What Do George Morris and Federico Caprilli Have in Common?

By Barbara Ellin Fox

Federico Caprilli’s Forward System had an impact on jumping worldwide. (check out my article “Backwards and Forwards: The Evolution of Jumping“)  His methods were adapted in different ways  to suit the riding needs in various countries.  Caprilli’s student, Piero Santini, indicated that  the Cavalry School at Fort Riley had made the fewest changes and was closest to the Italian system.  (In reality the system used a Fort Riley was a combination of the Italian and French methods. )  … Continue Reading

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Italian, French, and German Methods of Riding

The video at the beginning of this blog is of Raimondo d’Inzeo at Rome 1952. The d’Inzeo brothers, Raimondo and Piero (pictured) were excellent representatives of the Italian method. Their father was a student of Federico Caprilli who is considered the father of the forward seat system. … Continue Reading

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Was it the Chicken?

by Barbara Ellin Fox

I’m frequently asked about the differences between seats and systems of riding.  One question is sort of like the “chicken or the egg’.  Is Balanced Seat the result of a dressage seat with forward seat added to it? Or is it the result of forward seat with dressage added to it? My personal experience is the latter. … Continue Reading

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What Do You Need To Become A Good Horseman?

by Barbara Ellin Fox

“The correct principles of equitation and horse training are in themselves simple and well defined, and easily within the comprehension of any intelligent mind. Unfortunately, these principles are so difficult to find in the mass of literature on equestrian subjects, and often so intermingled with inaccurate and abstruse statements, that the most earnest student in his search for them is frequently discouraged. … Continue Reading

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The Effects of the Crest Release

In 1938 when Capt. Littauer first told riders to “…support(ing) yourself with your hands laid on the horse’s neck.”, he was addressing riders who were beginning to jump.  He encouraged riders to support themselves in this way because, he says, to do other wise “requires a very athletic body and constant daily practice”.  Obviously he was speaking of the casual rider at the beginning stages of learning to jump. (For more  check out my blogs ” Evolution of the Crest Release” and “Forwards and Backwards”.) … Continue Reading

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Has Base of Support Changed?

by Barbara Ellin Fox

In my blog titled, “What Do You Base Your  Support On?”,  I showed you why, Mr. Morris’ definition of the base of support  is only part of the truth. In this blog I’ll show you why seat and thighs are inadequate as a base of support and how riders have compensated for it.

What happens when we follow Mr. Morris’ definition of base of support to it’s logical conclusion?  To reiterate,  Mr. Morris’ definition of base of support is “seat and thighs”. We have seen photos of average riders, particularly ones of horse and rider jumping higher fences, that the seat and thigh are not in contact with the saddle. And we have seen  that the rider,s lower leg (which is in contact with the horse) and stirrup, are providing them some support during the jump. … Continue Reading

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