Mr. Lavery,

I'm a director of the Appaloosa Horse Club and at our recent Nationals the saddleseat riding was APPALLING! Appaloosas aren't supposed to move like a saddlebred, more like a country pleasure Arabian. Well the Appaloosas showing didn't move like anything except western pleasure horses with double bridles. So imagine a group of horses with their heads down below their chests, but their riders' hands up level with their shoulders. It was horrible. Is there anywhere that you know of that has a modern, concise, but easy to read, description of saddleseat available online? Because it's obvious that our stock breed judges aren't getting it.

I would appreciate any help you could provide in this direction, because the ApHC either needs to start doing this class correctly or quit doing it at all.

Second question:

What is required to get an ASB judge's card? I'm going to retest at NCSU and get my TWHBEA card and want to get one more gaited breed card.

Thank you,

So very good to hear from you and what a wonderful question. You will be pleased to know that this problem is not restricted to the breed or the discipline you mention but seems to be rampant everywhere. Somewhere along the line, the emphasis has shifted from equitation being the actual art of riding a horse to a posed beauty contest. From the Mclay finals to the "Good Hands" and all in between beauty seems to be "Queen" with control a distant second. The visual I have in my mind from your description really tells the story.

Although the three basic riding seats here in the USA are all "cousins" closely related to the term Balanced Seat, each has a slight variance that is necessary for not only the required criteria of the individual discipline but also to accommodate the vastly different conformation of the different breeds of the Equines involved. As you pointed out, it is indeed folly to think of customary Saddle Seat position on a horse whose poll is lower than his wither as would be to think of a Forward Seat rider on a horse whose neck came straight up out of his wither with his poll several feet above the rider's head. Form to function!

In the particular instance you refer to, there is a caveat that this often overlooked when basic S/S position is described.....Hands should be carried at a height in line with the height of the horse's head. Of course, here is the rub.. When the horse's poll is below the wither, the rider's hands on the wither or below almost preclude correct and upright S/S position. (Shoulder, hip, heel) A judge must use some common sense here to reward riders who are attempting to truly ride and penalize those who, as Madonna said, are into "Vogue".

Below is a excellent description of Saddle Seat Position that comes from the USEF web site, Rule Book Section.

SADDLE SEAT EQUITATION SECTION.
EQ115 Position.

1. GENERAL. Judges should note that the required Equitation Seat should in no way be exaggerated but be thoroughly efficient and most comfortable for riding the type of horse called for at any gait and for any length of time. In Saddle Seat Equitation classes, riders should convey the impression of effective and easy control. To show a horse well, he should show himself to the best advantage. Ring generalship must be taken into consideration b the judges. A complete picture of the whole is of major importance.

2. HANDS. Hands should be held in an easy position, neither perpendicular nor horizontal to the saddle and should show sympathy, adaptability and control. The height the hands are held above the horse’s withers is a matter of how and where the horse carries his head. The method of holding the reins is optional however both hands must be used and all reins must be picked up at one time. Bight of rein should be on the off side. According to tradition, the on side” is the side on which you mount and therefore, the “off side” is the opposite side.

3. BASIC POSITION. To obtain proper position, rider should place himself comfortably in the saddle and find his center of gravity by sitting with a slight bend at the knees but without use of irons. While in this position adjust leathers to fit. The rider should not be sliding off the back of the saddle nor should there be excessive space in the seat behind the rider’s back. Irons should be placed under ball of foot (not toe nor “home”) with even pressure on entire width of sole and center of iron. Foot position should be natural (neither extremely in nor out) with heels down.

This description and the drawing make it completely obvious what is desired when dealing with Saddle Seat position and as mentioned, is readily available on line. There are, of course, many other wonderful instructional materials concerning this with the great Helen Crabtree's books high on my list but I feel this conveys the general idea very well.

You will also find the USEF site helpful in explaining the procedure for acquiring a Judge's license. Briefly, you must attend one of the 1-3 day clinics offered each year, take a test, "guest" or junior judge some shows, then apply for the card with some references. Once secured, may have some "refresher" clinics and tests every few years. The expenses involved are pretty high as are the fees to maintain a license but if you can garner at least 2 shows a year, you can usually break even. More importantly, you will be "paying your dues" to the horse industry and doing your part to insure the standards of judging maintain the highest level.

I hope this has supplied you with the kind of answers you were looking for. I thank you again for your wonderful question. Good Luck and Good Riding,

LF Lavery