What Do You Base Your Support On?

by Barbara Ellin Fox

A Recap

In my last blog I showed you how the Base of Support has evolved from Fort Riley to the current Hunter Seat trend. This blog will explain why “Base of Support” as defined by the legendary teacher, George Morris, is only a part of the truth on the flat and over fences.

To refresh our memory, the 1935 “Cavalry Manual of Horsemanship and Horsemastership”, vol. 1 defines the base of support as “The base of support is formed by those parts of the rider’s body in contact with the saddle and horse, from the points of the pelvic bones down along the inside of the thighs, to and including the knees, legs, and stirrups.”

In his “Hunter Seat Equitation”, George Morris defines base of support as the thighs and seat, omitting the knee, leg, and stirrup from the Cavalry Manual definition. … Continue Reading

Popularity: 31% [?]

Evolution of the Base of Support

by Barbara Ellin Fox

It doesn’t take much to change a foundational teaching on horsemanship. Make a small omission, teach a slightly different definition, distort a concept or tool; and then pass it on to the current generation, and horsemanship evolves.

Mean No Harm
The study of horsemanship at the Fort Riley Cavalry School was based on the theories of riding from the French Cavalry School, the Italian (Caprilli) method, and other European Schools. The Fort Riley Cavalry School became a think tank that caused a purposeful evolution of jumping horsemanship in America has been hugely beneficial to the modern horseman. Further evolution of horsemanship is unavoidable as the purpose for the horse changes, alongside the interest of equestrians. But sometimes evolution that is intended to be helpful, such as the crest release, has unforeseen harmful effects.
… Continue Reading

Popularity: 52% [?]

Slip Slidin’ Away

by Barbara Ellin Fox

Here’s one for the “military seat”
I was thumbing through the  April ’09 issue of Practical Horseman Magazine and as usual, “The Jumping Clinic” with George Morris provided an interesting view of how hunters are ridden today. You probably know the Jumping Clinic… Mr. Morris reviews photos of four different riders and makes comments on their leg, release, horse and turnout. Once in a great while a picture of an event rider slips in. In this particular issue Mr. Morris awarded the event rider the best form in the class. He said, “This rider shows a classic military-style leg, with her heel way down, toe out 45 degrees and a tight grip through her whole inner leg. While it is not as soft as today’s preferred leg position (with toe out only about 15 degrees), I still like it, and there is no doubt that it is effective and secure.” Mr. Morris further comments that she is “really in balance with her horse”.

The rider is using a bit of a crest release but she is far from laying on her horse with her hands, forearms or upper body like we see so commonly today. The lack of body force driving the horse’s front end into the ground has allowed the horse to jump accurately with nice even knees. The young lady is using her “military seat” for the purpose for which it was intended- riding cross country. … Continue Reading

Popularity: 15% [?]

Evolution of the Crest Release

by Barbara Ellin Fox

In my  post, “Backwards and Forwards” I told you about the earliest publication that I found which indicated the beginning of what would become the crest release. That was V.S. Littauer’s “More About Forward Riding” published in 1938. On Page 60, Littauer states, “As long as keeping a firm position, while having the hands in the air, requires a very athletic body and constant daily practice, I would suggest that you help yourself remain in balance by supporting yourself with your hands laid on the horse’s neck.”

In “Common Sense Horsemanship”, published in 1951, V.S. Littauer continues to teach beginners to place the hands on the crest or hold the mane beginning 3 or 4 strides before the jump. In the same book he has riders move their hands to the sides of the neck as they become better riders. … Continue Reading

Popularity: 67% [?]

“American Military Horsemanship” by J. Ottevaere

by Barbara Ellin Fox

If you’re interested in learning more about the history of riding in America, I suggest that you get a copy of James A. Ottevaere’s “American Military Horsemanship“, as it is one of the most informative books on the subject. The topic of the book is the military seat of the U.S. Cavalry.

James Ottevaere covers 150 years of military horsemanship in America from right after the Revolutionary War until the dismounting of the Cavalry in the ’40s. He compares the manuals and training guides that were used and the changes that were made in both the size and existence of the cavalry. J. Ottevaere also goes into no small detail about the equipment that was in use.

J. Ottevaere explains clearly how the balanced seat developed in “American Military Horsemanship” page 63: “The new American military seat would discard the notion of a single or universal position and posture for the rider in all types of military riding, and would instead prescribe adjustments that would accommodate the relative changes in the balance and center of gravity of both the horse and rider while in motion, at various gaits, and over obstacles and jumps. … Continue Reading

Popularity: 19% [?]

Sit on Your Tailbone

by Barbara Ellin Fox

The April 2009 Practical Horseman Magazine had an article “Dressage for Jumpers” based on the recent George Morris Horsemastership Session in which Robert Dover instructed. Instructions had been given to riders to sit on their tailbones. And Robert Dover states, “You’ve got to be comfortable on your rear ends. I don’t know why you think it’s more comfortable on your crotches.”

These directions and several comments about the Balanced Seat pricked my little Balanced Seat loving heart and caused me to post at the EquiSearch Forum. Knowing that Hunter Seat riders frequently ride too much on their crotches and drastic measures could be needed to get the idea of change across, I would not have felt obliged to post had the instructions been given in a private lesson. But the GM Horsemastership Sessions are nationally advertised, the public is invited to audit free of charge, and information is written for the Practical Horseman magazine, plus on the internet, reaching a huge audience of riders, instructors and perspective instructors. I could not let the false impressions the Balanced Seat continue and I couldn’t condone the poor image of sitting on tailbones and rear ends! … Continue Reading

Popularity: 10% [?]