Comments on: Equitation http://abovelevel.com/2009/09/22/equitation-2/ The Morgan Horse Show Blog Mon, 14 May 2012 13:27:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: RaeOfLight http://abovelevel.com/2009/09/22/equitation-2/comment-page-1/#comment-8643 RaeOfLight Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:45:22 +0000 http://abovelevel.com/?p=2061#comment-8643 Thanks for the comments everyone. The main reason I asked about this is because I was thinking about my own riding abilities. I consider myself to have a respectable seat, balance, etc. However, I have never had much equitation training. I'm just curious if I would see much benefit from equitation training at this point? Obviously I can't compete in equitation classes, and to a certain degree any (knowledgeable) instruction is going to improve a rider. But I wasn't sure if this would be something I should actively pursue or not. Thanks for the comments everyone.

The main reason I asked about this is because I was thinking about my own riding abilities. I consider myself to have a respectable seat, balance, etc. However, I have never had much equitation training. I’m just curious if I would see much benefit from equitation training at this point? Obviously I can’t compete in equitation classes, and to a certain degree any (knowledgeable) instruction is going to improve a rider. But I wasn’t sure if this would be something I should actively pursue or not.

]]> By: jns767 http://abovelevel.com/2009/09/22/equitation-2/comment-page-1/#comment-8634 jns767 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 23:21:30 +0000 http://abovelevel.com/?p=2061#comment-8634 oh geez, I wish I could edit my comment. Sorry about the random subject changes..... oh geez, I wish I could edit my comment. Sorry about the random subject changes…..

]]> By: jns767 http://abovelevel.com/2009/09/22/equitation-2/comment-page-1/#comment-8633 jns767 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 23:20:19 +0000 http://abovelevel.com/?p=2061#comment-8633 I am almost always trying to keep up with my eq. skills. Since I'm no longer a jr. exhib. rider, I find that when I do have lessons, they're much more concentrated on the horse as opposed to how I look upon that horse. I have been told not to worry about what I look like but instead ride however I can to best help my horse look his/her best. Hmmmm.....I still want to look good though, and would really love a good old fashioned equitation lesson here and there. Anyway, I've noticed some haunchy shoulders, poor heel/leg positions and bizarre head positions on older/professional/ammy riders. I know I struggle with my lower leg being too far forward and I feel like no matter what I do, I'm always looking at my horses' head instead of where I'm going. But I think that some ammys/pros can give the eq. riders a run for their money: Kelly Kraegel Varner is imo, one of them :) The last part is off topic a bit, but as far as extreme equitation lessons go - - - - seriously, the most intense equitation lessons I've had were from hunter/jumper trainers. You have to be correct on your horse before you jump for your own safety, so I also learned a great deal during those lesons and feel that it made me a better rider as a whole. I am almost always trying to keep up with my eq. skills. Since I’m no longer a jr. exhib. rider, I find that when I do have lessons, they’re much more concentrated on the horse as opposed to how I look upon that horse. I have been told not to worry about what I look like but instead ride however I can to best help my horse look his/her best. Hmmmm…..I still want to look good though, and would really love a good old fashioned equitation lesson here and there.

Anyway, I’ve noticed some haunchy shoulders, poor heel/leg positions and bizarre head positions on older/professional/ammy riders. I know I struggle with my lower leg being too far forward and I feel like no matter what I do, I’m always looking at my horses’ head instead of where I’m going. But I think that some ammys/pros can give the eq. riders a run for their money: Kelly Kraegel Varner is imo, one of them :)
The last part is off topic a bit, but as far as extreme equitation lessons go – - – - seriously, the most intense equitation lessons I’ve had were from hunter/jumper trainers. You have to be correct on your horse before you jump for your own safety, so I also learned a great deal during those lesons and feel that it made me a better rider as a whole.

