Equitation: The Foundation of Successful Riding

Equitation: The Foundation of Successful Riding
By Nan Meek with Jennifer Roth

"Equitation is much more than the position of the rider," according to S judge Jennifer Roth. "It also includes the effective application of the aids. Equitation is the essential component, the foundation, of successful riding."

She describes the goal of equitation as follows: "The classical design of the rider's position enhances balance and suppleness. With practice the rider can achieve the main goal of equitation which is to produce an independent seat and use of the aids. It is no wonder that at the most revered riding school in the world, The Spanish Riding School in
Vienna, riders are often on the longe for one to two years. They must master their seat before they are allowed to 'take up the reins'."

Jennifer speaks from a position of extensive experience. Early in her career she trained with Egon von Neindorff at Karlsruhle, Germany. Then she trained at home for years with Dietrich von Hopffgarten, Charles de Kunffy, Hilda Gurney, Melle van Bruggen, and Anders Lindgren. Next she was off to Europe to study with Olympic veterans Karin Schluter and Margit Otto-Crepin. Over the last decade she has hosted clinics with The Spanish Riding School's Chief Rider Andreas Hausberger at Across the Diagonal Farm in Carmel Valley, CA.

Getting there requires training and discipline. Jennifer notes, "In my training program I often longe students in the beginning so that they may totally focus on body awareness and control. I have them do exercises to promote relaxation, balance, and suppleness. Often longeing is the best time for the rider to feel the correct timing and dosage of an aid. Usually equitation is naturally integrated into a normal riding lesson. When rider and horse balance is correct, it is a positive feedback loop."

With respect to dressage competition, she points out, "the 'collective marks' at the bottom of the dressage tests historically have had a coefficient of 2 or 3," emphasizing the importance of rider position on the performance of the horse. Now Dressage Seat Equitation is being offered at shows for juniors, young riders, adult amateurs and/or open riders.

The USEF Dressage Seat Equitation Medal program encourages juniors to focus on equitation by offering classes at certain recognized shows, medal semi-finals at each of the nine USDF Regional Championships, and a national medal final competition. More information is available at http://www.usef.org/IFrames/breedsdiscipline/discipline/alldressage/dressageSeatEq.aspx

Jennifer's junior students are known for their sweeping wins in USEF Dressage Seat Equitation medal competition. Madeline Hays won the 14-18 age division at the California Dressage Society Junior/Young Rider Championships, garnering a then unheard of 10 from two "I" judges. Stephanie Early was 2008 USEF National Champion in the 13 and under division and high scorer of both age divisions. In 2009 Leah Myers was USEF Reserve Champion in the 14-21 division, despite being the youngest at age 14.

Madeline Hays says that the result of a focus on equitation "is the most rewarding thing you could ever ask for. Being able not only to control your own body and mind but the body and mind of another animal is an exhilarating feeling."

Stephanie Early knows this: "Having good equitation is the foundation for riding well. Good equitation does not just mean looking perfect and pretty on the horse's back; it means that you know the correct use of your aids. Not only do you look perfect, you make the horse look perfect, too."

As Leah Myers says, "Making sure that my seat and aids are correct makes the biggest difference in my riding, even if this means not working on the advanced movements and really working on the basics. It is crucial that you work from the basics to the top to improve your riding."

Jennifer shares two wonderful expressions that speak to her about the value of equitation: "Riding is feeling," and "The most important part of your seat is your brain." Her students have obviously learned those lessons, and Dressage Training Online members can learn more about Jennifer's training and teaching through her videos available online at this site.

"The benefit of focusing on equitation is not only the enhancement of communication and control with the horse, but also the enjoyment of the feeling of balance and movement while becoming one with your horse", she emphasizes. "It's that Centaur feeling!"

You can find out more about Jennifer Roth and her dressage training programs by watching her videos here on DressageTrainingOnline.com or visiting her web site, www.lipizzansanddressage.com.



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