By Ki Allen
First of all, combining these two disciplines, dressage with barrel racing, is not the norm. As good riders or trainers, we must work hard to pursue good riding form and style with efficient and balanced moves of the horse. As true horsemen (and horsewomen), we owe it to the horse to ride and show him in his grandest style.
The basic requirement for dressage and barrel racing is a correct seat. A rider’s seat must be supple, flexible, upright and deep. A balanced seat is vital! A rider must give correct cues and aids without disturbing the balance of the horse. The horse and rider should present themselves as moving art, appearing to be two living creatures merged into one.
Attitude is the main element for successful horse handling. One’s training must be consistent in order to have a well trained horse. We are supposedly a superior thinking being; therefore, there is no room for one’s ego when training dressage or barrel racing horses.
I try to take a couple of dressage lessons monthly. In doing so, I have discovered that dressage drills and exercises seem to calm my horse and make my horse more responsive, resulting in better barrel racing times.
Dressage places more value on time than force, culminating in a more joyous partnership between rider and horse. Dressage has enlightened me to realize that when a problem arises, I look to myself as the source of the problem and address what needs to be corrected. I then return to the fundamentals to be sure that my horse understands the cues and aids I am asking for.
I do not substitute equipment or gimmicks for training time, and I do not race at a speed faster than the level of my horse’s understanding and ability to respond.
I have horses well into their twenties who are still competing, as well as being happy and healthy.
About the author: Kiazziah “Ki” Allen was born and raised on her folks’ small breeding farm, so she always had horses to ride. She was the lead equestrian gymnast, roman rider and trick rider for Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge, TN and was a trick rider with the Harper & Morgan Rodeo Company in Iowa, LA. She is owner and Head Instructor of the Ki Allen Riding School in Delhi, LA. Ki and her students regularly train in dressage with Peggy Gaboury to improve their barrel racing.
Photos:
Barrels 038.jpg: Dora Dawson – 10 years old. Her horse is Chief White Cloud and he still runs barrels and poles today at 32 years old.
Poles113.jpg: Isabel Dawson – 13 years old pole bending on Adoby. She also shows Adoby in 4-H dressage.
4HPoles398.jpg: Macie Clark – 16 years old and her horse is 6 year old Boonlight-n-Dixie. She shows him in all events in AQHA, as well as dressage.
First of all, combining these two disciplines, dressage with barrel racing, is not the norm. As good riders or trainers, we must work hard to pursue good riding form and style with efficient and balanced moves of the horse. As true horsemen (and horsewomen), we owe it to the horse to ride and show him in his grandest style.
The basic requirement for dressage and barrel racing is a correct seat. A rider’s seat must be supple, flexible, upright and deep. A balanced seat is vital! A rider must give correct cues and aids without disturbing the balance of the horse. The horse and rider should present themselves as moving art, appearing to be two living creatures merged into one.
Attitude is the main element for successful horse handling. One’s training must be consistent in order to have a well trained horse. We are supposedly a superior thinking being; therefore, there is no room for one’s ego when training dressage or barrel racing horses.
I try to take a couple of dressage lessons monthly. In doing so, I have discovered that dressage drills and exercises seem to calm my horse and make my horse more responsive, resulting in better barrel racing times.
Dressage places more value on time than force, culminating in a more joyous partnership between rider and horse. Dressage has enlightened me to realize that when a problem arises, I look to myself as the source of the problem and address what needs to be corrected. I then return to the fundamentals to be sure that my horse understands the cues and aids I am asking for.
I do not substitute equipment or gimmicks for training time, and I do not race at a speed faster than the level of my horse’s understanding and ability to respond.
I have horses well into their twenties who are still competing, as well as being happy and healthy.
About the author: Kiazziah “Ki” Allen was born and raised on her folks’ small breeding farm, so she always had horses to ride. She was the lead equestrian gymnast, roman rider and trick rider for Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge, TN and was a trick rider with the Harper & Morgan Rodeo Company in Iowa, LA. She is owner and Head Instructor of the Ki Allen Riding School in Delhi, LA. Ki and her students regularly train in dressage with Peggy Gaboury to improve their barrel racing.
Photos:
Barrels 038.jpg: Dora Dawson – 10 years old. Her horse is Chief White Cloud and he still runs barrels and poles today at 32 years old.
Poles113.jpg: Isabel Dawson – 13 years old pole bending on Adoby. She also shows Adoby in 4-H dressage.
4HPoles398.jpg: Macie Clark – 16 years old and her horse is 6 year old Boonlight-n-Dixie. She shows him in all events in AQHA, as well as dressage.
