Ranch Riding & More

A big thank you to the Friends of Ranch Riding & More — and to our September Show Sponsor, Elders Equine - Brandon, Elders Equine.

The Friends of RR&More Prize Fund was created as a way to put a little more back into our September Virtual Show exhibitors, and I’m incredibly grateful to the individuals and businesses who stepped up to help.

Thank you to Canada Equine Events, Lindsay Ann, Stablehand Leather Care, Trey Smith, Anne Van D**e, Claudia Zurmuhle and Gail Molsberry.

And a special thank you to Elder’s Equine, our September Show Sponsor, for supporting Ranch Riding & More and our exhibitors.

There’s still time to get into the Prize Fund draw!
September judging is underway, but until the last of the classes have been judged, we're leaving the draw open. Every $10 CAD contributed = one ballot for a chance to win an individual video evaluation with one of our 2026 Virtual Show judges.

You can find this page — and lots more from Ranch Riding & More — in our September Digital Magazine.

Read the September issue here:
Ranch Riding & More — September Digital Magazine

https://heyzine.com/flip-book/999c56d377.html

And thank you again to everyone who has helped us put a little more back into the people who stepped into the September show pen with us.

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who got their September Virtual Show videos submitted!

I've had a chance to see a little bit of many of the videos as they've been coming in, and there's something I really want to say.

So many of you are looking more confident — and your runs have really improved.
Some of you have been riding with us through more than one show now, and I can see the difference. You're looking more comfortable, more confident, and more settled in what you're doing.

And I'm noticing it in the setups too. The layouts are looking good, and people seem much more comfortable figuring out how to use the space they have and make the patterns work at home. You're getting the hang of this virtual showing thing!

And then there are the helpers.

Some of your helpers worked VERY hard to make these videos happen — especially the four-legged ones.

I won't name names, but one particular Showmanship helper had the most comical expression on their face and made me laugh out loud. 😂

And I have to mention the people behind the cameras. I can sometimes hear the quiet encouragement from the person filming — apparently it's pretty hard to just stand there and hold the camera when you're invested in how the pattern turns out!

Between setting patterns, moving obstacles, filming, encouraging, opening gates and managing the four-legged assistants, there can be quite a crew behind one little video.

It's really fun to see everyone getting invested in the outcome.

And now it's time to hand things over to our September judge, Jodie Moore.

Jodie...I hope you've cleaned your glasses. 😂

Let the judging begin!

Good luck, everyone — and thank you for riding with Ranch Riding & More.

P.S. Our Friends of Ranch Riding & More Prize Fund is still open! We’ll keep it open until all of our September judging has been returned, so there’s still time to get your name into the draw. Every contribution of $10 CAD or more gets your name in for a chance to win one of three individual video evaluations with one of our 2026 Virtual Show judges — and 100% of contributions go back to our September exhibitors as prize money.

The “What Is…?” Series Continues

We started our What Is…? series by looking at the ranch performance classes we offer through Ranch Riding & More. We're not finished exploring ranch classes, but we're also going to start looking at some of the riding terms and concepts we hear all the time.
The goal is simple: clear, practical explanations in plain language. There's often much more you can explore, but we're going to start with what it means, why it matters and how it applies to everyday riding — without making it more complicated than it needs to be.

First up:

WHAT IS A DIAGONAL?

You’ve probably heard someone say, “Check your diagonal,” “Change your diagonal,” or maybe the old standby, “Rise and fall with the leg on the wall.”

But what exactly is a diagonal — and more importantly, why does it matter?

At the trot, your horse’s legs move in diagonal pairs. The left front moves with the right hind, and the right front moves with the left hind.

When we post the trot — rising and sitting with the horse’s movement — we’re also moving in rhythm with those diagonal pairs.

That’s where being on a particular diagonal comes from.

When riding around an arena, you’ll commonly hear:

“Rise and fall with the leg on the wall.”

In simple terms, you rise as the horse’s outside front leg reaches forward and sit as it comes back.

But why does it matter?

On a circle or through a turn, your horse has to balance his body differently than he does travelling on a straight line.

Using the appropriate diagonal helps us work with that movement and balance rather than continually loading the same side in the same way.

But here’s where we sometimes make things more complicated than they need to be.

If you’re trotting straight down a trail, which diagonal is the “correct” one?

Well…correct for what?

There isn't really an inside and outside when you're travelling straight ahead.

That doesn't mean you should forget about diagonals altogether.

If you're posting for a longer stretch, changing your diagonal periodically means you aren't always rising and sitting with the same diagonal pair.

Think of carrying a heavy feed bucket.

You might be perfectly comfortable carrying it in your right hand — but if you're walking all the way back from the barn, eventually you'll probably switch hands.

Not because the other hand suddenly became the correct one.

