Childhood Pictures and Impressions

Question

These two pictures I recently dug up and scanned. It was 1982. I was 9 years old (and HUGE, I know!!!), riding my older sister's Anglo-Arab Second Chance. He was my first love. I started riding him when I was 6, but could only ride when my sister let me....oh, and the saddle is huge because my older sister (God rest her soul) was nearly 9 years older than me and about 5'11"

Anyway, so I can see a lot of faults with myself in both of these photos and believe me I am very hard on myself. I'd had only a handful of formal lessons at that point, most of them between the ages of 3-6. I'd never been taught to jump or instructed on it when the jumping picture was taken. Til then what I knew, I learned through watching, imitating, practicing, and riding a lot of other people's horses.

So what do you think? How bad was it?

Note: I did ride in a helmet as a kid and still do. My father said I wasn't wearing one that day because he told me to take it off...He's 72 now; I told him yesterday when we were looking at these pictures, "Way to be a responsible parent!" He thought that was funny. Geez, Papa.

http://pic80.picturetrail.com:80/VOL2132/10980997/20240523/328572476.jpg

http://pic80.picturetrail.com:80/VOL2132/10980997/20240523/328572484.jpg

Answer 1

If that was you then, then I can only imagine what you must look like today!!  Will we be seeing you in the Olympics anytime soon!!

I was a few years younger than you are now when I decided to put up my huntseat and jumping days for staying on the ground and went saddleseat!!  I lost some of my courage somewhere!! Although riding a bold Saddlebred does have its' courageous moments!!

Continued success to you and your riding career.

Answer 2

You are a very natural rider.

There are just minor errors, but other then thoses they are great pics and you were a very good rider for not really having a lot of practice and lessons.  But They are very good over all.

Answer 3

You sit a saddle like your were born in it. Ok, so there are a few tiny faults and I bet you do know exactly what they are. The only way someone becomes good without guidance is natural ability, determination, keen observation and self-correction and application and development toward refinement, and the physical aptitude to mimick until mimicry isn't needed.

When I look at a rider, I first look to see how natural and at ease and in-synch he/she is with the horse...I wish I'd (or some other equally capable professional) had hands on you then. You were so clearly ripe picking for instruction and progression through the ranks. I have no doubt you do exceptionally well now. It looks like you were of the short-stirrup, forward-seat schooling that was and still is extremely popular on the East Coast. Some of the things we would consider faults now, like the slightly ahead of the verticle position, is and was not a fault for this type of riding. Am I right? I bet money I am.

Also, I have to point out that your calf muscles and lower leg position is very, VERY nice.

Answer 4

I have no critiques, as I myself never got very "into" jumping past the very basics...but I will say that you look like one of those kids that just looked like they were born in a saddle and stayed in it forever after that.  I am impressed!

Nice clogs!  Just kidding.  ;)

Answer 5

As compared to me riding at nine, you were doing amazing. At nine, I was scared to death of horses. Obviously, you weren't perfect, but there wasn't anything terribly wrong. But you were doing fine, and are doing fine now, too.

Agreed about Papa. My dad did the same thing. I have a bunch of pictures of me riding without a helmet (until an incident made me realize I needed a helmet).

And those pictures are amazing. I wish I could have some pictures looking that good. All of mine are beat to shreds, haha. And I never got such a good riding picture as this: http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2132/10...

Edit: Thanks for calling me kind. I couldn't really say anything bad because I wasn't an english rider. I don't really know anything about positions or anything that way. I just saw pictures.

Answer 6

what do you mean by huge?

no lessons? looks good

Answer 7

you were really good.... you probably should  have had riding boots instead of clogs.

Answer 8

Awesome pictures! I'm not very good at critique! As far as I can see, you look great!