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Equestrian · Basic · b2

Sit like a rider, off the pony

At home 8 min 1 player One room

Ready when: Parts of the pony and the tack (b1) started.

Start a session

What you are learning

The balanced position of a rider: tall back, shoulders over hips, eyes up, and arms and legs that can move without the body tipping. A rider who balances without holding on is safer and kinder to the pony.

Words on this card Pony, Saddle
Pony
A pony is a small horse, under about 148 cm at the shoulder.
Saddle
The seat strapped on the pony's back.

Set up

A stool or a rolled mat, no pony.

Weather: any weather

The base setup for equestrian

Show it first for the one teaching

  1. Sit astride the stool, back tall, shoulders over hips, eyes on the wall ahead.
  2. Arms out to the sides; turn to look behind one way, then the other.
  3. Reach one hand down to the opposite foot and sit back up.
  4. Lift one knee, then the other, keeping the back tall.

Your part while they practise

Show each movement; count.

Step by step

  1. Sit astride the stool or rolled mat as if in the saddle: tall back, shoulders over hips, eyes up.
  2. Arms out to the sides and turn to look behind, each way.
  3. Reach one hand to the opposite foot and back up.
  4. Lift one knee, then the other, keeping the back tall.

How much: 10 of each 8 min a session 3 days a week

Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.

The game: Statue rider

Hold the riding position, eyes up, while you count to 10; then one arm out, then both.

Who plays: the child against you; swap so you are the statue.

How to play, turn by turn
Turns
  1. Sit in the riding position
  2. You count slowly to 10 while the rider holds still
  3. Next round: one arm out; then both arms out; then eyes closed
  4. 4 rounds
Fair play
A grown-up holds each round to 20.
Points
1 point for each round held to 10 with a tall back and eyes up (eyes closed counts double).
Fouls
The round scores nothing
  • The back rounds
  • Holding the stool with a hand
  • Holding the breath
Winning
More points after 4 rounds.
Stars
  1. 2 points for 1 star
  2. 3 points for 2 stars
  3. 5 points for 3 stars

Easier or harder

Easier

Sit on the floor.

Harder

Arms folded.

What you will see, and what to say

  • the child holds the breath Breathe out as you turnSlow breaths throughout.
  • the back rounds Tall back, eyes upGrow taller from the top of the head.

Self-check

4

All 4 movements done 10 times without losing balance.

Stop and get a coach when

Pain in the back or hips.

Fitness for this

Warm up first: how to warm up, at workonfitness.com. For strength and stretching, its exercise library shows each exercise step by step, with an easier version.

This card trains balance, posture, independent arms and legs.

awiseathlete.com/sports/equestrian/equestrian-b2