Do you get off your horses back during cross country?

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Sunny_Star

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Was just wondering, I thought that all people got off their horses back and rode xc in a light seat to keep the horse going and give it a bit of freedom.
However watched some videos of people competing BE and saw some rode xc in a deeper sj seat..
Just wondered what most people did?!
I always get off my horses back, he tends to go faster when I do as well.
 
Not usually as he takes that as a signal to speed up and flatten. I lighten my seat, but like to keep some "bum contact" :P
 
i stay off their backs, let them cruise along underneath me. unless i'm riding a really spooky one which might do a u-turn and leave me sitting on thin air (the one on the left of my siggy did that to me a few times), in which case i sit in a more driving position, but with a light seat.
 
i get off there backs with every horse bar 1. its much easier for them!

the one who i dont do it with is a bad napper and will suddnely spin round while flat out with no warning and by sitting deeper i was more prepared for him!
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Off the back but use seat last 3 strides to a fence, never try to place the horse, the horse should be freely jumping out of it's stride., land, kick on and catch up time!
 
I thought you meant literally get off when I first read the title and was thought 'not unless unintentional'
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Yes, I keep a lighter seat xc, was always taught too and its alot easier for both horse and rider. Usually between fences I keep a light contact aswell to allow him to go at his own pace (aslong as its not too fast!) as it saves us both energy. Will sit up when approaching a fence especially techie ones but as soon as we're over the fence, i'll be back in a lighter seat and onto the next fence
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Stay of there back inbetween fences unless there naughty!!! Do sit for combinations/fences that really need ridin
 
Mainly all the time!
By the end of the course my calves are killing me!.....I just tend 2 sit when i am straightening up and approaching a jump. I think this is because he is very strong cross country and goes like a bat out of hell! So i dont really need to sit and drive him forwards!
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Yes obviously I sit up before the jumps, as it gives more control and between doubles too.
I like to keep a light contact between the jumps too, my horse is so well behaved I could probably go around the whole course with no contact!
But actually he would probably head back to the trailer for food if I did that
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i always stay off their back until the last 3-5 strides, depends on the type of jump. i would sit deeper if the horse decided that every blade of grass was scary (which i have experienced!!) then its nice to feel safe!!
 
I'm slightly concerned that this question was even asked
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Of course you should 'get off' your horses back in between fences. A horse can't gallop if a rider is interfering and lumbering around on its back. Apart from anything else, its exhausting for the horses and means they can't cover the ground properly!
 
very odd, who was it? not one of the top riders, i'd imagine.
thinking about it, as long as your stirrups are shortish, it's far easier than sitting, you just stand in your stirrups and let the horse gallop underneath you (i always have Andrew Nicholson in my mind's eye when i think of this, for some reason, he seems to look the same doing it on every one he rides)... i can't think why anyone wouldn't get off the horse's back tbh.
only exception i can think of that i've seen was the Russian girl at last year's Euros, who bumped about on her horse's back for a bit, was stopped by a steward, and it turned out she'd lost a stirrup leather iirc.
 
No-one famous, just some random person doing a BE PN I found on youtbue, was trying to find out what kind of height PN fences are compard with intro.
 
Yes, its bloody uncomfortable galloping with your arse on the saddle round a whole course
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It annoys me how many unfit unconditioned riders bump along on their horses backs cos they cant carry their own weight!!
 
Let the horse move freely underneath you so out the saddle and work those leg muscles! I advise practising at thome first though
 
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