We look in
awe at gymnasts, wondering how they are able to achieve such complete body
coordination. They have control over different parts of their body, giving
them the ability to perform movements that require ultimate flexibility
and suppleness. On a horse, however, performance is not dependent on the
horse alone. It is the rider who brings out the radiance in any dressage
display.
A rider who
has no control over his body will find great difficulty in achieving
harmony with his horse. One must be aware of the function of every muscle
movement of their body and how it should affect the horse. Mere awareness
of this will aid in the progress of every rider.
Balance
All that is
required of a rider seated centrally and in balance on a horse are subtle
aids that are almost invisible to the onlooker. A well balanced rider
results in a well balanced horse, thereby more responsive and alert. The
more awkward the seat, the more awkward the aids; the more refined the
seat, the more refined the aids. It is the classical seat that can lead to
perfect balance on a horse, as will be described later in detail.
Gravity
Gravity
should help you remain in the correct position, or it can help you crash
to the ground, which is why it should always be used to your advantage.
Sitting on a horse with the legs too far forward disturbs the vertical
line of gravity. Lets imagine standing stationary on the ground. We will
find that we are in balance. If we try to stand with our legs forward or
backward, it will be impossible to maintain any balance. The same
principle applies on horseback, a weak seat with wrongly positioned legs
is not a balanced seat.
It is not
right to simply say that balance should be maintained on horseback as is
it maintained on the ground. Obtaining balance over a horse's constantly
changing center of gravity takes time to learn. By practicing the correct
position on the ground in front of a mirror, you can form a visual image
of how you should look like when seated on a horse. Grasping on to that
image, try to imitate it the next time you're mounted. Feel the gravity
flowing through the checkpoints of your body. Let your legs grow long, as
though reaching for the ground. Sit upright, as though reaching for the
sky. This is a natural position, so breathe deeply and relax any tense
muscles.
It is worth
mentioning that short stirrups make a classical seat virtually impossible.
Showjumpers often ride with shortened stirrups as it helps their legs
absorb the shock of the jump. Shortened stirrups misplace the legs in a
forward position for the dressage rider. It is advisable to sit in the
classical position, letting the legs hang loose and long naturally, then
lengthening or shortening the stirrup to complement the length of your
legs.
A common
mistake is to relax completely. An upright position would not be possible
if the whole body was to relax. The spine must always support the upper
body, so it must remain perpendicular and erect. The trick is to relax the
lower body. Think that your body, from the waist down to your legs, has
become part of the horse, while the upper half must remain upright and
supporting itself.
"Mentally tell yourself your lower body has become part of the horse."
Sylvia
Loch, "The Classical Seat"
Over time,
a natural sense of balance will develop. This will not happen overnight.
It will take much practice, but awareness will speed up the process.
Developing a sense of rhythm also takes time, as the body must be trained
to listen to the horse's motion. With the horse in walk, close your eyes
and breathe deeply. Block out any external disturbance. Focus on the
horse's motion. Feel his muscles stretching and contracting as he takes
his steps. Listen to each hoof as it hits the ground. Then try to predict
which hoof is now going to hit the ground. Eventually, visualize the
horse's complete movement with each stride he takes as if you were
watching him from the ground.
This
exercise can also be practiced while trotting and cantering, but make sure
this happens on the lunge. The feel for balance and the feel for rhythm
cannot be separated, as they both lead to a confident and secure seat.
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