Okay, so I’ve been meaning to talk about this guy, Andrew Nicholson, for a while now. He’s a legend in the eventing world, and I’ve been following his tips to improve my own riding. I have to say, trying to implement his techniques has been quite a journey.
First off, I started by watching some videos of him explaining how to jump grids. It looked so simple when he did it, but let me tell you, it’s a whole different story when you’re in the saddle. I set up a simple grid in my arena, just like he demonstrated, and my horse, bless his heart, was probably as confused as I was. We knocked down a few poles, had a couple of awkward jumps, but we kept at it.
Here’s what I learned from trying to follow Andrew’s gridwork tips:
- Keeping a straight line is crucial. Andrew emphasizes this a lot, and I realized how much I was letting my horse drift. Focusing on that really helped.
- Rhythm is everything. It’s not just about clearing the jumps; it’s about maintaining a consistent pace and getting the strides right. This took a lot of trial and error.
- Eyes up and look ahead. I had a bad habit of looking down at the jump, which, as Andrew points out, messes up your balance. Keeping my eyes on the next obstacle made a big difference.
Then There’s the Whole Cross-Country Thing
Andrew’s known for his cross-country skills, so I thought, “Why not try to incorporate some of his advice into my training?” He talks about being able to turn and stop your horse when you want to, which sounds obvious, but it’s amazing how often that goes out the window when you’re galloping across a field.
I started practicing more turns and transitions in my flatwork, really focusing on getting my horse responsive to my aids. Then I took him out to a cross-country course, and it was a bit of a wake-up call. We had a few run-outs, mostly because I wasn’t clear enough with my directions. But I kept remembering Andrew’s words about being decisive, and gradually, things started to improve. We even managed to get through a few combinations without any major mishaps, which felt like a huge victory.
My main takeaways from trying to ride cross-country like Andrew:
- Clear communication with your horse is key. He needs to understand what you’re asking him to do.
- Being decisive is important. Hesitation can lead to problems, especially at higher speeds.
- Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. That’s how you learn.
And let’s not forget about rider fitness. Andrew emphasizes the importance of balance and core strength. I’ve always known these were important, but seeing how effortlessly he moves with his horse made me realize I needed to step up my game. I started riding without stirrups more often, which was brutal at first, but it definitely helped me find my balance better. And I added some core exercises to my workout routine, which, I’ll be honest, I should have been doing all along.
Here are some simple things I focused on:
- Riding without stirrups. Tough, but effective.
- Plank exercises. Hate them, but they work.
- Keeping my shoulders back and chest open. It sounds simple, but it makes a big difference in your posture.
Trying to ride like Andrew Nicholson has been a humbling experience. It’s shown me how much I still have to learn, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. I’m not going to be winning any five-star events anytime soon, but I feel like I’m becoming a more confident and competent rider. And that’s what matters, right? It’s a continuous journey of learning and improving, and I’m excited to see where it takes me. I won’t lie, there were times when I felt like giving up, but then I’d watch another video of Andrew making it all look so easy, and I’d be inspired to get back in the saddle and try again.
