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Ruth Hogan Poulsen's Blog (33)
The Difference Between Movements, Figures and Patterns Ruth Hogan-Poulsen
Ruth Hogan-Poulsen
Many people ask me about the choreography of their freestyle pattern. One of the confusions surrounding a freestyle pattern is what is allowed and what is forbidden at a certain level. Before you can begin to build a pattern you need to know the difference between movements and figures so that you don't try something that is on the "forbidden" list at your level.
What is the… Continue
Added by Ruth Hogan Poulsen on November 12, 2017 at 11:13pm — No Comments
Practice and muscle memory
January 31, 2017 / Ruth Hogan-Poulsen
What is Muscle Memory?
If you've ever worked on your posture or a set of aids for a movement on your horse, you've probably heard the words "muscle memory.” But what is this mysterious thing? Is it something real or just a part of dressage riders’ folklore? Can we do anything to make our learning more efficient, or should we be suspicious of "automatic" riding as less creative?
Discursive… Continue
Added by Ruth Hogan Poulsen on November 5, 2017 at 9:20pm — 1 Comment
Questions you should ask BEFORE you get on that horse!
Last month we talked about the
questions that I ask every owner of a new horse coming into my barn.
Young or old, trained or untrained, it's essential to know as much about a new horse as possible.
This month I will talk about the
questions that I would ask BEFORE I (or one
of my staff) would get ON a new…
Added by Ruth Hogan Poulsen on November 18, 2012 at 3:00pm — No Comments
New information and rules about USDF Freestyle requirements!
Added by Ruth Hogan Poulsen on June 27, 2011 at 12:31pm — No Comments
How to change a flat tire on your horse trailer!
Yes, it’s true. S**t happens and yes, it happened to us on our trip to Fl. I thought I would share my experience and knowledge about changing a trailer tire so you can be more prepared if it happens to you.
1. Turn on your warning flashers for safety. As soon as you realize that you have blown a tire, start to slow down gradually…
Added by Ruth Hogan Poulsen on December 10, 2010 at 7:21am — 1 Comment
Team Poulsen exciting news!
VERY EXCITING NEWS FROM TEAM POULSEN!
I have VERY exciting news for you! I have purchased a farm in
Wellington, Florida to be able to continue to give my clients and
horses the best possible training facility and "home away from home"… Continue
Added by Ruth Hogan Poulsen on August 23, 2010 at 2:39pm — 1 Comment
What is the difference between movements, figures and patterns?
One of the confusions surrounding a freestyle pattern is what is
allowed and what is forbidden at a certain level. Before you can begin
to build a pattern you need to know the difference between movements
and figures so that you don't try something that is on the "forbidden"
list at your level.
What is the difference between movements, figures and patterns?
According to the USDF rule… Continue
Added by Ruth Hogan Poulsen on June 28, 2010 at 10:00am — 2 Comments
Free dressage diagrams to help you memorize you tests... and more.
I start with blank arena diagrams... I find them useful for a number of things. You can download them from my site. http://www.ruthhoganpoulsen.com/downloads.html
1. Memorizing regulation… Continue
Added by Ruth Hogan Poulsen on May 10, 2010 at 6:00pm — No Comments
Pearls of information from Adult Dressage Horsemanship Camp Week!
(www.dressagementor.com) this morning , but know some of you guys are not members, and
though you might want to read it! enjoy
I have had coffee and even went shopping for
needed essentials in the house last night. Its the first time since
arriving home that i have had a moment! Having gotten home on Saturday,
then the Everything Equine Event and the directly… Continue
Added by Ruth Hogan Poulsen on May 2, 2010 at 8:30am — No Comments
The Incredible Shrinking Leg (or How To Avoid Losing Your Stirrups!)
The Incredible Shrinking Leg (or How To Avoid Losing Your Stirrups!)
I've been giving a bunch of seat and leg position riding lessons lately, and I've discovered some interesting things about the correlation of the pelvis, lower leg, and losing
your stirrups.…
Continue
Added by Ruth Hogan Poulsen on March 28, 2010 at 12:56pm — No Comments
Dressage And Music Raises Over A MILLION Dollars! International Team Wins First Place For Breast Cancer.
Over the past 8 weeks, I have been working on the music and choreography for
the International Team to help raise money for COTA (Challenge of the Americas) with the proceeds going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.…
Added by Ruth Hogan Poulsen on March 22, 2010 at 8:30am — No Comments
Your Seat And Your Saddle
So many riders find it hard to keep their seat and pelvis in the correct position on their horse. Your own conformation and the conformation of your saddle plays a huge role in allowing your seat to be in the correct position.