]]> By: leslie http://abovelevel.com/2009/09/22/equitation-2/comment-page-1/#comment-8632 leslie Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:08:47 +0000 http://abovelevel.com/?p=2061#comment-8632 If you're looking for creative interpretations of saddle seat riding position, I think you'll have better luck looking at Saddlebred trainers than Morgan. Things are changing, but historically most of the top trainers in the Saddlebred world are lifelong riders who grew up in the horse world and possibly never had a formal riding lesson, certainly not an equitation lesson. Also, the majority of the old timers are male, and there definitely seems to be a gender line when it comes to adherence to equitation (with exceptions on both sides, of course.) Nowadays I think more young trainers come up through lesson programs and jr exhibitor/equitation ranks rather than just being born into the business. If you’re looking for creative interpretations of saddle seat riding position, I think you’ll have better luck looking at Saddlebred trainers than Morgan.

Things are changing, but historically most of the top trainers in the Saddlebred world are lifelong riders who grew up in the horse world and possibly never had a formal riding lesson, certainly not an equitation lesson. Also, the majority of the old timers are male, and there definitely seems to be a gender line when it comes to adherence to equitation (with exceptions on both sides, of course.)

Nowadays I think more young trainers come up through lesson programs and jr exhibitor/equitation ranks rather than just being born into the business.

]]> By: Jennifer http://abovelevel.com/2009/09/22/equitation-2/comment-page-1/#comment-8631 Jennifer Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:32:34 +0000 http://abovelevel.com/?p=2061#comment-8631 Thanks Stacy for clarifying my statement. I also agree that it is a matter of education. If you were taught proper form it is much easier to attain on a day to day basis. My biggest problem is that I put my lower leg to far back. This is a consequence of NOT having adjustable stirrup bars and constantly have to strain to get them in position. Now as an adult with a proper fitting saddle I work to keep them a bit forward, ongoing battle. Thanks Stacy for clarifying my statement. I also agree that it is a matter of education. If you were taught proper form it is much easier to attain on a day to day basis.
My biggest problem is that I put my lower leg to far back. This is a consequence of NOT having adjustable stirrup bars and constantly have to strain to get them in position. Now as an adult with a proper fitting saddle I work to keep them a bit forward, ongoing battle.

]]> By: StacyGRS http://abovelevel.com/2009/09/22/equitation-2/comment-page-1/#comment-8630 StacyGRS Fri, 25 Sep 2009 01:02:51 +0000 http://abovelevel.com/?p=2061#comment-8630 I believe the comment about Beezie and Margie was about the fact that they have to stay on while going over large fences...the consequences for bad balance are a bit more severe in their world. That said, alot of us get sloppy because we don't work on our eq. I can't speak for all of the people you mentioned (thank you, btw, for inculding me in the list that doesn't offend you:) showed equitation for years as kids...it is HOW we were taught. You can know good equitation from bad, but, without concentrating on it for years, it is not going to become second nature enough for you to not think about it anymore and have it still be reasonable. Proper equitation form is the most efficient way to ride, meaning you are put in a place and position that you don't have to overcome balance issues, fight momentum, etc, but, those that didn't learn that way learned to overcome these things and do their job despite the disadvantage they had in their form. Most that learn as adults, or even learn proper position after having ridden for years and developed habits, will struggle to change those things...it will take alot more than a week of lunge lessons to adjust years and years of habits...I promise:) When you see someone that has form you appreciate, they put years into it. It may have been long, long ago, but they did:) Stacy I believe the comment about Beezie and Margie was about the fact that they have to stay on while going over large fences…the consequences for bad balance are a bit more severe in their world.
That said, alot of us get sloppy because we don’t work on our eq. I can’t speak for all of the people you mentioned (thank you, btw, for inculding me in the list that doesn’t offend you:) showed equitation for years as kids…it is HOW we were taught. You can know good equitation from bad, but, without concentrating on it for years, it is not going to become second nature enough for you to not think about it anymore and have it still be reasonable. Proper equitation form is the most efficient way to ride, meaning you are put in a place and position that you don’t have to overcome balance issues, fight momentum, etc, but, those that didn’t learn that way learned to overcome these things and do their job despite the disadvantage they had in their form. Most that learn as adults, or even learn proper position after having ridden for years and developed habits, will struggle to change those things…it will take alot more than a week of lunge lessons to adjust years and years of habits…I promise:) When you see someone that has form you appreciate, they put years into it. It may have been long, long ago, but they did:)
Stacy

