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Post by fancyhorse on Jan 19, 2010 17:53:58 GMT -5
I see LOTS of Hunter rides ride very forward like this: Photo 1:  VS Photo 2:  Is Photo1 a correct form of riding??? Because it would seem if the horse were to stumble or duck or wheel, she would go flying over his head! I do notice her leg looks pretty secure, but I just can't wrap my head around that she is leaning so far forward!! The girl in Photo 2 looks way more solid and ready for something. The girl who leases one of my horses, rides the same way and when I do give her lessons, I'm always telling her to sit back during the whole lesson. I do notice Dressage and Eventing riders look very secure. Am I the wrong one here?? I guess from riding so many 2yos, track horses, and greenies this is a very easy way of getting dumped! |
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Post by TeachU2Ride on Jan 19, 2010 18:17:25 GMT -5
Hunter seat equitation standards say the torso should be inclined 10 degrees in front of the vertical (barely perceptible) at the walk, sitting trot and canter, and 20 degrees in front of the vertical at the rising trot. So the 2nd photo is correct. But of course, there are all kinds of bad habits out there. Some are due to no or poor instruction, some due to laziness. You're right, the rider is photo one is not as secure as she could be, good leg or not, especially in the case of a hard spook/duck or trip. But at the same time, we don't want hunter riders to emulate the vertical position of dressage riders - the balance is different and should be. And don't even get me started on the range of "positions" over fences.  |
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Post by Einstein on Jan 19, 2010 18:28:59 GMT -5
The first picture seems to me to be an event type rider on a very green, unfit, young horse. I think it's fair to say one doesn't always look pretty on babies, but more of a pretty is as pretty does.
As for correct equitaion, what Teach said ;D
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Post by stonehollowfarm on Jan 19, 2010 18:37:08 GMT -5
i agree with the others, photo 2 is correct. i ride hunters and you see sooo many riders out there with a similar position to your first photo. i play around with the dressage and this has really helped me with my position and keeping me from any "bad habits". i do find that a lot of riders sometimes go into picture one position on the "greenies"...however, they should be sitting back and using their seat when riding the young ones.
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Post by fancyhorse on Jan 19, 2010 18:38:08 GMT -5
The first picture seems to me to be an event type rider on a very green, unfit, young horse. I think it's fair to say one doesn't always look pretty on babies, but more of a pretty is as pretty does. As for correct equitaion, what Teach said ;D Photo 1: The rider is riding a greenie, but shouldn't that be all the more reason to ride like Photo 2?  Teach: Thats why I stuck with the flat because I would have to post 1000 photos of different jumping position and I surely know whichs ones are correct! lol |
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Post by Einstein on Jan 19, 2010 18:50:10 GMT -5
Honestly I think it's apples to oranges. You are comparing one rider on what appears a green bean at home, to of what appears to be an older picture of a made show horse, in the show ring. I think if you found 2 pictures of the same, that would be easier to compare, plus, event riders do not ride like hunter riders or vice versa, nor should they.
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Post by whatsnottaken on Jan 19, 2010 19:43:56 GMT -5
I know several people who have been told by different people that their equitation is not text-book, but they have an effective riding style. I guess it's pretty is as pretty does, kind of like conformation versus performance divisions.
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Post by fancyhorse on Jan 19, 2010 19:47:21 GMT -5
Honestly I think it's apples to oranges. You are comparing one rider on what appears a green bean at home, to of what appears to be an older picture of a made show horse, in the show ring. I think if you found 2 pictures of the same, that would be easier to compare, plus, event riders do not ride like hunter riders or vice versa, nor should they. Actually, I would expect the rider on the more experienced horse to have a more forward riding position then a rider on a green horse. The lady in Photo 1 does not look like she is riding a green horse at all, her position spells too much confidence and trust in the green horse. The greener the horse the more defensive you'd think one would actually ride. |
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Post by fancyhorse on Jan 19, 2010 19:47:45 GMT -5
I know several people who have been told by different people that their equitation is not text-book, but they have an effective riding style. I guess it's pretty is as pretty does, kind of like conformation versus performance divisions. Some what agree, however if you are showing Eq Hunters, sadly text book is what you need to be competitive. |
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Post by fancyhorse on Jan 19, 2010 19:50:32 GMT -5
Ok, here is a photo off a OTTB rescue group on a green OTTB:  I'm not found of her lower leg, however she is not riding as far forward as that greenie in photo 1 |
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Post by easychoice on Jan 19, 2010 19:50:37 GMT -5
Back in the 60's when I first learned to ride, via Pony Club, they taught us to ride very forward (Like in the 1st photo). When I got back into riding a few years ago my instructor had a heck of a time trying to convince me I was leaning too far forward. Now I'm learning that by sitting up straighter I feel much more secure and better able to use my legs. It also helps Tony learn to move his weight off his forehand.
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Post by Einstein on Jan 19, 2010 19:56:08 GMT -5
Some what agree, however if you are showing Eq Hunters, sadly text book is what you need to be competitive. OK, so I guess I don't understand what you are asking. In the first post you show an event type rider and compare that picture to a picture of a made show hunter, in an old picture. So are you asking if the event rider should ride her horse like a hunter rider who is in the show ring? Or should hunter riders today ride like the one posted in the first post's picture, which was years ago? Call me confused  |
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Post by jenarby on Jan 19, 2010 21:43:45 GMT -5
I agree the pic 1 looks like an event rider and so does the 3rd pic. However I do like the 3rd rider's leg....would just like to see her sink her weight down in into her heels a little more.
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Post by Luci on Jan 19, 2010 23:30:21 GMT -5
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Post by elizabeth_h on Jan 20, 2010 10:11:57 GMT -5
Thanks for the vote of confidence Luci! But I will defer to the pros on what is correct...I have way too many faults of my own to be pointing fingers!
I can say that in the hunters (specifically, since that is what Fancy is asking about) you will see all kinds of riding styles. The horse is being judged, not the rider, so as long as the rider is still effective any equitation faults are not a huge deal. There is a pro here that goes around like a monkey, but somehow she is able to show her hunters really well. I don't know how she does it, but she has figured out how to be effective in an unorthodox way.
Anyway, to my eye the rider in picture 1 has her hip angle a bit too closed, but it bothers me more that she is looking down and that actually does tend make one lean forward so I bet if she looked up her hip angle would open a bit. Eyes down + leaning forward = eating dirt. In picture 2 the rider is looking up and forward.
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