Barbara Tibbs
Equitation (
k
w
-t
sh
n)
(n.) is defined as the art and practice of riding a horse. Stock
Seat Equitation is perhaps the most popular and common equitation class in
the United States today. Like all other equitation divisions there
is a standard that riders are judged and this standard includes the
rider's hands, seat, balance, and suitability of horse to rider.
Like Saddle Seat and Hunt Seat the rider should ride in a balanced position and when viewed from a side view there should be a straight line from the rider's ear, through the shoulder and elbow, down through the hip and down the back of the leg. Below the illustration on the left shows the correct position while the one on the ride shows a rider with the legs too far forward moving balance on the back of the saddle.
Riders can hold their reins in two different methods depending on the type of reins used. Romel or closed reins are held with all fingers around the reins and the romel or quirt held comfortably on the thigh of the other hand. Split reins may be held either like the romel with no fingers between or as illustrated below with one finger between the reins. If held with one finger between the reins, then the end of the reins is to be positioned on the same side of the horse as the rein hand and hanging free as shown. The hands, no matter the style of reins, should be just above and slightly in front of the saddle horn with the thumb on top and knuckles perpendicular to the ground as shown below.
When viewed from the rear, riders should be seated squarely in the middle of the horse's back with weight evenly distributed in the stirrups. Hats should be worn straight and hair securely fastened and neatly put up so that numbers are clearly visible. In the illustration on the left below, we find a well turned out rider sitting in the proper position. On the right the rider has an uneven hat, loose messy hair, a curved back, and unbalanced position in the saddle.
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