]]> By: Tea http://abovelevel.com/2009/09/22/equitation-2/comment-page-1/#comment-8628 Tea Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:56:15 +0000 http://abovelevel.com/?p=2061#comment-8628 I'm not sure what that this means: "The trainers get sloppy and they don’t have to, because unlike Beezie & Margie, Morgan and Saddlebred trainers don’t fall off just going around the ring." I can't recall the last time I saw either of these woman, Beezie or Margie, just fall off their mounts for no reason just going around the ring. But anywho...I have to agree that what I have witnessed it is a predominently male thing. I must add that Judy W's balance and self carriage has always been outstanding. I’m not sure what that this means: “The trainers get sloppy and they don’t have to, because unlike Beezie & Margie, Morgan and Saddlebred trainers don’t fall off just going around the ring.” I can’t recall the last time I saw either of these woman, Beezie or Margie, just fall off their mounts for no reason just going around the ring.

But anywho…I have to agree that what I have witnessed it is a predominently male thing. I must add that Judy W’s balance and self carriage has always been outstanding.

]]> By: Jennifer http://abovelevel.com/2009/09/22/equitation-2/comment-page-1/#comment-8627 Jennifer Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:34:48 +0000 http://abovelevel.com/?p=2061#comment-8627 Maybe it is just a male characteristic, then. Maybe it is just a male characteristic, then.

]]> By: colwilrin http://abovelevel.com/2009/09/22/equitation-2/comment-page-1/#comment-8623 colwilrin Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:15:09 +0000 http://abovelevel.com/?p=2061#comment-8623 I don't know. I am trying to think of top trainers with bad equitation...and am drawing a fairly large blank. Mary Carlton, Kathleen Peeples, Stacy Hennessey, Jenny Taylor, Amanda DuPont, Katie Mair, Judy Whitney, ...the list goes on...all have equitation beyond what I would criticize. On the other hand...it is easy to pick out 3-4 riders from almost every equitation class I have watched this season who are completely oblivious to what their horse looks like. Either that, or they are too afraid that they may move a hair out of position if they ask the horse to set its head, or move forward at the trot. If I had to pick what was the more significant problem, I would say that it is riders neglecting proper horsemanship because they are concentrating too hard on their own equitation. I don’t know. I am trying to think of top trainers with bad equitation…and am drawing a fairly large blank. Mary Carlton, Kathleen Peeples, Stacy Hennessey, Jenny Taylor, Amanda DuPont, Katie Mair, Judy Whitney, …the list goes on…all have equitation beyond what I would criticize.

On the other hand…it is easy to pick out 3-4 riders from almost every equitation class I have watched this season who are completely oblivious to what their horse looks like. Either that, or they are too afraid that they may move a hair out of position if they ask the horse to set its head, or move forward at the trot.

If I had to pick what was the more significant problem, I would say that it is riders neglecting proper horsemanship because they are concentrating too hard on their own equitation.

]]> By: Jennifer http://abovelevel.com/2009/09/22/equitation-2/comment-page-1/#comment-8622 Jennifer Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:29:33 +0000 http://abovelevel.com/?p=2061#comment-8622 The trainers get sloppy and they don't have to, because unlike Beezie & Margie, Morgan and Saddlebred trainers don't fall off just going around the ring. It is the best way to ride, look at Judy Whitney. She was always in position and her horses were fabulous. I think the whole picture would improve, no more careening through corners, if the trainers would at least sit up. The trainers get sloppy and they don’t have to, because unlike Beezie & Margie, Morgan and Saddlebred trainers don’t fall off just going around the ring.
It is the best way to ride, look at Judy Whitney. She was always in position and her horses were fabulous. I think the whole picture would improve, no more careening through corners, if the trainers would at least sit up.

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