U.S. patent application number 11/871977 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-16 for dressage flexion and extension training device and method.
Invention is credited to AARON WILSON.
Application Number | 20090098520 11/871977 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40534584 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090098520 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WILSON; AARON |
April 16, 2009 |
DRESSAGE FLEXION AND EXTENSION TRAINING DEVICE AND METHOD
Abstract
An efficient and economical dressage training device and method
that teaches dressage riders proper hip and elbow flexion and
extension instinctively establishing muscle memory patterns in the
rider.
Inventors: |
WILSON; AARON; (Agoura
Hills, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICES OF JOSEPH R. CRUSE, JR.
28215 AGOURA ROAD, SUITE 130
AGOURA HILLS
CA
91301
US
|
Family ID: |
40534584 |
Appl. No.: |
11/871977 |
Filed: |
October 13, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
434/258 ;
472/134; 472/95; 482/77 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/04 20130101;
A63B 2208/0233 20130101; A63B 26/003 20130101; A63B 41/00 20130101;
A63B 2209/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
434/258 ;
472/134; 472/95; 482/77 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/04 20060101
A63B069/04 |
Claims
1. A device for training a dressage rider or for a similar
equestrian rider proper hip and elbow flexion and extension to
remain in harmonious and influential motion while mounted, said
device comprising: A flexible ball, said ball constructed in whole
or in part of a rubber or similar material or a combination
thereof, said ball shaped in a round or oblong shape or similar
shape emulating the back of a horse, said ball may be
non-inflatable or inflatable; said ball containing an upper portion
for receiving a rider and a lower portion for contacting the
ground, said ball containing an attachment means to receive blocks
located on opposing sides of said ball; said attachment means
constructed of Velcro or other similar connecting material; said
ball containing blocks to contact the upper portion of the rider's
thighs to emulate a dressage saddle; said blocks attached to said
ball by an attachment means such as Velcro or similar connecting
material; said blocks constructed in whole or in part of foam,
rubber or plastic or similar material.
2. The device of claim 1, further comprising reins; Said reins
simulating the reins encountered by the rider on an actual
horse.
3. The device of claim 1, further comprising stirrups; Said
stirrups simulating the stirrups encountered by the rider on an
actual horse; Said stirrups constructed similar to stirrups found
on an actual riding saddle or, alternatively, constructed in the
form of blocks placed on the ground underneath the rider's
foot.
4. The device of claim 1, designed for riders of varying abilities,
wherein the shape of the device is adjusted to permit the maximum
amount of contact between the bottom surface of the ball with the
ground for beginner riders, an average amount of contact for
average riders and a minimal amount of contact for advanced
riders.
5. A method of equestrian training for a rider to maintain proper
hip and elbow flexion and extension for dressage riding having an
rounded ball, stirrups, thigh blocks, and reins, said method
comprising the steps of: positioning the rider upon the top of the
ball with the rider properly holding the rein's and the rider's
legs properly positioned with the thigh blocks and stirrups;
observing the rider and ball; adjusting the ball shape, thigh
blocks, stirrups and reins to allow for variations in proper rider
position and variations between the rider and the device; further
observing the rider and training device to ensure rider maintains
the proper hip and elbow flexion and extension to remain in
harmonious and influential motion while mounted.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a device and method for
training equestrian riders, and more particularly the present
invention relates to a device and method for training an equestrian
rider proper hip and elbow flexion and extension to remain more
harmonious and influential while mounted in dressage style
riding.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This invention relates to a training device and method for
dressage equestrian riding. The dressage rider must learn to keep
the seat on the horse's back in order to be more connected to the
horse's back. This is accomplished by raising and dropping the
thigh (hip flexion and extension), rather than griping or squeezing
the leg, in an attempt to hold on to the horse.
[0003] Along with the riders' hip action, the riders' arms must
also be trained so the contact between the riders' hand and the
horse's mouth through the reins remains steady and smooth.
[0004] The resulting effect leaves the leg and hand more
independent, from the riders' torso, enabling clearer and more
harmonious communication with the horse. This, coupled with the
horse's comfort and freedom, will enable the horse to do his job
more efficiently. To summarize, the horse and rider become more
connected and are working as one.
[0005] The invention gives the rider practical riding tools in an
inexpensive, safe and time efficient manner. Prior products and
methods are performed while the rider is mounted on horseback.
These products and methods do not permit the trainer to physically
place his hands on the rider to aid the rider in understanding
necessary principals and concepts.
