Geoff Teall on Riding Hunters, Jumpers and Equitation. Geoff Teall
Equitation as Art
There is an art to riding the horse. The art is in doing just enough with the training and doing just enough when you ride. A great rider is subtle in his movements. To any onlooker, it is not obvious what the rider is doing to make the horse respond. The point, in the end, is invisible aids.
Much riding today is nothing more than “Hollywood on horseback.” It is concerned with whether or not the riders are wearing the latest apparel. It is obsessed with how the horses look. It is all about long tails and current fashion. But, these surface aspects are not the foundation of good riding.
2.3 Equitation as a discipline doesn’t exist because it makes the rider look pretty on the horse. Instead, the rider looks good because a correct position allows the horse to move to the best of his ability.
As a rider and competitor, I want my horse to be in top shape and well groomed. Beyond that, however, cosmetics are unimportant. I am much more interested in my horse’s performance—and my own. Great performances come from great position.
JUDGE’S CARD
FORM AND FUNCTION
Which should take precedence: form or function?
In other words, should you ride in a correct position, knowing your horse might not have the training or the talent to respond correctly? Or, should you sacrifice position to make sure that the horse gets the job done? When you are not yet competing at the top levels, this can be a real dilemma.
This topic is a tricky part of judging. As a judge, my instinct is to favor function over form, if I must choose. But, it often depends on the individual riders in the class in question.
When I have a hard time deciding where I will lower my standards (as when pinning a lower-level equitation class), I consider everything in relation to the horse. Let’s say I must choose between two contestants:
One rider has excellent position but is stiff as a board and consequently annoys and bothers the horse.
The other rider has poorer position but is going with the flow and not irritating the horse.
I would let the horse be the deciding factor in this situation. I would pin the rider who is less offensive to the horse. To me, the horse is the best judge of a rider’s ability.
The ideal I am always looking for, however, is the rider with good style who isn’t so stiff and artificial that he affects the horse in an unnatural way.
The Classic Position
Over the hundreds of years that we have been training horses and riders, the ideal position of the rider on the horse has evolved (fig. 2.4).
“Correct” or “classic” position depends entirely upon the purpose of the ride. The proper position for a rider of classical dressage, for instance, is not the optimum classic position for a hunter or a jumper. Riding over fences depends on a position more suited for following, rather than influencing the horse (for more on riding to follow or to influence, see p. 122). Therefore, the proper, “classic” jumping position is a considerably more forward one, with the angles of the rider’s knees, hips, and elbows more pronounced than in classical dressage.
2.4 The classic hunt seat, or forward seat position on horseback is a perfect blend of form and function. Everything about it serves a purpose.
The correct position involves the rider sitting straight in the saddle with his legs stretched long and around the horse. The heels are down as deeply as possible to lower the rider’s center of gravity and improve stability.
The stomach and rib cage are lifted up a bit, improving the rider’s posture and giving a slight arch to the back.
The arms are soft and elastic, forming a straight line from the elbow to the bit. They allow the horse to be ridden with contact without putting pressure on the bars of the mouth.
The rider’s head is up and his eyes are looking ahead—further improving his balance and synchronicity with the horse. (For a more in-depth look at the various aspects of position, see chapter 9, Perfect Position: Understanding and Developing the Physical Aids.)
Correct position was created out of necessity. It is the easiest way to hold your balance and maintain your security on the horse. At the same time, it allows you to effectively communicate your wants and needs to the horse.
Good horsemanship is about being in a position where you can best influence your horse. The rider’s goal—the purpose of perfecting your position—is riding with independent hands and an independent seat.
Independent hands mean you do not rely on your hands for balance. You do not clutch at the reins to keep you on the horse. Independent hands allow you to relate to the horse’s mouth, head, and neck in specific ways. They guide the horse, but do not randomly interfere with him.
An independent seat means that you use only your leg and your base for balance and security on the horse. Obviously, being in the middle of the horse’s back, being secure in the saddle, being balanced, and being confident will help all of your riding—whether you ultimately want to ride jumpers or hunters, ride cross-country, go trail riding, or ride to hounds.
Keep It Simple
Riding isn’t complicated. It isn’t easy, either. It is a discipline that requires you to work hard at perfecting the basics, even though the “basics” are simple to understand. Keep your heels down. Establish an even pace. Maintain steady contact. These are not complicated concepts, but they can take a long time to master.
In the same vein, holding the reins isn’t physically difficult (it is quite simple, really), but you must hone the skills required so the reins feel natural in your hands rather than awkward.
The best rider is not great because he does all sorts of complicated or difficult moves on the horse. He isn’t the one who does bizarre, outrageous, obvious, or esoteric things.
The best rider is the one who does the simplest, most classic, most artful pieces of riding better than anybody else. His leg position is better than anybody else’s, and so is the position of his hands and his arms. His discipline, cleanliness, and timeliness are better. He excels in the simple things, and that gives him the foundation for greatness.
2.5 You want to be as much a part of the horse as possible so the two of you are better able to do interesting things together.
No One Said It Would Be Easy
I don’t believe the correct position is “easy.” In fact, when you begin riding it is easier to let your leg and heel come up and to allow your upper body to collapse forward.
It is better, however, if you can keep your weight down in your leg and stretch your legs so they are as long as possible. This ultimately offers a more secure seat and gives you better communication with the horse.
Similarly,