You're simply changing the load.

Same idea.

What about in the show pen?

This is where it helps to know the rules for the particular class you're riding.

In some ranch performance classes, you may not receive a specific penalty simply because you're posting on the incorrect diagonal. But that doesn't necessarily mean it makes no difference.

A rider posting in rhythm with the appropriate diagonal through a circle, turn or change of direction can create a more balanced, polished and natural-looking overall picture.

And then there are classes where it matters much more.

In horsemanship and equitation-type classes, knowing your diagonals — and being able to recognize and change them without disrupting your horse — is an important riding skill and may be part of what is being evaluated.

So knowing your diagonals isn't just about avoiding a penalty.

It's about understanding what's happening underneath you and being able to make a deliberate choice instead of simply hoping you're on the right one.

And if you're trotting straight down the trail and suddenly realize you've been on the same diagonal for a while?

Change it. Give the other side a turn.

No crisis required.

That's really the point of understanding diagonals:

Know what they are. Know when they matter. And know when you don't need to make them more complicated than they are.

Ranch Riding & More

The September issue of Ranch Riding & More is HERE!

Our fourth issue is now live — and this one really reflects what Ranch Riding & More is becoming.

Inside you'll find our August Virtual Show highlights, meet September judge Jodie Moore, head Beyond the Show Pen, explore where the ranch performance classes came from, and find more from around the RR&More community.

And there are lots of real riders, real horses and real ranch country throughout this issue.

A huge thank you to everyone who has submitted photos. Your photos are helping us show the people, horses and places that make up this community — so please keep them coming!

We've also made this issue more interactive. Watch for clickable links throughout the magazine that will take you directly to more RR&More information and opportunities.

Grab a coffee and have a read.

September Ranch Riding & More:
https://heyzine.com/flip-book/999c56d377.html

And if you enjoy it, share the magazine with a friend who might enjoy it too.

Ranch Riding & More Ranch Riding & More Virtual Show Series Gail Molsberry Angelica McLoughlin Stablehand Leather Care Elders Equine Elders Equine - Brandon Anne Van D**e Jodie Moore Lillian Evaniew-Phelan Claudia Zurmuhle Lindsay Ann Trey Smith

WE’RE GETTING CLOSER TO $300!

Our Friends of Ranch Riding & More September Prize Fund has reached $235!

Thank you to everyone who has helped us keep that total growing. 100% of every contribution goes directly back to our September Virtual Show exhibitors as prize money.

And there’s still time to get your name into our Friends draw!

Contribute $10 or more and you’ll be entered for a chance to win one of THREE individual video evaluations with one of our 2026 Virtual Show judges:

Lindsay Grice — July Judge
Lillian Evaniew-Phelan — August Judge
Jodie Moore — September Judge

Three winners will each submit a short video of one maneuver OR obstacle of their choice and receive individual evaluation and feedback from one of our judges.

You do not have to be entered in the September Virtual Show to participate or win.

There is no minimum contribution to become a Friend — every dollar adds to what we can give back to our exhibitors. Contributions of $10 or more also put your name into the draw.

We’re just $65 away from $300.

Think we can get there?

Become a Friend of Ranch Riding & More

Ranch Riding & More Virtual Show Series

THANK YOU, Gail Molsberry

A big thank you to Gail Molsberry for becoming a Friend of Ranch Riding & More and supporting our September Prize Fund!

Gail's contribution has helped bring our fund to $235, with 100% going directly back to our September Virtual Show exhibitors as prize money.

Every contribution adds to what we can give back to the people who stepped into the pen with us this month, and we truly appreciate Gail adding her support.

Thank you, Gail, for helping make it happen!

&More

🎥 **SEPTEMBER SHOW — VIDEO SUBMISSION REMINDER**

September show videos are starting to come in!

Just a quick reminder that **all show videos need to be submitted through the official Video Submission Form** — please don’t send your video links to me by email or Messenger.

Using the form makes sure your video is:

• matched to the correct horse, rider and class
• recorded as officially received
• organized properly for judging
• less likely to get missed in my inbox or messages

You’ll also receive a **submission confirmation** when you enter your email address in the form, so you know your video has been received.

📌 **Please save or bookmark this link now:**

https://ranchridingnmore.fillout.com/september-video-submission

**Submit each class separately.**

Videos are due **September 27**.

If you’ve already sent a video directly to me, please take a minute to submit it through the form as well so I have it properly recorded with the rest of the show entries.

Thank you! It really does help keep everything organized as the videos start rolling in.

Ranch Riding & More Virtual Show Series

THANK YOU, Anne Van D**e & Claudia Zurmuhle!

We have two more Friends of Ranch Riding & More to thank!

