Not bad, but can someone explain?

[is_it_tru]

Comments

[dark_stormhawk]

I don't know about the UK, but I seem to remember these long stirrups becoming a trend in the US hunters a few years back (it could still be the trend for all I know, I don't show rated!). Talk about making life harder than it needs to be!

[keeta]

I think it's still a trend in US hunters. I don't show rated either, but I lurk on Judge My Ride because I have no life and no time/funds to ride so I live vicariously. But the judges regularly complain about how everyone wants long stirrups over fences now and it doesn't help anyone. I really don't see what it's supposed to accomplish.

[hitotoki_mikoto]

I've ridden in rated Hunter shows for years, and I've never seen long stirrups, so I don't know anything about that trend. Thats interesting though, maybe it depends on the state? IDK.

[yourenowave88]

She seems uncomfortable. Like she's afraid she's about to lose her stirrups at any moment. I'd rather my stirrups be too short than too long any day. The riders at the barn I work at tend to have really long stirrups and it baffles me sometimes. I've suggested to some riders to shorten them a hole and I just get stares.

[xxxx_jenny_xxxx]

I see absolutly nothing wrong with this child and his/her stirrups look fine to me.

This is how all hunter classes are suppose to look. Hunting isn't about show jumping it's about equitation and you get better equitation posture in longer stirrups?

And you wear 'paddock boots' so that the judges can see your legs properly.

[dark_stormhawk]

on the flat you'd probably be right, but actually it's a lot easier to have proper equitation o/f when your stirrups are shorter. I ride hunters, but I've had to jump in a dressage saddle with longer stirrups several times before and it really makes it more difficult.

[pony_love]

False. In hunters the horse is judged, not the rider. The judge looks for a smooth round and a nice mover with a good jump. while this is a cute little horse, the rider is doing nothing to help it out. Nobody is keeping the horse straight or balancing it to jumps. The girl isn't using her leg for any purpose and keeps getting the horse to the same uncomfortable distance.

[is_it_tru]

Paddock boots is the American term for short boots. I wasn't really wondering why she was wearing them. I know they are usually protocol for children's divisions, as it's the same here in the U.S.

Anyway, I was always instructed that when jumping, regardless of specific type of jumping, you need to have some angle in your knee. That's why I don't see how longer stirrup = better eq. Struggling to keep your heels down and legs quiet is not helping you achieve good equitation.

I still agree with everyone that's said she looks like uncomfortable. She's working way too hard to ride that pony.

[lurath]

Looks fine to me. But I'm a dressage rider who would rather have too long stirrups than too short (and that length is about what I jumps in!).