Since 1980, Jane Savoie has been a freelance dressage instructor, motivational speaker, travelling clinician, trainer and competitor. She was the reserve rider for the 1992 U.S. Olympic dressage team in Barcelona, and has since gone on to coach both dressage and three-day event riders at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.
Part 1: Learning the Half Halt
Jane Savoie demonstrates the four requirements - forward, straight, rhythm and contact - that must be solidly understood by both horse and rider before attempting a half halt. She then breaks down the half halt into its individual elements and shows the rider why and how to use it. Jane also shows several common mistakes that riders make and how to correct them as they are learning the physical coordination and timing needed to ride a half halt. This information, combined with listening to feedback from the horse, can help the rider evaluate her progress while learning the half halt aid.
Jane's fresh and innovative approach to teaching this often misunderstood aid to balancing (and re-balancing) the horse will help all riders, many of whom have struggled for years.
Approx running time 45 mins.
Part 2: Putting Your Horse on the Bit
Now the rider has learned why and how to ride a half halt, Jane Savoie goes further and discusses when to use the half-halt aid. One of the biggest "whens" is when to put the horse on the bit, and she demonstrates the many benefits gained: your horse will become more obedient, more graceful and more athletic as a result of carrying himself predominately with the muscles over his croup, back and top of his neck. Finally Jane explains how a rider can superimpose a half halt over the aids given for different movements in order to keep the horse on the bit.
Approx running time 45 mins.
NTSC format