Normally more time elapses before I make the next post to U.S. Horsemanship but current issues in our government with our horses warrant expediency. At the top pf this blog I’ve added the 2nd in a two part series of videos “The Mustang Conspiracy”. This has more findings about big industry’s involvement in the destruction of our free roaming wild horses. … Continue Reading
Whether you are a fan of the American Mustang or not; whether you believe they are wild horses or feral horses or replants of the original horses in America, it would be hard to say that the Mustang is not part of American history. The Nevada Wild Horse site web http://www.kbrhorse.net/whb/blmnev.html tells us … Continue Reading
Most of the old time horsemen have asked the same question during the past few years. Where have the horsemen (and women) gone? I think it’s fair to say that horsemen beget horsemen, usually. But spend a little time around people involved with Pony Club or Fox Hunting (for example) and you’ll learn that the horseman is dying out and being replaced by Moms and Dads who’s enthusiasm for anything equine comes via their kids. And bless those moms and dads because where would our riders be without them? … Continue Reading
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
by Barbara Ellin Fox
Controversy is as common place in the horse world as it is in politics or religion. No where is the controversy stronger than between the advocates of eventing and of hunter seat equitation. The eventing riders have their roots in the military balanced seat riding while the roots of the hunter seat equitation rider lean more directly to the forward seat.
One of the fuels that fans this controversy is the crest release. Simply defined, the crest release is a method of placing the hands on the horse’s neck during jumping, so the rider does not interfere with the horse’s mouth. Riders are encouraged to support their upper body via their hands on the horse’s “crest” . The crest release is a crucial component of Hunter Seat Equitation and makes it the only horse sport that requires upper body support from the hands. In the world of eventing, supporting your upper body on your hands can be a fatal mistake. … Continue Reading
by Barbara Ellin Fox
Modern jumping in America owes its success to the Military; to the United States Cavalry to be specific. From 1923-1933 the US Army sent 15 or 16 horsemen to study the principals of Caprilli’s forward riding at the Italian Cavalry Schools. Generally the men spent one year at the school, although a few attended for 2 years. Harry D. Chamberlin not only attended Tor Di Quinto, the advanced Italian Cavalry School, he also graduated from the French Cavalry School at Saumur.
With the help of other cavalrymen and a wide selection of horses, Harry Chamberlin developed a relationship between the French Cavalry School principals and the Italian Cavalry School (Caprilli) principals resulting in a method of riding that best suited the equestrian activities in America. The method has been called the Fort Riley Seat, the Chamberlin Seat, or the Military Seat. It has also been referred to as Balanced Seat.
The Cavalry School at Fort Riley began in 1919 and continued until shortly after WWII, when the Cavalry was “dismounted”. It wasn’t until 1929 that a Board of Officers was formed to revise the previous, “Manual of Equitation” and incorporate a seat that was more suitable for cross country, hunting, steeplechase and show jumping. Up until1929 the static, deep seat was taught with very little influence from Caprilli’s forward methods. … Continue Reading
Recent Comments