Common Mistakes
What are the names of the most common incorrect seats?
Tension, Chair Seat, Split Seat aka Fork Seat
Proper Alignment of Body (blank, blank, and blank should all be inline)
Shoulder, Hip, Heel
What are the credits of a proper seat?
Sitting straight down over center of balance middle of saddle such that base of support is seat bones and inner thigh.
What leg should the rider rise and fall with in the trot?
The outside leg/leg on wall
Causes of Incorrect Seats
RIDER AHEAD OF MOVEMENT
RIDER TOO HIGH ABOVE THE HORSE
RIDER BEHIND THE MOVEMENT
Align with ankle bone
What are the faults of a proper seat?
• Sitting behind center of balance with hips rolled under
• Leaning forward to point that base of support is lost
How many ‘beats’ are in the walk?
4-beat gait
RIDER AHEAD OF MOVEMENT has…
Stirrups too long.
Lower leg too far back.
Heel drawn up.
Where should your legs fall on the side of the horse:
a. Behind girth
b. At girth
c. In front of girth
B. At Girth
What is the proper level of the horses poll?
level with, or slightly above the withers
What leg should be first in the proper lead at the canter?
Inside leg should strike forward first.
RIDER TOO HIGH ABOVE THE HORSE has...
Seat too far away from the saddle.
Heel drawn up.
What part of your foot should be in the stirrup iron?
The ball of your foot
Head position
perpendicular to ground
The head should not be carried behind the vertical, giving the appearance of intimidation, or be excessively nosed out, giving a resistant appearance.
A three-beat, lengthened canter ridden in two-point position.
What is a hand gallop?
RIDER BEHIND THE MOVEMENT has…
Upper body too far back.
Lower leg too far forward.
High hand position, acting backwards.
Random Question:
What day is the next 4H Meeting?
February 3, 2025
List 3 Severe Faults
• Touching horse
• Grabbing any part of the saddle
• Cropping or spurring in front of the shoulder
• Omission or addition of maneuvers
• Turning the wrong way
• Knocking over a cone or working on the wrong side of the cone
• Kicking at other horses, exhibitors or judge
• Severe disobedience or resistance by horse including, but not limited to rearing,
bucking or pawing.
• Head carried too high
• Head carried too low (such that the poll is below the withers)
• Over-flexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical
• Excessive nosing out
List the possible reasons for disqualification.
• Failure by exhibitor to wear correct number in visible manner
• Willful abuse
• Excessive schooling or training
• Fall by horse or rider
• Illegal use of hands on reins
• Use of prohibited equipment