy a schooling horse or a grand prix horse, but I never did it and I never give up my horse. I have trained my horse at 5:00 or 6:00 in the early morning for four years and find a good coach. No body disturb us, my family just do our business in riding. Maybe, people should learn to ignore people's crazy criticism and ridicule, we will get more confidence more success.
Yes you are right Sam! Sometimes you need to have tunnel vision to achieve your goals as there are a lot of people with opinions x
Like clouds in the sky, people's opinions are forever moving this way and that.
Breathe
Know your thoughts are good.👍
Observe, listen, weigh it up and remain true to yourself. Smile.
The world is full of opinions...😊.🌹💕 👍 🌈
@@alicecohen4726 Thank Alice for your kindly speaking and it is nice thing to know you. We need to be more brave to move forward.
Sitting trot isn't an option for my horse until he gets stronger but couldn't resist the opportunity to listen to my favourite dynamo. All the enthusiasm and knowledge.
Wow - thank you x
Idk I you will see this but what movement do I need to do in the saddle to go with my horse?
I was riding for a wonderful German instructor who broke it down wonderfully, in a way that not only made sense, but my body could understand (which is the difficult part for me).
This is awesome! Thanks for sharing x
Phenomenal teacher, I'm speachless! I understood the gripping knees when I continuously lost my stirrups: it should be one of the first things we're taught to avoid...
Yes!!! Couldn't agree more xx
I strictly followed your coaching and I could able to do post trot with ease, Thank you so much. You are the best (I am at 40s and weigh 105 KG)
yay!!
Very good explanation of this! I struggle with bouncing on my horse I’m hoping to utilize these excercises on my horse, I’m a beginner in dressage!
Thank you, Ambur!! Tell us how you go once you try this technique on your horse xx
This helps so much, I was the youngest in my grade 2+ riding lessons. In year 8 whilst everyone was in year 9-11. Now I have recently been moved up to grade 3 I will need to improve things such as my sitting trot, canter transition and leg yielding.
I’ve found excellent training from Warwick Schiller in horse connection and now I’ve found you for riding guidance. I’m so excited!!!💃🏼💃🏼💃🏼
So glad you are enjoying this channel! xxx
I took note of your comment yesterday about standing , I always thought we should try to length our legs( stretch). I have now taken my leathers up by a hole. What a difference. Both legs feel much even. And my sit trot was fabulous. Not worry about reaching down with my legs so much. Able to relax much more x
Love this!!! xx
This was great. I am working on myself with my instructor and this video came at such the right time. As a western rider turning into a dressage rider, I wish these lessons were given to me years ago. But hey I have the knowledge now and I am so thankful for it. I can’t believe how lofty my ponies trot is with these little tweaks to myself and my pony is happier for them. Thank you for another great video. Now on to watching the one on no bounce in the canter 😁
Glad to be able to help you with your riding!! Thanks for tuning in to this channel! xx
"Don't wait till you mess up" love that. Thank you for that.
You're welcome, Leah! ❤️
Thank you this makes so much sense, I’ve only just got back into riding after years out of the saddle so I’m trying to get over my fears of being confident in the saddle again
You can do it, Tracy!
Alicia I wish l had you as my trainer great video on sitting trot learn so much from this thanks again God bless
You are so welcome!
I have been riding for so many years, and this guide is fantastic! I definetely become a peg every once in a while while riding, and the added negative outcome is that I get winded and exhausted (and the horse in turn is difficult to keep forward) - the AHA moment for me was to stop squeezing and think about my soft bum 😂 when I keep my own tension at bay, the horse moves better!
Great video instruction, thank you!
Hello from Australia. Having a ‘plan for success’ is awesome. And stirrup length so simple but so important. Mine were actually too short and not allowing me to sit deep in the saddle. Completely different now in the trot. Thank you!!
Yay!!! So glad you liked this x
I have struggled with sitting trot for ages! Everyone always says ‘relax’ but relax what??? The peg explained it so well snd loved to see your different trots and seats. Thank you so much again!
Love this x
Unbelievable! I seriously had the BEST ride tonight, thanks to this video and the things I learned! Thank you thank you! And I’m sure if he could, my horse would thank you too!
Thanks Shannon - love this x
I just gave this a try... And even though I'm not a scared rider, I found the first method really worked for my horse and me! Yay and thank you!
Glad it helped!
Hey from France! Thank you so much for these explanations! I will try this tomorrow when I go for my dressage lesson! So excited! ☺️
Super!! Tell us how you go xx
Loved your explanation about gripping and anxiety. When trotting a full circuit at "sitting" I personally find that if for some reason I start to lose my seat I go into a rising trot for a few strides and then back to sitting. This works for me and my horse as, if I walk him for too long he will start to get bored so I have to keep changing what we do and if necessary go back to what we were trying to do a bit later on in the proceedings. If that makes sense. My neddy is not a dressage beastie but will try and please so long as you keep him interested.
Hey Emma, great realisations! It is amazing how much learning there is in these episodes x
I've been struggling to stop bouncing in the saddle when I trot and this will help me a lot, thank you! :)
You're welcome!! Tell us how you go once you try out this technique x
Yea i don't know but you are awesome,both alicia and natasha and all the backstage crew(film and stable workers).I learn and have fun watching you,both are important to me,greetings from Greece!
