Wednesday, January 6, 2016

My love/hate relationships with videos of my riding

I love a good picture of me and Paddy – you know, that video still you carefully select, or when the photographer captures that moment when you look like you’re in perfect harmony with your horse?

We look awesome!

…. And then I watch the video of my ride and am reminded that a photo captures but a moment in time, while the video tells the entire story. Often, that's not a story I want to see, much less show to anyone else.

HAHAHAHA! Just kidding.

In all honesty, I hate watching videos of myself.

But I do it anyway, because I learn SO MUCH. I can see the moments where I lose my position in the transitions, and see exactly how I lose it - and then I can work on fixing it. I can see how much Paddy braces on me and curls, and how much I brace back. I can see how craptastic my posting is on Taran (Seriously? When did I forget how to post?). Videos helped me figure out exactly how I'm sitting unevenly, and now I'm working on addressing the problem. If I'm watching videos of a lesson, I can listen to what my trainer was saying during each moment as the disaster unfolds and I try desperately to fix it.

(Present-time Me also now yells at Video Me to use more leg or put my hands down or SIT UP or whatever because I can see what needs doing from the ground but apparently can't yet feel it from the saddle. Alas, yelling doesn't seem to make any difference to Video Me.)

But don't take MY word for how helpful videos are. A recent study published in the January USDF Connection showed that young riders who received verbal instruction, watched videos of themselves receiving the instruction, then practicing showed significantly more improvement than those who just received verbal instruction and practiced.
 

So sucker your friends (or husband) into grabbing a little video of you next time you ride, then sit down and watch it. If you're like me and get depressed about how many things are wrong, pick out at least 2 things you are doing WELL, because I guarantee that you are. Then focus on one thing you'd like to improve, then really work on that in your next few rides.

PRO TIP: When watching videos, try not to let anyone catch you yelling at Video Self. Even my husband (who is pretty used to how weird I am) looks at me funny.

22 comments:

  1. I hate to admit it, but I really do agree with you. Especially as I try to learn a new discipline--I have to completely re-train my feel and that shit is HARD. Video shows me honestly where I'm at and really does allow me to improve.

    Now to start riding again...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, it's painful but worth it, and it's a great learning tool.

      Delete
  2. Videos are super handy. I try to prop my phone up somewhere for a video almost every ride. I always find something to work on, whether it's on me or my horse.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've never thought about propping up my phone - I'd probably end up videotaping the sky or something lol!

      Delete
  3. I also really dislike watching video of myself ride but have committed to getting video once a month.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The more I watch, the more I find it helpful.

      Delete
  4. I totally agree; video is so helpful for learning even if not flattering to look at. I really want to get one of those camera robots that records your riding for you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think a LOT of people hate watching videos! My sports psych recommends to only watch a video 3x, and then delete it. The first time to get over the "ACK WE LOOK TERRIBLE!" The second time to actually assess the ride, and the third time to find areas where you can improve or things you did well. Any more than that can be detrimental, according to her!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, your sports psych would have a field day with me because I watch them so many times. I find stuff the tenth time that I didn't initially see, because there's always so many things to look at!

      Delete
  6. I do take tons of videos with my GoPro like cam that I position in one of the corners in the arena - helps me a lot to synchronize my trainer's instructions and comments and my feel...and yes, we all find tons of things we hate - but for sure there are good moments as well - many good moments! We just tend to overcriticize #dressagedivas ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's true, we're all so critical of ourselves!

      Delete
  7. Agreed. I HATE watching video of myself, but I do it because I learn a lot. Chemaine knows how valuable the videos are which is why she'll use my ipad to video and talk to me through it knowing that I'll re-watch the lesson and "get" what she was trying to teach me. She is AWESOME about filming the right parts and adding good explanation. :0)

    By the way, Paddy put in a REALLY steady test in that clip. Nothing to be embarrassed about there!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I love watching videos of our lessons because I can see what my trainer is looking at when she makes a comment. That's SUPER helpful!

      Delete
  8. i'm pretty much a huge video junkie. jumping videos i mainly try revisit the ones where things went right so i can remember the pieces that made that happen. dressage tho - it's all so useful to watch (esp when it's from a lesson and my trainer is practically going stream-of-consciousness on me lol)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The trainer stream-of-consciousness is the BEST!

      Delete
  9. I love analysing video of myself! I also love self flagellation. I keep a whip with barbs on it within arm's reach at all times!

    But for real, I DO love analysing my videos. Even though I am so often cringing at wtffffff was I doing, it is so useful that I can't help but appreciate it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Er, you miiiiight want to reconsider that self-flagellation thing. Probably that doesn't help with riding any.

      Delete
  10. Especially when a ride feels good and then you see the video

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, usually I think my ride was crap and then I watch the video and am like "oh, that didn't suck nearly as bad as I thought."

      Delete
  11. I love videos for this very reason & 100% wish I had more videos of me riding for comparison and education. Maybe if I can get my shiz together enough to take weekly lessons I can convince someone knocking about at whatever time I'll be lessoning-via-headset to make some mini movies...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That would be awesome! Even if you can just sucker someone into it for 5 minutes, it's helpful!

      Delete