SESSION 1 - INTRODUCING GROUNDWORK & RIDER BIOMECHANICS

Sarah & Bobby are a new combination to Dressage Training TV. Bobby is a seven year old Welsh pony who was started late in life, and has only been in training with Sarah for about nine months at the time of filming. Sarah tells us that Bobby is more 'go' than 'whoa', and his instinct is to rush when worried. She says that it can be tricky to keep Bobby in an outline in transitions, and that straightness can be a struggle at times.

As Sarah is new to our groundwork system and to rider biomechanics Ali begins the session with some basic groundwork. Bobby has a wonderful temperament and is completely unfazed by being in a new environment. He is very happy to follow Sarah's feet, rather than wait for an aid to walk on and is initially a little confused by what's being asked of him and responds to the aids on a 4 or 5 of pressure, but he learns quickly and lightens his response well.

Once mounted Ali assesses Sarah's position. Sarah begins a little hollow, chest up and lower leg forward, she rightly concludes that she would land on her bottom on the arena floor if Bobby were to disappear from underneath her. Ali gives Sarah some fixes and explains the expected outcomes of being able to fix her biomechanics. Sarah is really open to Ali's advice and makes some great progress in changing her leg and body position although she says she finds it hard work, and that it feels very odd. She remarks that she can really feel Bobby change and lift his back as she changes her position. The 'game of got it, lost it' begins.

It's going to be lovely to see Sarah & Bobby's training journey unfold.