I came across this video of Laura Chapot (daughter of 2 Olympic equestrians; Frank and Mary Chapot) riding Gem Twist (the horse that was cloned) to win a jumper Grand Prix.
Take a look at her legs, stirrup length, body positions –all while riding an eager horse over a tough course.
This is what good Hunt Seat riding should look like, no exaggerated short stirrups, leaning too far forward, ducking; just good useful riding, whether on the flat or over big fences.
I don't know what you're getting at. Are you seeing excessively short stirrups and leaning somewhere, that got you thinking about this? If you're referring to the hunter "perch" that is sometimes seen, it was more of a Hunter Eq ring thing and has really phased back out, in favor of more realistic and effective seats. I actually see the opposite in the ASB ring - riders with stirrups that are FAR too long, are sitting up ramrod straight with shoulders actually tipped slightly back , and hands held up a la saddle seat. That's scary too.
I agree that this is an excellent example of good useful riding. Now I'm wishing some folks I foxhunt with would watch this video and learn about sitting deep and actually *riding* your horse to a jump!
Last edited by asb_own_me : 07-16-2009 at 03:52 PM.
Wow, yes, her equitation is very non-typical- longer stirrups and much more upright than you usually see in the hunter ring. I kindof liked seeing that position, as it's closer to what is used in other seats, but if she were showing on the flat I would probably want her to shorten her stirrups about one notch and pike an eensy bit forward so she doesn't look like she's sitting on her butt. But then again, now we see- what exactly is the function of that kind of show-ring equitation if she can show us quite obviously that you can jump very succesfully riding in a more universal, non-exaggerated position. I still would like to see her stirrups just a tad shorter- her pelvis probably barely cleared her pommel over those big jumps.
Cool video though, thanks for posting it- I have never seen him in action- he was one of my first Breyer horses.
In looking through the (Open Shows Hunter) Medals Finals videos on Youtube I noticed more than a few riders bracing their hands on horses' necks in a long crest 'release', getting ahead of their stirrups to the point of falling forward if the horse slowed or shortened stride even slightly, neither sitting nor in 2-point at the canter but doing a definite bouncing seat with very loose lower legs...
and I 'm not going to post links as I think we need to find and emulate the good, not dwell on the errors. So yes, I am seeing average and unsafe riding winning in the ring on push-button Eq. horses more than I would like.
I think it is difficult to find good models when going between disciplines; people can only try to match what they see and that should be as good as we can find, rather than just 'picture perfect' in a static moment.
I realize that Laura is in a 'safety' type seat here, prepared for any reaction including a stop or run-out from a very powerful horse, part of the reason for the longer stirrup length and upright torso, appropriate to the moment, and never seen over the jumps. Her hands are completely independent and active exactly as needed, no more no less; sliding forward along the sides of the horse's neck to allow extension during the jump.
So, Samigator, tell me why she needs to clear the pommel by more than 2 inches?
...and yes, this does remind me of a big engined, go-forward Park or Gaited Saddlebred and why Saddleseat position is made for dealing with that kind of generosity.
So, Samigator, tell me why she needs to clear the pommel by more than 2 inches?
I never said she needs to clear the pommel by more than 2 inches, it just doesn't feel real great to hit the pommel with that kind of potential force. I can imagine that would be particularly uncomfortable for a man. . .
Wow, yes, her equitation is very non-typical- longer stirrups and much more upright than you usually see in the hunter ring. I kindof liked seeing that position, as it's closer to what is used in other seats, but if she were showing on the flat I would probably want her to shorten her stirrups about one notch and pike an eensy bit forward so she doesn't look like she's sitting on her butt. But then again, now we see- what exactly is the function of that kind of show-ring equitation if she can show us quite obviously that you can jump very succesfully riding in a more universal, non-exaggerated position. I still would like to see her stirrups just a tad shorter- her pelvis probably barely cleared her pommel over those big jumps.
Cool video though, thanks for posting it- I have never seen him in action- he was one of my first Breyer horses.
For the record, her father has been Chef D'Equipe of the Olympic team, and rode on it- her mother did, as well, and I believe won the finals. This is one of the toughest horses to ride around a course I had ever seen- he was just so athletic. I was standing next to the fence that Greg Best crashed him through at Devon- effectively ending their partnership. This was at the end of his career, and she showed him when she was just starting Grand Prix. She is now one of the very best show jumping riders in the country.
I know that I sure as heck don't have anything that I could teach her, and I did the hunters/jumpers at the A level, eons ago...
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For the record, her father has been Chef D'Equipe of the Olympic team, and rode on it- her mother did, as well, and I believe won the finals. This is one of the toughest horses to ride around a course I had ever seen- he was just so athletic. I was standing next to the fence that Greg Best crashed him through at Devon- effectively ending their partnership. This was at the end of his career, and she showed him when she was just starting Grand Prix. She is now one of the very best show jumping riders in the country.
I know that I sure as heck don't have anything that I could teach her, and I did the hunters/jumpers at the A level, eons ago...
I hope I didn't come across as thinking I know more than she does about how to ride a horse! I have all the respect in the world for her, her parents, and how they've come to be such wonderful horsepeople, even though I don't know much about them. I'm not knocking them at all, I would never volunteer to ride that horse over those fences, I'd be too scared for my life! DBaldStockings asked for thoughts on her equitation in comparison to what is seen in the hunter show ring, so that's what I gave.
I guess I was thinking that I loved the way Laura's horses (now) all look confident and happy going around courses doing their jobs.
Position based equitation is a foundation for communication between horse and rider: two species with different languages. From there, you have the tools to become a great horseman or poor one:
Sort of like learning vocabulary and grammar before going on to become a great novelist or just a hack writer. There are riders in Grand Prix jumping with technically 'better' position yet their horses do not go as well.
I hear so much discussion that 'this discipline _____ fill in the blank is better riding than that other ____ fill in the blank discipline'. Yet personally, I see so many similarities in good, effective riding: from the security of the horseman in the saddle, their ability to precisely communicate with the horse, their horse's eagerness and blossoming of their talent.
And I keep seeing upper level GP Jumpers that remind me strongly of Country Pleasure Saddlebreds in conformation and way of going. I just can't help but wonder if there is a great Jumper-to-be out there somewhere who only needs a rider who believes in him /her...
Always outside the box, now -alas, it is a perpective difficult to share.
I don't know what you're getting at. Are you seeing excessively short stirrups and leaning somewhere, that got you thinking about this? If you're referring to the hunter "perch" that is sometimes seen, it was more of a Hunter Eq ring thing and has really phased back out, in favor of more realistic and effective seats.
LOL - um, no. D_Bald is bang on. The hunter perch is still alive and kicking (pardon the pun). It drives me bonkers. Not only that, soooo many ride their horses in the flat class (a REAL Hunter division is 3 over fences classes and one flat class) with loose, loopy reins a lot of the time, perched up over their leg. It's ridiculous - should the horse decide to plant its feet and lower its head half the riders would plop off.
I actually quite liked Laura's position in this video. She's quite effective.
, and hands held up a la saddle seat. That's scary too.
I have all the respect in the world for her, her parents, and how they've come to be such wonderful horsepeople, even though I don't know much about them. I'm not knocking them at all, I would never volunteer to ride that horse over those fences, I'd be too scared for my life! DBaldStockings asked for thoughts on her equitation in comparison to what is seen in the hunter show ring, so that's what I gave.
Hybrid Mode