[0006] The invention is a time-efficient way for the rider to gain
"time in the saddle" at home in a 20 minute period of time, rather
than the 2 to 3 hours it takes to drive to the barn, tack and ride
the horse, then the cool down and aftercare making the invention a
very economical and valuable tool to supplement a rider's riding
program.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly, the general object of the invention described
herein, several objects and advantages of the present invention
are: [0008] a) The present invention is a device and program to
teach dressage riders proper hip and elbow flexion and extension to
remain in harmonious and influential motion while mounted. [0009]
b) The ball can be shaped in an oblong shape such that it possesses
a shape that simulates a horse's back. [0010] c) An embodiment of
the present invention is an oblong inflatable ball with adjustable
block attachments. The block attachments are placed on the ball in
front of the rider's thigh, so that it simulates a dressage saddle.
[0011] d) The ball may be constructed in whole or in part of rubber
or any other similar material known to those of ordinary skill in
the art. [0012] e) The ball may be inflatable or non-inflatable.
[0013] f) The adjustable blocks may be constructed in whole or in
part of foam, rubber or plastic or any other similar material known
to those of ordinary skill in the art. [0014] g) The adjustable
blocks may be attached to the ball by Velcro or any other similar
connecting material known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0015] h) Another embodiment of the present invention contains
reins. The reins are connected in such a fashion to simulate the
reins that a rider will encounter on an actual horse. [0016] i)
Another embodiment of the present invention would be to include
stirrups. The stirrups are connected in such a fashion as to
simulate actual stirrups on a horse, and may take the form of
actual stirrups attached to the ball or simply be a block placed on
the ground underneath the rider's foot.
[0017] Still further objects and advantages will become apparent
from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawing.
SUMMARY
[0018] In accordance with the present invention, an efficient and
economical dressage training device and method that teaches
dressage riders proper hip and elbow flexion and extension
instinctively establishing muscle memory patterns in the rider.
DRAWINGS
Figures
[0019] The above and other aspects of the present invention will be
more apparent from the following more particular description
thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings
wherein:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the present
invention with a rider utilizing block stirrups and thigh
blocks;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the present
invention with a rider utilizing reins and thigh blocks;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a rear view of an embodiment of the present
invention with a rider;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a close up front view of an embodiment of the
present invention utilizing the adjustable thigh blocks;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a top view of an embodiment of the present
invention containing withers and placement for a saddle.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention
displaying a shape suited for an advanced rider;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention
displaying a shape suited for the beginner riders;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention
displaying a shape suited for the intermediate riders;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The following detailed description is of the best mode
presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. This
description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made
merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of the
invention.
[0029] FIG. 1 shows an equestrian training device (11) that
resembles an oblong ball. In the preferred embodiment of the
invention, the training device (11) is inflatable and my be
constructed in whole or in part of one of, or a combination of
rubber, foam or any other material known to those of ordinary skill
in the art.
[0030] The embodiment of the invention includes a base (12) and a
rounded smooth surface on the upper outside portion of the training
device (11) so as to permit a rider (13) to sit upon the top (14)
of the training device (11).
[0031] To better simulate dressage riding equipment, the training
device (11) is fitted with adjustable thigh blocks (15). The thigh
blocks (15) may be constructed of foam or a similar material and
are adjustable utilizing a fastening mechanism (16) such as
Velcro.
[0032] Stirrup blocks (17) may also be added to better simulate
riding equipment.
[0033] FIG. 2 shows the side view of the training device (11) with
a rider (13) holding reins (18) and the adjustable thigh blocks
(15).
[0034] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the training device (10) displaying
the rounded bottom portion (12) and rider (13) positioned on the
top portion (14).
[0035] FIG. 4 displays a detailed view of the adjustable thigh
block (15) secured to the training device (11) by means of a Velcro
attachment strip (16) limiting the movement of the thing of the
rider (13).
[0036] FIG. 5 shows a top view of an embodiment of the present
invention (1) displaying the upper portion (14) with an area to
place a saddle (20). As further displayed in this embodiment, the
training device (11) may be further shaped to emulate the shape of
the back of a horse, including the narrow area (20) with ers in
front (21).
[0037] In FIGS. 6-8 it is contemplated that the training device
(11) can be purchased in varying shapes. The shape of the training
device (11) can be purchased for advanced riders to allow the
minimal amount of contact between the base (12) and ground as
displayed in FIG. 6.
[0038] The training device (11) can be purchased for beginner
riders by permitting a large area of the base (12) to contact the
ground as displayed in FIG. 7.
[0039] The training device (11) can be purchased for intermediate
riders by permitting an average area of the base (12) to contact
the ground as displayed in FIG. 8.
[0040] These altered shapes can assist the riders depending on
their level of ability, whether it be for an experienced rider
(FIG. 6), beginning rider (FIG. 7) or intermediate rider (FIG.
9).
[0041] It is also anticipated that the training device (11) can be
inflated with air which shape can be varied by adjusting air
pressure inside the device (11).
* * * * *