11/17/2025
In this photo we have two riders who look very different.
These are screen shots taken a few seconds apart as these riders cantered past in the first flight of a foxhunt.
On the left we have Rider “A” who looks “better” in terms of traditional and classical equitation.
On the right we have Rider “B” who is in a very stable deep seat.
Many will argue that one rider is “better” than the other.
But this is simply not true. These riders are just in different phases of their learning journey.
Comparing them is simply illogical.
And boy, in the horse world do we love comparing riders!
If you are interested in the full description read on below 🙂
Rider “A” details :
Riding in the Stable Riding system over a decade.
Foxhunting over a decade.
Rides multiple horses several days a week of all breeds and types.
Comfortable at a walk/trot/canter with and without stirrups in a variety of saddles.
Comfortable at a gallop.
Comfortable walk/trot/canter/jump ba****ck.
Jumping over 2’9”.
In the photo they are riding a horse they have ridden 5 to 6 days a week for over a year.
Rider “B” details :
Riding in the Stable Riding system for almost 6 years.
Foxhunting less than 8 times.
Rides multiple horses several days a week of all breeds and types.
Comfortable at a walk/trot/canter with and without stirrups in a variety of saddles.
Comfortable at a gallop.
Comfortable walk/trot/ ba****ck.
Recently became comfortable cantering ba****ck.
Recently started jumping over 2 feet.
In the photo they are riding a horse they have only ridden a handful of times and never at an outdoor event, only in the arena prior to this day.
Now, should we expect, demand and require that Rider “B” looks like Rider “A”?
Should we require it right now?
Or can we give them 6 more years of high level instruction and practice?
Also : I didn’t include the riders ages, heights, body proportions or injury histories.
Should we require them same level of performance between them regardless of their body types or body histories?
See, here at Stable Riding I don’t teach riders to “look like” rider “A”.
I teach them to ride - and eventually if given time, practice and the body type, they will evolve to that position naturally.
I believe that rider “B” will one day look the same as rider “A” 😎
But if not. That’s ok too!
Not all riders will ascend to the highest level of technical skill…while others will.
Regardless of that fact ALL RIDERS deserve kind, correct, skill instruction.
Asking all riders to look like Rider “A” and asking them to do it without the base skills and time to practice is illogical and cruel.
I don’t want my riders to ride like anyone but themselves!
I tell all my riders, I want to teach you…to ride like you 👏
