Have you ever felt like you’re riding a flawless, rhythmic half-pass that would make Carl Hester weep with joy, only to watch the playback and realize your horse looks more like a confused llama? Are you tired of "guessing" what your seat looks like while you're in the saddle? Do you dream of smashing your personal bests and finally unlocking the secret to that elusive 70% score?
Welcome to the world of self-analysis! In the modern age of dressage, video is no longer a luxury: it is an absolute necessity. Whether you are prepping for a regional championship or just trying to master a clean strike-off into canter, filming your schooling is the fastest way to bridge the gap between "feel" and "reality."
However, there is a massive difference between filming a masterpiece and recording a blurry, shaky mess that leaves you more frustrated than when you started. If you want to supercharge your progress and get the most out of Remote Coaching, you need to stop making these seven common mistakes. Let’s dive into how you can unveil the champion within by mastering the art of the lens!
The biggest mistake happens before you even put your foot in the stirrup. Many riders simply set up a camera, hit "record," and ride for forty-five minutes.
The Frustration: You end up with a massive video file that is impossible to review. You ramble through exercises, lose focus, and by the time you sit down to watch it, you’ve forgotten what you were actually trying to achieve in that specific moment.
The Fix: Embark on your session with a Performance Plan Power mindset! Before you mount, decide on three specific things you want to see. Are you checking the straightness in your centerlines? The active engagement of the hind leg in your transitions? Write a mini-outline on a whiteboard or a piece of paper and stick it near your camera. This ensures your video has a clear "story" and makes your review session a focused Learning Adventure rather than a chore.
We’ve all seen it: the video filmed by a well-meaning friend who is also trying to swat away flies, or a phone propped precariously on a mounting block that tips over the moment your horse trots past.
The Frustration: Shaky footage is more than just annoying; it makes it impossible to judge the true balance of the horse. If the horizon is tilted, how can you tell if your horse is falling onto the inside shoulder?
The Fix: Invest in stability! A simple tripod is a game-changer, but if you really want to unlock elite-level feedback, you need an auto-tracking solution. Using tools like a Pivo allows the camera to follow you perfectly around the arena, ensuring you are always the star of the show. No more disappearing out of frame just as you nail that flying change! Check out our guide on how to Get Pivo and stop relying on shaky hands.
Dressage is a conversation between horse and rider, but when you’re filming for a coach, they need to hear the conversation too!
The Frustration: If you are filming a session where you are talking through your feelings, or if you are receiving live feedback via a remote session, bad audio is the #1 vibe-killer. Wind noise, distant echoes, and the sound of your horse’s hoofbeats can drown out the very cues your coach needs to hear to help you smash your goals.
The Fix: Get the tech right! If you’re narrating your ride for a critique, a small wireless lavalier microphone or even a pair of Bluetooth earbuds can work wonders. If you’re serious about your development, using a dedicated headset during your Remote Coaching sessions ensures that every "half-halt" and "soften" is heard loud and clear.
Are you a tiny speck in the distance of a 60m arena? If so, your video is essentially useless for technical analysis.
The Frustration: If the camera is set up too far away and doesn't zoom, your coach (or you!) won't be able to see the subtle nuances of your hand position, the foam on the horse's mouth, or the exact moment the hind leg engages.
The Fix: Focus on the "Judge's View." Ideally, set your camera up at 'C' (the judge's position) or 'E/B' (the side view). If you aren't using an auto-tracking device, try to school in the half of the arena closest to the camera. You want the horse and rider to occupy at least 30-50% of the frame height. This allows for a deep-dive analysis into your biomechanics.
Physics matters! If you place your camera facing directly into the sun, you will end up as a dark, featureless shadow moving across a bright background.
The Frustration: In a silhouette, we can’t see your posture, your leg position, or the horse's expression. It’s "Mindset Magic" gone wrong: you might feel great, but the evidence is invisible!
The Fix: Always keep the sun (or the brightest light source in an indoor arena) behind the camera. This "front-lights" you and your horse, making every muscle definition and tack adjustment visible. If you’re indoors, avoid filming directly toward large open doors or bright windows. Light up your progress by positioning yourself for success!
No one: not even the most dedicated coach: wants to watch 20 minutes of you walking on a long rein and checking your girth.
The Frustration: Massive, unedited files are a nightmare to upload and even harder to critique. By the time the "good stuff" happens at minute 14, the viewer's attention has drifted.
The Fix: Keep it punchy! Record in "chapters." Film your warm-up as one clip, your lateral work as another, and your test practice as a third. If you must record in one go, use a simple phone app to trim the "fluff" before sending it off. This intensive focus on quality over quantity ensures that every second of your video is packed with value. If you’re looking for more ways to refine your training, our Dressage Uncovered program offers incredible insights into how to analyze these specific moments!
Different movements require different angles. Filming everything from the side won't help you fix a horse that falls out through the shoulder on a circle.
The Frustration: You spend all session filming from 'E' to check your horse's outline, but your real issue is that you’re crooked on the centerline. The side view won't show you that!
The Fix: Match your angle to your mission!
Filming your schooling isn't just about catching mistakes; it's about celebrating your wins and seeing the tangible evidence of your hard work. When you see that moment where the transition finally clicks, or the frame becomes truly steady, it builds a level of confidence that "feel" alone cannot provide.
Ready to take your training to the next level? Don't just ride in the dark: bring your schooling into the light with professional-grade self-analysis!
Claim your spot in our next intake! Whether you want to join one of our clinics and camps or start your journey with Remote Coaching, we are here to be your ultimate cheerleader.
Stop guessing and start progressing. Grab your tripod, charge your phone, and let’s
Want to make sure your kit is up to the task? Check out the range of Pivo kit to gear up for your next filmed session!
