Equitation?

Barnmouser Ash · Grand Prix

Equitation?

justice · Grand Prix

Overall I think you look just fine. If I was to be nitpicky, maybe a tad braced thru the thigh, or not (hard to tell how deep/soft your seat is with the boofy sweatshirt covering your bum : ).... I did notice the "ill-fitting hack" with the not so great contact : ) Horse is adorable!

Be mindful of your rein hand/shoulder as the shoulder has come slightly in front of the hip. Since this is a picture, and one fraction of a second as well as a static example, that's as far as I will comment : ) LOVE your leg... you HAVE legs!! I am jealous : )

Frame is fair tho looks stuffed into the "bad hack". There is no forward in her/his eye or butt. With a little more freedom in front and flow from behind, I think the horse would be quite nice, s/he really IS a cutie! : )

-- Edited by justice on Monday 13th of December 2010 06:46:05 AM

-- Edited by justice on Monday 13th of December 2010 06:48:29 AM

-- Edited by justice on Monday 13th of December 2010 06:49:56 AM

Jackie Cochran · Advanced

Both you and the horse are tense.

You are bracing in your stirrups, making your knees tense and pushing your seat up against the cantle. This tension is reflected in your hands though you seem to be giving the horse almost enough head room for comfort.

The horse is tense, and is delivering a much more impulsive trot than you are used to, which lead to the bracing in the saddle and your tension. This can end up in an unpleasant vicious circle for sure.

Try practicing gripping with your upper calf instead of with your knees and thighs. If you grip this way your hips and knees will be more relaxed meaning you can follow the horse's back better and you will be able to absorb the shocks better. Knee down, heel down, and upper calf grip, this REALLY helps security in the saddle! Also work on keeping your seat more forward toward the pommel.

For self-taught you are doing great. I was mostly self-taught, it has been only the last three years that I have had regular lessons, and this is in 40 years of riding.

I do not ride western so I cannot really critique the horse for western riding. As I said he is somewhat tense. At least part of the tension is because you are more or less up against the cantle which throws your weight over the weakest part of the horse's back. He does not look particularly pissed off at you, just uncomfortable, and he looks like he is trying to adapt to a rider with an insecure seat.

pbm969 · Well Schooled

Bad angle, but let's hear what you think? Be gentle with me. LOL

Sorry they're so small....

-- Edited by pbm969 on Thursday 30th of December 2010 09:57:23 AM

Barbara F · Grand Prix

I would probably be the most sought-after judge in the world, but I think you all look great! A little this or that to tweak, but the horses look happy and relaxed to my eye and everyone in these photos looks like they can ride.

-- Edited by Barbara F on Thursday 30th of December 2010 05:57:34 PM

justice · Grand Prix

Hi pbm : )

I think you all look great, too : )

Maybe pbm is a tad short in the stirrup or not fitting in the saddle ideally, looking a little chair seat-ish but as is said: bad angle. Second picture looks to have better lines.

Barnmouser Ash · Grand Prix

I agree with Justice on your pics, pbm. Could be a bad angle (the second picture looks much better) and as was noted with my pictures, western saddles tend to push your leg a little farther forward than an ideal "centered" seat, so I think you look pretty good! The only thing I'm nit-picky about is where your hands are. You look to have a very nice, soft hand but I'm not so sure you're getting the best contact with the height that you have them at. Maintaining a more direct line from mouth to elbow will get you better contact. Otherwise you look great :) Very cute horse, too!

pbm969 · Well Schooled

Thanks all! I wish I had some pics in the show pen, I am schooling in both shots here, thus the hand position. and I also school in my work saddle which unfortunately does throw my legs in the "Lazy Boy Recliner" position! LOL The show saddle has a better fender position for correct legs and of course, in the show pen I'm riding one handed dead centre. First pic was horsing around before a Fun Day at my place.....everyone loves to see Tina and I run the barrels and poles. We're not fast, but we're pretty! hahaha. Hopefully I can find some of us in the pen and let you have a go at them! Thanks for your input!

Barnmouser Ash · Grand Prix

I can't wait to see the fancy pics! You look great for just schooling! :)

pbm969 · Well Schooled

Oh she's a horse everyone should ride. She makes me look good. I'm a lucky gal.

justice · Grand Prix

I love when we blame the horse for the GOOD stuff once in a while : )

pbm969 · Well Schooled

Sorry it took so long, but here's a couple in the show pen....

Barrelracer106 · Yearling

Very nice pictures, too bad I don`t have any of me riding on this computer lol.

As for the first picture, very nice. The second, she seems to be on the forehand a bit, don`t hold me too this though, it might be how the picture caught her, it looks like she is pushing into her forehand more than she should. then again, might be the picture :).

barnfrog · Advanced

A good picture of proper equitation alignment is in the USEF rules (usef.org...then go to rules, then to specific type). In general, it is the same no matter the type...ear/shoulder/hip/back of heel aligned, upper arm vertical, straight line to horses mouth, etc. For me, I grew up with working horses, and western on the west coast (so riding with a rommel, no divided reins/flattened hands/etc). It is easy to sit too much onto the fanny and get into a chair seat. At any point could you follow a calf and not get left?