Take a look at the conformation of your saddle. Make sure that your saddle allows you to find a neutral pelvic position. Even if your saddle fits your horse, it doesn’t mean it fits you. Just because your… Continue
Added by Ruth Hogan Poulsen on March 4, 2010 at 8:00am — 1 Comment
Masters Dressage Freestyle Night--Drawing Inspiration From Music
Masters Dressage Freestyle Night--Drawing Inspiration From Music
The idea of the “perfect riding” music has been in my head since last Saturday night when I was fortunate enough to watch some of the best riders in the world compete in the
Masters Freestyle CDI*****. Eight riders competed, with no two rider’s
music even similar. How amazing and how fascinating. There were composed pieces, there was rock,
there was…
Added by Ruth Hogan Poulsen on February 21, 2010 at 5:30pm — 1 Comment
The Better Your Horse Behaves for Your Farrier, The Better Job Your Farrier Can Do
The better your horse behaves for your farrier, the better job your farrier can do.
Let's face it. No one wants to have to pick out a hoof with a horse that is behaving badly. Neither does your farrier. It's hard enough to keep your own feet out of the way and not get stepped on on a good day, let alone trying to wrestle around…
Added by Ruth Hogan Poulsen on January 17, 2010 at 7:00am — No Comments
The Incredible Shrinking Leg (or How To Avoid Losing Your Stirrups!)
I've been giving a bunch of seat and leg position riding lessons lately, and I've discovered some interesting things about the correlation of the pelvis, lower leg, and losing your stirrups.
Does this ever happen to you?
• Do you lose your stirrups in the sitting trot?
• Does your horse slow down in the sitting trot or when you work without stirrups?
• Does your knee come out over the front of the saddle when you're in the sitting trot or canter?
• Does it…
Added by Ruth Hogan Poulsen on January 8, 2010 at 4:00pm — No Comments
Did you ever wonder exactly HOW music effects your brain and your body?
Think about that.
We already know this if even subconsciously. If music did not have a physiological effect on our body and mind, marches would be played at bedtime and not at the half-time of football games. Lullabies would be heard at parades and Gregorian chant would bombard our ears at the grocery store.
Want to know more? Here is the scientific answer to how music affects our physiology and… Continue
Added by Ruth Hogan Poulsen on December 21, 2009 at 5:08pm — 1 Comment
Questions and answers about riding to music and freestyles!
Question:
I have ridden my freestyle a number of times in competition. I have ridden it time and time again perfectly at home and know my music very well.
This is my question. I ride my test perfectly at home but when I get to a venue... I am ALWAYS ahead of the music!!! It's not a big problem because I know… Continue
Added by Ruth Hogan Poulsen on December 9, 2009 at 6:47pm — No Comments
Memorizing tests and FREE DRESSAGE ARENA DIAGRAMS!
I start with these blank arena diagrams... I find them useful for a number of things.
1. Memorizing regulation tests.
2. Learning the exact geometry of the arena.
3. Learning my exact tangent points for movements such as circles and serpentines.
4. Drawing my tests from beginning to end.
5. Drawing each movement according to where the… Continue
Added by Ruth Hogan Poulsen on November 13, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments
What the judges want to "hear" when they listen to your dressage horse's musical freestyle!
One of the most frequently asked questions I get is, “How do the judges evaluate my music?”
I’m going to go over the guidelines that are given to the judges so you can be on the same page as they are. In last month’s newsletter, I did an audio clip on what the judges are looking for. But so many of you have asked me to put it in print so here it is.
There are four categories that the… Continue
Added by Ruth Hogan Poulsen on October 30, 2009 at 10:30am — 3 Comments
October News Letter Going Out Tonight!!
www.ruthhoganpoulsen.com
I also would love to hear from you on a few topics... so write in and ask you question, or give me you thoughts!! Ruth…
Continue
Added by Ruth Hogan Poulsen on October 1, 2009 at 7:29pm — 2 Comments
Latest Blog Posts
- The Difference Between Movements, Figures and Patterns Ruth Hogan-Poulsen
- Practice and muscle memory
- Questions you should ask BEFORE you get on that horse!
- New information and rules about USDF Freestyle requirements!
- How to change a flat tire on your horse trailer!
- Team Poulsen exciting news!
- What is the difference between movements, figures and patterns?
Most Popular Blog Posts
- The Incredible Shrinking Leg (or How To Avoid Losing Your Stirrups!)
- The Better Your Horse Behaves for Your Farrier, The Better Job Your Farrier Can Do
- How to change a flat tire on your horse trailer!
- Free dressage diagrams to help you memorize you tests... and more.
- Memorizing tests and FREE DRESSAGE ARENA DIAGRAMS!
- Questions you should ask BEFORE you get on that horse!
- Pearls of information from Adult Dressage Horsemanship Camp Week!
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