Riders in hunting events should have a entire range of positions in their repertory to be sure they get their horses successfully and safely thru the course. A hunter rider needs a highly advanced sense of balance, fluidity and rhythm. He should make the ride seem to be absolutely effortless, and he should cause it to look like he had no role to play in it at all, except sit in the saddle for decoration purposes. The rider blows it if he keeps shifting from 2 to 3 point when a jump's comes up. He should be able to easily nurse his pony through turns, however tight, and over slippery ground.
What the rider wants is control over the half seat.
The 3 seating positions are described in more detail below.
1. 3 point/full seat: While seated so, the rider's seat and inner thighs make up the 3 point. The higher part of the body should be erect, with an imaginary straight line thru the ears, the shoulders, the hips and the heels. This seat is utilized for flat work.
2) 2 point/jumping seat: The rider sits with hips lifted, pushing back a bit toward the saddle's cantle. The rider's seat isn't in touch with his saddle. He is connected to the saddle through his inner thighs, and this makes for the 2 points. The rider's weight is centred over his saddle such that he's not supporting his upper body with his hands or losing his leg support. This seat is meant for jumping.
3) Half seat: The rider closes his hip angle a tiny bit and raises his seat slightly, though not to the extent he loses full contact with his saddle. He's at the half way point between a 3 point position and a 2 point one.
A lot of riders have trouble with staying in a half seat. They become unstable and have a tendency to balance themselves on the hands so that they can support the upper body weight. This is definitely not recommended, since it does nothing for building up a leg-based support structure.
What have you got to do to set up this structure of support while staying balanced?
When supporting yourself with your hands, you are almost certainly pinching at the knees, which means you are imitating a wobble totter. You must try the exercise described below if you can get a buddy (ideally your coach) to lunge or lead your horse while you are in the saddle.
Get your pony to stand still (when necessary use your buddy or trainer to help), drop the reins, lift your hip a little and push it toward your saddle's cantle to take up a half seat or forward position. By doing this, you'll find your hip angle closing and the shoulders lowering. Raise your arms till they are level with the shoulders and maintain this position for a count of 10. You can stay balanced only if you keep your leg under and softly wrapped around your horse's barrel. Make sure your knee isn't pinching, because if it does your lower leg will get pushed off the barrel, making you pivot. Make sure you don't draw up your heels, as that would 'goose' your horse into going forward. All of your leg must stay supple and soft as it gently cuddles your horse's barrel. Let your knees open and the toes turn out naturally to point away at roughly 45 degrees from the horse's barrel. Your ankles, knees and hips have to be relaxed and soft because they function as shock absorbers. Try to release all tension in your legs, right from the joint with the body to the toes.
What the rider wants is control over the half seat.
The 3 seating positions are described in more detail below.
1. 3 point/full seat: While seated so, the rider's seat and inner thighs make up the 3 point. The higher part of the body should be erect, with an imaginary straight line thru the ears, the shoulders, the hips and the heels. This seat is utilized for flat work.
2) 2 point/jumping seat: The rider sits with hips lifted, pushing back a bit toward the saddle's cantle. The rider's seat isn't in touch with his saddle. He is connected to the saddle through his inner thighs, and this makes for the 2 points. The rider's weight is centred over his saddle such that he's not supporting his upper body with his hands or losing his leg support. This seat is meant for jumping.
3) Half seat: The rider closes his hip angle a tiny bit and raises his seat slightly, though not to the extent he loses full contact with his saddle. He's at the half way point between a 3 point position and a 2 point one.
A lot of riders have trouble with staying in a half seat. They become unstable and have a tendency to balance themselves on the hands so that they can support the upper body weight. This is definitely not recommended, since it does nothing for building up a leg-based support structure.
What have you got to do to set up this structure of support while staying balanced?
When supporting yourself with your hands, you are almost certainly pinching at the knees, which means you are imitating a wobble totter. You must try the exercise described below if you can get a buddy (ideally your coach) to lunge or lead your horse while you are in the saddle.
Get your pony to stand still (when necessary use your buddy or trainer to help), drop the reins, lift your hip a little and push it toward your saddle's cantle to take up a half seat or forward position. By doing this, you'll find your hip angle closing and the shoulders lowering. Raise your arms till they are level with the shoulders and maintain this position for a count of 10. You can stay balanced only if you keep your leg under and softly wrapped around your horse's barrel. Make sure your knee isn't pinching, because if it does your lower leg will get pushed off the barrel, making you pivot. Make sure you don't draw up your heels, as that would 'goose' your horse into going forward. All of your leg must stay supple and soft as it gently cuddles your horse's barrel. Let your knees open and the toes turn out naturally to point away at roughly 45 degrees from the horse's barrel. Your ankles, knees and hips have to be relaxed and soft because they function as shock absorbers. Try to release all tension in your legs, right from the joint with the body to the toes.
About the Author:
Horses are Heather Toms
passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
articles with other horse lovers click here
passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
articles with other horse lovers click here
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