How do I look?

[Kenzo]

CC's, whats my position like...etc etc

Is everybody obsessed about how we look these days and what our position is like when where riding be it jumping, dressage, doing XC and so so?

Now before anybody takes this the wrong way, I'm not having a dig at people wanting opinions on how they ride/jump... not at all, but lets not forget that riding is all about getting out and having fun, its a release from the stresses of day to day life.

It just makes me chuckle to myself sometimes reading the posts, I wonder if William Fox-Pitt worries about his jumping position when he's leaping over some of the huge and challenging fences when doing the XC phase at Badminton.

If you clear it, your not hindering your horse in any way, your still on board after the fence... you must be doing something right!

Ok a good position/style is one of the first building blocks to riding well and in harmony with your horse, I'm not disputing that but lets not get too carried away people.

Its bad enough worrying about how we look in the mirror when going out on the tiles on a Saturday night let alone how we look when were riding!

 

[Mavis]

Maybe some of us are interested in improving ourselves. My idea of having fun is always striving to improve, even a tiny bit. If that means asking for advice, then so be it. Have to say though it's posts like this which deter me from doing so, though, because someone always has some sort of negative slant to put on it.

(Not that Ive taken it 'the wrong way' though - that's just my opinion, and Im usually wrong)

 

[Kenzo]

I agree with what you say of course we want to improve and I am in no way putting a negative slant on people wanting advice and I am sorry if I have given you that impression, the point that I was making was that we should be more possitive about ourselves rather than worrynig too much about how we look and in some cases getting critisim of people, it was a light hearted post was meant to give us all a boost and remember that riding is about having fun and not to worry about every little detail.
I think you might of took my post the wrong light.

 

[Mavis]

I probably did take in in the wrong light, am a stroppy cow today!!

 

[Kenzo]

No worries, its ok, we are all guilty of been stroppy cows along with our stroppy mares....and geldings!

Just wanted to add that I myself do post pics for advice etc but with all the other threads flying about at the moment regarding peoples weight, looks, been ugly etc etc I just wanted to highlight that us women have enough to worry about without stressing over how we look on our horses too much and to basically chill out everyone, be confident in what your doing and enjoy your hobby.

 

[Daisychain]

It doesnt really matter how you look as long as you are in balance and harmony with the horse, look at Annette Lewis! (showjumper) but if something is not going right then its nice to improve yourself, and get better marks for your dressage or whatever!

 

[cyberhorse]

I think I would post on the basis - "am I impeding this horse with my position?". Which is probably what a lot of people are actually driving at. I am currently paranoid about this despite RI assurance.

I am not looking for the perfect position, unlike my RI who drives me mad when I am jumping - but hey that's what I pay her for!! Honestly we go over fences better in my style with a lower hand carriage, when I concentrate on looking pretty forcing the backs of my knees in even more and carrying my hands higher over fences we end up with standing way off?? Though I suspect it is not the position so much as what my concentration is on and ruins the rhythm.

Thanks anyway Kenzo - made me smile and chill for my lesson this afternoon!!

 

[Ellies_mum2]

Kenzo your post made me laugh. Had a vision of William Fox-Pitt wearing a hi-viz vest with the words 'Does my bum look big on this' written on it

 

[merlinsquest]

I think CC posts are great as not everyone has a knowledgeable person to give them a look over now and again. I do think that the answers have to be taken with a pinch of salt though, as we are being CC'd by goodness knows who, who know goodness knows how much!!

I have seen some very unkind criticism today in PG on a post that didnt even ask the question or for advice ...... just a young rider showing what a lovely day she had had with another forum memebers horse.

What a way to spoil a nice day

You need a tough skin to ask for advice on here.... thats why if I ever do, I tend to ask particular forum members who I feel are fair and knowledgeable..... and not get involved with a general free for all. Although sometimes it can be interestingto post and to read all the comments to see who you agree with

I rarely comment unless I am sure of what I am saying as I feel its unkind to guess an answer. Anyway who am I to judge

 

[Kenzo]

Yep I agree with everyone's comments, I like looking at pictures myself and totally agree about the pinch of salt etc.

We should not get too disheartend with the cirtics because for you know you might be doing a wonderful job with your own horse and they way you ride already, let your instructor do his job thats what their there for, after all a photo is what...0.5 of a second in time and does really show the full story.

Perhaps I didn't really word my post very well, nothing wrong with asking for advice and nothing wrong with giving it either.
Just don't take it all too seriously or get upset, we are all lucky to have a horse/or to ride etc ...lets enjoy it.