It seems like there are dozens of mnemonic devices in the equestrian world. For example, as a kid, I had trouble learning my posting diagonal until someone told me to "rise and fall with the leg on the wall". Suddenly, I had no problems remembering which was the correct way to post. In eventing, jumps are always flagged with red and white flags to indicate which direction they should be jumped- I was told early on to jump "red on right", an alliterative that I've never forgotten.
The letters of a dressage arena are ripe for mnemonics- I've heard at least three different ones for letters in a small arena, including:
- All King Edward's Horses Carry Many Bloody Fools
- All King Edward's Horses Can Make Big Fences
- All King Edward's Horses Can Make Bay Foals
Down the centerline in a standard sized arena, I remember the letters as "Gee, I Love Dressage" (from C toward A).
I'm curious- what, if any, mnemonic devices do you employ?
7 comments:
I've never heard any of these but they are fantastic!
Oh no, I couldn't use those, I would get them confused with the foundation of biological commandment mnemonics (King Phillip, Come Out For God's Sake = Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Specific Epithet).
My dressage arena set up, which I love b/c it always makes me giggle, goes the other 'way around than yours: All Fat Bay Mares Can Hardly Ever Kick.
I use the fat bay mares one too...because I have two of them, so extra amusing. I was taught the King Edward ones as a kid but could never remember the whole thing under pressure. I'm horrible with knowing instinctively my left and right inside/outside so the leg on the wall thing was genius...
I have NEVER heard that, but I love it! Hahaha!!
I'm the same way with left/right, so it was truly a revelation when someone told me that!
nice! i use the 'can make big fences' variety and 'red on right' phrases - definitely helpful!
Love the bay mares one, might have to write that out and stick it in my tack locker ☺
Post a Comment