When Rita Young-Jones heard she had won a lesson and presentation tips from leading dressage rider and trainer Hannah Esberger-Shepherd she was ecstatic.
Organised by Hannah’s sponsor Supreme Products™ and Equestrian Life magazine Rita travelled from Burbage in Leicestershire with her 16-year-old skewbald gelding for the training.
Rita and Digit have been together for 10 years and have competed in numerous unaffiliated Preliminary competitions qualifying for this year’s Petplan Regional Finals.
Hannah put the pair through their paces, providing valuable advice and encouraging Rita to ride Digit forward while maintaining a consistent contact.
Said Hannah: “Rita needs to provide clear instructions to Digit at all times, when she wants him to go forward and in a balanced rhythm she must ensure this happens and he reacts to her direction.
“He must move off the leg more quickly and generally be sharper and more reactive in all the movements, while at the same time maintaining balance and lightness.”
By giving with the hands, and combining both pressure and release, Rita began to develop a beautiful outline with Digit.
In the past Digit would bend his head slightly to the right when halting on the centre line but with this new outline and plenty of feel down the outside rein this was no longer an issue with both horse and rider quickly improving and gaining confidence to stretch themselves.
As Digit learned to move off the leg, Hannah asked Rita to put in some turns on the forehand to encourage softness and more flexibility.
Rita and Digit soon took on a completely different shape, thoroughly enjoying their lesson with Hannah.
Said Rita: “I had an amazing time with Hannah, the tips and advice were great and I am sure it will really help me over the next few months. I can’t believe the difference in the way that Digit was going after the lesson.”
Hannah also provided Rita with advice on presentation skills thanks to her sponsor Supreme Products.
As Digit is skewbald, Hannah explained the huge benefits of using Supreme Products Leg & Body Whitener to produce brilliant white socks.
Said Hannah: “As a coloured, Digit is already very eye-catching, but by using the Supreme Products Professional Collection he will be stunning.”
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