Equitation Essentials - The Hows and Whys of a Winning Riding Position

I learned the fundamentals of equitation to the repetitive tune of Heads up! Heels down! while 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 Thats just the way its done. Thinking back if Id grasped the reasoning behind the technical skills of riding Id have been more motivated to persevere in those drills without stirrups!
The essentials of correct rider position cross all disciplines Western Hunter Seat or Dressage. Why is the classic riding position worth perfecting? Theres logic behind every essential.

1. Stability is matter of safety. 
A secure position in the saddle anchors the rider for jumping spinning or stopping. Simply put if your horse spooks east a strong position keeps you from going west.
2. Your horse will thank you for going easy on his back. 
Though horses must adapt to the unpredictability of a novice riders weight shifts a rider who makes it look easy moves less in the saddle which is less distracting and annoying to their horse.
Researchers now have technology to read all pressures bumps and shifts a horse actually feels while being ridden.
Dr. Hilary Clayton researcher in equine and rider biomechanics says the amount of force we apply to a horses back depends on how we ride and what gait were riding. Dr. Clayton says that any weight on an equine back can cause hollowing but you can reduce these risks by not overloading the horse riding with a soft balanced seat and sitting closer to the front of the saddle
. The judge will reward a strong balanced seat.
Aside from a low equitation score an unbalanced seat leads to weightier deductions on the judges card. Outofsync riding affects your horses performance. Horses dont score as well when riders