following on from body awareness (sort-of)

[Navalgem]

how important do you feel position is as opposed to effectiveness?

I think some people consider themselves to be effective although their position isn't strictly 'good' (but balance and seat are). Or does effectiveness depend on position?

eg, geoff billington is a successful rider but isn't stylish like say, ellen whitaker is.

 

[kirstyhen]

I think effectiveness and position dont necessarily go hand in hand. A perfect position does not mean that you can get a horse to go perfectly, you might just look pretty. Agree with you on the balance and seat thing though, they are what makes someone effective.
Also a tall, long legged person may not be as effective as a shorter legged person, or strong physically versus less physical strength.
Cant say Ive got any of it though, just lots of luck and a nice pony!!!

 

[Navalgem]

lol, ironic cause I have a short leg and wish it was longer to get the shoulder hip heel thing. Like some horses conf isn't great, neither is mine, my lower leg just wont go where it should.

hopefully it wont bother my riding too much - was beginning to think I should give up for a minute!

 

[kirstyhen]

Think having the right "conformation" only gives you the oppurtunity! Also think if you have the perfect body type for riding which makes it easy, your probably less likely to work at it than someone who may find it slightly harder. At some point the person that works harder will surpass the right body type!
Just think, your lucky when your jumping, being shorter gives you a lower sense of graviety making it easier (in theory!)
Being tall just makes you clumsy (well in my case it does, im always falling over!)

 

[Malibu]

I think a rider may well have a very pretty seat, good posture and looks picture perfect but if one does not use ones seat and balance effectivley then it is sort of useless, the same as a horse going pretty and looking like it is is a smart outline but really, it is not working from behind and using its body properly. This is just my opinion and althought I do not have the best position right now; I alwasy try to ride effectivley and not just sitting there doing nothing.

 

[Janette]

but equally, a bad position can hinder the horses movement....

Once I'd been shown how to sit up - Star stopped running away from me in trot because I'd been leaning over her forehand, and found it far more difficult to fall in because my position was making her work underneath me. She still tries the game of pulling to make me lean forward - then she's got me where she wants me and can just b*gger around with her head in the air - bless her.

My daughter on the other hand, still has all the problems I 've described above because she collapses her tummy muscles and slumps in the saddle rather than sit up, use her muscles to support herself, and put her shoulders back.

When I'm sat up straight on my seat bones, my leg comes underneath me automatically. Heather doesn't sit up and so she sits on her bum with her lower leg out in front. Then she gets frustrated because she is not being an effective rider. She's 16 though - what canI tell a 16 year old? LOL