saddle seat and hunt seat

SADDLE SEAT & hunt seat

Saddle seat riding is appropriate for horses that have more action in their legs.
Referred to as pleasure horses
because of natural amazing and graceful movements they naturally exhibit.

Breeds commonly seen in these classes are
Arabians,
Morgans, s
addle breeds,
Tennessee walkers
and now some draft horses.

Common in this class,is for rider is to enhance the action of the horse
by exaggerating the size of the hoof
and length of the toe
and hoof walls.

This involves a lot of crazy pads one upon another,
some wedged,
lots of silicone
and even training practices involving flailing leg chains
which impact sensitive nerves causing a knee jerk reaction
similar to hitting your funny bone
hence developing those muscles, tendons and ligaments
to allow the extreme super leg action
you see in top show horses...

We believe in a horses natural way of going
and present them as such
for the well-being of the animal

If you are one the many people who get hunt seat
confused with saddle seat,
these comparisons should help you.

Saddle seat is an upright very vertical style.

the horse should carry his head very high and proud
with hardly any tuck to their nose as in a headset.

The rider has a big post making all adjustments in the air
to come down perfectly in perfect harmony with the horse
as to not disrupt their stride
or adversely affect the
horses beautiful action
and flamboyant way of going.

The rider has a very erect posture and often rides with little or no leg contact.
Hands are higher than the hunt seat riders are
and the neck is a bit closer to the back of the collar.

The saddle seat saddle is a “flat saddle.
“For the obvious reasons that the seat is very flat
So are the fender flaps.

The bridles always have four reins.
They may have one or two bits.

In my opinion
saddle seat is much freer and a much more liberating style to ride.
The attire is quite different from hunt seat as well .

Saddleseat requites a daycoat which looks like a tuxedo coat with tailS that are squared off.
Jackets should be well fitting snug and straight.

Equitation colors are dark and conservative
Pleasure colors are allowed to Be more expressive and bright.

The pants are called jodhpurs
.Similar to breeches in hunt-seat except these have full length and flared bottomS.

From what I see most riders do not wear spurs because the pants are too long
I must wear spurs.I cut a hole in the back of my pants for my spurs to stick thru and secure them with s small rubber band to match the color of my jodhpurs

The boots are short only to the top of the ankle.
Called paddock boots. Usually in very dark colors

The hat can either be a derby with a rounded top or a top hat with a flat top.I think they both look very nice
Gloves are preferred
Hair should be perfect and neat

Shirt is usually a Light color button down collar with crisp tie with tie tack or clip

horse
The horse will exhibit at the same gaits in both classes.

hunt seat on the other hand is more horizontal
with horse reaching far forward in a long sweeping stride
,flat back , low headset, low tail carriage,

the rider makes all adjustments sitting hard and
deep in the saddle including posting and gait manipulation.

Here the rider definitely influences the horses stride with force
to maintain perfect fluidity and cadence through any misstep or footing inconsistencies.

Quarter horses are usually seen in this style,
They often carry their heads below the point of withers.

The rider has constant and rigid leg contact,

The bridle is usually much narrower than the saddle seat bridles.
They may have either a snaffle or a curb snaffle such as a kimberwick or dee with hooks

Class commands
    Both classes horse and rider enter the ring at a normal trot speed to the rightCounter clockwise.
This trot should last for approx. 1 minute

  Then an extended trot is usually called for for about one minute.
  Then the walk is called for. The walk should last for about 15 seconds.

Then the canter is called for, lasting about a minute.
  Then a walk is called for again For about 10-15 seconds

Horses reverse at the walk
Horses canter normally for about one minute.

    Optional hand gallop may be called for. Only about 10 seconds
Horses go from the canter... Down to the trot usually now For about one minute.

Horses will then walk.

They may be requested to back 10 steps on the rail before coming in
Horses come into the center for lineup,
final close inspection, and backing.

Announcer call glossary

walk, trot, extended trot, canter, hand gallop, reverse, reverse and walk,
back, bring your horses into the center of the ring and line up facing the ringmaster.

gaits

Walk
moderate speed.
The rider should clearly show that they are in control of every step.

The horse should be completely focused on the rider and soft to
the inside of the way you are going.

The horse should never even notice if another horse passes them.

The horse should never be distracted by events outside the ring at any time during the class.

