That's right, don't get off the couch folks, you can actually improve your riding from right where you sit! I know, I have done it. Now you still will have to do a bit of riding, don't get me wrong, there are no short cuts to the perfect score. You can however improve your outcome using some simple principles which I will outline below.
Firstly, have you heard of visualization? Some of you will have, some not so I will explain a little: visualization ties your imagination to reality, it is a process of using your imagination to create a picture or film inside your head of yourself being somewhere or doing something you want to do. It has been used by many successful athletes and you can use it too.
Our example in this case is the dressage test. Now obviously you need to learn the test and put the work into the horse, but visualization can really create that extra edge to get those few extra marks on the day.
So, sit back, relax, and try this...
Take a deep breath, relax and concentrate inward. (It helps if you are in a nice quiet place so if the family is running amok or the TV is blaring, whatever, find somewhere you can be quiet and alone.)
Once you feel your mind turning from without to within, spend several minutes running a vivid film in your head of you riding the perfect dressage test. Feel the visualization as if it is happening at that moment. How would you feel riding that test, what would it look like as you are riding toward the next marker in a perfect extended trot, shoulder in, etc. The kick here is, the more you can feel, see and hear things happening as they should in your visualization, the better it will work.
This may be hard for you at first, especially if you are not used to it and it is easy to be distracted. Keep at it and keep practicing, don't finish the visualization until you are ready. You should try this daily for at least the week leading up to the big day. There are obviously more points to visualization and many other ways to improve your riding through personal development and various techniques which will help in your riding.
I teach these and more in my business. If you would like to know more about visualization and how to make it work for you and your riding, visit my website at http://www.expectthebest4u.com and leave your details, I will be happy to send you more information.
Your friend in the equine world
Lisa Smart
Lisa Smart, from Langhorne Creek SA
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Smart
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