Comment

Comment by Rebecca on September 1, 2009 at 10:53pm

great riding mel got any tips for any of us

Comment by Geoffrey Pannell on August 30, 2009 at 7:43pm

very impressive Mel, have you been working with Heath Harris? Years ago there was a chap , I cant remember his first name, The Flying Golans, I think they called themselves, performing at the Adelaide Royal. Gee , they were good. As a kid my brothers and I would play around with stuff like that, not as good as your efforts, we did get quite good at the canter dismount each side though, you know touch the ground and then flick over to the other side and touch the ground. Bit the dust a LOT of times before we got it right though! Cheers Geoffrey

Comment by Mel on August 30, 2009 at 7:27pm

To answer Julies concerns...A totally valid question!....but tricks are nearly always done off (apart from a couple of basics i can think of) and have always been done off the nearside of the horse.....i suppose because it is natural for both u and the horse....(most horses/and people are one sided)....i couldn't imagen hanging off the far side...i would say it would be SUPER uncomfortable for both horse and rider and dangerous if you were riding corners (like in an arena!) or had a run down a barrier/fenceline etc......
From what i've seen trick riders in the UK do things alot differently from Australian and American trick riders....more Vaulting orientated or something and different saddles.
I can understand the concern about onesidedness/soreness etc and we combat that by making sure the horse is warmed up properly on BOTH sides before a trick riding session..and of corse warmed down appropriately....also most horses are not just a trick riding horse....most of the time it's kind of like their 2nd job .....as we (myself and Bubby) are already established we really don't train to offen, untill before a show....we will do anything from flatwork, to liberty, to trick training, trail riding, road work and sometimes jumping. I hope to compete with her one day....just haven't decided what in. I also have a Chiropractor and Accu-pressure therepist visit once every couple of months just to ensure all is well with her.....she usually gives a couple of little tweeks and we r good 2 go!.....

Comment by Mel on August 30, 2009 at 7:17pm

Thanks for all the comments guys!...glad u enjoyed :-)

Comment by Julie on August 30, 2009 at 6:39pm

I just wondered - do you always come off the same side, or do equal on the other side? Nice stunts but I would worry about the horses muscles. A friend is training in this and they always ensure that the exercises are balanced.

Comment by Amanda Burden on August 29, 2009 at 10:19pm

Wow!!!

Comment by Barbara F. on August 25, 2009 at 8:59am

WOW Mel! Great video! I think I've done some of that hanging off the horse stuff by accident now and then. :)