English, western and dressage riders share most of the equitation essentials with minor variations in position between riding styles. Lindsay’s rider equitation tips – head to toe.
I learned the fundamentals of equitation to the repetitive tune of Heads up! Heels down! trotting around and around the riding school arena. I acquired the hows of riding in those early years, but my whys were typically answered with tradition – that’s just the way it’s done. Thinking back, if I’d grasped the reasoning behind the technical skills of riding, I’d have been more motivated to persevere in those drills without stirrups!
The equitation essentials of a balanced rider position cross all riding disciplines – western, hunter seat or dressage. Why is the classic riding position worth perfecting? There’s logic behind every essential!