What are The Scales of Riding?
First of all, it’s useful to know that the Scales complement the Scales of Training for horses perfectly. Every time you improve your own riding in each layer it has a direct effect on your horse.
Overview of the Layers
Each layer builds upon the one below it. As your awareness, balance and coordination improve, your connection with your horse becomes stronger and more refined.
Relaxed Readiness
Relaxed readiness comes in 2 parts, physical and mental. If one is missing then then your ability in the next layer up will be affected.
Position
Next comes position. That is simply where you sit in the saddle and your ability to balance your skeleton effectively so that gravity works for you and not against you.
Balance
Then comes balance. This is about what happens to your position in motion. Can you adapt your position to manage your body through transitions, turns and movements. Even Grand Prix dressage riders lose their balance at times. You might not be able to see it from the ground, but trust me, it’s a challenge to stay balanced during complex sequences.
Stability
Next comes stability. This is about maintaining your mental relaxation when things get difficult and keeping your position, balance and contact as impulsion increases. It takes muscle tone, concentration and constant awareness. It is a skill, not a talent!
Timing
Then comes timing. This is about constantly improving your ability to apply the right aids at the right moment and understanding your horse’s response time. Without the layers below it’s impossible to time your aids well. You need to be relaxed, ready and listening to your horse sitting in a good position with balance and stability. Then timing gets easier and easier.
Flow
At the top is flow. This is when all the layers are working and you get that magical feeling that Sophie calls “dynamic coordination”. It creates influence confidence and Horse and Rider working in Harmony.
Continuous Progress
A beginner can feel changes from using The Scales of Riding. So can a Grand Prix rider. Every time your riding goes up a level, you experience a new level of awareness and feel the foundation layers below grow stronger.