I went to train with a lady for a week and it went amazingly well! I absolutely love this trainer, its like finally finding the one person that works for you and any horse youre on. After being there for a week I learned so much and now have a ton to work on! Im excited to start working with my horse so we have improved by the next time we see her! Clergy is a 15.2hh 13yo OTTB, he’s pretty short and stocky for a TB though. It may not look the greatest as we are both learning together which isnt always great but we are working on it! This is a picture from one of our dressage lessons. Please judge horse and rider. Thank you!
Please Judge Horse and Rider Dressage
July 28, 2012 By 3 Comments
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Your horse looks great! He is stocky, as you mentioned, but he looks like he’s moving forward nicely into the contact and he looks fairly level. You can always do more work with half halts and transitions to ask him to sit down more. He looks like he could be looser, with more swing in his back, but his conformation will pose challenges for that. Your position is good, but you could bring your leg and shoulders back a smidge so that you are sitting with the correct alignment from ear, shoulder, hip, to heel. Also, try turning your toes so that they are straight forward. When your toes poke out, it opens up your legs and allows the horse to “bounce” back and forth more. I don’t know if that’s the best explanation of that problem, but hopefully you get my idea! You two are a great pair!
I don’t know about “stocky” but he sure has long legs for his body (his back and neck are a bit short instead)! I like my TB more full so I actually like that.
As Yellowdress61 said, you position is quite nice. That is a great starting point which will allow you to progress faster. Your leg is long. Your heel is under your hips. Your back is fairly straight. I would bring your shoulder blades back together, chin up and look up to complete it (plus wrap those ankles better around his barrel by bringing your toes in to face the front more).
Careful not to post with your hands. Not sure if you were doing that or just keeping them low almost touching the saddle. You want to make sure your forearms are in line with his mouth so your elbows fold a bit more. It will make it easier to keep them moving and giving with the contact.
Clergy lacks a bit of impulsion in this picture. His rear hooves are not quite tracking on or passed his front ones. His poll is leveled but should come a bit higher with impulsion. I do love how his nose is just ahead of the vertical and he is not too heavy on your hand.
It is challenging to bring up a horse when you try to bring up your self too! But it can be a lot more rewarding…
I agree with ValofFrance, I actually prefer a fuller TB. He has great long legs, but a shorter neck and back. The short back makes him more comfortable to ride, but the short neck can cause some issues as if he gets too round and “short in the neck” and his neck is already short…. you get what I mean lol
He is not quite tracking in this picture, so you need to send him a little more forward
Judges don’t want to see you hauling it around the arena, but I find that most people restrict the gaits to much instead of letting them do a true working trot or canter. His poll is the highest point which is good, but he could be like an inch rounder. If he gets behind the bit when you ask then by all means keep him slightly in front like you have him, but if he can be just a little rounder with a little more impulsion I promise your scores will go up 
You are a pretty little rider, try and keep your chin back and chest in line with your hips. Also, try to not hold tension in your legs as this will block his movement. Your stirrups should be lightly held on by the ball of your foot, without too much pressure in them.
You are so lucky to be starting young, and getting advice. I’m not sure what part of the country your in, but you look like a perfect candidate for Dressage4Kids, which is Lendon Grey’s show. They have them in NY, Michigan, and soon Atlanta!!