80/20
useful to open the horse’s step and let the horse relax a bit between the more difficult elements of the track. Although I find the deeper, or more upright seat, the most useful gener- ally, different horses definitely benefit from different styles and methods of riding. This is true for a variety of reasons—a horse’s conformation, personality and level of experience, to name a few. For example, a deeper and sometimes driving seat lends
itself to riding a heavier type of Warmblood. They really benefit from the rider encouraging the hind end to remain active with a driving seat and leg. This can also be very effective when riding a young- ster that might need some encourage- ment in the last steps before an intimidating jump! The lighter, more
modern types of horses tend to have their own motors and don’t need the driving seat. They can, however, benefit greatly from the rider maintaining a closer and upright seat for balance and control. Often, the more spirited horse can end up on the forehand, rushing and getting flat over the fences if the balance isn’t carefully maintained. Both the forward and the deep seats have their func-
“For me, that in-between-fences riding relies heavily on the dressage foundation that I learned while in Germany.”
tion and value for me as a show jumper. The forward seat is very useful for sprinting but the deep seat is crucial to balance turns and shorten strides quickly for tight distances or combinations. I think that sometimes people mistakenly believe that
a close contact with the saddle is necessarily a heavy or restrictive seat. In fact, a large part of the jumping rider’s weight can and should be in the heel. That makes it possible for the rider to keep a close contact and upright seat without being heavy on a horse’s back. I was greatly influenced as a professional in Germany by
the young jumper classes that are a significant part of every competition there. After these classes were introduced, it became clear that the change in focus from fast and clear to balanced and rideable was producing better athletes, both equine and human. The horses were more relaxed and better balanced, and they became increasingly supple, flex- ible and athletic in the use of their bodies. The riders became more aware of their position and refined in the use of their aids. How did they improve their horse’s rideability, balance and suppleness? Good training on the flat, also known as dressage! And that brings me back to the eighty percent deep seat.
14 May/June 2017 In show jumping a great deal of the work is done on
the flat. Obviously, the horse does the actual jumping, but that jump can be very positively influenced by good riding in between. For me, that in-between-fences riding relies heavily on the dressage foundation that I learned while in Germany.
In November 2016, Ray Texel on the Oldenburg Baldira approach- ing the start timer at the Sunshine Series in Thermal, California.
three feet, and as the height graduates or increases, then I think the needs change. I have a mantra I say a lot when I’m teaching and in my clin-
I
ics: light when possible, seated when necessary. With the influx of Warmbloods
into our sport many years ago, the light seat started to change into more of a full seat. That was the need for that type of horse in general. Of course there are some lighter Warmbloods that you can be lighter with, especially now. The way the sport is now, I see a turn toward more of a Thorough- bred type of horse, because I’d say we’re in a more sterile envi- ronment of very flat rings and very careful fences, light and airy. When the time allowed is tight and you are looking to being
“…light when possible, seated when necessary.”
more efficient in your riding and help your horse move more efficiently, obviously I think a light seat is more helpful. I also believe that the use of both are very important, and they both have their needs. As a rider myself, I feel it’s my goal to move as efficiently as possible with my horse. There’s a fine line in riding between making things happen and allowing them to happen. You want to do your best to allow things to happen in a good way, and when you need input or influence, you put your seat down and put your leg on and make it happen. The ability to vary between the two is also very important. While the discussion may be about a light or a full seat, I’m also a believer in that there’s a bit of a middle to that. You can
RAY TEXEL Ray won both the Medal and Maclay finals as a junior, and now competes in Grand Prix. His top horse is Baldira, a 2005 Olden- burg mare (Baloubet du Rouet x Carthago). From Sebastopol, California, Ray was the only coach to have two riders competing in the 2017 AIG $1,000,000 Grand Prix —both Katie Harries and Uma O’Neill jumped clear over all fences.
would say it depends somewhat on the circumstances. There are differences whether one is jumping a smaller jump, say
Charlene Strickland
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