Ekidemy

Before you mount

• Your pony is standing still alongside the mounting block, his left side towards it, where the instructor has told you.
• The girth — the wide strap that passes under the belly and holds the saddle in place — has been checked; at Galop 1, the instructor often does it with you.
• The stirrups are run down: slide each one down its stirrup leather, the strap that connects it to the saddle.
• The reins are over the neck.

1. 1Take up the reinsStep up onto the block, facing the saddle. Take both reins, adjusted to a contact, in your left hand, with a handful of mane, in front of the saddle: if the pony moves off, you feel it at once.
2. 2Left foot in the stirrupPut your left foot in the stirrup, toe pointing forwards so that you don’t dig the pony in the side.
3. 3RisePut your right hand on the cantle, the raised back of the saddle, and straighten up on your left leg, close to the pony.
4. 4Swing your leg overLean forward slightly and swing your right leg over the croup without touching it; your right hand leaves the cantle to let it pass.
5. 5Sit down gentlyLower yourself gently: don’t drop into the saddle.
6. 6Find the right stirrupFeel for the right stirrup with your foot, without leaning over, then adjust your reins. The pony stands still until you ask him to move off.

Tightening the girth

After a few minutes at walk, the pony has relaxed and the girth has often loosened: you need to tighten the girth, that is, take it up a hole or two. Do it at halt, with the instructor’s help the first few times. Take both reins in your right hand, bring your left leg forward in front of the saddle flap — the large piece of leather under your leg — and lift the flap with your left hand. Take hold of the girth strap, the strap with holes that the girth buckles on to, pull it upwards and guide the tongue of the buckle into a higher hole with your index finger. Do the same with the second strap, then put everything back in place.

Taking and quitting your stirrups at walk

To quit your stirrups is to take your feet out of them; to take them is to put your feet back in. To take them without looking, turn your toe inwards to catch the stirrup, then settle it under the widest part of your foot, heel lower than toe. Keep your upper body upright and your eyes ahead: leaning over to look for your stirrup means losing your balance. Practise at halt, then at walk.

Dismounting

1. 1HaltBring your pony to a complete halt.
2. 2Free your feetQuit both stirrups.
3. 3Take holdTake both reins in your left hand, resting on the neck; your right hand rests on the pommel, the front of the saddle.
4. 4Swing your leg overLean your upper body forward and swing your right leg over the croup, without touching it.
5. 5Slide downSlide down the pony’s side and land on both feet, knees soft, without letting go of the reins.
6. 6AfterwardsRun your stirrups up the leathers and, unless you are told otherwise, bring the reins over his head to lead your pony.