Love it, Bill!! xx
Fabulous teaching and advice - love how it’s been broken down into small steps ❤️🤩
I want your outfit!!! So cute!! Thank you for the video! The pelvic stretch to the head really helped me with understanding correct posture, no sexy back bend 😊
So glad this has helped you so much in your riding! And yes, we're super loving the outfit here! x
love this video! i had to learn this myself when i started riding bareback! i could sit my nice slow trot, but going up to or coming down from the canter, i'd be bouncing all over the place! and from the bouncing, i'd get anxious and tighten and tighten and i'd bounce even harder. even though it went against my instinct to tighten my grip, i eventually had to learn to just loosen and relax into it.
You got this!! :)
Thank you so much
You're most welcome
I loved how Wessel reacted to you saying FEAR!
❤️
I have been riding for 14 years. The last horse I rode had a bouncy trot but I was super relaxed on him and was so used to his rhythm. He sadly passed away so I now ride a mare that is the complete opposite of him. She is smaller, has a faster pace, bounces like crazy to me and it is hard to control the speed on her. On her, I bounce a lot but now through your video I understand why. I am always a bit nervous on her bc I lose control over the speed. She is very sensitive on the leg commands as well, she grabs onto the reins and just GOOOOOOEEEESSSS. I am not gripping onto her with my bottom legs, but I am gripping with my knees. Which is wrong. Thank you for explaining it all
Thanks, Valeska! LOVE that this has been an eye-opener for you!! We can't wait to hear about your progress once you try out these techniques in your next ride xx
I just experienced this at my first lesson last weekend thank you so much ❤
Thank you so much for this Alicia. I always thought I needed to drive my horse and create the rhythm with my sit to have a fancy trot, but not anymore ! What a good lesson, can’t wait to be tomorrow to try it. 🤗🤗🤗
Could you make a video about horses that don’t walk correctly please ? (My horse trot every time I take my reins from extended to collected walk even if I don’t loose the contact in between …🤔)
Thank you very much, see you at the seminar 🤗
Hi Laurine, great suggestion, the walk can be tricky! Watch this space x
Thank you for this! Now I bettter understand how to interpret and use the pyramid. Love the "banana too "! I ride Western Dressage Level 2 working on Level 3. My beautiful mare is a gaited horse. A Missouri Foxtrotter.
You're welcome, Lynne!! Soo glad to know you're enjoying the videos!! We look forward to hearing how it goes for you when you get to try these techniques xx
Thank you so much! I’ll try it next time I’m at my stables! You’re so encouraging!
I loved the explanation of the sturrup length...I don't have a coach and it's hard to know some of what might be the simplest thing! Thanks again for an awesome video.
So glad this helped you x
Love your videos! My poor husband tolerates me watching them into the wee hours of the morning! Your contagiously encouraging voice and knowledge transfer is the best!
Thank you!
My horse has crazy giant movement, gives no favors and is a forever man child… a tutorial on how to manage a horse with larger than life movement would be amazing!!!
😊🙏🙏🙏
So glad you are enjoying the videos so much Kellye! Are there any specific movements you are are stuggling with?
I used to love trotting on my mare, but now I am riding a massive dressage gelding, with such amazing and powerful gaits and I just can’t seem to sit his trot. I thought it was just because he is so much taller and stronger, but now I realize I actually am scared to lose control or fall off, so I peg, too. Thank you so much for this video I will definitely try your tips!
This is the most useful video to not bounce like a sack of potatoes…….very well addressed.iit is really helping me a lot with my sitting trott
So happy to hear you found the video so helpful!!
You are my total straight talking favourite person….you explained the bounce trotting to me!!!
I Got It!!🤣🤣🤣🥰🤗🤓
Nice!! Love it xx
Ooooh I'll definitely be needing this! i get a bit stiff and tense in sitting trot so then i bounce around! Thanks a bunch alicia!
Thank you so much! 🙌
You are god to me
After I watched thousands of videos and then I clicked onto yours and it actually made me realize the qctual issue with my seat
I was never fully sitting on my butt!
Update: It actually felt way more comfortable and my posture was better and my back and heels were aligning
When I started trotting though I was still bouncing but didn't tense up and didn't went into chair seat mode
Also had to correct myself a lot but my seat was definetly better than last time!
Thank you for your kind words! I'm glad that we were able to provide you with a new perspective on your seat and help you realize the issue you were experiencing. Enjoy your journey of learning and growing as a rider. x
What a wonderful explanation. I shortened my stirrups about a month ago because I would lose them during canter, and my horse has been going better thanks to that. I have always had a problem gripping at the knee, so next ride I’m going to try the abort method and abort as soon as a feel like I’m gripping. I’ve subscribed and will be watching all the videos on the channel over the next few days!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for subbing! xx
Hi Alicia,
Another super well informed video. But please explain what we should be doing with our core and how to absorb the movement of the horse enabling us not to bounce. Plus in a working trot and extended trot how to sit absorbing the movement of the horse.
Many thanks
HI Linda, try to think of staying in balance while on the horse, you don't need to absorb the movement as such. The idea with dressage is to be effective in your aids but sit on the horse in the most balanced way that allows the horse to perform to the fullest. Your core does have a role in stabilizing you so you can be still but this is best learned though doing pilates out of the saddle so you become aware of how to use your body. Try watching this video th-cam.com/video/BR0qkZy0sbQ/w-d-xo.html
You are amazing, first you make me happy just to hear your enthusiastic voice, and your explanations are so helpful thanks :)
Thank you so much! 🙌
Thank you for your very detailed explanations and teaching. Your method of teaching is superb to help a student understand complex concepts & processes that can be overwhelming & difficult ri get past. Thank you!
So glad you are enjoying the explanations!