Critique me cantering?

Question

i have been riding for 2 years

http://s304.photobucket.com/albums/nn184/addyandsally/?action=view&current=P1010026.jpg

Answer 1

I'm not a judge, but I do agree with what Lusitano Epiphanies and Cassie said.

Relax a bit more. Although it IS hunt seat, which is a bit more forward, it seems as though you are leaning a bit toooo far forward. Roll your shoulders back, and sit up straight-but relaxed, not stiff like a board, just a proper, natural, upright position. You're looking forward-which is great, your chin is up and you're looking ahead. I would also lower your stirrups a bit-again, hunt seat does usually require higher stirrups than usual, but not too high. It also seems as though your stirrups have fallen back towards your heel a bit-remember to lengthen your legs to keep your heels down and your toes pointed up and outward just a slight tad. Everything is very subtlely different from dressage-not drastic.

It takes so much practice and feel to get these things right, and sometimes it feels like you're in the right position, when really there are a few things out of whack. A good exercise is to do some sitting trot exercises with your feet out of your stirrups to help find your center of balance. Best of luck! As others have said-you'll get there =]

Answer 2

lean back!

you dont have to be a jumper to lean back.

put your leg back

put your shoulders back

out your heals down

wrap your legs around her belly

keep your arms close to you

ect!

Answer 3

pretty horse, bring your leg forward a hair and try to sit up more. It looks like your horse is pulling you out of the saddle a bit try to get him or her to collect up. The rest looks good though!

Answer 4

try relaxing.

also, move your lower leg back a little bit.

Answer 5

you look sort of stiff try relaxing your shoulders

its of course harder to critique you since its  not actually cantering its just a picture, but mostly the other stuff looks good lol

exept maybe try to be lighter on the horses back cuz it sort of looks like he's unhappy

Answer 6

It Looks very good

But it looks like your toe is pointed out , I'm not sure its a little dark =P

Other then that your leg Is VERY good

Answer 7

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Here is a picture of a pretty nice canter.  See how straight her back is?  Yours is very concave.  Straighten it out and you will get a more controlled and comfortable canter.  And I know you are riding huntseat, but unless you are going over a jump in two point, your body should be nearly vertical.  The picture I posted is a dressage rider (I think they have the best equitation) so if you want to lean forward a little more, you won't get penalized, but it isn't ideal either.  Your ear, shoulder, hip, and heel should all be aligned, meaning that if you drew a straight line from your ear to your heel, you would hit your shoulder and your hip too.  Try to relax - you look like you are working pretty hard to hold that position.  The more relaxed you are, the smoother the canter will be, and the less inclined you will feel to lean forward.  The picture is dark, but it looks like you are pointing your toe pretty far out.  A slighter angle would be better and it might help absorb more of the shock of the canter (especially if the horse you are riding has a rough canter).  Again, it is hard to tell from the picture, but it looks like your feet are right on the girth.  You should always be just behind it.  Your hands look good, but the horse looks like he is pulling.  Either try a see saw motion to get the horse to set his head or loosen the reins so he is not straining and pulling on his face (telling himself to whoa).  Definitely not the worst I have seen.  Just work on your position a bit more!

Good luck

Answer 8

I think you should drop your stirrups a hair, your knee is reaching over the front flap of the saddle. Your horse seems to need more impulsion, for a few reasons. Maybe the camera caught you at an off moment in the stride of the canter, but your horse looks too on the forehand. He/she needs to use her hind end more. I know you're riding Hunter, but that doesn't mean you can't be centered. You're leaning stiffly forward, rather than fluidly.

I can't be sure, but it looks like your toe is pointing extremely far out. I'm not entirely sure about it though, it's hard to tell with the photo. If that was true, it would mean you were riding with the back of your leg on her side, rather than the inside of it.  Lastly, your stirrup is falling down past the ball of your foot, which means your heels must have come up at one point.

Answer 9

you have great upper body but my only quick, obvious suggestion would be to put the ball of your foot on the iron and keep your heels way down.!

Answer 10

First, in order for us to give you the best critique, we need a video of you cantering outdoors (moving and in light).

The best I can say with the pic is the following:

1. Do you have "piano hands?"  Make sure that you keep your thumbs on top.

2.  I do combined training (dressage and hunting/jumping).  Yes, others are trying to give you more of a dressage critique (i.e. the girl who actually posted a dressage picture).  However, hunters do not "lean forward," per say.  It is more about rotating you pelvis so that your weight is on your pubic bones.  In dressage, your weight is on your seat bones.  You are just a tad (I mean tiny bit) too forward in this pick.  Make sure that you don't hunch your shoulders; keep your shoulder's back and chest open.  I believe that may give the appearance of being too far forward.  You are only off by a hair hear.

3. Most noticably, your feet are way too into your stirrups.  This can be dangerous, as previously mentioned.  Your heels need to be waaaaaay down, and the iron needs to be on the ball of your foot.

4.  Make sure that your toe is aligned with your knee.  It shouldn't be turned out too far or be too far in--even with your knee in hunt seat.

5.  The reins look a tad loose.  Stay collected, and move your hands with the horses mouth to keep the reins collected and avoid slack.

All in all you are doing great.  The only major thing is the feet.  If you improve that, you will drastically improve your appearance.  You are really close.  Keep working at it, and come back with a bright video so that we can see you better and for more than just a frame.

EDIT: Here is a good hunter canter...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMZFhLE2F...

Answer 11

its good. you have good posture

Answer 12

The only thing I noticed was your ankle down. You need to point your toes forward and put your heels down! If you had your feet like that and your horse spooked and you fell off, your feet will be more likely to be stuck in the stirrups and you might be dragged! You look really good otherwise! Yes, and DON'T lean back more. You are a hunter. A lot of people on Y!A don't realize that at the posting trot and canter and two point canter HUNTERS ARE FORWARD! About 30 - 45 degreese forward from straight! This is not western pleasure, jumpers, english pleasure, or HUS people! Its hunter equ.!!!!

Answer 13

Your back is hollow as can be, your body is stiff, your hands have slipped and  don't appear to be in proper position at all, and you need to sit back more.  Your stirrup has slipped too far onto your foot, your leg is too far forward and your toes look like they're pointing outwards with your heels digging in.  Ouch, my lower back hurts just looking at that photo!  :)  

Try sitting back a hair, as it will help you find your center of gravity.  Focus on your hands and their position, and try to relax more.  Take a deep breath and go with the horse, instead of bracing yourself against his movement.  Also work on your leg position - when one area of your body is out of whack, it's likely that the rest of you will be out of whack too.  I suggest some lunge work and having your instructor position your legs and hands for you from a standstill so you can learn what they feel like when they are in correct position.  I am happy to see you're wearing a helmet and correct footgear.    Good luck, you'll get it.