//Saddle-Soap//

.:Equitation Critique:.

So you ride horses eh? Have a picture of you riding? Want someone to critique it? Well this is the place for you! The Equitation Critique is a place for SS visitors to send in a photo of themselves riding, and I will critique it and tell you what you are doing wrong and right.

The photo can be either English or western, it doesn't matter to me. All I ask is that the photo is of YOU riding, and it doesn't matter who's horse your riding. The horse could be your horse, the horse your leasing, a horse you take lessons on or just a random horse you ride.

Rules:

1. The person who enters, MUST be the person who is riding in the photo
2. I would prefer it is the photo was a side view, instead of some other awkward angle. it's just hard to tell how you ride that way.
3. The link to the photo must work, I'm not going to waste my time searching for a photo that I can't find.
4. I would prefer it if you were moving at a gait faster than a walk in the photo, although walking and standing still are okay - just not preferred.
5. Be honest, don't lie about how long you've been riding, or your age. I can usually tell from the photo if it's you or not.

To enter, just fill out the form below...

English Equitation Entries:

Shane Riding Firefly, an 18-year-old Arabian/Quarter horse cross
Photo

How Cute, your face is simply adorable! Even though it's hard to judge the photo, first of all because your standing still, and second, I can't see your whole body. But I'll try my best! First of all, holding onto the reins would help a bit (Yes I know, your standing still and stuff), but the reins definitely help out a little. You have great posture, and a very straight back, which is very good. Especially for someone who's 7 and only been riding one month. With some more practice and hard work you'll great!

Lindsay riding Skipper, an 8-year-old Oldenburg
Photo

I love your horse! She's very well kept and in pristine condition for a show, she's nicely braided, and has great form over the fence: her ears are forward, expression alert and happy, and she's squared off nicely with a good head and neck position. For you I would suggest lengthening your stirrups 1-2 holes, they look a bit short. Try and keep your heels down, and bring your legs more underneath your body - that'll help you stay balanced. You have a nice soft back. with no roaching. Although try not to look down at the fence, but try and look for the next fence, and keep for upper body centered over the horse's neck. Other than that, I see nothing wrong, and I'm sure you'd be awesome at shows!

Frances riding Bounty, a 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding,
Photo

This picture was SOOOO dark I actually had to lighten it in photoshop! Even though it's a bit brighter, it's still kind of hard to judge. Anyways...I don't see anything wrong with your actual equitation, except that you're looking down at your horse's neck. And perhaps shortening your stirrups a hole. I would also suggest bringing your hands just slightly down, but I happen to know that you ride Hunter, and you don't really need to do that in the Hunter world. And perhaps just bring your back, back a bit - you know like up straighter. But once again that's not really needed because you ride Hutnters. Other than that your equitation is great, your heels are down, toes pointing forward, and legs underneath your body.

Tori riding Elka a 12-year-old Welsh/Arab,
Photo

Cute, cute, cute! I love your pony! Okay the first thing (which may cause several of the next problems) is that your horse chipped in (came in too late) to the fence, so it made it harder for him /her to jump it. You're also more standing up than leaning forward in your jumping position with a bit of a roached back. You want a flat back, that's parallel to your horse's neck. And because you're not parallel with your horse's neck, it makes your hand position look too high, even though it's not. Also try to point your toes forward and not out, and look at the next jump in front of your - so your horse knows what's coming next. Other than that you guys look great!

Caroline riding Espirit and 18-year-old Thoroughbred,
Photo

The photo itself isn't the best quality, first off because it's fuzzy and somewhat dark, and second because there's the rail right in the middle of it. But I'll try my best...Both you and your horse are very well turned out for competition, I love how the black hunt coat goes with your white horse. First off, you look a bit tense, which is fine because I'm sure you're nervous - but try not to tense up your shoulders and arms. It makes for a stick-like appearance. Try to put all your weight in your heals, and keep them down nice and far. And it kind of looks (it could just be the photo) but you may be off center a bit with the jump. Other than that you guys look great, and you're a great pair together!

Western Equitation Entries:

Chelsea riding Reba, a 15-year-old Quarter Horse mare
Photo

Your horse is adorable! I just want to grab her by the mane and run away with her! Anyways, back to the critique...Your horse is in supreme condition, she's very clean and not dirty at all. The overall picture is good, but one thing I see is that you look mad. You lower lip is sticking out a bit, and you are looking down at your mare's neck, instead of what's coming next. And from the angle of the photo, it looks like your stirrups might be a hole short - but it could just be the angle. Try and keep your shoulders back, you're holding your right arm too far out (most likely because the reins are too short) which makes your shoulder hunched forward. And that takes away from your overall equitation. With a few minor changes, you'll be rocking!

Megan riding Snap, a 5-year-old Quarter horse
Photo

This photo is a bit hard to judge, mainly because of the angle it was taken at. But overall your equitation is good. One thing I'd suggest is to point your toes forward a bit more, and bring your legs underneath yourself more - so there's a straight line from your ear, shoulder, hip, and heel. Perhaps bringing your left arm back a bit more, so your shoulders are straight. (I hope this doesn't sound too Horsemanship-ish) I see this problem a lot in western, so don't feel bad. Most people bring their arm forward because their reins are too short, and they don't want to look like they're pulling on their horse's face. So just loosen your reins an inch or so, and keep your elbow by your side. Those are the only two problems I see in your equitation, you look like a strong rider and will be some tough competition to beat!

Your name:
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Years Riding:
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Photo Link:

Your name:

Email address:

Your Age:

Years Riding:

Horse Name:

Horse Age:

Horse Breed:

Photo Link: