Wobbly Showjumpers

[KatB]

Ouch re. the eventers and SJers comments

An eventer I really rate is also very successful Sjing, but obviously not at the top level (no need really as he is at the top eventing!) but he can on occasions look "messy" but is a blooming natural and talented jockey over SJs and XC fences. I think effectiveness is the most important thing, and aslong as they arent hindering the horses performance. I think eventers DO have to work harder on their security by the nature of the job they do, which is what makes them look "tidier" on occasions, but Sjers just have to keep the fences up

I think alot of the top level SJers (Ben, Robert, William etc) would be able to do any job well as they are all round horsemen, and the same with a lot of the eventers (Toddy, Pippa, Andrew N etc etc) , and I am sure there are alot of SJers that couldnt do another job, but do well at what they do

 

[Rambo]

At the end of the day, showjumping is about confidence, dressage is about elegance, and eventing is a combination of the two. Yes, there are many top SJ'ers who don't look great...but that is not a new phenomenon....even back in the heyday you had the likes of Harvey Smith (not exactly a stylist but very effective) competing against top europeans like Henk Nooren and the Schockemohle's (all very stylish and very effective). Today you have the Mahers and the Will Whitakers looking very good...but also some very successful 'less stylish' jockeys. Build has a lot to do with it....it is a lot easier to look good when you are 6ft+ tall and weigh 10st (i was like that once !)...but just because body proportions aren't always 'ideal' doesn't mean people can't ride well and be in balance and in tune with their horses. Geoff Nillington is a good example of the latter.

One thing i have noticed recently is that modern SJ'ers do seem to be riding a bit longer in the stirrup than they used to....personally i don't like this way as i think it encourages a looser lower leg...and more weight on the horses back...but as i say, it's not a science and the horses themselves will ultimately decide what works and what doesn't...