WHY RIDER’S POSITION WEEK?
When the rider finds balance, the horse gains greater freedom.
A balanced and conscious position reduces the risk of injury, improves the quality of riding and supports the horse’s wellbein, regardless of discipline or level.
That is why we at Rider’s Position are initiating Rider’s Position Week, a week dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of the rider’s position, not only for performance, but also for the horse’s health, confidence and enjoyment of its work.
Throughout the week, riders, instructors and trainers will develop a shared language for understanding the relationship between the rider’s seat and position, rhythm, balance and stability. The goal is not to fit every rider into a perfect mould, but to help riders become more aware, so they can feel, understand and make changes.
Seat and position
Rhythm
Balance and stability
Communication
EXERCISES TO TAKE TO THE RIDING ARENA
Watch the movement. Try the exercise. Feel the difference.
Warm up
Balance
00:42
Check your balance
Feel that you are sitting in the centre of the saddle. While walking, lift one leg at a time, rotate it away from the horse and lower it again, without changing the position of your seat in the saddle.
Stretching
00:30
Stretch your hip flexors
Extend one leg diagonally backwards to open and stretch the hip flexor.
Arm circles
00:41
Open your chest
Move one arm at a time forwards, upwards and backwards to lift the ribcage and open the chest.
Riding exercises
Riding exercise 1
01:30
Practise your balance
Place one hand behind your back and ride in rising trot. Change hands after one lap. Notice whether you can maintain an even rhythm.
Riding exercise 2
00:28
Find a position close to the horse’s centre of gravity
Ride in rising trot, rising for two beats and sitting for one. Focus on finding the rhythm and staying as close as possible to the horse’s centre of gravity. Evaluate: Are you ahead of or behind the horse’s movement?
Riding exercise 3
00:56
Improve your rhythm in canter
Alternate between sitting for one canter stride and standing for two. Keep looking in the direction of travel.
Riding exercise 4
00:46
Improve your ability to follow the horse’s movement
Alternate between sitting for one canter stride and standing for two. Keep looking in the direction of travel.
Riding exercise 5
01:23
Develop flexibility in your ankles
Ride in walk and rise into a light seat so that your seat leaves the saddle. Feel the movement through your ankles. Repeat the exercise in trot and notice whether you can maintain this flexibility.
Riding exercise 6
00:45
Strengthen your legs
Ride in rising trot without stirrups. Develop strength in your lower legs by alternating between riding with and without stirrups.
FOR RIDING SCHOOLS & TRAINERS
Make the rider’s position the most important conversation of the week.
Bring riders and colleagues together for a week of videos, exercises and reflection on how the rider affects the horse. The material is designed to be used directly in lessons.