This question came in from a client who is gaining teaching experience at a local riding school and training for their PTT. My answer follows the question.
QUESTION
Hi Rachel,
My 7 year old client struggles with rising trot (we have done some sitting trot and he is sort of ok) what exercise would you do to practice rising trot.
I have done some rising in walk – just for him to get a feel of what he needs to be doing. Any other suggestions?
ANSWER
What you’ve done so far sounds good, get him to do the rising in walk first and do lots of sitting trot so he can feel the rhythm. A seven year old should be strong enough to lift himself up and down so his problem is probably with timing. You need to be saying “up down up down” to him in time with the trot and telling him if he’s too fast or too slow until he gets the right speed.
If the pony is safe and will stay on the track, he could hold the pommel or a neck strap to avoid pulling on the reins to get out of the saddle. If you’re not sure of the pony, put him on the lunge then he can concentrate on learning to rise without having to control the pony as well (and you can practise your lunge lesson for your PTT!)
Good luck and let me know how it goes,
Rachel