Trot.
the normal trot should be a very consistent and purposeful
two beat gait like you are really trying to get somewhere.

Every stride should be the same

Not slowing in the corners
Not slowing when passed by another horse
Not slowing when passing another horse...

Still always staying soft to the inside and not
dropping a shoulder or hip. Horse should track perfectly straight and true.

Extended trot
this should be about top speed.

The horse should be extending their legs as far as possible
still with softness in the bridle and proper carriage
thru the corner and down the rail.

There should be no difference in head carriage
from the regular trot.

Horses expression should remain confidant and positive
as should the riders at all times.

This gait may give you a good work out
so try to keep your mouth closed and pleasant expression on your face

Canter
the normal canter is a soft lovely consistent three beat gait
should convey the appearance of beING comfortable,
the rider could easily sit it all day long.

This is where most draft horse riding classes go terribly bad.
My drafts canter just as slow as a regular horse.

Your draft should, like mine, easily be able to
canter without passing another horse ,

Just like the trot the horse should stay in perfect frame
and not change headset or expression.

The riders position remains the same and quiet.
This gait is the canter not the extended canter!

The horse should also very seriously be on the CORRECT lead.

The draft horse riding classes I have witnessed
to this point have been a total disaster .

when it comes to leads AND CANTERING
Always the inside lead is correct.
If you do not know what a lead is,
go take riding lesson please before you enter the ring.

Hand gallop
this is the extended canter. The horse should remain in perfect frame and simply increase impulsion, speed,
and length of stride in a noticeable manner. The rider should re in the two-point position. Reins shortened, hands midway resting on horses neck. Upper body extended over horses neck. Heels firmly down.Knees firmly locked in correct position.Riders seat should be elevated 3-4 inches out of the saddle.Rider should be looking straightforward with great concentration and be able to easily rein the horse in any direction at this speed .
Please re-read the previous sentence
many riders get this wrong.

Back .
the back should come with barely a pull from the riders hands. IF ANYThe horse should immediately give to the bit, lower the hips and back in a quickstep rhythmic manner until the rider halts them. Try to back at least 15 steps. When the judge walk us to you and speaks the words “back your horse please”…the rider should REPLY WITH YES MAMM OR YES SIR
  ...LOOK BEHIND QUICKLY
IN BOTH DIRECTIONS
TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE
CLEAR OF THE OTHER HORSES BEFORE YOU BACK.

Proper rider etiquette is to show to the judge, not the ring stuard.
In the case of multiple judges,
the rider should clearly acknowledge each judges presence upon entering the ring with mutual pleasant eye contact for at least 2 seconds.

At all times the rider should convey the impression that they are very happy to be there
and the rider should look proud sit tall and drip with confidence.

This show ring presentation should last until you are completely out of the arena
and no longer in the judges sight.

Every judge is different.
I always recommend riders keep a little black book
of judges and what they like to see in their classes
so you can be prepared to show under them.

Yes it is unfortunate
but even the best of us must tweak our styles
just a bit for each judge if we truly want to win.

Also try to eaves drop on any conversation that the judge
may have with the ring stuard or another rider
to understand why they placed a class the way they did…
and then get back to your trailer and write it down
before you forget it.

talking

   I often see exhibitors line up together DURING a class and start talking to each other.
Please don’t do this.

It is very unprofessional…even though professionals do it…it is still wrong.
You must rise above this temptation and

carry some sort of respect for the sanctity for the class and judge.
Keep on your game face, shut up, and take the class serious.

As you sit there on your horse
maintain your composure, posture and stay mentally sharp.

I usually take this time to
re-ride the class in my mind
repeatedly in my mind to learn lessons from what I felt and saw.

Lessons I can use to properly prepare for future classes
with these people or this judge.

If someone speaks to me
I will smile and reply with the most curt
barely noticeable response I can give.

There will be p-l-e-n-t-y of time to yak with your friends when the class is over

The judge gives the commands to the ringmaster. The ringmaster tells them to the announcer.
The announcer then tells them to the riders.

If you have the wind in your ears and cannot hear,
keep a close eye out for exactly what the other riders
are doing.

Equitation classes in both styles usually calls for the rider to
perform some sort of pattern.

They can range from very simple to very demanding.
A proper serious but pleasant demeanor should be shown by the rider at all times.

This presentation of confidence and enjoyment
should last until the rider exits the arena and not a moment before.


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