Crazy Things Your 'Old School' Instructor Used To Make You Do?

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I remember riding down jumping lanes with no reins or stirrups, arms out to the side, up above and god knows where else. Also jumping with my eyes shut - it always amazed me that you knew every time when the horse was going to jump! And riding with a matchbox under each knee to improve leg position - they had to still be there by the end!

Gosh! Yes, been there, dunnit, got the T-shirt........... and lived to tell the tale. Tho' dunno how, frankly Elf & Safety would have had sixty fits if they'd been around then; just as well they weren't. But all this was brilliant for improving the seat and building up the right muscles; despair of younger riders nowadays as they're "not allowed by H&S" to do all this stuff, which is why they'll never develop a good firm independent seat

 

[Jericho]

Ride with a whip going under my arms and round my back, to make me sit up straight!!!

This!!

 

[Cheshire Chestnut]

When we rode bareback we never got off to take the saddles off...

Ha ha, yes - I remember this well!! Need to try it again!!