Good afternoon! My placing of today’s Stock Seat Equitation class was 3-4-2-1. In reference to my top pair 3 and 4, I easily placed 3, the young man, over 4, the girl on the chestnut, as he most closely portrayed the ideal rider. He exhibited softer hands, quieter seat and legs and displayed more ring presence. In addition, 3 and his horse worked more as a team. I grant 4 was slightly quicker in her transitions but I criticize 4 for leaning into the lope, occasionally bumping the horse's mouth, and raising her heals to cue her horse. Moving to my middle pair, 4 and 2, a closer pair, I placed 4 over 2 because 4 presented a smoother ride. She was squarer in the shoulders, light on the bit and quieter in the legs. In addition, 4 was quicker in her transitions and worked smoother with her mount. I grant 2 a more desirable heel to to position in cueing as well as sitting more erect in transitions, but I fault 2 for constantly bumping the horses mouth, swinging legs with the lead in the lope, and bouncing as the jog. Referring to the bottom pair 2 and 1, I readily placed 2 in the third position and over 1 as she displayed more control of her horse, more courtesy in the ring and a more workmanlike appearance. I grant 1 lighter hands and a more desirable leg position at the lope, but I fault 1 for cutting off other riders at the lope, allowing her horse to rush at the jog and missing the left lead throughout the class. For these reasons I placed this class of Stock Seat Equitation 3-4-2-1. Thank you.
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