A truly
good seat includes the head, shoulders, arms, back, legs, bottom, and
crotch. It does not only refer to the triangular base of support under the
body. To obtain the deep secure position in the saddle, stretch your legs
downwards and open them as far apart as comfortable. A deep seat with a
properly supported back and pelvis should immediately follow once the leg
position is achieved
The Chair Seat
Many of our
modern design saddles automatically position riders in the chair seat. A
rider sitting on his tail near the rear of the saddle with his legs
forward is said to be acquiring a chair seat.
|
The Chair Seat |
With
the weight on the rear of the saddle and the legs in the forward
position, a rider may feel that he had acquired a fairly secure
position. This may be true, until an emergency arises. The Classical
seat allows weight to be distributed evenly over the center of gravity
of the horse, thereby achieving balance, which in turn leads to true
security. The Chair seat is often seen on showjumpers and
cross-country riders. The forward leg prevents the rider from diving
over the horse's head when landing from a jump. So a slightly forward
leg position is necessary for jumping, but doesn't work for dressage
or flatwork.
Some dressage saddles,
with their long, straight cut flaps, place riders closest to the ideal
position. General purpose and close-contact saddles, ridden with short
stirrups, instantly push the legs out of the imaginary line of
gravity. |
The
Three Point Seat
The Chair
seat can also be referred to as the Two-Point Seat.
This can simply be translated into sitting on the two seat bones. The two
seat bones are the two points. The Three-Point Seat
composes part of the classical seat. The third point is the inferior pubic
arch, i.e. the fork or crotch. The three point seat forms a triangular
base for the seat. When the rider is sitting on all three points, the
pelvis will gain natural support that will hold it in the correct
position. Only be sitting exactly in the middle of the saddle on all three
points of the base of the pelvis can a rider open his legs and mould his
thighs around the horse.
"The
rider must sit rather forward in the deepest part of the saddle. His
weight must be on the two pelvic bones and the crotch, that is three
points of support."
A.K.
Frederiksen, Danish cavalry instructor.
The ideal
seat can influence the horse significantly. By flattening the back
(tilting the pelvis backward), the horse can be driven forward into a more
extended pace. Likewise, by enhancing the curve in the lower back (tilting
the pelvis forward), the horse can be gathered into a more collected pace,
as the seat will act as a restraining aid. By manipulating the pelvis
while seated in the classical position, not only can you control the pace,
but also the direction you want to go by subtle shifting of weight between
seat bones.
Tips
-
When you
mount, remove both feet from the stirrups. Sit erect, almost reaching
for the sky, then open your legs wide, keeping your knees straight.
Squeeze them as far away as possible from the horse, then relax. Place
your feet in the stirrups again. Voila! In most cases, you will have
achieved the classical seat!
-
If you
have a fleshy thigh, tuck the fleshy part to the back of the thigh,
leaving the inner thigh as close to the horse as possible.
-
Opening
and relaxing the buttocks will help your body absorb the movement of the
horse.
Remember
that a strong, secure seat is also a sensitive one. Through practice, a
sense of feel will develop, a harmony between horse and rider will
be achieved.