A big thank you to Anne Van D**e and Claudia Zurmuhle for supporting our September Prize Fund. Their contributions have helped bring our fund to $185, with 100% going directly back to our September Virtual Show exhibitors as prize money.

Anne and Claudia also have their ballots in our draw for one of three individual video evaluations with our 2026 Virtual Show judges.

Winners can submit a maneuver or obstacle of their choice — in-hand or ridden — for individual evaluation and feedback.

If you’re new to Ranch Riding & More, our Friends of Ranch Riding & More Prize Fund is a way to support our Virtual Show exhibitors while also having a chance to receive some individual feedback of your own.

There’s still time to become a Friend and take part in the draw — and we’d love to see that $185 keep growing!

Become a Friend of Ranch Riding & More:

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/XJyViiUKgP?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Thank you, Anne and Claudia, for supporting our exhibitors and Ranch Riding & More Virtual Show Series!

YOU STILL HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN ONE OF THREE VIDEO EVALUATIONS!

Our Friends of Ranch Riding & More September Prize Fund is still open — and 100% of every contribution goes directly back to our September Virtual Show exhibitors as prize money.

And you still have a chance to have one of our three 2026 Virtual Show judges evaluate a maneuver or obstacle of your choice.

Contribute $10 or more and your name goes into the draw for one of THREE individual video evaluations with:

Lindsay Grice — July Judge
Lillian Evaniew-Phelan — August Judge
Jodie Moore — September Judge

We’ll draw three winners, and each winner can submit a short video of one maneuver OR obstacle of their choice for individual evaluation and feedback from one of our judges.

Maybe it’s a transition, sidepass, back, circle, stop, pivot — or an obstacle you’ve been working on and would like an experienced judge to take a closer look at.

You do NOT have to be entered in the September Virtual Show to win.

👉 Become a Friend of Ranch Riding & More:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/XJyViiUKgP

There is no minimum contribution to become a Friend. Every contribution helps build the prize fund. Contribute $10 or more and you’re also entered in the draw.

Our Friends will receive their own recognition post from Ranch Riding & More and will also be recognized in the Ranch Riding & More Digital Magazine.

Our September Prize Fund currently stands at $128 — and we’d love to see it grow.

Whether you’d like to throw $5 into the prize pot, or contribute $10 or more for your chance at one of the three video evaluations, every dollar adds to what we can give back to our exhibitors.

Support our exhibitors. Help grow the prize fund. And you could have one of our judges take a closer look at something you’ve been working on.

Ranch Riding & More Ranch Riding & More Virtual Show Series Lillian Evaniew-Phelan Jodie Moore

OFF THE RAIL

It’s the little things.

Your head weighs roughly 10–12 pounds.

Have you ever thought about where you're putting those 10–12 pounds when you ride?

Look down at your horse.
Tip your head into a circle.
Look down at the pole you're trying not to hit.
Turn to see where you're going in a back.

Your head moved.

But what else moved with it?

A shoulder? A hip? Your weight in the saddle? Did one hand move? Did one leg suddenly become a little stronger?

And here's something else we don't always think about.

You can move your eyes without moving your head.

Of course there are times we need to turn our head. We need to look ahead, plan our line and see where we're going. The point isn't to sit there like a statue.

It's learning to be aware of how much of ourselves we're moving — and what happens when we do.

It reminds me a little of cooking.

There doesn't look like much difference between ¼ teaspoon and ½ teaspoon of salt sitting in a measuring spoon. But put it into the right recipe and that little difference can completely change the result.

Riding can be a bit like that.

A small tip of your head doesn't look like much. But if a shoulder follows, your weight shifts onto one seat bone, a hand moves or the pressure of a leg changes, you've just changed several things your horse can feel.

Now put that into a pattern.

A small change on a circle can change your shape or contribute to the horse falling in or drifting out.

Turn to look behind you in a straight back and your weight may shift just when you're asking your horse to stay on a straight line.

Look down through a transition and your upper body may change at the very moment you're asking your horse to stay balanced.

Lean over to watch the feet in a sidepass and you've changed your weight while asking the horse to move sideways.

Look down at the pole you're trying not to hit and you may change your line before you even get there.

And then sometimes we correct the horse.

Sometimes he needs correcting.

But sometimes it's worth noticing what happened on top first.

The answer isn't to stop moving your head. It's to become more aware of what happens to the rest of you when you do.

Learn to use your eyes without automatically moving your whole head every time you want to check something. When you do need to turn your head, notice what follows it.

Did your shoulder turn?
Did a hip drop?
Did your weight shift?
Did your hand move?

That's body awareness — and it's something we can practice.

Because sometimes the difference between the maneuver we wanted and the maneuver we got may have started with something very small.

A glance.
A tipped head.
A dropped shoulder.
A small shift of weight.

It's the little things.

And the first step isn't necessarily correcting them.

It's noticing them.